In
the Indian Orthodox religion, Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios is
the patron saint. He was born in Kerala as Kochu Ipeora Gheevarghese
to Mathai and Mariam Gheevarghese on June 15, 1848. As a young
child, Ipeora was taught by a man named Malpan. On September
14, 1859, Ipeora was ordained as a deacon. Soon afterwards,
Malpan became sick with smallpox. Throughout the Malpan's sickness
and death, Deacon Gheevarghese stayed with him. He soon became
sick and during his illness, Ipeora saw a vision of Mary, the
Mother of God, coming down to him to comfort him. She told him
to dedicate the rest of his life to the Lord. Soon after this
experience, the deacon recovered.
In 1865, the Deacon Gheevarghese was ordained as a priest at
the age of 18. In 1872, Joseph Mar Dionysios raised the priest
to ramban. A few years later, on December 10, 1876, Patriarch
Peter III raised Gheevarhgese Ramban to the highest order, Bishop.
He was now officially, Bishop Gregorios or Mar Gregorios. Because
he was such a young Bishop, only being 28, he was often referred
to as "Kochu Thirumeni." Mar Gregorios was appointed to the
Niranam Diocese as metropolitan. Mar Gregorios later decided
to make the city of Parumala his main spiritual center and established
a church there in 1895. It was consecrated in the names of St.
Peter and St. Paul.
Mar Gregorios led a very holy life. He feared and loved the
Lord. He led a life full of prayer and fasting. His schedule
each day consisted of waking up at 4:00 a.m. to pray and stayed
up to pray until 12:00 a.m. On Wednesdays, Fridays and on days
of lent, Mar Gregorios fasted until evening. Besides observing
the lent days set by the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara
Orthodox Syrian Church, Mar Gregorios also observed his own
lent days.
In 1902, Mar Gregorios started to become weak. He became weaker
and weaker until he was finally bedridden. On November 12, 1902,
Mar Gregorios received the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for
the very last time. Around midnight of the same day, Mar Gregorios
cried out, "My Lord!" three times and returned to his creator.
In 1947, on the 45th anniversary of Mar Gregorios' death, the
Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
declared Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios, called Parumala Thirumeni
by his faithful followers, their first Saint.
| The
tomb of Mar Gregorios |
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Quotes from
Mar Gregorios
"Be rich in love of man and love of God. Brothers should never
cheat each other. When you move away from unity you are sure
to move away from God ".
"Forgiveness is strength. It gives a person a good name. It
is the distinguishing feature of righteous people ".
"Prayer is the inspiration of childhood, the refuge of youth
and peace during old age ".
The last photo of the great Saint
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