HG Geevarghese Mar Gregorios – Nov 6

Geevarghese was born in this family on 17th July, 1899, as the fourth child of Vayaliparambil Pynadath Kuryath Thoma and Sosamma. As a young youth, in 1910, he caught the attention of H.H. ‘Abded Aloho II, the then Patriarch of Antioch, on a visit to India. The Patriarch requested them to consider preparing him for priesthood. After graduating from Union Christian College Aluva, he was ordained Korooyoon 2 April 1931 by Mar Athanasios, of Alwaye. On completion of his seminary studies, he was ordained deacon by Mar Julius Elias, the delegate on 16 November 1934 and as a Priestin 1936 by Mar Athanasius. Soon after, he went on a missionary tour to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ceylon and Candy.

He completed Licentiate in Teaching from Meston Training College, Chennai in 1944. He also stayed and studied at the Mar Ignatius Monastery, Manjinikkara along with Abdul Ahad, a native of Mosul, Iraq, who later became the Patriarch Mor Ya‘qub III.

Fr. Geevarghese founded a chapel at Koratty in 1939, near the Leprosy Hospital for socially neglected and isolated leprosy patients. He also deposited fund for the remuneration of the priest in charge there. He started publishing a fortnightly Church journal in Malayalam called “Sabha Chandrika” and founded the Bethlehem Convent at Kizhakkambalam. He also took initiative to organize and empower the Women’s Association of the Church.

On 4 August 1946, Fr. Geevarghese was consecrated bishop by H.H. Patriarch Mar Ignatius Aphrem I Barsauma, at Homs, Syria with the name Gregorios for the Ankamaly diocese and became the Metropolitan of the Angamaly Diocese on 27 January 1953. HG Gregorius Geevarghese travelled as a pilgrim to the holy places in Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Israel, and Turkey. He published a detailed book on his pilgrimage.  

Mar Gregorios expanded his diocese by constructing forty new Churches across the diocese. In all these Churches he planted coconut tree, rubber and other vegetations, so that the Churches would be financially self-sufficient. He renovated the Aluva Thrikunnath Seminary and implemented schemes for its financial self-reliance by planting rubber and coconut trees. Mar Gregorios built many educational institutions — Mar Athanasius Engineering College and Mar Athanasius Arts college at Kothamangalam are some examples of his farsighted activities in the sphere of education. His inheritance went towards the construction of St. George’s Church and Mar Athanasius High School at Nedumbassery. HG sponsored free education for poor students in his school.

He rejuvenated the Church through many reforms over his lifetime, in many spheres of activity – spiritual, social, educational, cultural, charitable, administrative, and financial. He dedicated his life for his Church, leading a humble and true Christian life. He toiled for peace in the Church, serving the poor and the weak, spreading the Gospel, promoting education, and conducting himself selflessly with humility thus setting an example of a true Christian who loves God and his neighbor.

His Grace passed away returning from a foreign tour on November 6, 1966. His mortal remains lay interred at Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva