The Feast of St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala

Saint Gregorios of Parumala is popularly known as “Parumala Thirumeni”. Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of the Syrian Orthodox Church who passed away on November 2nd 1902, became the first declared saint from Malankara (Kerala, India) naturally to be called, ‘Parumala Thirumeni’. He shines in the cloud of witnesses as a bright luminary giving rays of hope to millions in their suffering and struggles.

He was ordained as a reader-deacon (Korooyo) on 14th Sept, 1858 at the age of ten by Palakkunnath Mathews Mar Athanasios at Karingachira Church. Mar Gregorios was only 28 years when he was made a bishop. Since he was the youngest among all the bishops, he was dearly called by all as ‘Kochu Thirumeni’. Mar Gregorios took charge of the Niranam Diocese and started staying at Parumala. There at Parumala, a small building was erected by the Malankara Metropolitan Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius. This building was known as ‘Azhippura’. Mar Gregorios lived there along with few other deacons who came for priestly training. They worshipped in a thatched chapel during that time. Mar Gregorios engaged in a threefold activity of tireless service for the church: Diocesan administration, Ministerial formation of deacons, and Missionary witness of the church through inner spiritual and theological consolidation, along with evangelical reaching out.

Mar Gregorios believed that the church should engage in educational activities, especially to facilitate primary education and English teaching without discriminating gender or religion. Accordingly, he started schools at various places in Kerala. The missionary task of the church was also evinced by his outreach programme to the socially down trodden communities. He also organized evangelical awakening programme for non-christians at various places under the leadership of the Seminary students.

Mar Gregorios had health issues and treatments proved futile and slowly became physically weaker and weaker. He left the earthly abode on 2nd November 1902. The many testimonies to the saintly intercession of Mar Gregorios made Parumala Church and the tomb, a centre of pilgrimage.

The feast of Parumala Church is conducted Oct 26th to November 2nd every year to commemorate the death anniversary of Parumala Thirumeni, when devotees from all parts of the world swarm the grounds of the church to celebrate this great day.