‘Six traits of the fishermen that 'fishers of men' ought to have’ - His Grace Zachariah Mar Dionysius Metropolitan (of blessed memory)

Sayings of the saintly fathers series/June 30-Feast of Twelve Apostles.

 The liturgical calendar of the Indian Orthodox Church commemorates the twelve apostles on June 30th. The Lord called few simple fishermen to His ministry and told them- “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him." (St Matthew 4: 19-20).

In the previous post, we noted His Grace Zachariah Mar Dionysius Thirumeni (of blessed memory) reminding us of our evangelical responsibility as we commemorate the holy apostles. In this post Thirumeni elucidates few qualities of the fishermen disciples which is needed for 'fishers of men' and should be specially noted by those who are engaged in gospel work including preaching. 

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1) Patience: The fisherman needs to be patient; exhibiting signs of impatience will only decrease the chances of catching the fish. As the farmer waits (for the harvest), the evangelist needs to wait till the Gospel finds home in the heart of men and grows fruit.

2) Perseverance: In the process of catching fishes, the fisherman throws the net again and again. Similarly, the evangelist needs to have a perseverant attitude.

3) Courage: The fisherman's boat is very small as compared to the gigantic sea. But the fisherman is courageous enough to face the perils of the sea. Likewise, the evangelist should be courageous to face any opposition and even death when proclaiming the True Faith. 

His Grace Zachariah Mar Dionysius Metropolitan of blessed memory

4) Alert: The fisherman needs to be alert at all times during the fishing process. When the fishes are caught in the net, the fisherman needs to promptly pull the nets at the right time. There arise many instances in a man’s life, when he would intently listen to the Gospel, and be moved to repentance. This is the apt time when the evangelist needs to lead them to the Lord.

5) Fit the bait to the fish: The water bodies contain variety of fishes - big and small. The ideal bait would be the one which attracts all kinds of fishes. The evangelist should study various aspects of his audience/gospel listeners- like their educational and social background and adapt his sermon/approach accordingly. We can seek inspiration from St Paul’s methodology. He proclaimed Christ as the God whom Athenians worshipped without knowing. (St Paul saw an altar with inscription- To the unknown God' in Athens (Acts of the Apostles 17:22 onwards)). St Paul says- "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." (1 Corinthians 9:22, NKJV).

6) Keep himself out of the sight: A good fisherman knows how to conceal himself and ensure that the fishes never sense his presence. Similarly, a preacher should never project himself while preaching. His only focus should be Christ and his evangelical duty. Even Christ, during His public ministry and preaching, focused on the Heavenly Father and made Him known to the men. St John the Baptist is a model figure for the evangelists. When Christ came in the view, the Baptist took a backseat. The reason why the hearts of listeners isn't moved when they hear sermons in Churches and elsewhere is because the preacher usually tries to make himself the focus of sermon.

May the feast of the apostles encourage us to inculcate the true spirit of evangelism.

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

In Christ,

Rincy John

Reference:

Zachariah Mar Dionysius- Vrathashudhiyil thalliritta jeevitham, Ed- Ramban Elias Koshy, Published by Mount Tabor Dayara Pathanapuram, Nov 2014 Pg- 173-175. 

The first Seminarians.

His Grace Geevarghese Mar Ivanios Thirumeni of blessed memory shares the spiritual lessons learnt from the journey of the ‘first seminarians’-the holy Apostles. Excerpts below:

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The world’s first theological seminary was the place where the disciples received the doctrinal and spiritual instructions. The Lord Himself was their Teacher in the subject of theology. The below Scripture verses are from the notes of the last lecture that they attended to in the ‘classroom’.

“Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”  When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marvelled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence.” (St Luke 24: 36-43; NKJV)

Even after completing their ‘theological studies’ over the course of three and half years, the disciples still battled with doubts, disagreements and faithlessness.

Simon Peter was the leader of the disciple band; in the present-day seminary terms, he was selected as the ‘Reesh’ (leader) of this group.

The attributes of Simon Peter’s personality are reflective of the disposition of the entire disciple community. In a nutshell, he was an impulsive individual. There are many passages in the Holy Scripture that reveal this aspect of Simon Peter’s persona.

When Simon Peter saw that the Lord was walking over the waters, he too felt an urge to do the same (ref -St Matthew 14:22-33). The Lord called him- ‘Come’. Simon Peter got off the boat, looked onto the Lord, kept his foot on the waters and started walking. Suddenly the wind started blowing. Simon Peter got scared and started drowning. The Lord gave him a helping hand and safely took him ashore.

We need to pay attention to an important fact when we read about this incident. As soon as Simon Peter took his gaze off from the Lord, he started sinking in the waters! It isn’t the only lesson that we learn from this episode. These verses caution us of our desire to become Christ-like hastily, without putting any effort. In today’s times, everyone wants to quickly reach a stage when they can perform miracles. One nurtures a desire to be ‘the one’ who can walk on waters and be the object of awe of the mesmerized onlookers on the dry land. This thought of being ‘the one’- wherein we exaggerate our worth and wish to become the entity of reverence for others – this very thought is harmful for the spiritual life.

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Let us pray- O Lord, You who called the holy Apostles- ordinary men for a divine mission, transforming them- patiently and lovingly, in Your abundant mercy, transform and illumine our hardened hearts.

By the prayers and intercessions of the holy Apostles, may the Lord have mercy upon us and help us!

Wishing all a blessed Apostles Fast.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Reference: ‘Maunathinte Laavanyam’ (The Beauty of Silence); Chapter-2 ‘Gyanathinte Aathmaavu (‘The Spirit of Wisdom’), Baselian Books, Sixth Edition-Oct 2014 Pg-25, 26)

Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II (Mar Dionysius V) Thirumeni and St. Peter's Armenian Church// Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni in Bombay -1864/65.

His Beatitude Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II (Mar Dionysius V) Thirumeni.

Nearly three decades before the saintly fathers St. Gregorios of Parumala and St. Dionysius Vattasseril visited the St Peter's Armenian Church-Colaba, Bombay, this church had witnessed the blessed visit and stay of the spiritual guru of these two saints- His Beatitude Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II (Mar Dionysius V) Thirumeni.

Part -1: Background

Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni was born as Yauseppu (Joseph/Ittoop) in the Pulikkottil family of Kunnamkulam. A summary of this saintly prelate’s biography is a subject matter of another post. This article is limited to the details of the visit of His Beatitude Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni to St. Peter's Armenian Church, Bombay.

At the invitation of His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch and with the consent of the Malankara Church, Youseppu Kasheesha (later Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni) travelled to Turkey, alongwith Mattummel Geevarghese Kasheesha and Koothoor Thaarappan, to be ordained as Metropolitan. This travel was necessitated by the fact that the Malankara Church needed an able leadership to safeguard its faith and counter the tirade of heterodox teachings and practices that were creeping in.

Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni's handwritten notes of this travelogue (kept in the archives of OTS, Kottayam).

Accordingly, they left Kunnamkulam on Kumbham 27, year 1038 (~ mid-March,1864) and boarded the ship from Kochi on Medam 14, year 1038 as per Malayalam calendar (~April 30,1864). When the ship reached Kannur, a Muslim merchant trader known to Youseppu Achen (they had met previously in Kozhikode) had boarded the ship and was going to Bombay as well. This kind-hearted man shared his food with Youseppu Achen and his co-travellers when their food supplies dwindled. He also invited them to his home in Bombay.

The ship reached Bombay on Medam 22 and the group was in Bombay till Edavam 09 (approx from second week till the last week of May) waiting for the ship going onwards to the Middle East.

Part-2: The quest to find the Armenian Church

Upon reaching Bombay they all headed to the Muslim man' home and kept their belongings therein. Thereafter, Youseppu Achen, Geevarghese Achen and Koothoor Thaarappan went in search of the Armenian Church. The search turned futile as nobody seemed to know where this Church was. 

Finally, they met a police constable who agreed to show the church for 4 annas (25 paisa). The priests and layman started walking behind the constable. Having walked for a considerable time, the constable pointed to a building with a huge dome and said it was the Armenian Church which they were looking for.

On entering the building, Youseppu Achen and others were confused to see turbaned Arabs and Muslims. They asked the constable if indeed this was the Armenian Church. The constable gave a positive response. This building was actually a mosque/'arabi pally'. Upon further probing, it was found that the constable confused the word Armenian with Arabic and that is why he took them to a wrong address. The people in the mosque were stern in telling the constable to show the visitors the exact location of the Armenian Church. Finally, they reached the correct destination.

Part- 3: Doubts cleared.

The Vicar of the Armenian Church was a native of Iran and advanced in age. He wasn’t too willing in giving accommodation to outsiders in the church. Seeing that Geevarghese Achen was wearing a white kuppayam (cassock), the Armenian priest refused to believe that these two men were Orthodox clergy, and this made him even more resolute in his decision to refuse them the accommodation in the church.

Youseppu Achen and Geevarghese Achen tried to reason with the Vicar that they were indeed Orthodox clergy. While the priests were discussing this matter, their conversation was overheard by an Armenian layman named Khoja Yakob. He corroborated what Youseppu Achen and Geevarghese Achen were saying and convinced the Armenian priest to allow them to stay in the church. The Vicar acceded to the request and a room in the church building was prepared for their stay.

Youseppu Achen, Geevarghese Achen and Koothoor Thaarappan then went to the Muslim man's house, retrieved their belongings, walked back to the Armenian Church and placed it in the room allocated to them. The sun had almost set by then and they realised that they hadn't had any food since morning. Immediately the trio went to a market and got some food. It was almost 11 PM when they had the dinner. Indeed, it was an eventful day.

The next morning, looking at the black cassocks of Youseppu Achen and Geevarghese Achen all doubts of the Armenian priest were removed. From that day onwards, Youseppu Achen and others would enquire every day for a ship leaving for Basrah (a city in modern day Iraq).

Part 4- A renewed spiritual strength at St Peter’s Church.

Mar Dionysus V Thirumeni mentions an inspiring event that happened during their stay in the Armenian Church. As their travel to the Patriarch was being planned, some people  with crooked mind had handed few letters to Geevarghese Achen to be given to the Patriarch. Geevarghese Achen, unaware of their intentions, took the letters along. It was in Bombay that the saintly priests became aware of the evil intentions.

Youseppu Achen was greatly dejected and thoughts of discontinuing the journey surfaced in his mind.

Youseppu Achen reasoned that while he was present in Malankara, the opponents of the Church were spreading lies against the faith and such behaviour would increase in his absence (when he was traveling abroad to get ordained). Achen also had received many discouraging comments when funds were being collected for his journey.  Geevarghese Achen and Thaarappan tried to console Youseppu Achen but the despair was too great.

Once when nobody was there in the Armenian Church, Youseppu Achen entered the Madbaha/Holy Altar and prayed on his knees with tears. The saintly father earnestly implored to God to alleviate the pitiable situation that the Malankara Church was in and to protect the Church from the onslaught of heterodox teachings. In Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni's own words- "I may not become the Metropolitan due to the plotting by evil men. But that is of no issue. I submitted by humble prayers to the Holy Throne of the Lord that he may chose an able bishop to lead the flock in Malankara."

After prayers, Youseppu Achen felt relieved in his heart and he felt that there was radiance in his face when he came outside. Indeed, this signified the time to come when he would be known as the 'radiance of the Church' (Malankara Sabha Thejas) as under his spiritual and able leadership that the Malankara Church gloriously grew by leaps and bounds.

It is so heartening to note that it was in St Peter's Armenian Church where Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni received immense spiritual strength to move ahead in the journey. Thirumeni had almost given up but his tearful prayers in this blessed Church gave him the spiritual vigour to proceed ahead.

On the 09th Edavam evening, Youseppu Achen, Geevarghese Achen and Koothoor Thaarappan entered the ship for Basra (Iraq) having paid the fees of Rs 96. The Armenian Christians of Bombay came to port to see them off.

Part 5- Meeting Dr Wilson.

Dr John Wilson

Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni on his way back to Kerala (after the consecration) had a stopover in Bombay again in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam 25, year 1039 (approx. second week of August in 1865).  Thirumeni stayed in Armenian Church this time as well. He was in Bombay till Chingam 23 (approx. second week of September 1865).

Wilson College (1893, Bombay)

During this period, he went to meet Dr Wilson at his college (Wilson College, Chowpatty Seaface Rd). Mar Dionysius could not meet Dr Wilson during their onward journey to Turkey as Dr Wilson was in Poona (Pune) at that time.

Dr Wilson was very happy on meeting Thirumeni.  He handed a ‘Masumoora book’ in Syriac (book of Psalms) to Thirumeni.  Dr Wilson and his students were elated when Thirumeni started reading the Syriac work. Dr Wilson, amongst other things, expounded the importance of Syriac to his students and told that it belonged to the linguistic family which Jesus spoke.

Dr Wilson was a great help to Thirumeni during the latter's stay in Bombay and also came to meet Thirumeni at the Armenian Church.

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May the prayers of the saintly fathers help us as we begin the journey to the holy Apostles’ fast.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: Oru Paradeshayathrayude Katha, His Beatitude Joseph Mar Dionysius V, Pgs 44-47, 96, (Part-IV, Malankara Sabhayude Suvarna Yugasilpi Malankara Sabha Thejas Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II, Vol. III, Editor: Fr. Dr. Joseph Cheeran, Published by His Grace Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulios Metropolitan, M. J. D. Publishing House, Kunnamkulam).

Image reference pages for Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni’s portait and the picture showing his handwritten notes of this travelogue (kept in the archives of OTS, Kottayam)- Pgs 2(appendix) and 5.

Images of Dr John Wilson and Wilson College (image of 1893) taken from Wikipedia.

On the feast of Pentecost- Excerpts from a sermon by Malankara Sabha Bhasuran -St Dionysius of Vattasseril.

Dearly beloved,

We should be pure in our hearts. The disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ were very sad when the Lord, after the Resurrection, proclaimed to them about His ascension. The disciples were together because of the Lord- He reigned over them like a king, He taught and counselled them like a teacher, He cared for them like a father would. He was the Perfect Man who guided and protected their ways. The disciples had pinned the hopes of their future onto the Lord and hence they were grieved to hear that the Lord was leaving, and they will no longer be able to see Him in this world.

There was no need for the disciples to be saddened if only they had the faith in their hearts about what their beloved Teacher taught-that He is the Lord and God and those who are pure in their hearts shall see God.

However, the disciples were comforted in many ways. Through the miraculous signs shown by the Risen Lord, and the knowledge that He was going to heaven- a glorious dwelling unlike earth or any other place laden with trials and tribulations, offered consolation to the disciples.

Our Lord can see His children from the great heights of heaven. (Citing an example from nature) The higher an eagle soars the better it can see its target. Our Lord is invisible to the worldly eye, but the world is not invisible to Him, He looks after us always.

The disciples were comforted by the message of the angels during the Ascension of our Lord- "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11 NKJV) and noting how the Lord was ascending to heaven. With His eyes fixated on the disciples and the hands outstretched as giving them blessings, the onlookers had hope that He will continue to bless them from heaven.

Lord Jesus Christ had promised a greater consolation to the disciples- "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;" (St John 14:16, KJV). Our Lord comforted the disciples further- Through the Holy Spirit you shall have joy; the grief due to My separation shall wither away. The Holy Spirit is equal to Me and shall remain with you forever. He will manifest on the day of Pentecost- The Holy Spirit will comfort, protect and bless you with the gift of grace.

On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were together in one place, tongues of fire appeared to them.  "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4). The disciples believed and received the gift to perform many miracles.

Peter, who denied Christ when questioned by a girl, upon being anointed with Holy Spirit, boldly proclaimed Christ in front of thousands. The chosen disciples who ran away in fear during the crucifixion of the Lord, upon being anointed with the Holy Spirit, received strength, faith, joy and were comforted.

The question may arise as to why these things don't happen now as it did during those times?

Generations, time and place are no roadblocks for receiving the Holy Spirit for those who desire, have faith, and who are willing to patiently wait to receive the gift of Holy Spirit. This is the fulfillment of the prophetic words.

Don't be troubled thinking that only the disciples could receive the Holy Spirit and you cannot because of your sinful life. Think of God as a loving Father; wouldn't an earthly father love and have mercy on his children no matter how they are. He pours the Holy Spirit not only to the pure and willing but also on the poor and undeserving beings. Our Mighty Lord can cleanse our sins and make us worthy again. Take refuge in the Lord- do not be disheartened. The Holy Spirit abides in us though we may not be deserving. The Holy Spirit cleanses us. We should plead to the Lord to make us pure and worthy to receive the Spirit. Jesus will ask the Father for us.

How can we think of committing a sin if we truly believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in us!? We will refrain from iniquities if we really believe that Lord Jesus Christ ascended to heaven and He beholds and blesses us. May the grace of the Lord help us that our hearts be made pure, so that we become worthy temples for Holy Spirit to dwell in us forever, and thus also become the heirs to kingdom of heaven.

By the prayers of our father among the saints-St Dionysius of Vattasseril, Lord have mercy upon us.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: This is an English translation of the sermon which appeared in the Malankara Sabha magazine, May 1955, Volume 9, Issue 7, Pg-7,8 (Notes in Malayalam taken by Ramban Fr Thomas Marett).