www.ParumalaThirumeni.in
INTRODUCTION
It has
been nearly a century since the great Saint of Malankara,
Mor Gregorios Bava (Parumala Thirumeni),
entered his heavenly abode. Yet the sacred memories of this holy father remain
ever fresh in the hearts of the faithful of Malankara, lovingly handed down
through generations. Through this
website, we humbly present once again the life and legacy of this revered Saint.
Much has already been written about him, and much more remains to be revealed.
Our aim is to gather and share as many details as possible through this medium
of the internet, so that the faithful may draw inspiration from his blessed
life. As we unfold the life story of
Parumala Thirumeni on these pages, we also provide a glimpse into the events
that shaped the Malankara Church in the 19th century. Indeed, the history of the
Malankara Syrian Church of that era is inseparably intertwined with the life of
Parumala Thirumeni. His
Salmusa
itself stands as a living testimony and a
priceless historical record
The
relevant details included in the web site are compiled from the biographies and articles written by Very Rev
(Dr.)
Curien Corepiscopa Kaniamparambil,
Very Rev (Dr.) Kuriakose
Corepiscopa Moolayil, late Prof. P N Chacko ('Vissudha
Edayan' a biography of Parumala Bava),
Prof. P E John Panakkal, George Arapurayil, Varghese John Thottapuzha, Zacharia George (Mulund), and various others. Of
all these, the most historically important book that helped to understand some
of the unsaid facts of the time is the
biography of
Pulikottil Joseph Mor
Dionysius (the Malankara
Metropolitan during Parumala Thirumeni’s time),
written by M P Varkey and published by K I Varugis Mappillay of Malayala Manorama Co. Ltd. in 1901.
The book was published in connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the sacerdotal ordination of Pulikottil
Thirumeni. A
brief history of the Church in the 19th century and its fundamental
faith is clearly unfolded in this book. Another book which was of
great help for us was the biography of our holy father St. Gregorios, published
by the same author & publishers in 1903, just a year after his demise. An equally important book that
helped us to compile our work, with much more details on the life and times of
St. Gregorios Chathuruthy, was the one authored by the great Syriac scholar &
historian of our times,
Malankara Malpan
Very Rev.
(Dr.) Curien Corepiscopa Kaniamparambil. This book was
first published by him in October 2001 during the centenary year of the Saint's
dukrono.
Some of the encyclicals of our holy father,
relevant
extracts from his
travelogue,
declaration of faith at the historical
Mulanthuruthy Synod and such are
included as links in other pages. Most
of them are in Malayalam; the translations will be published at
later stages.
In certain pages there are some repetitions, but that was necessary for keeping the
continuity.
The legendary portrait of
St. Grergorios sketched by one of the most celebrative painters of
India, Raja Ravi Varma, is reproduced in this website. The full size photo of our
holy father taken by a photographer named Decruz for the 'Travancore State
Manual', just a few months before his passing away, is also included here.
Information's regarding the year-long centenary celebrations of the feast of
Saint Gregorios can be accessed through the link in the opening page.
This web site, 'ParumalaThirumeni.in' has been inaugurated
by
His
Grace Mor Philoxenos Yuhanon,
the Metropolitan Trustee, on 2nd November 2001 at the Mulunthuruthy Mar Thoman church
in a public
function organised in connection with the beginning of the year-long Centenary celebrations of
Chathuruthy Mor
Gregorios Bava's 100th dukrono.
The
then Catholicos-designate
& the President of the Malankara Episcopal Synod H.E.
Mor Dionysius Thomas (present
Catholicos
Mor
Baselios Thomas-I)
and all other prelates of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church were present to grace
the occasion.
There is no claim from my side that this is a
perfect and complete site on the life of St. Gregorios, but I have tried my best
and is ready to incorporate whatever related be available in future.. Your
suggestions are
always welcome so that changes to the extent necessary are made to this exclusive
web site.
Contact email:
mscrp@live.com
----------------------------
4th
November 2002
This
Web site is dedicated to the blessed memories
of ......
Note:
1. St. Gregorios
Geevarghese is also often called as 'Parumala Thirumeni',
'Chathuruthy Thirumeni', 'Kochu Thirumeni'
and 'Mor Gregorios Bava'.
2.
'Thirumeni',
'Methran' are Malayalam equivalents for the term
'Metropolitan'.
3. SALMUSA
is the declaration submitted to the Supreme spiritual head, the Patriarch of
Antioch, before consecration as Metropolitan
4.
'Dukrono'
is the Syriac term for 'Memorial Feast'
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©2003
ParumalaThirumeni.in
MSCR
-
Malankara Syriac Christian Resources
http://syriacchristianity.in
... contact email:
mscrp@live.com