Within this sacred atmosphere, we recall the
life, mission, and miracles of Mar Abo, a ninth‑century missionary bishop from
Persia, whose holiness and pastoral service left an indelible mark on the
Malankara Church.
A
Bishop from Nineveh, Called by God
Born in AD7 80 Nineveh (Baghdad), Mar Abo
(certain traditions identify him with Mar Sabor) was a man of remarkable
learning, not only in Christian precepts but also excelling in astronomy, geography,
and medicine. Yet his greatest calling was spiritual. Like Apostle St. Thomas
who had brought the Gospel to India centuries earlier, Mar Abo felt compelled
to leave his homeland and carry the light of Christ to distant lands. Tradition
holds that Mar Abo departed Persia during a time of religious persecution,
trusting in God’s providence to guide and protect him on a long journey east.
In AD 822, Mar Abo arrived on the shores of Kerala,
disembarking at the port of Kollam as part of a Persian Christian delegation.
The king of Kollam had invited a renowned Persian Christian merchant, Murvan
Sabir Iso to help rebuild the port city after it was devastated by the sea. Mar
Abo (referred to in some records as Mar Sabor) came along with another bishop, Mar
Proth (Mar Afroth), in this group. The local ruler warmly welcomed these
visitors and even granted them land and privileges to establish churches.
In Malankara
Mar Abo travelled widely across Kerala: Kollam,
Niranam, Nilackal, Kothanalloor, Akapparambu, Kayamkulam, Malayattoor,
Kadamattam, and Thevalakkara. Wherever he journeyed, Mar Abo taught the gospel,
healed the suffering, established churches, and strengthened the faithful in
the ancient true faith.
Thevalakkara, an early Christian settlement
dating back to the 4th century, became Mar Abo’s chosen dwelling in Malankara. He
lived in the church precincts, embracing prayer, asceticism, and an open-door
ministry. The people of the region experienced his compassion, healing power,
and spiritual guidance.
Tradition holds that Mar Abo founded more than
ten churches, the most prominent being the Kadamattam Church in A.D. 865, where
he later ordained the famed Kadamattathu Kathanar.
The Miraculous Ministry of Mar Abo
Mar Abo’s life in Malankara was marked by a
series of miraculous events that revealed the divine grace working through him.
These treasured narratives, preserved through generations, reflect a ministry rooted
in humility, love, and a deep commitment to the suffering and the marginalised.
1. The Miracle of the Widow’s Hut
While travelling through Kadamattam, Mar Abo
sought refuge in the humble hut of a widow and her young son. Exhausted and
hungry, he asked for a little food. The widow, embarrassed, confessed she had
only enough for her household. Mar Abo reassured her that even the smallest
offering, given with love, was precious before God.
She shared one‑third of her final portion. When
Mar Abo blessed the food, their nearly empty vessels filled miraculously with
abundant provisions. Their home, once a place of scarcity, became a witness to
God’s overflowing mercy, much like the widow of Zarephath whose flour and oil
never failed (1 Kings 17:14).
Deeply moved, the widow’s son became Mar Abo’s
disciple and was later ordained as a priest, known to history as the famed
Kadamattathu Kathanar.
2. Healing of the Kartha’s Afflicted Daughter
Mar Abo’s healing ministry extended beyond the
Christian community. In Kadamattam, he healed the mentally afflicted daughter
of the region’s powerful chieftain known as the “Kartha”, a man feared for his
cruelty. This miraculous healing softened the Kartha’s heart, leading him to
donate land for the construction of a church. Thus, the Kadamattam Church was
born, a testament to the transformative power of divine love and healing.Many
who witnessed the healing embraced the Christian faith.
3. Deliverance from Sorcerers in the Forest
Another remarkable episode from Mar Abo’s life
involves the rescue of his disciple Paulose (Kadamattathu Kathanar). One day
the young Paulose ventured into the forest to gather materials but was kidnapped
by tribal practitioners of black magic. Their leader, impressed by the boy,
intended to force him into marriage with his daughter and induct him into their
occult practices.
Yet Mar Abo, through divine insight and prayer,
intervened. The young man was miraculously delivered from the forest and
returned safely to his spiritual father. Even the tribal leader later
acknowledged the saint’s superior spiritual authority, urging the boy to use
any knowledge only for good. This event not only deepened Paulose’s devotion
but also affirmed Mar Abo’s role as a spiritual guardian.
4. The Rising of the Saint’s Right Hand
Before leaving Kadamattam for Thevalakkara, Mar
Abo entrusted his signet ring to Kadamattathu Kathanar with a prophecy: “When
the ring slips from your hand, know that I have departed from this world.”
Years later the ring fell. Kathanar rushed to
Thevalakkara but found the saint already buried with honor. Overcome with
grief, he knelt beside the tomb.
Then, in a scene forever etched into
Malankara’s sacred memory, Mar Abo’s right hand rose from the tomb, reaching
toward his beloved disciple. In a moment of divine consolation, the saint’s
right hand miraculously rose from the tomb, allowing his beloved disciple to
retrieve it and take it back to Kadamattam, where it remains enshrined as a
holy relic, an enduring symbol of their spiritual bond.
Legacy
Mar Abo stands in the memory of the Church as a
radiant icon of apostolic fidelity; a shepherd whose life embodied the fullness
of the gospel he proclaimed. Through his tireless labor, he established and
strengthened numerous churches, laying foundations that would uphold the faith
of generations.
As a spiritual father, he formed priests of
deep inner stature, men shaped not merely by knowledge, but by holiness,
prayer, and humility. His compassionate ministry to the afflicted revealed the
healing mercy of Christ, while his bold reforms challenged and corrected the
injustices of society.
Mar Abo’s life, marked by asceticism, humility,
and sacrificial love, was a radiant testimony to the transformative power of
faith and divine love. His journey from Nineveh to the shores of Malankara was
not merely a geographical pilgrimage but a spiritual mission, one that
continues to bear fruit centuries later. Through his miracles, teachings, and
unwavering commitment to the gospel, he became a beacon of hope for the
suffering, a healer of the broken, and a father to the faithful.
Even today, the faithful flock to his tomb at
the Martha Mariam Orthodox Syrian Church & Mar Abo Pilgrim Centre in
Thevalakkara, seeking his intercession and experiencing the peace of his
spiritual presence.
As we commemorate the saintly Mar Abo on 8th
February, we are reminded of the words of Scripture: “Remember those who
rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow,
considering the outcome of their conduct.”- Hebrews 13:7
May we, too, walk in the footsteps of this holy
father, embracing a life of service, sacrifice, and sanctity.
By the prayers and intercessions of our father
among the saints, Mar Abo, may Christ our Lord strengthen our faith and guide
us into His eternal light.
In Christ,
Rincy
Ref: Dr. Mathew Vaidyan Cor‑Episcopa, Saint Mar Abo, Catholicate Press Kottayam,
2025.
Amen
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