Snippets from the life and times of Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni (commemorating 17th April).

Part-4- A student guiding a teacher- ‘Mar Philexinos discouraged me from joining the Roman fold’- Mar Ivanios of Bethany (later Archbishop Mar Ivanios of the Syro Malankara rite).

Funeral photo of Philexinos Thirumeni

When Mar Ivanios of Bethany joined the Roman fold, he greatly desired his former student (Mar Philexinos as deacon KT Geevarghese was the student of Fr PT Geevarghese, later Mar Ivanios of Bethany) come with him as well and did try various tactics to convince his pupil. Such exercises remained futile. Once Archbishop Mar Ivanios came to visit Kochu Thirumeni at Bethel Aramana. Those were also the times when litigations against Mar Ivanios were ongoing concerning the schools entrusted to him when he was a bishop of the Orthodox church. Without exhibiting any iota of anger, Kochu Thirumeni accorded the same reception to Archbishop Ivanios befitting a bishop. This led to a rumor that Philexinos Thirumeni will soon join the ‘Reethu’ faction. There was also widespread propaganda spread through pamphlets that Kochu Thirumeni had already joined the Roman church.

Some church members of the Thumpamon diocese decided to visit Thirumeni to confirm the truth. Kochu Thirumeni was the Metropolitan of Thumpamon diocese which was also once led by St Gregorios of Parumala. Like Parumala Thirumeni, Mar Philexinos was ordained as a bishop at a young age and since he was youngest among the lot, he too was fondly addressed as ‘Kochu Thirumeni.

So church members went to Thirumeni, took the customary blessings from him and asked – “Thirumeni, we heard some news about you”

Kochu Thirumeni – “What is that news all about?”

They responded – “That you are going to join the Reethu faction/Syro-Malankara rite.” 

To which Thirumeni replied- “So you also have heard it.”

Philexinos Thirumeni called his secretary shemassan (deacon) and asked him to get Thirumeni’s purse. He took a quarter anna (1 anna was 1/16 INR), and gave it one of the church members and said to him - “You take the bus from here and get down at Puthencavu junction. You then proceed to the Kizhakethalekal house whereupon at the portico you will find an aged priest with white beard sitting on the chair.

You observe his face well and then come back here to check my face.” (note- The Malayalee community would understand what the phrase would mean).

Like Parumala Kochu Thirumeni, Philexinos Kochu Thirumeni deeply loved his Church and faith. Philexinos Kochu Thirumeni was accorded the title of ‘catholicatinte Ratnadeepam’ (Catholicate’s Jewel lamp) in 2013.

At an assembly to commemorate the departure of Philexinos Kochu Thirumeni and offer condolences in Trivandrum, Archbishop Ivanios who chaired the meeting, offered the following eulogy:

“Mar Philexinos life was dedicated to the entire humanity and not just one community. If he had lived a little more in his earthly life, then many issues that the Malankara Orthodox church is currently wading through would have seen a resolution. When I had decided to join the Roman church, Mar Philexinos, who was a Rembachan (monk-priest) then, deterred me from doing so. That act shows his Philexinos Thirumeni’s immense love for his church. I have taught him at Serampore college (Calcutta). Thirumeni’s demise has been a great loss for India- especially the state of Kerala.”

May Philexinos Kochu Thirumeni’s prayers help us to love Christ and His Church the way he exhibited in his earthly journey!

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref:

1) Puthenkavu Kochuthirumeni Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu, By- Adv. P. C. Mathew Pulikottil and K. V. Mammen Kottackal, Kottackal Publishers, 2004, pages 134-136

2) Image courtesy: Kaalam Cheyutha Parishudha Geevarghese Dwidhiyan Catholica Bava Thirumanassile Janmashathabdhi Smaragu grantham; Malankara Sabha Special, 1973 July edition, Book 28, Issue 9, Pg 36

From L to R- His Grace Kuriakose Mar Gregorios (of blessed memory)-Pampady Thirumeni.

St. Dionysius (Vattasseril), His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicos (of blessed memory) and His Grace Kuriakose Mar Gregorios (of blessed memory)-Pampady Thirumeni. Mar Ivanios of Bethany (later Archbishop Mar Ivanios).

3) Funeral photo of Mar Philexinos Thirumeni taken from Wikipedia.

Snippets from the life and times of Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni (commemorating 17th April).

Part-3- A Unique 'Dowry'.

On one Wednesday in the month of March- year 1929, Vattasseril Thirumeni, who staying at Old Seminary Kottayam, asked his secretary Mannalil Achen to arrange for a car as he wanted to visit a place. Vattasseril Thirumeni didn't own a car and if a car wasn't available then an 'eight-seater bus' (probably a term for van in those times) would be rented and he would travel in such. Usually his entourage consisted of a priest and two deacons to accompany him. That day he insisted only one deacon would go with him on the journey. Thirumeni didn't specify the destination. Everybody was surprised about this unusual travel plan.

While the car was being arranged, Thirumeni went to the chapel at Old Seminary and spent considerable time in prayers. After the prayers, Thirumeni and the deacon proceed towards the car and started their journey. The deacon saw Thirumeni carrying a packet alongwith him in the car. The destination was the home of Thoma Kathanar Kizhakethalekal in Puthencavu.

Vattasseril Thirumeni asked deacon to check if Achen was at home. On getting a positive response, Thirumeni got out from the car with support from deacon and walked slowly towards Geevarghese Semmasan's home. Thomas Achen wasn't at all expecting Vattasseril Thirumeni- he ran quickly inside to change his clothes, received the customary blessings and welcomed Thirumeni to his home.

Thirumeni asked deacon to wait in the car as he and Achen wanted to have a private audience. The atmosphere was sombre. 

Vattasseril Thirumeni then talked about the betrayal of Mar Ivanios (later Archbishop Mar Ivanios of the Syro Malankara rite of the Roman church) with choked sentiments. Achen tried consoling him. Thirumeni lamented -"Aboon Ivanios will leave us. There is not much time left. Before our flock get embroiled in hopelessness and confusion we have to provide with a glimmer of hope. If Achen thinks I am blabbering foolishness, then please forgive me". He paused for a while and got emotional. Thomas Achen's heart ached to see Thirumeni in such a state.

Composing himself, Thirumeni asked "Achen, will you give your son to the Church for him to be ordained as a Metropolitan?”

Thomas Achen wanted to see Geevarghese Semmasan become a married priest. Semassan was highly educated (he was MA in English literature)- a rarity in those times and had started getting proposals from well-to-do families offering a dowry of two thousand rupees which was a massive amount then. Its magnanimity can be assessed from the fact that a school headmaster in Malabar would draw a monthly salary worth five rupees. Perhaps Vattasseril Thirumeni would have come to know of the proposal discussions happening for Geevarghese Semmassan.  

Thirumeni continued- “I know your family is currently facing financial difficulties but considering the situation that our church is going through……if Achen doesn’t have any concerns..”. Thirumeni couldn’t bring about to finish the sentence and had tears in his eyes. Achen’s eyes welled up. In the next room Sosamma Kochamma was listening to their conversation and the saintly lady didn’t utter a word against this proposal.

Vattasseril Thirumeni suffered from tremors in the left hand. With his right hand, he took the packet that he had carefully placed in the pocket of his clerical robe and kept it on the table as Thomas Achen looked on. Considering that Achen and Kochamma’s silence meant acceptance of Thirumeni’s proposal, Thirumeni bid them farewell and continued his journey.

That packet had two thousand rupees.

Vattasseril Thirumeni’s proposal intended that Semmassan be spiritually married to the Church’s cause and dedicate his life for it. Vattasseril Thirumeni offered the ‘dowry’ to Geevarghese Semmassan’s parents so that the Church could get a blessed monk and bishop to lead her flock spiritually.

Mar Ivanios of Bethany (who later defected to the Roman church and became Archbishop Mar Ivanios) was MA in history and graduated with third class. It was sheer God’s grace coupled with Vattasseril Thirumeni’s spiritual leadership acumen that when a MA history (3^rd class) monk left the Orthodox faith, She received another postgraduate monk who graduated in MA (English literature) with flying colours (second class).

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

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: 1) Puthenkavu Kochuthirumeni Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu, By- Adv. P. C. Mathew Pulikottil and K. V. Mammen Kottackal, Kottackal Publishers, 2004, pages 52-54.

2) Image courtesy: Kaalam Cheyutha Parishudha Geevarghese Dwidhiyan Catholica Bava Thirumanassile Janmashathabdhi Smaragu grantham; Malankara Sabha Special, 1973 July edition, Book 28, Issue 9, Pg 36

From L to R- His Grace Geevarghese Mar Philexinos (of blessed memory)-Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni, St. Dionysius (Vattasseril), His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicos (of blessed memory) and His Grace Kuriakose Mar Gregorios (of blessed memory)-Pampady Thirumeni.