Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - October, 2005

Mor Basil; Pray for us

By Babu Maracheril

Each and every year, the day "2nd October" is the most rememberable day in our minds - isn't it ? As the Kanni 20th Perunnal at Kothamangalam Cheriapally comes along with Gandhi Jayanthi, Kerala Government have declared the whole area as a Festival Area. 

Since my childhood I enjoyed so much in taking part in this great festival. We the children were longing so much from months ahead to celebrate it. We were waiting for the few coins our parents, grand parents and elders giving us to spend/celebrate or collect and keep for future use. That was a real time - now all the fun & charm is gone, but still we keep the spirit. For the last many years I couldn't attend the festival at all, but my heart is there during these festival days. I remember myself as a Sunday School Student, walking in the Procession from Valiapally, holding a yellow flag 
made of China paper, when circling the Cheriapally, we shouted " Mor Basil; Pray for us, St: Mary Pray for us" so as to break our throats. Yes - he still prays for me and will keep it for my generations. 

It was 1990 October I could attend the festival last. I was escaping from Kuwait, with my family, during the Iraqi Invasion. We were fleeing through the vast deserts of Iraq, crossing the great biblical and historical names like Basra, Baghdad, Babylon and River Euphrates, small hillocks and sides of River Jordan - the places where our Lord Jesus Christ might have set his foots, airlifted to Bombay from Amman and taken to Alwaye by the free train. 


On my way from Alwaye to Kothamangalam, I saw thousands of pilgrims on foot, walking, wet in the rain, towards the Holy Tomb of LL HB Mor Baselious Yeldho. My heart was pounding so hard and fast on the sight of their great faith; I couldn't hold my tears. 

I reached home on 2nd October evening, after a journey which lasted for 10 hectic days, under the occupying army of Iraq and the unfriendly army of Jordan. I took a quick bath at home and rushed to Cheriapally. It was time for the Kanny 19th Night Procession. I was bold enough to take the Big Gold Cross at the forefront of the procession, which was allowed to be held only by few skilled persons. No body denied me that privilege. They all knew me well. 

Earlier, It was doubtful for us to reach home by mid or even end of October 1990 because of the special war situations. We started our journey from Kuwait on 23rd Sept.,1990 and when we reached the UN / Red Cross camps in the no mans land between Iraq and Jordan, there were thousands of people who started from Kuwait about 3 weeks earlier. So we thought; - if things moves at this speed, we may reach home by end of October. 

But we prayed and prayed relentless and without tiring. My uncle and family were with us - we cherished each other - One night I called My Bawa and asked him, can I come to your tomb on or before your Perunnal ? I think he answered "YES" but i didn't hear anything. But I heard it on 2nd October evening when I kneeled before his tomb. I couldn't control my tears. Till now I do not know how he helped us to reach home so fast , in 10 days, when people took 18 to 25 days to reach Kerala from Kuwait. But I know well that, it was his intercession that helped us to reach home in a record time and exactly on his perunnal date. 

We were sleeping in tents set up in the vast cold deserts, we had ample food and other supplies -we really enjoyed the trip; like a picnic. God is Great - He took us home carefully like a flower in his hand. My 6 year old daughter Lizmol and 17 month old son Basil had no problems during the whole 10 days journey by bus, plane and train. We have dedicated Basil even before his birth to be called by Bawa's name - "Basil" - short form of Basalious. He was baptized and named at Cheriapally. 

We know he is one among the many thousands bear Bawa's name - either "Yeldho , Eldho" or "Basil" and most of them are the living witness' of his reserve-less blessings to childless couples. There are thousands of tales to be told. 

I cannot forget that day for my whole life. I know that no one who have ever received any favors from Him will never ever forget that. 

Together with all those who have received favors from Yeldho Mor Baselious Bawa, let us say; MOR BASIL; PRAY FOR US 


Biography of the Holy father 
http://www.syriacchristianity.org/bio/MorBaseliosYeldho.htm
http://www.MorYeldho.cjb.net/