Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II (Mar Dionysius V) Thirumeni and St. Peter's Armenian Church// Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni in Bombay -1864/65.

His Beatitude Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II (Mar Dionysius V) Thirumeni.

Nearly three decades before the saintly fathers St. Gregorios of Parumala and St. Dionysius Vattasseril visited the St Peter's Armenian Church-Colaba, Bombay, this church had witnessed the blessed visit and stay of the spiritual guru of these two saints- His Beatitude Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II (Mar Dionysius V) Thirumeni.

Part -1: Background

Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni was born as Yauseppu (Joseph/Ittoop) in the Pulikkottil family of Kunnamkulam. A summary of this saintly prelate’s biography is a subject matter of another post. This article is limited to the details of the visit of His Beatitude Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni to St. Peter's Armenian Church, Bombay.

At the invitation of His Holiness the Patriarch of Antioch and with the consent of the Malankara Church, Youseppu Kasheesha (later Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni) travelled to Turkey, alongwith Mattummel Geevarghese Kasheesha and Koothoor Thaarappan, to be ordained as Metropolitan. This travel was necessitated by the fact that the Malankara Church needed an able leadership to safeguard its faith and counter the tirade of heterodox teachings and practices that were creeping in.

Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni's handwritten notes of this travelogue (kept in the archives of OTS, Kottayam).

Accordingly, they left Kunnamkulam on Kumbham 27, year 1038 (~ mid-March,1864) and boarded the ship from Kochi on Medam 14, year 1038 as per Malayalam calendar (~April 30,1864). When the ship reached Kannur, a Muslim merchant trader known to Youseppu Achen (they had met previously in Kozhikode) had boarded the ship and was going to Bombay as well. This kind-hearted man shared his food with Youseppu Achen and his co-travellers when their food supplies dwindled. He also invited them to his home in Bombay.

The ship reached Bombay on Medam 22 and the group was in Bombay till Edavam 09 (approx from second week till the last week of May) waiting for the ship going onwards to the Middle East.

Part-2: The quest to find the Armenian Church

Upon reaching Bombay they all headed to the Muslim man' home and kept their belongings therein. Thereafter, Youseppu Achen, Geevarghese Achen and Koothoor Thaarappan went in search of the Armenian Church. The search turned futile as nobody seemed to know where this Church was. 

Finally, they met a police constable who agreed to show the church for 4 annas (25 paisa). The priests and layman started walking behind the constable. Having walked for a considerable time, the constable pointed to a building with a huge dome and said it was the Armenian Church which they were looking for.

On entering the building, Youseppu Achen and others were confused to see turbaned Arabs and Muslims. They asked the constable if indeed this was the Armenian Church. The constable gave a positive response. This building was actually a mosque/'arabi pally'. Upon further probing, it was found that the constable confused the word Armenian with Arabic and that is why he took them to a wrong address. The people in the mosque were stern in telling the constable to show the visitors the exact location of the Armenian Church. Finally, they reached the correct destination.

Part- 3: Doubts cleared.

The Vicar of the Armenian Church was a native of Iran and advanced in age. He wasn’t too willing in giving accommodation to outsiders in the church. Seeing that Geevarghese Achen was wearing a white kuppayam (cassock), the Armenian priest refused to believe that these two men were Orthodox clergy, and this made him even more resolute in his decision to refuse them the accommodation in the church.

Youseppu Achen and Geevarghese Achen tried to reason with the Vicar that they were indeed Orthodox clergy. While the priests were discussing this matter, their conversation was overheard by an Armenian layman named Khoja Yakob. He corroborated what Youseppu Achen and Geevarghese Achen were saying and convinced the Armenian priest to allow them to stay in the church. The Vicar acceded to the request and a room in the church building was prepared for their stay.

Youseppu Achen, Geevarghese Achen and Koothoor Thaarappan then went to the Muslim man's house, retrieved their belongings, walked back to the Armenian Church and placed it in the room allocated to them. The sun had almost set by then and they realised that they hadn't had any food since morning. Immediately the trio went to a market and got some food. It was almost 11 PM when they had the dinner. Indeed, it was an eventful day.

The next morning, looking at the black cassocks of Youseppu Achen and Geevarghese Achen all doubts of the Armenian priest were removed. From that day onwards, Youseppu Achen and others would enquire every day for a ship leaving for Basrah (a city in modern day Iraq).

Part 4- A renewed spiritual strength at St Peter’s Church.

Mar Dionysus V Thirumeni mentions an inspiring event that happened during their stay in the Armenian Church. As their travel to the Patriarch was being planned, some people  with crooked mind had handed few letters to Geevarghese Achen to be given to the Patriarch. Geevarghese Achen, unaware of their intentions, took the letters along. It was in Bombay that the saintly priests became aware of the evil intentions.

Youseppu Achen was greatly dejected and thoughts of discontinuing the journey surfaced in his mind.

Youseppu Achen reasoned that while he was present in Malankara, the opponents of the Church were spreading lies against the faith and such behaviour would increase in his absence (when he was traveling abroad to get ordained). Achen also had received many discouraging comments when funds were being collected for his journey.  Geevarghese Achen and Thaarappan tried to console Youseppu Achen but the despair was too great.

Once when nobody was there in the Armenian Church, Youseppu Achen entered the Madbaha/Holy Altar and prayed on his knees with tears. The saintly father earnestly implored to God to alleviate the pitiable situation that the Malankara Church was in and to protect the Church from the onslaught of heterodox teachings. In Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni's own words- "I may not become the Metropolitan due to the plotting by evil men. But that is of no issue. I submitted by humble prayers to the Holy Throne of the Lord that he may chose an able bishop to lead the flock in Malankara."

After prayers, Youseppu Achen felt relieved in his heart and he felt that there was radiance in his face when he came outside. Indeed, this signified the time to come when he would be known as the 'radiance of the Church' (Malankara Sabha Thejas) as under his spiritual and able leadership that the Malankara Church gloriously grew by leaps and bounds.

It is so heartening to note that it was in St Peter's Armenian Church where Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni received immense spiritual strength to move ahead in the journey. Thirumeni had almost given up but his tearful prayers in this blessed Church gave him the spiritual vigour to proceed ahead.

On the 09th Edavam evening, Youseppu Achen, Geevarghese Achen and Koothoor Thaarappan entered the ship for Basra (Iraq) having paid the fees of Rs 96. The Armenian Christians of Bombay came to port to see them off.

Part 5- Meeting Dr Wilson.

Dr John Wilson

Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni on his way back to Kerala (after the consecration) had a stopover in Bombay again in the Malayalam month of Karkidakam 25, year 1039 (approx. second week of August in 1865).  Thirumeni stayed in Armenian Church this time as well. He was in Bombay till Chingam 23 (approx. second week of September 1865).

Wilson College (1893, Bombay)

During this period, he went to meet Dr Wilson at his college (Wilson College, Chowpatty Seaface Rd). Mar Dionysius could not meet Dr Wilson during their onward journey to Turkey as Dr Wilson was in Poona (Pune) at that time.

Dr Wilson was very happy on meeting Thirumeni.  He handed a ‘Masumoora book’ in Syriac (book of Psalms) to Thirumeni.  Dr Wilson and his students were elated when Thirumeni started reading the Syriac work. Dr Wilson, amongst other things, expounded the importance of Syriac to his students and told that it belonged to the linguistic family which Jesus spoke.

Dr Wilson was a great help to Thirumeni during the latter's stay in Bombay and also came to meet Thirumeni at the Armenian Church.

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May the prayers of the saintly fathers help us as we begin the journey to the holy Apostles’ fast.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Ref: Oru Paradeshayathrayude Katha, His Beatitude Joseph Mar Dionysius V, Pgs 44-47, 96, (Part-IV, Malankara Sabhayude Suvarna Yugasilpi Malankara Sabha Thejas Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II, Vol. III, Editor: Fr. Dr. Joseph Cheeran, Published by His Grace Dr. Geevarghese Mar Yulios Metropolitan, M. J. D. Publishing House, Kunnamkulam).

Image reference pages for Mar Dionysius V Thirumeni’s portait and the picture showing his handwritten notes of this travelogue (kept in the archives of OTS, Kottayam)- Pgs 2(appendix) and 5.

Images of Dr John Wilson and Wilson College (image of 1893) taken from Wikipedia.

When Kurichy Bava’s prayers brought tears in the eyes of Rani Sahiba- Snippets from Bombay Orthodox Church History.

Mrs. Achamma Mathai, whose significant leadership alongwith other clergy and lay stalwarts resulted in the formation of the first parish of the Bombay Orthodox Diocese- the St Mary’s Orthodox Church at Dadar, wrote a eulogy on His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II (of blessed memory) in a souvenir published on the occasion of the 100th birth anniversary of Bava Thirumeni in 1973. While fondly remembering the spiritual stature of the holy father, Mrs. Mathai shares an interesting anecdote that happened during the Dadar church’s consecration in 1951. Deeply moved by the consecration ceremony, Rani Sahiba- the wife of the Governor lamented to Thirumeni- her words are noteworthy and piercing.

His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese II Bava Thirumeni at the reception organised by the Governor.

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“Even though I have lived most of my life outside Kerala, I have had the good fortune to meet His Holiness on several occasions and receive his blessings. One that stands out in memory is when His Holiness accepted the invitation to consecrate the first Orthodox Syrian church in Bombay.

The Governor of Bombay at that time was Raja Sir Maharaj Singh. His father belonged to the Kapurthala family. He was one of the earliest to accept Christianity and in doing so had to renounce his claim to the Gadi (Chair/Throne) of Kapurthala State. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur – the health minister in the first cabinet of Independent India was his sister.

Raja Maharaj Singh was a great admirer of the ancient Orthodox Church and was deeply interested in its history and rituals. It was the chief subject of conversation whenever I met him. On hearing that His Holiness the Catholicose was to consecrate the church in Bombay, he and Rani Sahiba wished to be present on the occasion.

The Service was a very impressive one. His Holiness’s personality and his rich deep voice added to the solemnity and dignity of the service. I noticed tears in the eyes of Rani Sahiba when His Holiness consecrated every door and window with the sign of Cross in Holy Moroon. They told me afterwards that they were greatly impressed by the Service. 

At the reception given by the Governor to His Holiness, the Rani Sahiba came up to him and told him it was not their fault that they were not the members of this Church. “Your church did not bring the message of Christ to the Raja”. His Holiness smiled and blessed her.

If he was alive today it would gladden his heart to see how much the membership of the church had grown in Bombay…His Holiness spoke of efficacy of prayer, prayer not merely as a supplication but as time of meditation which brought you closer to God. Giving you strength and courage to overcome the weight of cross that each of us is called to bear. On one occasion he advised us to hold tightly onto the holy Mother. She is the best mediator to ease our suffering and sorrows…

May the Church through the prayers of His Holiness become a still greater instrument of service, peace and goodwill.”-   Mrs. Achamma Mathai- Bava Thirumeni, A Guiding Light Forever (Kaalam Cheyutha Parishudha Geevarghese Dwidhiyan Catholica Bava Thirumanassile Janmashathabdhi Smaragu grantham; Malankara Sabha Special, 1973 July edition, Book 28, Issue 9, Pg 160-163)

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May the prayers of the holy Theotokos and all the saints help us during these testing times.

In Christ,

Rincy John

Bombay as seen through the eyes of St Gregorios of Parumala.

The month of March this year marks the 125^th anniversary of the visit of the entourage of the saintly fathers led by St Gregorios of Parumala (Parumala Thirumeni), who on their way to the Holy Land, set their foot in Bombay and were in the city for approximately two weeks. Thirumeni’s travelogue mentions that they arrived in Bombay during the Malayalam month of Kumbham (21) i.e. March 03, 1895. It is during this time that they happened to visit the St Peter’s Armenian Church at Colaba. Below are some extracts from his travelogue concerning their stay in Bombay.

Thirumeni was mesmerized with this city; he first explains the harbor scenery and the ships that adorn it. In Thirumeni’s words:

“We never saw such a big and beautiful city anywhere else during our journey. The Bombay harbor has prime importance in the whole India. As the city projects into the sea, it is surrounded on three sides by the sea. Ships can enter the bay, which is always very deep. The bay is divided into different segments, so that ships could be anchored in each of these segments, near the coast and safe from tempests raging in the sea. Each of these segments is protected by strong bunds. On both sides of these bunds there are roads wide enough for vehicles to ply. Ships can enter through rivers, and there are iron bridges across the rivers. These bridges could be lifted by machines when ships enter or leave the bay. Ships lie so close to the coast that it is possible to get into them with the help of a ladder. Sometimes one could get into the ships using just a plank……The sea is aglow with the lights of these ships during the night. When you look at the masts and chimneys of these ships from a distance, it may look like a forest with trees whose crests have been cut off!”

Mumbai is known as the land of skyscrapers in India and it was true 125 years back as well. Thirumeni’s keen eye for details is noted in the way he describes his ‘Bombay discoveries’. He says:

“The city is full of gigantic buildings. It is rather impossible to see single storeyed buildings except in villages outside the city.  Most of the houses have four to six floors. Some even have seven floors. Granite is used for the construction of buildings. The majority of the houses have verandahs for each floor. The painted railings for the verandahs are made of iron. Most buildings are terraced. People of our state who have not seen such big buildings and embellishments may look at them with wonder. On the top of each building there are architectural decorative works of pinnacles, railings, flowers or crosses and domes. It is an extremely beautiful sight to see buildings adjacent to each other and in rows. The houses have their names inscribed on them in golden letters for identification. These houses are distinguished by marble pillars, marble floors and costly household articles. Apollo Hotel, High Station (Victoria Terminus), General Hospital, Victoria garden etc. are amazing constructions. What was referred to as ‘garden’ is actually a museum which was a gift to the Queen made by David Sazoon. Though this zoo does not house as many birds and animals as in the zoo in Trivandrum, the building is certainly magnificent.

High Station (Victoria terminus) is the major railway station. The enormous building is famous for its architecture. A building in front of this can accommodate 16 trains at one time…nearby there is a silk factory and many cotton mills in the city.  There is no space here to give a detailed description of the shops in the city.

The roads are wide. There are numerous tram-carriages drawn by horses which provide cheap access to any place in the city, any time of the day…..there are footpaths and also granite pavements on both sides of the road.

Pipe water is made available in houses for drinking and bathing purposes. The lamps in important places are lit by electricity. There are number of telegraph offices and the telegraph facilities even in big shops. The inhabitants of this city are mostly Hindus, Muslims or Parsis. There are also Christians and Jews.”

Victoria Terminus now CST

And finally, Thirumeni speaks of the presence of clergy and church for a small Armenian Orthodox Christian community and like a loving shepherd wishes that a parish would have been developed for our community had there been a church and a priest. A quarter century later, through the Triune God’s immense grace and the mighty intercessions of the saintly fathers, the Bombay diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church has numerous parishes to cater to the spiritual needs of the faithful.

“Though there are only five Armenian families, they have a priest and a church. The church is rich enough to give decent salary and allowances to the priest…if our community had a priest and a church here, it would have developed into a good parish. On Sunday we visited the Armenian Church- there was no Eucharistic service that day. Because the congregation was so small that they did not conduct service on every Sunday. The architecture of the church is same as that of a Syrian church.”

May the prayers of St Gregorios of Parumala and St Dionysius Vattasseril be a refuge for us.

In Christ,

Rincy John

(Ref: Oorsalem Yathra Vivarannam- Mar Gregorios Geevarghese, Sophia Books, Kottayam, pgs 13-17/ A Journey to Jerusalem- Pgs 44-48)