Thirumeni was blessed with the order of 'Korooyo' at the tender age of ten by Palakunnath Mor Athanasius at the Karingachira St.George church. At the age of 18, he was elevated as 'Shamshono' and later as 'Kassisso' and 'Corepiscopa' by Yuyakim Mor Kurillos, the then Patriarchal delegate of the Holy See of Antioch. Later he stayed at the Vettikkal Dayro and led a strict monastic life. In 1872 he was ordained as Ramban Geevarghese (Monk-Priest) by Pulikottil Mor Dionysius.
As the majority of the people in Malankara then were disturbed by the new protestant doctrines propagated by Mor Athanasius, a meeting was held in Sep 1872 under the chairmanship of Chathuruthy Geevarghese Ramban and prayed to the Patriarch His Holiness Peter III to save the Church from the crisis.
His Holiness Mor Ignatius Peter III, the Patriarch of Antioch arrived in 1875 and convened the famous Mulunthuruthy Synod. Patriarch appointed Geevarghese Ramban as his private secretary as well as interpreter. In less than a year the Patriarch's esteem of the Ramban grew so high that His Holiness decided to elevate him to the order of a bishop.
On 3rd and 10th Dec 1876, the Patriarch consecrated four Metropolitans at the St.Thomas North Paravur church. 'Mor Gregorios' was the youngest of all and was only 28 and hence came to be known by the endearing name "Kochu Thirumeni". He was born and brought up at his ancestral house, 'Chathuruthy' in Mulunthuruthy, hence is also often called as "Chathuruthy Thirumeni". The name 'Mor Gregorios' entrusted on him on his ordination by His Holiness the Patriarch, was as a special privilege; as it being the honorable title of the Metropolitan (Archbishop) of Jerusalem diocese under the Holy See of Antioch.
At the behest of Mor Gregorios, all the newly ordained Metropolitans undertook a forty day lent at Vettikkal Dayro before assuming charge of their respective dioceses. As Metropolitan of Niranam diocese, Mor Gregorios stayed at Parumala Seminary. In his bishopric, he established various churches and was the motivator to establish schools in different parts of Malankara. During this period he was closely and intimately associated with varied activities and development of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. He was admired for his organizing ability and was very popular with the masses. Later he administered the Thumpamon and Kollam dioceses also. His Grace tried to preach the Holy Gospel of Our Lord to the backward communities and many were accepted into our fold. He also worked hard to uplift this marginalized people.
While staying at Parumala Seminary, he taught Syriac to deacons. His ability to tack Syriac hymns was extraordinary. Even in the midst of administrative duties in the dioceses, he gave maximum importance to prayers and lent. He used to get up at 4 am for prayer. His Grace observed prayers seven times a day as taught by the Holy Church. He was very particular about observation of lent with fasting, particularly on Fridays and Wednesdays.
His Grace's long standing desire to visit the Holy Land was fulfilled in 1895, nineteen years after his enthronement as Metropolitan. During his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he stayed at the "Sehion Malika" (Monastery of St.Mark), the diocesan headquarters of the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan and visited almost all the important places of Christendom and celebrated the Holy Qurbono of the Passion Week at the altars of the Suryani Church. On his return, His Grace collected a certain amount from all the Parishes in Malankara and sent a Silver Cross as offering to the Jerusalem Church.
At the age of 54, Thirumeni became seriously sick. He knew that his end was near. While the Metropolitans and priests and others were praying, Kochu Thirumeni uttered "My Lord" and closed his eyes. Kochu Thirumeni, passed away on 2nd November 1902 and his mortal remains were entombed at the St.Peter's Church, Parumala.
As the majority of the people in Malankara then were disturbed by the new protestant doctrines propagated by Mor Athanasius, a meeting was held in Sep 1872 under the chairmanship of Chathuruthy Geevarghese Ramban and prayed to the Patriarch His Holiness Peter III to save the Church from the crisis.
His Holiness Mor Ignatius Peter III, the Patriarch of Antioch arrived in 1875 and convened the famous Mulunthuruthy Synod. Patriarch appointed Geevarghese Ramban as his private secretary as well as interpreter. In less than a year the Patriarch's esteem of the Ramban grew so high that His Holiness decided to elevate him to the order of a bishop.
On 3rd and 10th Dec 1876, the Patriarch consecrated four Metropolitans at the St.Thomas North Paravur church. 'Mor Gregorios' was the youngest of all and was only 28 and hence came to be known by the endearing name "Kochu Thirumeni". He was born and brought up at his ancestral house, 'Chathuruthy' in Mulunthuruthy, hence is also often called as "Chathuruthy Thirumeni". The name 'Mor Gregorios' entrusted on him on his ordination by His Holiness the Patriarch, was as a special privilege; as it being the honorable title of the Metropolitan (Archbishop) of Jerusalem diocese under the Holy See of Antioch.
At the behest of Mor Gregorios, all the newly ordained Metropolitans undertook a forty day lent at Vettikkal Dayro before assuming charge of their respective dioceses. As Metropolitan of Niranam diocese, Mor Gregorios stayed at Parumala Seminary. In his bishopric, he established various churches and was the motivator to establish schools in different parts of Malankara. During this period he was closely and intimately associated with varied activities and development of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. He was admired for his organizing ability and was very popular with the masses. Later he administered the Thumpamon and Kollam dioceses also. His Grace tried to preach the Holy Gospel of Our Lord to the backward communities and many were accepted into our fold. He also worked hard to uplift this marginalized people.
While staying at Parumala Seminary, he taught Syriac to deacons. His ability to tack Syriac hymns was extraordinary. Even in the midst of administrative duties in the dioceses, he gave maximum importance to prayers and lent. He used to get up at 4 am for prayer. His Grace observed prayers seven times a day as taught by the Holy Church. He was very particular about observation of lent with fasting, particularly on Fridays and Wednesdays.
His Grace's long standing desire to visit the Holy Land was fulfilled in 1895, nineteen years after his enthronement as Metropolitan. During his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he stayed at the "Sehion Malika" (Monastery of St.Mark), the diocesan headquarters of the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan and visited almost all the important places of Christendom and celebrated the Holy Qurbono of the Passion Week at the altars of the Suryani Church. On his return, His Grace collected a certain amount from all the Parishes in Malankara and sent a Silver Cross as offering to the Jerusalem Church.
At the age of 54, Thirumeni became seriously sick. He knew that his end was near. While the Metropolitans and priests and others were praying, Kochu Thirumeni uttered "My Lord" and closed his eyes. Kochu Thirumeni, passed away on 2nd November 1902 and his mortal remains were entombed at the St.Peter's Church, Parumala.
Courtesy Information:
Original post is available at : St:Mary's orthodox church atlanta (http://www.stmaryschurchatlanta.com/) and St:Gregorious of Parumala (http://www.parumalathirumeni.com/ )
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