“One ‘sayippu’* is coming to see me”- A beautiful journey of discipleship.

Life and times of the saintly ascetic- His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Bava Thirumeni (of blessed memory). Commemorated on 26^th May.

St Gregorios of Parumala was once visited by a pregnant lady who lamented about her health issues due to complications related to the pregnancy. Parumala Thirumeni assured her that he will keep this matter in prayers. Through the prayers of the saint, the pregnancy complications of the expectant mother went away. Parumala Thirumeni had a divine inspiration about this unborn child; the saint told the expectant mother that she will bear a son and the child should be dedicated to the Lord. Indeed, a male child was born and when the boy turned six years old, he was entrusted under the care of St Gregorios of Parumala who prayed for the little boy and set him apart for the Lord’s vineyard. Thus, master CM Thomas grew under the spiritual guidance of St Gregorios of Parumala. St Gregorios took utmost care in the education of the young boy who was admired by all for his academic brilliance especially his command over the English language.

History repeated itself few decades later when Ramban CM Thomas had a divine inspiration for a young lad named CT Thomas whose rendition of the Vth Thubden moved the Oxford returned Rambachan. Ramban CM Thomas took CT Thomas under his fold for a monastic life. In 1940, Ramban CM Thomas was ordained as His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan by His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Bava Thirumeni and he assumed the charge of Niranam diocese which was once led by newly ordained Bishop’s guru- St Gregorios of Parumala.

Brother CT Thomas (later His Grace Thomas Mar Timethios Metropolitan/H.H Didymos Bava Thirumeni), Brother C. Sakaria (later His Grace Zechariah Mar Dionysius Metropolitan), Brother NJ Thomas (later Rev Dr NJ Thomas Ramban), Brother CO Yohanan and Brother CT Isaac were the initial inmates of the Mount Tabor monastery. Under the spiritual guidance of Superior Thirumeni (His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan), the novices led a life of prayer, silence, fasting and monastic vows. Superior Thirumeni stressed on the need for spiritual labour as well as manual labour.

Because of his intellectual prowess, Brother CT Thomas was the favorite of Yohannan Achen who used to teach the monastery inmates Syriac and liturgical worship. When Malpan Achen shared a positive feedback about Brother CT Thomas to Superior Thirumeni, Thirumeni responded that he had sensed the brilliance of this young lad and that is the reason why Thirumeni took him to the monastery. Though Brother CT Thomas was not the eldest amongst the monastery inmates, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that he will be the one who will carry forward the legacy of Superior Thirumeni. When the initial inmates of the monastery were ordained to the order of priesthood, Thoma Mar Dionysius Thirumeni alongwith giving them necessary guidance, also said “Superiority lies not in seniority but in sanctity”, giving an indication of the greater role that Fr CT Thomas was going to be entrusted with.

On August 24,1966, Ramban CT Thomas along with Fr. N. A. Youhanon Malpan (later His Grace Yuhanon Mar Severios Metropolitan of blessed memory) and Fr K Philipose (later His Grace Dr Philipose Mar Theophilus Metropolitan of blessed memory) were elevated as bishops at St. Peter's and St. Paul’s Church, Kolenchery. Ramban CT Thomas became His Grace Thomas Mar Timotheos Metropolitan.

At Mount Tabor Dayara, Superior Thirumeni was enthusiastically involved in the preparations to welcome his dear spiritual son – the newly ordained Metropolitan, to the monastery. A room near the chapel was constructed for Timethios Thirumeni’s stay.

The construction of this room was initiated long time back. Mammen Semmassen (later His Grace Job Mar Philexinos Metropolitan of blessed memory) and Elias Semmassen were entrusted to look after the progress. Dionysius Thirumeni would observe the construction from his room and provide regular constructive feedback. Understanding Superior Thirumeni’s keen interest in the construction, they asked as to who was coming to stay there. Dionysius Thirumeni quipped- “One saiyppu is coming to see me and he is going to stay in this room”. It didn’t take long for Mammen Semmassen and Elias Semmassen to figure out that the ‘saiyppu’ was none other than Kochu Thirumeni/newly ordained Metropolitan. For them it was heartwarming to see Dionysius Thirumeni personally arranging the room, keeping all essential items required with his own hands. It showed how much Valiya Thirumeni loved his spiritual son.

When once asked if he has encountered grief in his lifetime, Didymos Bava Thirumeni’s replied that his greatest sorrow was when His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan left for heavenly abode. “He loved me like his own son” said our beloved shepherd reminiscing about his guru.

The Malankara Orthodox Church is blessed to have such monastic shepherds whose spiritual life has been an inspiration for many. May the monasteries and the monastics be blessed by the prayers and intercession of the holy fathers.

Pray for us always-O holy fathers!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: HH Baselius Marthoma Didymus I Catholicos- Ashrama Aaramathil Vidarnna Panineer Pushpam (Biography), Edited by Elias Koshy Ramban, Published by Mount Tabor Publications, Pathanapuram, 26 May 2017

*sayippu- A Malayalee slang usually used to denote an Englishman.

Image- The departed spiritual stalwarts of Mount Tabor Dayara- His Grace Thoma Mar Dionysius Metropolitan (of blessed memory), His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Didymus I Bava Thirumeni (of blessed memory), His Grace Zechariah Mar Dionysius Metropolitan (of blessed memory), His Grace Job Mar Philexinos Metropolitan (of blessed memory).

Life and times of the saintly ascetic- His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Bava Thirumeni (of blessed memory). Commemorated on 26th May.

A life devoted to prayer.

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“It was in May 1995 that I received my first opportunity to travel with Thirumeni. We were travelling from Kozhikode to Kottayam and at around 2 AM in the morning we reached Devalokam. Early morning, I and (Thirumeni’s secretary) Semmassan were startled by the knock on the doors of our room. We opened it to see Thirumeni standing therein who had just finished the liturgical prayers in the chapel. We hung our head in shame when he asked- “You desire to join the seminary, right. Don’t you need to have prayerful life?”. We had reached Devalokam Aramana at 2 AM and at 4:30 AM, Thirumeni was ready (after having done the usual morning routine including bath) for the liturgical prayers. Thirumeni maintained this discipline in prayer life, that he inculcated in the monastery, till the end of his earthly journey. For us prayer is an obligation, for him prayer was life.

Even when he was physically weak (after having abdicated the Catholicose position) and had feeble memory owing to old age, he would enthusiastically participate in liturgical prayers without showing any signs of ill health or memory loss. It wasn’t the medications but prayers which offered him comfort.

Even in mundane things, his actions implied the reliance on God’s mercy and grace. In old age, Thirumeni had to take medications related to diabetes and heart ailments. At each instance of taking those medications, he would keep the pills in his left hand and with his right would bless it with a sign of cross before consuming them. Before signing any documents, he would make a sign a cross, keep the matter in prayers and only then he would sign. He would say the customary prayers before taking a bath (as stated in the Pampakuda Namaskaaram) and bless the waters with a sign of cross before bathing.

There would be no change in his prayer routine even if the circumstances were such that Thirumeni had to spend the night at someone’s home. If at all a prayer mat was unavailable in such home, then Thirumeni would place newspapers on the floor and do the prostrations.

Whenever Thirumeni celebrated Holy Qurbana, he would spend atleast 45 minutes for ‘Thoyoobo’ (the preparatory prayers) and his prayers with tears have been a moving witness for those inside the Holy Altar.”

May the prayers of the holy father be our refuge always!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: Ancedotes by Fr Varghese Kurian (abridged)- HH Baselius Marthoma Didymus I Catholicos- Ashrama Aaramathil Vidarnna Panineer Pushpam (Biography), Edited by Elias Koshy Ramban, Published by Mount Tabor Publications, Pathanapuram, 26 May 2017, Page191-193.

‘Shashi Tharoorism’ at a school elocution competition.

Thadikkal Piely Varghese, the third of the five sons his parents begot, was an intelligent and one of the smartest in the class. His precocious side was noticed early on, when his elder brother’s classmates who were six years senior to him, would bring their English textbooks to Varghese to hear him read those. Master Varghese would oblige often without understanding what most of the words in the textbook meant.

He was small in stature but had a longish head and was nicknamed ‘Kottodithalayan’ or hammerhead. Years later he would reminisce about this aspect in his autobiography- “I find it difficult even today to buy a hat that fits my long head. A 7 1/2 size does not quite fit. I do not think that the size of my head has anything to do with its content, except that at times I do seem to have a swollen head.”

When the boy was in the ninth grade, he participated in a school elocution competition (he had won numerous prizes in elocution and essay competitions) and this time he managed to memorize a particularly bombastic passage from an Indian humor magazine and delivered it as his oration (ofcourse without understanding half the words he pronounced).

The speech was as below:

“In promulgating your esoteric cogitations or articulating your superficial sentimentalities and amicable philosophical or psychological observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your extemporaneous descantings and unpremeditated expatiations have intelligibility and veracious vivacity, without rodomontade or parsmical bombast. Sedulously avoid all polysyllabic profundity, pompous prolixity, psittaceous vacuity, ostentatious vapidity and ventriloquy verbosity. Let your conversational communications possess a clarified conciseness, a compact comprehensibility, a coalescent consistency and a concatenated cogency. Eschew all conglomerations of flatulent garrulity, jejune babblement and asinine affectations.”

What catches people's attention about the Indian Parliamentarian- Mr Shashi Tharoor, is his eloquent vocabulary and his intriguing use of lesser known words in the English language. An article or speech of his would make most Indians reach out for a dictionary. This inevitably led to jokes that he would use complex English words to describe simple tasks.

In modern terms, this school boy had pulled a ‘Shashi Tharoor’ in that competition (obviously that was much before Mr Tharoor was born). His concluding statement explained what the heavy jargons he used in the speech meant:

“In other words, talk plainly, briefly, sensibly and naturally. Say what you mean; mean what you say; and do not use big words.”!!!

The judges were impressed with his diction and no surprises the young boy won the prize as well. That day, His Grace Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Thirumeni of blessed memory felt “his head became a little more swollen”. 😊

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref:

His Dr. Paulos Mar Gregorios, The Complete Works of Paulos Mar Gregorios- Love’s Freedom: The Grand Mystery,A Spiritual Autobiography, Nov2018, Pgs 293-95. Image source- pg-292.

Image- Sitting on extreme left is T.P Varghese (later His Grace Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Metropolitan of blessed memory) with his brothers and a cousin sister.

“Semmassen, please forgive me.”

Life and times of the saintly ascetic- His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymos I Bava Thirumeni (of blessed memory). Commemorated on 26^th May.

His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didymus I Bava Thirumeni (of blessed memory)

It was an usual practice for Thirumeni to give some cash as a gift to the kitchen staff (and few other workers) working at the Devalokam Aramana, Pathanapuram Dayara and Malabar Aramana during Onam and Easter. While going to a church from Catholicate Palace, Devalokam, Thirumeni gave his secretary Semmassen (the author of this anecdote/article- Fr Varghese Kurien) some money and gave instructions on distributing the money to the staff members. It was Onam that time. The following year, during the Onam period, Thirumeni and Semmassen reached Devalokam Aramana one evening. After the evening prayers, Thirumeni gave some cash to Semmassen (there were multiple 1000 denomination notes) and asked him to get change for such amount.

Assuming this was the gift for the kitchen and other staff at Devalokam Aramana, Semassan promptly got the change and as instructed last year, he gave the same amount to the concerned staff. Thirumeni, after completing the supper, was waiting near the chapel for the Soothara Namaskaram. On seeing Semmassen, Thirumeni enquired about the money which he gave to him. Semassan responded that he distributed the money amongst the Aramana staff. Getting furious, Thirumeni scolded him- ‘Just do what you are specifically instructed’. Somehow Semmassen was able to mumble that he presumed the money was for the Aramana staff since last year he was instructed to do likewise. Semmassen was very much grieved and didn’t talk much to Thirumeni that day.

Thirumeni had to go to Karaikkal Church the next day to celebrate the Holy Qurbana. Semmassen asked another deacon who was junior to him to help with Thirumeni’s work before leaving. Thirumeni and Semmassen reached Karaikkal church early; Thirumeni asked for a chair and sat outside. He calmly called for Semmassen. Semmassen hesitated and stood behind Thirumeni.

Thirumeni called again and asked Semmassen to come closer. Thirumeni lovingly said – “Semmassen, please forgive me. Please forget those things which I said in anger.”

Semmassen wept and lamented that the saintly father was seeking forgiveness from a man who was much junior to him in age and spiritual stature.

The venerable Didymos Bava Thirumeni lived a life exactly in accordance with Jesus Christ’s teachings-

“Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (St Matthew 5:23;24)

May the prayers of the holy father be our refuge always!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: HH Baselius Marthoma Didymus I Catholicos- Ashrama Aaramathil Vidarnna Panineer Pushpam (Biography), Edited by Elias Koshy Ramban, Published by Mount Tabor Publications, Pathanapuram, 26 May 2017, Page195-196.

An IAF officer’s edifying encounter with Fr K.K. Mathews (later His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan of blessed memory) at Secunderabad.

Fr. K.K Mathews (later HG Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan)

In 1951, at the age of 26, Mathukutty Semassan* (later His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan of blessed memory) was ordained as a priest by His Grace Augen Mar Timothios Thirumeni (later His Holiness Baselios Augen 1 Catholicose of blessed memory). The newly ordained priest celebrated the first Holy Qurbana at Kadamattom Church. At that time, few Orthodox parishioners of the St Andrews Church, Secunderabad were looking for a priest and enquired if Fr. K.K. Mathews be interested to take such responsibility.  

Fr Mathews was greatly encouraged by his uncle- Fr. KP Paulose- a known scholar of the Malankara Orthodox Church to pursue postgraduate studies. Considering he could get opportunities to study MSc there, Fr. Mathews agreed and thus he became the Vicar of the Orthodox parish in Secunderabad. However, Mathews Achen was unable to secure MSc admission immediately and his uncle asked him to come back since he felt it was futile to continue at a place, where the young priest couldn’t pursue postgraduate studies. Mathews Achen declined; being a small parish it would be difficult for the parishioners to get a new priest and it was his duty to take care of their spiritual needs after having agreed to take the church responsibility was his response. 

The first year was fully focused on the parish duties and the parish made significant progress. Barnabas Thirumeni reminisces in his autobiography that, had he got admission (for MSc course) in that year, he would not have been able to fully commit to the parish responsibilities. Everything is beautifully planned in God’s care. Mathews Achen was also able to get MSc admission the following year. Below is an excerpt from Thirumeni’s autobiography about an interaction he had with an IAF officer during his Secunderabad days:

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“I used to have my meals at Taj Mahal hotel in Secunderabad. During one such mealtime visits to the hotel, I happened to get acquainted with an Indian Air Force officer. This officer was a Hindu by faith. One day, as we were coming out of the hotel after finishing the meal, I felt a desire to share about Christ and His message with him.

As our conversation progressed, this officer remarked that Christ had also spoken silly things as well. I asked what according to him were those teachings. He responded- “didn’t the shepherd who went in search of the lost sheep endanger the lives of the rest 99? Those 99 sheep are in a strange land without the care of their shepherd. While caring for that one sheep, the shepherd forgot to think of the safety of the remaining 99!”

I responded that the shepherds of this world can only be present at one place at a time. However, our Lord-the Heavenly Shepherd is Omnipresent; it is possible for Him to be present at multiple places at one time. Our Lord can manifest His work on each and every human being at the same time.

After sharing this truth, I went to explain on why Christ taught the parable of the lost sheep. The officer was pleased with my response.”

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What Christ taught through the parable is that every human being is precious to God whether or not he/she be accepted or loved by society. His Incarnation, the death on the Cross, the Resurrection was all focussed around us. Those who are struggling mentally, spiritually, emotionally remember this- Our Lord is a loving and caring Shepherd; you are His prized possession!

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”- St Matthew 18:11-14

May the prayers and intercessions of the holy fathers be our refuge always!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: ‘Daivathinte Krupa’- Autobiography of His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan, March 2011, Pg-26-29. Image reference page #- Pg 45.

*It was Mr CI George, the grandnephew of St Gregorios of Parumala, who instructed the newly ordained Achen to adopt the name of Mathews instead of Mathukutty which Achen happily agreed.

The living experience of Resurrection by Fr. CV John, Calcutta. (1955)

This is an English translation (slightly abridged) of a sermon given during Holy Qurbana on 'New Sunday'/Sunday after the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord, to the Orthodox faithful at the Union Church- Sindri (Jharkand, then Bihar) in the year 1955. This was published in the May issue of Malankara Sabha magazine of the same year.

Reading the sermon, I could visualise the 'nameless pioneers of Christ' i.e. our forefathers and mothers, who, despite being thousands of kilometres away from the homeland and staying in the interiors of the eastern part of this country with people of different faith and beliefs , didn't abandon the Orthodox faith while they worked hard to sustain  their families and establish themselves in the secular vocations. I could also feel the concern of a spiritual father who wishes to spiritually nurture and protect his flock in an alien land. It is helpful to remember that in those times, transportation wasn't well developed as it is now. The priests travelled great lengths, often to remote places enduring many hardships so that the laity isn't devoid of the spiritual blessings.

Our churches outside Kerala had humble beginnings. It has been God's grace coupled with the hardwork of clergy and laity and the intercessions of the saints that our Church has been able to grow leaps and bounds.

On this International Workers'Day (01st May is celebrated as International Workers' Day/Labour's Day in many countries), may we call to remembrance with gratitude those hardworking clergy, forefathers and mothers who nourished the infant church outside Kerala.
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"O Blessed in the Lord,

I am pleased and offer glory to the Lord for having given me an opportunity to meet you all and to celebrate the Holy Qurbana in your midst.

There are two points that I want to talk about and bring to your attention. The first is regarding the experience of peace.  The most blessed experience that we can have in our earthly journey is the time we spend with God. We make time for many secular activities, but these will not give us true peace. The God of peace is our Lord Jesus Christ. The Risen Lord offered spiritual peace to His disciples. We must spiritually prepare ourselves to experience that peace.

You do not have regular liturgical services nor you have a presence of a priest who stays here full time to counsel you. Even in the parishes with systematic and consistent liturgical services, it is not uncommon to find the faithful lagging in their spiritual lives. As such you ought to be even more vigilant (since you are staying in a place that is this place is bereft of regular liturgical services) so as to wade off slothfulness in spiritual life

You should strive to experience the spiritual peace daily. The divine fellowship with the Lord is the source of this inner spiritual peace. No one can quantify how precious this peace is. At your homes, in the morning and evening, you should sing devotional hymns, read the Holy Bible, pray the liturgical prayers. You all can perform this part of Liturgy at home. Let me remind you to be extremely observant in these matters.

In a world devoid of peace, it is the fellowship with the Lord offers us the true peace. Nobody should miss the Holy Qurbana- all should attend the Divine Liturgy faithfully and partake the Holy Body and Blood of our Lord and receive blessings and peace.

The last Sunday was the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord. This Sunday is the New Sunday. Let me give you message of our Lord’s Resurrection. He who died on a Cross for us on Friday and was buried in a tomb, rose on early Sunday morning. This is a joyous event. The jealous Pharisees crucified the Lord who only did good for them. They thought that the story of Jesus of Nazareth is over- that thought couldn’t even sustain for three days. Those who cheered on Friday were put to shame on Sunday. Our Lord rose from dead defeating death and sin. The way of Christ is a way of life and strength.

We should live our lives justly and be dead to sins. St Paul says of his own experience- “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). This is the living experience of the Resurrection.

The sins should be crucified. Christ should be allowed to dwell in our hearts. You are not the children of this world- do not yield to the worldly passions. The resurrected life is a life of victory. You are called to overcome the sinful passions and walk as renewed being.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)

You have left Christian homes (in your native places) to stay in areas which consists of people from different faiths. Your conduct should be such that you are seen as holy beings by others. You should carry the commandments in your hearts. People of other faiths should see Christ in you. The dead fish flows alongwith the wave- don’t be like those dead fishes- resist being flown away with the wave of worldly charms.

Through devotional hymns, reading of the Holy Bible,  liturgical prayers, attending and partaking the Holy Qurbana- these are means by which you can daily strengthen the experience of Resurrection in your life . We should strive to overcome temptations by taking refuge in the Lord and aim to live a life filled with spiritual joy and peace. May God help you through the Holy Spirit to taste the experience of Resurrection in your life."

In Christ,
Rincy John

Ref: Malankara sabha magazine, May 1955, Volume 9, Issue 7, Pg-22,23.

St Gregorios of Parumala and the pandemic(smallpox) at Thumpamon in 1885.

We are well aware of the plague that devastated Kunnamkulam (Kerala) in 1935 and how the prayers of Pampady Thirumeni alleviated the misery. Did you know almost 50 years before this deadly plague, another village in Kerala was saved from a pandemic due to the prayers and intercessions of St Gregorios of Parumala?

Parumala Thirumeni's compassion for others was awe inspiring. 'Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy' (St Matt 5:7) was a focal point of his discourses and advise to others. The village of Thumpamon in Kerala was hit by a massive pandemic in 1885. Smallpox had crippled this place.

Along with Niranam, Parumala Thirumeni was also the Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese. Hearing of this situation, Parumala Thirumeni proceeded towards Thumpamon. Thirumeni’s arrival was communicated to the people of the church by ringing the church bell. In few minutes the church was full of priests and lay people who rushed to meet the saintly bishop. The priests informed Thirumeni about the details of the pandemic. Thirumeni was deeply moved as he was apprised of the devastation caused by smallpox in that region. Thirumeni then entered the Madbaha/ Holy Altar for prayers. The atmosphere was sombre as the saint, the priests and the faithful prayed with tears to the Lord.

St Gregorios then visited the homes of the afflicted. He walked through the muddy paths to visit the sick, didn't differentiate people based on their status.He prayed for their recovery and consoled them.

Through Parumala Thirumeni's prayers, many people were healed. Miraculously the smallpox disappeared from the village. Thirumeni stayed in Thumpamon until the pandemic passed. Thirumeni's merciful nature and concern for others touched everyone's hearts.

While the world is gripping with the Covid-19 pandemic, let us fervently seek the intercession and prayers of our saintly fathers and mothers.
By the prayers of our holy father among the saints- St Gregorios of Parumala, Lord have mercy upon us and help us.

In Christ,
Rincy John

Ref:
1) Mar Gregorios Viyogam, Parumala Seminary Publications, 1952, Pg 17.
2) Thumpamon St Mary's Orthodox church history -http://thumpamonpally.com/

St Dionysius Vattasseril on the steadfast faith of Blessed Alvares Thirumeni.

29th April 2020 marks the 184th birth anniversary of Blessed Alvares Thirumeni. In the Orthodox tradition, we do not have the concept of ‘celebrating’ birthdays of saintly fathers and mothers, but we rather commemorate their departure who ‘fought the good fight, finished the course and kept the faith’ (2 Timothy 4:7). The intent of this posting is to remind the readers of the glorious spiritual life of the Blessed Alvares Thirumeni. He was born in Verna (Salcete taluka11) on 29 April 1836, to Jose Batista Alvares and Marinha Expectacao Lourenco.The Alvares family was locally hailed as “devanghar” (house of God) in acknowledgement of the many acts of charity performed by its members. It was this exposure to human needs/care in his early years that sowed the seeds in the young Alvares to champion for the cause of the downtrodden and to boldly speak against oppression.

Vattaseril Thirumeni exhorts us to emulate the faith exhibited by Alvares Thirumeni in this following speech titled ‘Conscience and Peace’ (Manasakshiyum Samaadhaanavum):

“You are well aware about our Alvares Methrachen (Metropolitan). It has been only a few months since he left for heavenly abode. He died when he was almost 90 years or so. He stood firm and steadfast in his faith. Towards the end of his life, he lived in the city of Goa. There was no one from the Orthodox faith in that town, in fact majority of the people belonged to the Roman church. He did have few esteemed and honoured individuals from the Hindu faith and business community as his friends. He told these friends before his death:

“When I am on my deathbed, many priests of the Roman fold may come and advise me to renounce my faith. Due to ill-health and fatigue I may move my head. Seeing my head movements, they will proclaim that I have nodded in agreement to what they instructed me. To ensure such things do not happen; I declare the following with you as a witness: I will never renounce my faith, even on my deathbed. If anyone claims that I have renounced my faith, then you are a witness to the fact that it is not true.”

You must understand how firm his faith was. For the sake of ensuring peace with others, nobody one should renounce his faith, or act against his conscience.”

May the prayers of the saintly fathers be our refuge.

In Christ,
Rincy John

Ref:

1) Dr Samuel Chandanapally, Malankara Sabha Pithankanmaar, Volume 1, April 2012, chapter 4, Page 313, CeeDees Books, Pathanamthitta, Kerala.

2) Carmo Azevedo; Patriot and Saint- The Life Story of Bishop Mar Julius –I Page 5-6, Panjim 1988

An old photo of the saintly fathers of the Malankara Church

The saintly fathers: St Gregorios of Parumala sitting on the extreme right and St Dionysius Vattasseril (then Malankara Malpan Geevarghese Kathanar/Fr Geevarghese) standing on extreme left. Group photo taken in 1899.

Sitting (L to R)- Mar Ivanios Murimattom(later His Holiness Baselios Paulose I Catholicose), Mar Athanasius-Kadavil, Mar Dionysius V- Pulikkottil, St Gregorios of Parumala.

Standing (L to R)- St Dionysius Vattasseril (then Malankara Malpan Geevarghese Kathanar/Fr Geevarghese), Punnoose Rembachan-Kallasseril (later His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II), Paulose Rembachan- Kochuparambil, Geevarghese Rembachan-Karuchira (later His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese I), Malankara Malpan Konnattu Maathan Kathanar.

May the prayers of the holy fathers be our refuge.

In Christ,
Rincy John

Ref: Mar Gregorios Viyogam, Golden Jubilee Souvenir-1952.