February 02- His Grace Pathrose Mar Osthathios Metropolitan of blessed memory. (June 20, 1886- February 02, 1968)
Regarding the upliftment of backward classes, Osthathios Thirumeni was not merely satisfied with initiatives like freedom to walk on roads or providing education to children. Thirumeni wrote in his diary- "I felt strongly that what they needed was Jesus Christ even when I was organizing grand meetings for their upliftment under the presidentship of Appan Thampuran of Cochin, Sir Narayana Chandravarkar, Sir Sadasivayyar and when I was appointed as a special officer by Diwan Sir T. Raghavacharya and was working in that past for sometime". Needless to say, Apostle St. Peter’s words would have inspired this young Peter: “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12; NKJV).
After having resigned from the teaching job at Madanapally, Pathrose Semassen started living in the parsonage of Manthuruthel Church. He would then visit the huts of lower caste people with biblical picture rolls, lamp, hand drums and preached the Gospel. Thus, a new a monastic missionary movement to care for the upliftment and welfare of the oppressed and downtrodden was started on 14th September 1924 called ‘Servants of the Cross’ (Sleebadasa Samooham). It was an amazing experience for the lower caste people, shunned socially, to witness a priest or a Sleebadasan visiting their huts, and explaining about love of Lord Jesus Christ. One Christian home nearby was entrusted with the task of teaching 'Kauma' to these people. They would learn Kauma, Nicene Creed and a summary of the Ten Commandments and then accept baptism.
The activities of the ‘Servants of the Cross’ mission started spreading to many parishes. Priests were also generally helpful and in favour of the movement. If the 'Sleebadasan' was capable of giving sermons, then they were permitted to speak during the Holy Qurbana. In places like Mavelikkara, Kaviyoor, Vengoor, Piravom and Chelas, small sermons by Sleebadasans greatly helped the mission work. However, there were parishes wherein either priests didn't cooperate, or few members created opposition.
One note from Thirumeni's diary is as follows (the name of the parish has been withheld): "Dn. M.V George (later His Grace Dr. Geevarghese Mar Osthathios Metropolitan of blessed memory) wanted to see the places of work of Sleebadasan's, and hence he came and spent a week with me. We reached '___' church. As neither the church nor a room was opened for us, we had to borrow a mat and a pillow from the nearby house and had to sleep on the northern verandah of the church. I lay on the eastern end and Semmasen on the western end".
With resistance from various communities, even to the extent of involvement of antisocial elements, it was an indeed an uphill task laden with great struggles for Osthathios Thirumeni. An incident, of the time when Osthathios Thirumeni was a Rambachan (monk-priest), which exhibits God's providence for the gospel workers is noted here.
The society of the servants of the cross during their annual tour to visit the new Christians reached the '___' church. The vicar was there on the verandah but there seemed no intention of opening the doors of the verandah or any of the rooms. The vicar excused himself saying he had to visit one of the houses in the parish. Pathrose Rambachan and his secretary Semmasen rested on the verandah and waited. It was afternoon and there was no sign of lunch. Rambachan asked Semassen to go to a nearby teashop to get some food. Tears flowed from the eyes on the onlookers seeing an aged venerable clergy, who was tirelessly spreading the gospel, being treated like this. Semassen came back with few 'vadas' (fried fritters) and a glass of water. Rambachan prayed and ate it.
The evening came and the bell was rung. The vicar had by this time returned to the parish and was about to leave for his home when Pathrose Rambachan told him "Achen, please tell Ammai to cook a little rice for us also" (the wives of priests are addressed as Ammai in northern Kerala parishes). Evening prayers and the meetings were held. Clothes were given to the new Christian women. School children and sick were given necessary help. Family issues were settled. After all these events were completed gracefully, the believers went back to their huts contented. The verandah and the courtyard of the church became empty. The time was ten-thirty past in the night.
Rambachan said, "Semassen, you go to Achen's home. They might have cooked for us but nobody maybe there to bring it. After having food, you bring my share also".
Semassen reached Achen's home and called for him. "What is the matter?", Achen asked.
Semmasen:"I have come to ask whether dinner is prepared or not".
Achen: "my wife is not keeping well".
Semassen left the place immediately.
When Rambachan was informed about of the incident, he said to Semassen- "It's okay. You go to the coffee shop and eat something and bring something for me also."
Though Semassen was hesitant to leave the aged Pathrose Rambachan alone in the night, he proceeded to get some food for his superior and himself. While Semassen walked a few feet down the road, a strongly built man approached him and inquired about Semassen's details. Semassen tried hard to conceal the purpose of his journey but the well-built man probed persistently. After knowing that Rambachan wasn't fed a single morsel, the man took Semassen to the sexton' home and reprimanded the sexton for keeping Rambachan hungry and instructed the sexton to come to the man’s to get the packed food for Rambachan. The man then took Semassen to his home and fed him a sumptuous dinner. The dinner for Rambachan was packed and given to sexton for taking to the church.
Meanwhile, Pathrose Rambachan was sleeping on the verandah when he heard somebody calling for him. "Rambachan".
Rambachan -"Who is that?"
A handsome youth stood in front of Rambachan. "The food is served", said the youth when Rambachan asked the purpose of the youth's visit. Rice and curries were served in front of him.
Rambachan then asked the youth- “What is your name?” “Thomas” was the response. Once Rambachan finished dinner, the youth took Rambachan's permission and left.
Sometime later, Semassen and the sexton arrived with food. Pathrose Rambachan said, "Semassen, I had food. I saw you going with someone and thought you would get dinner and hence I asked the youth to leave and not to wait for you".
No one knew who the youth was nor was he seen afterwards. The eyes of faith believe it was indeed the patron saint of India- St. Thomas, who came to help the weary worker continuing the Thomasine mission to spread the Gospel to all Indians irrespective of their caste or creed.
By the prayers of our holy father among the saints, His Grace Pathrose Mar Osthathios Metropolitan, may the Lord have mercy upon us and help us.
In Christ,
Rincy
Reference (including images): Pathrose Mar Osthathios- A Prophet Like Revolutionary, P. P. Varkey & K. V. Mammen, Kottackal Publishers, February 2012. Image reference- cover page of ‘Malankara Sabha’- October 1949.
