St. Gregorius
Chathuruthil (A.D. 1848-1901)
by Fr. Dr. K. Mani Rajan
Gregorius was born at Mulanthuruthy on 15 June 1848 (M. E. 1023 Midhunam 3). His parents were Chathuruthil Mathew and Kallarackal Mary. Gregorius was called Geevarghese (Kochyppora). He had two brothers (Kurian and Varkey) and two sisters (Mary & Eli).
Mary, mother of Geevarghese, died when he was two years old. His elder sister Mary took care of him. He had preprimary education at the feet of Onakkavil Ayya and later with Mani. After the primary education his theological studies were with Rev. Geevarghese who was his father’s brother.
After the death of Rev. Geevarghese (in 1865, because of smallpox) he continued his theological studies under Rev. Mathen Konatt and more notably under His Grace Mor Koorilos Yuyakim, the delegate of Holy See of Antioch (1846-1874).
Geevarghese belonged to Mulanthuruthy Marthoman Church. At the age of ten, on 14 September 1858, he was ordained subdecan (Korooyo) by His Grace Palakkunnath Mathews Athanasius at the St. George church, Karingachira. On 18 Thulam 1865 he was ordained full deacon by His Grace Mor Koorilos Yuyakim. In the same year he was ordained Priest and subsequently was ordained
Corepiscopo.
On 7 April M.E. 1047 Meenam 27, at the age of twenty four, V. Rev. Geevarghese Corepiscopo was ordained Ramban by His Grace Mor Deevannasios Joseph Pulikkottil II at Marthoman Church, Mulanthuruthy. On 10 December 1876 (M. E. 1052 Vrischikam 27) H. H. Moran Mor Ignatius Peter IV (III) ordained Ramban Geevarghese, Metropolitan at the St. Thomas Church, North Paravur and called him Gregorius. On 26 Vrischikam 1876 (M. E. 1052) Ramban Gevarghese executed and submitted a deed to H. H. Peter IV, the Patriarch of Antioch. The eleven clauses of the registered deed detail the terms of relationship. “If I defy any of the clauses, His Holiness has the right to notify the same and I shall pay 2850 British Rupees and shall take back this deed.”
On 5 May 1877, H. H. Peter IV appointed Mor Gregorius Geevarghese Metropolitan of the Niranam Diocese. On 17 May 1877, H. H. Peter IV ordained Karavatt Mor Dionysius Shemvun and Murimattathil Mor Ivanios Paulose Metropolitans at the St. Lasarus church, Chiralayam, Kunnamkulam, at which time His Grace Mor Gregorius Geevarghese was also present.
H. H. Peter IV used to call Mor Gregorius, Yoohanon for His Grace was the youngest of all the Metropolitans and the one whom he loved the most. His Holiness stayed in Malankara for about two years. His Grace Gregorius was a Ramban during the Synod of Mulanthuruthy in 1876 but was a close associate of H. H. in the consecration of Holy Chrism. The Bull of H. H. Peter IV written on 15 Makaram 1877 from Fort Kochi church regarding the correct practices of sacraments and discipline was translated and published by His Grace Mor Gregorius
Geevarghese.
On 13 Karkkidakam 1872, Arikupuram Mathen executed a deed in favour of the Metropolitan who will be ever loyal to the Patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius seated on the Holy Throne of Antioch. Then onwards construction of a church was initiated at Parumala. The construction of the church was completed and consecrated with Holy Chrism on 15 Makaram 1895. On February 19 His Grace Gregorius started for the Holy Land tour. The group consisted of Deacon Sleeba (later the delegate of the Holy See, Mor Osthatheos), V. Rev. Kochuparambil Paulose Ramban, Vattasseril Geevarghese Kathanar, V. Rev. Thoppil Lukose Corepiscopa (South Paravur), Karingathil Skariah Kathanar (Thumpamon) and Puthenpurackal Geevarghese Kathanar
(Kadmmanitta).
As per the directions of H. H. Peter IV, on 29 July 1889 His Grace Gregorius ordained Rev. Fr. Alvaris (a Jesuit Priest from Goa) Ramban. Ramban Alvaris was ordained Metropolitan by name Julius at the Old Seminary, Kottayam. On that occasion in which, Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil was the main celebrant. Mor Ivanius Paulose Murimmattathil and Mor Gregorius Geevarghese were the other two participants. As per the bull of H. H. Peter IV, on 29 May 1892, Rev. Fr. Reni Vilathi was ordained Metropolitan by name Themotheos at the church of Our Lady of Good Health, Sri Lanka. Mor Athanasius Paulose Kadavil, Mor Julius Alvaris and Mor Gregorius Geevarghese were the celebrants.
H. G. Mor Gregorius Geevarghese founded a few schools to facilitate the education of Syrian Christians and to withstand the influence of C. M. S. Missionaries. Mor Ignatius High School, Kunnamkulam (now, Govt. Model Girl’s H. S.); St. Thomas School, Mulanthuruthy; Middle School, Thumpamon are a few of them.
H. G. Mor Gregorius Geevarghese was a man of prayer and fasting. His Grace emulated the example of St. Antony of Egypt. His Grace was suffering from piles, which became acute by August 1902. On November 2 (morning) His Grace was anointed for the sick and received Holy Qurbono. His Grace was called to eternal rest on 2 November 1902 (M. E. 1078 Thulam 20) Sunday (1.00 a. m. Monday?) at Parumala. Mor Dionysius Joseph was in deep sorrow and was not able to stand during the funeral prayers. The Holy remains were interred at Parumala on Tuesday 4 November 1902. As per the Bull of H .H. Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of Antioch, the name of Mor Gregorius was added to the fifth Diptych of Holy Qurbono. The feast of Saint Gregorius is celebrated on November 2 in the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Source: Martyrs, Saints & Prelates Of The Syriac Orthodox Church- Volume I, by Fr. K. Mani Rajan, M.Sc., M.Ed., Ph.D, Published by The Travancore Syriac Orthodox Publishers & SOCMNet.org
