O Resplendent St. Gregorios!

November 02, 2020

O Resplendent St. Gregorios!

"Remember God in everything. Let no one grieve because of you. Never let go an opportunity to do something good. Only those things will remain with you till the end."
St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios

November 2nd holds a very special place within the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC). It is on this day we celebrate the feast of St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios! St. Gregorios of Parumala, or as he is lovingly known 'Parumala Thirumeni' was born on June 15, 1848. From a very early age, Geevarghese forsook the ways of the world and concerned himself with Christ and His Church. Young Geevarghese was ordained a deacon at the age of 10 and a priest around the age of 18. He was subsequently consecrated as a Metropolitan at the age of 29.

Mar Gregorios engaged in a threefold activity of tireless service for the Church. Education, theological formation, and missionary witness were of paramount importance for Mar Gregorios. Thirumeni believed that the Church should push for further educational activities, promote the formation of clergy, and serve as a witness of Christ's love for the world regardless of creed or caste. An example of this can be seen during a smallpox outbreak in the Thumpamon area. Irrespective of whether those that were affected were Christian or non-Christian, high-caste or low-caste, Thirumeni did not hesitate to care for the sick and suffering. It is no wonder that the youth group of the Church is named, the Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (MGOCSM) with its focus on Worship, Study, and Service.

Even while concerning himself with the sufferings of others, Mar Gregorios suffered from his own health ailments and he ultimately left this earthly abode as a result on November 2, 1902. His tomb is located at St. Peters and St. Pauls Indian Orthodox Church in Parumala, Kerala, India.
In 1947, he became the first declared saint from Malankara (Kerala, India) and shines in cloud of witnesses as a bright luminary giving rays of hope to millions in their suffering and struggles.

DID YOU KNOW?

Among the disciples of Parumala Thirumeni are St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius and HH Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese II.

A 'feast day' is the date a saint, a holy event, or a holy object is commemorated in the liturgical life of the Church. The feast day of a saint is generally the date of his or her death/martyrdom.

To watch a video about Parumala Thirumeni, click here.

To learn more about miracles done by Parumala Thirumeni, click here.

To learn more about St.Peters and St. Pauls Indian Orthodox Church, click here.