The Treasure

Life and times of Blessed Alvares Mar Julius Metropolitan (of blessed memory). Commemorated on 23^rd September.

Friday, October 05, 1979. A feeling of excitement and anticipation prevailed over a small group of people assembled at St Inez church situated in the Santa Inez part of Panjim. An uncommon sentiment since the sight of a graveyard usually evokes the emotion of sorrow, prayer, remembrance of the dear departed and of course, fear and dread in many.

At around 3 PM that day, His Grace Dr. Philipose Mar Theophilus Metropolitan (Bombay and Angamaly diocese), Mr. Francis Alleluia Menezes (Panjim Municipal Council Chairman), Rev Fr. T.E. Isaac (Vicar- St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Panjim) along with the managing committee members of the parish were present at the St Inez Cemetery beholding a cross that stood tall amongst the wild bushes and plants which had engulfed its surroundings. That cross indeed was a simulacrum of the blessed soul, buried underneath eons ago, who withstood his ground against the ruling establishment and the Roman religious authorities even as he faced severe persecution.

The wild vegetation was cleaned with the help of cemetery workers. The onlookers bowed their heads to the tomb over which was a marble slab that stated, ‘Padre Alvares, who was a great humanitarian missionary and a great patriot.

“Offer incense before opening the grave. Gather any bone fragments found therein. If there are none, then collect the topmost portion of the soil just beneath the grave, bring it to the church and entomb it in there with grandeur.” Such were the instructions from His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Bava Thirumeni.

Theophilus Thirumeni offered incense and prayed at the grave. The cemetery workers removed the marble slab. The sound of the church bell resonated in the premises (another burial was shortly to happen in the cemetery and a large gathering was present). It appeared a thrilling discovery was about to be made. Everyone was anxiously waiting.

The journey to this stage was a long one. There was no Orthodox Church in Panjim during the period following the Goan liberation. As the time passed, Holy Qurbana used to be celebrated in the military camps at Margao and Bambolim as and when a priest was available. Thereafter, Rev Fr. Philip Pallichira would come from Mangalore once in a month and celebrate the Divine Liturgy. This proceeded on a regular basis and thus a congregation of Orthodox faithful was formed in Goa.

In 1967, His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios Metropolitan (Outside Kerala Diocese) (later His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews I Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan) visited Goa and celebrated Holy Qurbana at St Inez Church (St Inez Church had opened its doors for the Orthodox Christians to use the church for Divine Liturgy). Thirumeni was aware that Alvares Thirumeni spent his last days in Goa and was buried there. 

After the Holy Qurbana, while having a casual chat with the vicar of St Inez Church, Thirumeni inquired about Bishop Alvares. The vicar- Rev Fr Joaquim Augesto Dias knew about Blessed Alvares Thirumeni and the exact place where he was buried. The bushes were cleared and the tomb of Blessed Alvares Thirumeni was identified. On the same day, a meeting of the Malankara Orthodox Christians was held, and it was decided that an Orthodox Church should grace Goa and the relics of Blessed Alvares Thirumeni should be translocated into this church. The realization of this dream took another 12 years. On the occasion of the golden jubilee commemoration of Alvares Thirumeni- 23 September 1973, the foundation stone of the Orthodox church in Panjim (Ribander) was laid. It was a daunting task for this small congregation to build a church, financial issues being an important concern. 

Coming back to the events of October 05, 1979. When cement and soil was removed from the grave, a lead box became visible which was taken outside with due devotion.

With trembling hands, the cover of the box was removed. The bones of the venerable bishop, whose body became one with the earth fifty-six years back, was intact and well preserved! It was indeed a glorious witness to his blessed life.

“Achen and I are taking this. You all can come after the tomb has been organized properly”, Theophilus Thirumeni’s voice choked as he said. Theophilus Thirumeni and Isaac Achen proceeded to St Mary’s Orthodox Church, with such joy and enthusiasm as if they had secured a treasure. A treasure it indeed was!

The box was brought to Ribander church with piety and respect. The lead box was covered with a black covering and a sign of cross was made over it with a white cloth. Amidst candles and cross, the relics were kept for public viewing. Two days later, on October 07^th Sunday, after the Holy Qurbana, the remains of Blessed Alvares Thirumeni were entombed in St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Ribander, Panjim.

During the public meeting which happened after the services got over, Theophilus Thirumeni said that this tomb/church will become a pilgrim center not just for Bombay diocese (St. Mary’s Orthodox church, Ribander now comes under the diocese of Brahmavar) but of the entire Malankara Orthodox Church. Those prophetic words were fulfilled thirty years later in the year 2008. Panjim Municipal Mayor expressed happiness that, with the veneration accorded to Blessed Alvares Thirumeni that day, the decision taken by the Panjim municipality in 1923 was fulfilled to a certain extent (in 1923, the Panjim Municipal council had decided to erect a memorial in remembrance of the great Goan freedom fighter- Alvares Thirumeni which was refused by the Portuguese government).

When the church was reconstructed in the same place, Blessed Alvares Thirumeni’s relics were moved to the present mausoleum made on the side of the altar by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II, Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan, in the year 2001.

St. John Chrysostom extols Antioch which received he relics of St Ignatius Noorono (who was martyred in Rome) thus: “For that city (Rome) received his blood as it dropped, but you (Antioch) were honoured with his remains, you enjoyed his episcopate, they enjoyed his martyrdom. They saw him in conflict, and victorious, and crowned, but you have him continually. For a little time, God removed him from you, and with greater glory granted him again to you.” (Homily on St. Ignatius, NPNF, Series-I, Volume IX)

The oppressors thought they had erased the memory of Blessed Alvares Thirumeni forever, but truth triumphed, and the treasure was revealed. With greater glory, God granted back to the children of the Malankara Orthodox church the venerable holy father who continuously intercedes for his spiritual children and whose life is a mighty inspiration for generations to come.

By the prayers of our holy father among the saints-Blessed Alvares Thirumeni, Lord have mercy upon us!

In Christ,

Rincy John

References:

1) (Abridged; Translated from Malayalam): Rev Fr. T.E Isaac, The Great humanitarian missionary and a patriot, Malankara Sabha, September 2001, Pg-6,7.

2) George Kurian, Saint Alvares Mar Julius (A life history), St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Ribander, Goa, Pgs-141-146 (includes photographs).