Snippets from the life and times of Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni (commemorating 17th April).

Part-3- A Unique 'Dowry'.

On one Wednesday in the month of March- year 1929, Vattasseril Thirumeni, who staying at Old Seminary Kottayam, asked his secretary Mannalil Achen to arrange for a car as he wanted to visit a place. Vattasseril Thirumeni didn't own a car and if a car wasn't available then an 'eight-seater bus' (probably a term for van in those times) would be rented and he would travel in such. Usually his entourage consisted of a priest and two deacons to accompany him. That day he insisted only one deacon would go with him on the journey. Thirumeni didn't specify the destination. Everybody was surprised about this unusual travel plan.

While the car was being arranged, Thirumeni went to the chapel at Old Seminary and spent considerable time in prayers. After the prayers, Thirumeni and the deacon proceed towards the car and started their journey. The deacon saw Thirumeni carrying a packet alongwith him in the car. The destination was the home of Thoma Kathanar Kizhakethalekal in Puthencavu.

Vattasseril Thirumeni asked deacon to check if Achen was at home. On getting a positive response, Thirumeni got out from the car with support from deacon and walked slowly towards Geevarghese Semmasan's home. Thomas Achen wasn't at all expecting Vattasseril Thirumeni- he ran quickly inside to change his clothes, received the customary blessings and welcomed Thirumeni to his home.

Thirumeni asked deacon to wait in the car as he and Achen wanted to have a private audience. The atmosphere was sombre. 

Vattasseril Thirumeni then talked about the betrayal of Mar Ivanios (later Archbishop Mar Ivanios of the Syro Malankara rite of the Roman church) with choked sentiments. Achen tried consoling him. Thirumeni lamented -"Aboon Ivanios will leave us. There is not much time left. Before our flock get embroiled in hopelessness and confusion we have to provide with a glimmer of hope. If Achen thinks I am blabbering foolishness, then please forgive me". He paused for a while and got emotional. Thomas Achen's heart ached to see Thirumeni in such a state.

Composing himself, Thirumeni asked "Achen, will you give your son to the Church for him to be ordained as a Metropolitan?”

Thomas Achen wanted to see Geevarghese Semmasan become a married priest. Semassan was highly educated (he was MA in English literature)- a rarity in those times and had started getting proposals from well-to-do families offering a dowry of two thousand rupees which was a massive amount then. Its magnanimity can be assessed from the fact that a school headmaster in Malabar would draw a monthly salary worth five rupees. Perhaps Vattasseril Thirumeni would have come to know of the proposal discussions happening for Geevarghese Semmassan.  

Thirumeni continued- “I know your family is currently facing financial difficulties but considering the situation that our church is going through……if Achen doesn’t have any concerns..”. Thirumeni couldn’t bring about to finish the sentence and had tears in his eyes. Achen’s eyes welled up. In the next room Sosamma Kochamma was listening to their conversation and the saintly lady didn’t utter a word against this proposal.

Vattasseril Thirumeni suffered from tremors in the left hand. With his right hand, he took the packet that he had carefully placed in the pocket of his clerical robe and kept it on the table as Thomas Achen looked on. Considering that Achen and Kochamma’s silence meant acceptance of Thirumeni’s proposal, Thirumeni bid them farewell and continued his journey.

That packet had two thousand rupees.

Vattasseril Thirumeni’s proposal intended that Semmassan be spiritually married to the Church’s cause and dedicate his life for it. Vattasseril Thirumeni offered the ‘dowry’ to Geevarghese Semmassan’s parents so that the Church could get a blessed monk and bishop to lead her flock spiritually.

Mar Ivanios of Bethany (who later defected to the Roman church and became Archbishop Mar Ivanios) was MA in history and graduated with third class. It was sheer God’s grace coupled with Vattasseril Thirumeni’s spiritual leadership acumen that when a MA history (3^rd class) monk left the Orthodox faith, She received another postgraduate monk who graduated in MA (English literature) with flying colours (second class).

May the prayers of the holy fathers be our refuge always.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: 1) Puthenkavu Kochuthirumeni Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu, By- Adv. P. C. Mathew Pulikottil and K. V. Mammen Kottackal, Kottackal Publishers, 2004, pages 52-54.

2) Image courtesy: Kaalam Cheyutha Parishudha Geevarghese Dwidhiyan Catholica Bava Thirumanassile Janmashathabdhi Smaragu grantham; Malankara Sabha Special, 1973 July edition, Book 28, Issue 9, Pg 36

From L to R- His Grace Geevarghese Mar Philexinos (of blessed memory)-Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni, St. Dionysius (Vattasseril), His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicos (of blessed memory) and His Grace Kuriakose Mar Gregorios (of blessed memory)-Pampady Thirumeni.