Remembering Very Rev Cyril Rambachan (of blessed memory). (d. 02 Sep 2008)

On September 02, the Church commemorates a noble monk who deeply loved the Orthodox Church and her faith- Very Rev. Cyril Rambachan. Like St Cyril of Alexandria- the pillar of faith, Cyril Rambachan was a staunch proponent of Orthodoxy and wrote numerous books to make the people aware of the Orthodox faith. Rambachan belonged to the Bethlehem monastery, Chengamannadu- this monastery started as an extension of St George Orthodox Monastery, Othera. 

In an age where the laity is bombarded with the new age 'bible only' preachers; Rambachan would say: "It is the Church that teaches; the Holy Bible validates the instructions of the Church."

Throughout his life, Cyril Rambachan relentlessly focused on sharing and explaining the Orthodox faith. He would ask two questions to those who intended to leave the Church which would allow his listeners to introspect – “1) Do you think being in the Orthodox Church will prove to be a barrier for the salvation of the soul? and 2) If you have difference of opinion within family, do you bid farewell to your home forever and stay in a nearby house?”

Cyril Rambachan was born on November 10,1919 to Shri Abraham Panickar and Smt. Aleyamma Panickar. They belonged to the Mukallil family of Kundara (Kerala). Rambachan's name (before he adopted the name Cyril on being ordained as monk-priest/Rambachan) was M.A. Varghese Panickar. 

Rambachan once shared an interesting history about his last name 'Panickar'. Once the king of Kottarakara paid a visit to the king of Kayamkulam in his palace. For the guest monarch's entertainment, a play depicting an ancient comic story was staged. The Raja of Kottarakara was impressed and enquired about the actors. "They are very loyal and skilled in using weapons", was the response of the Kayamkulam King. The Raja of Kottarakara requested that some of these people be given to him. His wish was granted and few of those martial art practitioners were settled in Kundara with the title of 'Panickar' ascribed to them. A church was built for them which is now the Kundara Valiyapally (St Thomas Orthodox Church, Kundara). 

Varghese Panicker worked as a teacher for a year at St Kuriakose L.P School after completing 9th standard and later completed S.S.L.C from MGD English medium school. The young lad was in his twenties when the second world war started (1939-45). He went to Madras and worked as a civilian in the Army. His designation was ‘Quartermaster Clerk’ i.e. he had to oversee the civilian management of 25 army trucks.

After this stint, Varghese Panicker returned to Kerala and from 1947-50, he taught at Kundara M.G.D High School. Thereafter, for three years he worked as Library Inspector for Kollam, Karunagapally, Karthikappally taluk. In 1953, he resigned from the job and became a member of the Othera Dayara (St George Orthodox Monastery). The Superior of the Monastery at that time was Rev Fr E. Mathews (later His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II Bava Thirumeni of blessed memory). The monastery had 18 inmates. From 1953-58, Br. Varghese studied in M.D Seminary- his batch consisted of 12 seminarians. His Grace Mathews Mar Epiphanios Metropolitan (of blessed memory) was Rambachan’s batchmate.

Dn. Varghese was ordained to priesthood on March 25, 1958 and in a span of approximately five decades, Fr Geevarghese Panicker served numerous parishes within Kerala/ India and abroad, some of them being- Kudassanad, Kozhikode cathedral, Mavelikkara Puthiyacavu, Kollam cathedral, Vellore, Singapore, Malaysia etc.

In 1987, His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Bava Thirumeni ordained Geevarghese Achen to the rank of Rambachan (full monk/monk-priest) at Kottayam Devalokam Aramana chapel.

Nothing would be a barrier for Rambachan when it came to prayer matters. His bag always had the book of common prayers. Even during travels, he would stick to the prayer schedule. If he was walking down the road and should it be the time of prayer, he would find a secluded place (usually under the canopy of a tree) away from public gaze and start praying. He would observe silence and pray making the sign of cross while travelling in a vehicle.

St. Kuriakose Seminary in Kundara, or Kundara Seminary as known locally, was started by His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Bava Thirumeni (of blessed memory) to focus on the activities of the southern dioceses residing in Kundara. Cyril Rambachan served as the Manager of Kundara Seminary for 26 years (1982-2008). It was his initiative to have the relics of St George, Mar Kauma, St Kuriakose and his mother St Yulithi established in the Seminary. Rambachan would organize special prayers in Seminary chapel every Friday for the students of M.G.D School, Kundara and counsel them in faith.

On being asked if he is scared to lead a solitary life at Kundara Seminary, Rambachan pointed to the portraits of the holy fathers in the main hall of Seminary and said that he has the company of the departed holy fathers so why should one fear at all.

Alongwith being the Superior of Chengamannadu Bethlehem monastery for couple of years, Cyril Rambachan also served as Sunday School teacher, Kollam Diocesan Sunday School Secretary and diocesan Youth Movement Secretary, Vaidika Sangham General Secretary (Central), 'Sanyasaprasthaanam' (Monastic movement) Central Vice President.

Rambachan would grieve about the fact that our monasteries are seeing fewer youth joining it. For him the decreased interest in monastic life amongst the youth was a matter of grave concern. Wanting to continue his solitary ascetic lifestyle, he personally met his Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Bava Thirumeni to withdraw his name upon knowing that he was nominated for episcopate.

Adhering to his spiritual father's (His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II Bava Thirumeni) call- "Be a part of the pilgrimage focusing on heaven"; Rambachan undertook many pilgrimages, starting in 1978, to several countries of biblical importance like Israel, Jordan, Greece, Egypt. He did an in-depth research on the monasteries in Egypt and has published books about this experience.

After tirelessly serving the Church all his life, Cyril Rambachan departed from earthly life on 02 September 2008 and is entombed at Chengamannadu Bethlehem monastery.

In an interview, Rambachan was asked to share a message for the readers. May his message below be firmly engraved in our hearts:

"Participate without fail in the liturgical life and rituals of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Love your Church. Respect the holy fathers. See to it that you always maintain simplicity and purity in your life."

May the memory of Very Rev. Cyril Rambachan be eternal.

By the prayers of the holy fathers and mothers, Lord have mercy upon us and help us.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Reference:(Translated from Malayalam) Bethlehemile Theerthadakan, Editor:  Fr. K. Geevarghse, Chengamanad, Published by B.A. Publications, Chengamanad, 2009.