The Orthodox Church is blessed with saints whose lives continue to inspire, strengthen, and lead us closer to Christ. From St. Gregorios of Parumala to St. Yeldho Mar Baselios and St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius, these holy fathers shine as beacons of humility, prayer, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion. Their legacy enriches our spiritual journey and reminds us that true holiness is lived through faith, service, and love.
St. Mary, Mother of God
St. Mary holds a unique and exalted place in the life of the Church as the Theotokos – the Mother of God. Through her humble “yes” to God’s will, she became the new Eve, cooperating fully in God’s plan of salvation and bearing the Word made flesh for the life of the world. The Church honours her as ever-virgin, as the one who stood faithfully at the Cross, and as the first and most perfect example of a life shaped by obedience, purity, and prayer. In our Malankara Orthodox tradition, we venerate St. Mary with deep love, asking for her prayers while confessing that Jesus Christ alone is our Saviour and Mediator.
The Apostles
The holy Apostles were chosen and sent by our Lord Jesus Christ to be witnesses of His life, death, and resurrection, and to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they laid the foundations of the Church through their preaching, pastoral care, and sacrificial lives. Except for St. John, they all sealed their faith with martyrdom, confirming the truth of the message they preached. Together with St. Paul, who is counted among them as an Apostle by calling and labour, they remain for us the first bishops, missionaries, and examples of courageous discipleship.
Early Church Fathers
The Early Church Fathers were the great teachers, pastors and defenders of the faith who guided the Church, especially during the fourth and fifth centuries. Saints such as Athanasius, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, Cyril of Alexandria, John Chrysostom and Cyril of Jerusalem clarified the Church’s teaching on the Holy Trinity, the person of Christ, the sacraments and the Christian life. Through their writings, preaching and holy lives they protected the Church from heresies and preserved the apostolic faith for future generations. Their teachings continue to shape our Orthodox understanding of worship, doctrine and spiritual growth.
Other Saints and Martyrs
Alongside the Apostles and Fathers, the Church also remembers countless saints and martyrs who witnessed to Christ in every age and place. Among them, our Malankara Orthodox Church cherishes especially St. Baselios Yeldho (Kothamangalam Bava), St. Gregorios of Parumala and St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Vattasseril, whose prayers, tears and struggles renewed our Church and strengthened her faithful. Their lives reflect deep humility, love for the poor, firm defence of true faith and unceasing prayer. Together with the nameless martyrs and holy men and women of God, they form a great cloud of witnesses, encouraging us to walk in holiness and to remain faithful to Christ and His Church.
St. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios Parumala
Canonized on 2nd Nov 1947 by H.H. Baselios Geevarghese II
Saint Gregorios of Parumala is popularly known as ‘Parumala Thirumeni’. Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of the Malankara Orthodox Church, who passed away on November 2, 1902, became the first declared saint from Malankara (Kerala, India) naturally to be called ‘Parumala Thirumeni’. He shines in the cloud of witnesses as a bright luminary giving rays of hope to millions in their suffering and struggles.
Birth and Parentage: Mar Gregorios was born on 15 June 1848 (M.E. Mithunam 3, 1023) to Kochu Mathai and Mariam of the Pallathetta family in the Chathuruthy house at Mulamthuruthy. He was called by the name ‘Kochaippora’ and was given the baptismal name ‘Geevarghese’. Kochaippora had two brothers and two sisters: Kurian, Eli, Mariam, and Varkey. Kochaippora was the youngest and was therefore the most beloved to everyone. Unfortunately, his mother passed away when he was only two years old. His eldest sister Mariam became to him all that a mother was meant to be. Mariam was married at that time and had a child of Kochaippora’s age.
Reader-Deacon and Further Education: He was ordained as a reader-deacon (Korooyo) on 14 September 1858 at the age of ten by Palakkunnath Mathews Mar Athanasios at Karingachira Church. Korooyo Geevarghese continued his training under Geevarghese Malpan until the latter died due to smallpox. Although Deacon Geevarghese was also infected with smallpox, he miraculously survived it. Afterwards, Deacon Geevarghese moved to Pampakuda to continue his studies under Konat Geevarghese Malpan. In the meantime, the Deacon became associated with the visiting Syrian Bishop Yuyakim Mar Coorilos. Mar Coorilos had great admiration for the deacon and was pleased to ordain him as Full Deacon, Priest, and Cor-Episcopa within a few months in 1865.
Vettickal Dayara: The new priest’s short stay at Mulanthuruthy Marthommen Church gave him an inner conviction that he should lead a hermit’s life in a quieter place. Therefore, he shifted his residence to Vettickal Dayara. At Vettickal Dayara, Corepiscopa Geevarghese started a strenuous life of prayer and fasting. Having heard about the vigorous asceticism practised by Corepiscopa Geevarghese, the then Malankara Metropolitan Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius made him a ‘Ramban’ (Monk Priest) in 1872.
Patriarchal Visit and the Synod of Mulanthuruthy: In 1876, the Antioch Patriarch His Holiness Peter III visited Malankara. The Patriarch chose Ramban Geevarghese as his Secretary and translator during the entire visit. Along with the Patriarch, the Ramban visited many churches. Ramban Geevarghese also assisted the Patriarch in the consecration of the Holy Mooron and in the historic synod of Mulanthuruthy in 1876.
Consecration as Metropolitan: Being pleased with Ramban Geevarghese, the Patriarch decided to consecrate him as Metropolitan. On December 10, 1876, the Patriarch consecrated six priests as bishops including Ramban Geevarghese at St. Thomas Church, N. Paravur. He was given the new name Geevarghese Mar Gregorios and was given the charge of the Niranam Diocese. The other bishops and their dioceses were:
● Murimattath Paulose Mar Ivanios (Kandanad)
● Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios (Kottayam)
● Ambattu Geevarghese Mar Coorilos (Ankamaly)
● Karottuveetil Simon Mar Dionysius (Cochin)
● Konat Geevarghese Mar Julius (Thumpamon)
Mar Gregorios was only 28 years old when he was made a bishop. Since he was the youngest among all the bishops, he was dearly called by all as ‘Kochu Thirumeni’. The first thing the new bishops undertook was a special fasting-vigil for forty days at Vettickal Dayara under the leadership of ‘Kochu Thirumeni’. This fasting was both symbolic and effective in the pursuit of new life in an old church. Mar Gregorios took charge of the Niranam Diocese and started staying at Parumala. There was at Parumala, at that time, a land donated by Arikupurath Koruth Mathen to the church and in this plot a small building was erected by the Malankara Metropolitan Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius. This building was known as ‘Azhippura’. Mar Gregorios lived there along with a few other deacons who came for priestly training. They worshipped in a thatched chapel during that time.
Threefold Activity: Mar Gregorios engaged in a threefold activity of tireless service for the church: Diocesan administration, Ministerial formation of deacons, and Missionary witness of the church through inner spiritual and theological consolidation, along with evangelical reaching out. In addition to these, Mar Gregorios undertook the task of building a church and seminary at Parumala. The diocesan administration, in the meantime, was extended to two more dioceses, Thumpamon and Quilon. The newly constructed church was consecrated in 1895. Mar Gregorios was the co-celebrant for the consecration of two ex-Roman Catholic priests as bishops: Fr. Alvaris as Alvaris Mar Julius for theBombay-Mangalore Diocese; and Fr. Rene Vilatti as Rene Vilatti Mar Timotheos for America.
Holy Land Pilgrimage: Mar Gregorios made the Holy Land Pilgrimage in 1895 as the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream. On his return, he published a travelogue under the title ‘Oorslem Yathra Vivaranam’ (a narrative of the Jerusalem visit). This book, published in 1895, is to be considered as the earliest printed travelogue in Malayalam. This book had its centenary edition in 1996 and translation into English in 2000.
A Vision and Mission for the Entire Church: Mar Gregorios believed that the church should engage in educational activity especially to facilitate primary education and English teaching without discriminating by gender or religion. Accordingly, he started schools at Kunnamkulam, Mulamthuruthy, Niranam, Thumpamon, Thiruvalla, etc. The missionary task of the Church was also evinced by his outreach programme to the socially downtrodden communities at Chennithala, Kalikunnu, Mallappally, Puthupally, Kallumkathara, etc. He also organized evangelical awakening programmes for non-Christians at various places like Aluva, under the leadership of the Seminary students. A major task of Mar Gregorios was to motivate the clergy for effective ministry. With this aim, he formed the Malankara Syrian Clergy Association, took many progressive decisions, and made many suggestions for the effective functioning of the priestly ministry.
St. Yeldho Mar BaseliosKothamangalam
Canonized on 2nd Nov 1947 by H.H Baselios Geevarghese II
St. Yeldho Mar Baselios was born in a village called Kooded (now known as Karakosh) near Mosul in Iraq, where Morth Smooni and her 7 children suffered martyrdom. At a very young age, he joined the Mar Bahnan Monastery and became a monk. In 1678, he was consecrated Catholicos by the Patriarch of Antioch Mar Ignatius Abdul Masih I. In 1685, at the age of 92, the Holy Father started the difficult mission to India at the request of Mar Thoma II of Malankara, who informed the Patriarchate about the unpleasant situation of the Church here.
The saintly Maphryono was accompanied by his brother, two monks, and an Episcopa, but only three of them are believed to have reached Malankara. The saint expired on Saturday afternoon on 'Kanni 19' (Malayalam Calendar), 1685, and was entombed on the very next day in the sanctuary of Mar Thoma Cheriapally, Kothamangalam. Though the Holy Father had lived in this land for only a few days, his name has spread far and wide leaving a lasting mark in the history of the Malankara Church.
Yeldho Mar Baselios and his entourage reached Surat in Gujarat (North India) by the middle of 1685 and from there proceeded to the Malabar coast. Sometime later, they landed at Thalassery port in North Malabar. [As per the letter of Mar Thoma IV to the Patriarch of Antioch dated 25th Elool (Sept) 1720, those who reached Malabar were Mar Baselios Yeldho, Mar Ivanios, and 'Ramban Mathai' (there exists no further information about this Ramban)]. In order to avoid attacks from pirates along the seacoast and to escape from the Portuguese, they traversed due east to Tamil Nadu and proceeded down to southern Kerala on foot. Obviously, the saint and others with him were under the impression that the Portuguese were still wielding power on the west coast. So the journey was in disguise through thick forests. After some weeks, they reached a small village on the bank of a river at sunset. On the way they encountered a ferocious tiger. Bava’s escorts were scared to death but it is said that the Saint calmly took out the 'Sleeba' (Cross) and made the sign of the cross in the direction of the animal, and it ran away roaring into the forests as if struck by a heavy object.
Later they reached the place which is now known as 'Pallivasal' near Munnar. There were many huts in the foothills for the travellers. Mar Baselios Yeldho had a feeling that it would be dangerous to stay in those inns since he expected heavy rains and floods that night. So the Saint advised his companions and the people remaining in the place that it would be better to sleep on the upper reaches of the surrounding hills. Some people who believed him moved higher up the hill but others dismissed the idea lightly and stayed in the inns. During the night there was a very heavy downpour and in the instantaneous flood many people and animals living on the river banks lost their lives. In the morning the saint offered the Holy Qurbana (Holy Eucharist) for the dead and the mercy shown on those with him on a temporary altar made there. From that time the place assumed the name ‘PALLIVASAL’ (place of Holy church). The site where he offered the Holy Qurbana is said to be considered sacred by the tribals of the hills around.
From there the Holy Father accompanied by the Episcopa Ivanios came to Kozhippilli village near Kothamangalam by afternoon. When they came to know that they had reached populated areas, the Saint decided that it was unwise for both to travel together any further. He therefore asked the Episcopa to climb a tree and hide himself while the Saint proceeded on foot for reconnaissance. When the Holy Father reached the banks of the Kothamangalam river at Chakkalakudy, he saw a Nair (Hindu) Gentleman who was tending cattle there. Through symbols they communicated, and the man told the Saint that there was a Church nearby. The Saint asked him to accompany him to the church. The man expressed his inability to do so since he could not abandon the cattle. The Saint took his walking stick and drew a big circle on the ground. Then he asked the man to take all the cattle into that circle. He waited for some more time to see how the cattle behaved and he found that they were not leaving the boundary of the circle. He realized that Mar Baselios Yeldho was a man of God. The man's sister was at that time in labor pains. He told the Saint about the difficult situation. When the Saint asked for some water with a view to bless it, the man thought that he was asking for water to quench thirst and he tried to climb a coconut tree nearby. The tree began to bend! The man took two tender coconuts from the tree and gave them to the Saint. The Saint blessed one of the tender coconuts and asked the man to rush home and make his sister drink the juice. While the Saint waited at the same spot, after about one hour the man returned with the good news that his sister had given birth to a boy. Greater surprise was in store for him, since the cattle had not moved out of the circle. The man gladly accompanied the Saint to the church. While they got into the river to cross it, some children who were swimming in the river tried to throw pebbles at the Saint. Somehow instead of throwing pebbles they ended up following the Saint and his companion.
The people of Kothamangalam celebrate the Cheriyapally festival on October 2 and 3 with piety and festivity. In remembrance to the instance of guiding Mar Baselios Yeldho to this church by a Nair (Hindu) Youth, his successors are still given the privilege to hold the traditional lamp of the church and lead the 'Rassa' (Church procession) to the church on the festival day of the Saint.
Canonization: St. Yeldho Mar Baselios was canonized on 2 November 1947 by H.H. Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicos.
St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Vattasseril
Canonized on 23rd Feb 2003 by H.H BaseliosMarthoma Mathews II
St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Vattasseril, Malankara Metropolitan, was a bright light for the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church that illumined during her dark and tumultuous times and possessed the vision to bring the Church triumphantly from the bonds of foreign oppression. Thirumeni dedicated his entire life to secure the freedom and welfare of the Holy Church. His Grace faced many troubles and obstacles as well as received constant physical and verbal abuse via threats and physical attacks as he courageously led the Church to her independence. He confronted the dangers and obstacles directly, responding with vigor, strength, and remarkable conviction and confidence in God’s justice and plan, which was a product of his continual fasting and prayer. God protected Thirumeni throughout his life whether in Kerala or abroad as he sought the freedom of the Church from foreign powers. His great triumph lay in the ability to unite the entire Church, both the priests and laymen, to follow his lead. He was incredibly gifted in many fields, a multifarious genius. He was a spiritual leader, a theological educator, scholar of languages, literature, and traditions. He was a dignified, valorous, and noble personality with a remarkable commanding power. His two literary works, a Syriac Text Book for Beginners and "Mathopadesa Saarangal" (Basic Doctrines of Religion), show the influence of his early training in this direction.
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Early Life: St. Dionysius was born to his parents, Joseph Vattasseril of Mallappally and Eliamma Kolathu Kalathil of Kurichy on 31 October 1858. Following his elementary education at C.M.S. Middle School in Mallappally, he completed his high school education from C.M.S. High School, Kottayam. In 1876, while still a high school student, he was ordained as a sub-deacon by H.H. Moran Mar Pathrose Patriarch.
Life in the Church: Dn. Geevarghese studied at the Orthodox Theological Seminary (Old Seminary or Pazhaya Seminary), Kottayam for four years, thereby undergoing his theological training. Dn. Geevarghese soon became a great Syriac scholar under the careful tutelage of St. Gregorios of Parumala, who taught him at the Seminary. In 1879, Dn. Geevarghese was ordained as a full deacon, and in 1880 he was ordained as a priest by St. Gregorios. By 1880, Fr. Geevarghese had become an authority in Syriac, Church History, Faith and Doctrine, the Church Fathers, and Theology. In recognition of his incredible expertise in Syriac and theology, he was designated as Malankara Malpan. He spent his spare time reading, studying, and thinking which translated to his many renowned writings such as “Doctrines of the Church”. He also used his scholarship to edit and publish the order of Church worship to be used by the ordinary faithful for meaningful participation in worship. He was appointed as Principal of M.D. Seminary, Kottayam, as he was both a great scholar and administrator. In 1903, he was blessed as a Ramban (monk). He also served as the Manager of Parumala Seminary. In 1908, he was consecrated as H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Metropolitan and served as the Assistant Malankara Metropolitan. The next year,he became the Malankara Metropolitan and served and led the Church in that capacity until his departure from this life in 1934, when he and the Church triumphed in establishing the official constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
Legacy: H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese II Catholicos of blessed memory remarked in the speech at the burial of Vattasseril Thirumeni, “When we look at the highest solemn position held by Vattasseril Thirumeni and his deep and firm faith in God, he seemed similar to Moses who led the sons of Abraham from the captive land of Egypt to the promised land of freedom and happiness. There is no doubt about it. Moses had spent his entire life for the freedom of his people but he could not enter the Promised Land. He was only able to see the Promised Land from a distance. Likewise, the Moses of the Malankara Church has also watched the freedom of his Church from a distance”. Vattasseril Thirumeni was a good orator who was well aware of the importance of the vitality and moral persuasiveness of words when delivering speeches to the faithful. Spiritually, he was transformed by Christ and bore no scars from sin. His humility and withdrawal from the praise of this world kept many from seeing the incredibly pious and faithful life that Thirumeni lived. In addition to not publicizing his own spiritual advancement, he also avoided spiritual hypocrisy and arrogance throughout his life. Prayers and fasting were the pillars that were Vattasseril Thirumeni’s spiritual foundation. He faced all the challenges with the power he had gained through his valued spiritual life. In addition to the liturgical hours of prayer, Thirumeni spent much time in private prayers and silent meditations behind closed doors and away from the attention of people. In spite of his busy schedule, he was also able to focus on three to four lessons from the Holy Bible every day. Despite Vattasseril Thirumeni’s literal application of Christ’s instruction to pray in private and not for others to see, many recognized that His Grace was a living saint amongst them.
Canonization St. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius was canonized on 23 February 2003 by H.H. Baselios Marthoma Mathews II Catholicos.