Mrs.
Achamma Mathai, whose significant leadership alongwith other clergy and lay
stalwarts resulted in the formation of the first parish of the Bombay Orthodox
Diocese- the St Mary’s Orthodox Church at Dadar, wrote a eulogy on His Holiness
Baselios Geevarghese II (of blessed memory) in a souvenir published on the occasion
of the 100th birth anniversary of Bava Thirumeni in 1973. While fondly
remembering the spiritual stature of the holy father, Mrs. Mathai shares an
interesting anecdote that happened during the Dadar church’s consecration in
1951. Deeply moved by the consecration ceremony, Rani Sahiba- the wife of the
Governor lamented to Thirumeni- her words are noteworthy and piercing.
 |
| His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Bava Thirumeni at the reception organised by the Governor. |
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“Even
though I have lived most of my life outside Kerala, I have had the good fortune
to meet His Holiness on several occasions and receive his blessings. One that
stands out in memory is when His Holiness accepted the invitation to consecrate
the first Orthodox Syrian church in Bombay.
The
Governor of Bombay at that time was Raja Sir Maharaj Singh. His father belonged
to the Kapurthala family. He was one of the earliest to accept Christianity and
in doing so had to renounce his claim to the Gadi (Chair/Throne) of Kapurthala
State. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur – the health minister in the first cabinet of
Independent India was his sister.
Raja
Maharaj Singh was a great admirer of the ancient Orthodox Church and was deeply
interested in its history and rituals. It was the chief subject of conversation
whenever I met him. On hearing that His Holiness the Catholicose was to
consecrate the church in Bombay, he and Rani Sahiba wished to be present on the
occasion.
The Service
was a very impressive one. His Holiness’s personality and his rich deep voice
added to the solemnity and dignity of the service. I noticed tears in the eyes
of Rani Sahiba when His Holiness consecrated every door and window with the
sign of Cross in Holy Moroon. They told me afterwards that they were greatly
impressed by the Service.
At the reception given by the Governor to His
Holiness, the Rani Sahiba came up to him and told him it was not their fault
that they were not the members of this Church. “Your church did not bring the
message of Christ to the Raja”. His Holiness smiled and blessed her.
If he was
alive today it would gladden his heart to see how much the membership of the
church had grown in Bombay…His Holiness spoke of efficacy of prayer, prayer not
merely as a supplication but as time of meditation which brought you closer to
God. Giving you strength and courage to overcome the weight of cross that each
of us is called to bear. On one occasion he advised us to hold tightly onto the
holy Mother. She is the best mediator to ease our suffering and sorrows…
May the
Church through the prayers of His Holiness become a still greater instrument of
service, peace and goodwill.”- Mrs.
Achamma Mathai- Bava Thirumeni, A Guiding Light Forever (Kaalam Cheyutha
Parishudha Geevarghese Dwidhiyan Catholica Bava Thirumanassile Janmashathabdhi
Smaragu grantham; Malankara Sabha Special, 1973 July edition, Book 28, Issue 9,
Pg 160-163)
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May the
prayers of the holy Theotokos and all the saints help us during these testing
times.
In Christ,
Rincy John
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