HH Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese I – Dec. 17 I Vallikkattu Bava – 2nd Catholicos of the East

H. H. Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese I, was born in an ancient orthodox Vallikkattu Karuchira family on 13th January 1870 as the second son of Karuchira Paulose (Punnachen) and Puthupally Kuttanchira Unichiamma. Young Geevarghese was brought up, nurtured in spiritual atmosphere and his pious parents dedicated the young one for the service of God. After basic education at his native place, Vakathanam, Kottayam. He mastered in Syriac, the liturgical language of the Church. He opted to become a sanyasi priest.

At a very young age of sixteen he was ordained as ‘Kooruya’ on 13 June 1885, as deacon in 1892 by Metropolitan Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius. In the theological training at Old Seminary, Kottayam, he received training and guidance of Vattasseril Geevarghese Kathanar and Konattu Mathen Malpan. Deacon Geevarghese was proficient in studies and was presented by Konattu Malpan a bronze lamp, as an appreciation of the deacon’s excellence in studies, which he preserved respectfully with him till his death. He was known for his keen observation, efficient administrative skills and competency. His name spread far and wide throughout the Church, as Rambachan’s abilities and capabilities could not go unnoticed or escape any one’s eyes.

He was ordained as a priest on 11 August 1896 and raised as a Ramban on 21 August 1896, by Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasius. He was appointed as secretary to the Metropolitan, his spiritual teacher with whom he spent many years, in which capacity he did significant services for the construction of Thrikunnath Seminary, which later became the seat and resting place of Paulose Mar Athanasius. He served as Manager in Thrikunnath Seminary, Aluva from 1908 to 1910.

On 9th February 1913, he was consecrated as Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, at Chengannur Church. He became the Metropolitan of Kottayam and Angamaly diocese. After the passing away of spiritual guru, the forty-four years old Metropolitan moved Vallikattu Dayara from 1875 and made it his administrative headquarters and developed the monastery there. His stay here became the golden period for Vakathaanam, The Metropolitan initiated many programs for the development community by opening of schools, post office etc. Humble Thirumeni led a simple life of prayers and fasting.

Following the demise of the first Catholicos, a successor was not immediately installed. This delay was due to many circumstantial reasons. Litigations were going on, there was also a thinking that the Patriarch Party need not be provoked too soon again. Besides there were apprehensions as to the repercussions if a Catholicos is installed without the presence of the Patriarch. This tense situation was resolutely faced by Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. Through this daring act, he proclaimed the independence or individuality and autocephalous status of the Malankara Church. On 30 April 1925 at St. Mary’s Church, Niranam, the Holy Synod installed him as the Catholicos of the East, with the title Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese I. He was ordained jointly by the Patriarch of Antioch Abded Messiah II and the Catholicos Baselios Paulose I. Through prayer and fasting he achieved spiritual strength, which helped him to guide the Malankara Church into green pastures. The following day the new Catholicos consecrated Fr. P.T. Geevarghese as bishop Mar Ivanios at Niranam Church.

‘Vallikkattu Bava’ as he was popularly known was considered a saint even during his lifetime. His life style was noted for simplicity, austerity, and punctuality. He wore dresses clerical/monastic garb (kammeez, kappa, masnapsa etc) that were stitched by himself on his own sewing machine. He was skilled in carpentry too. He himself would prepare the bread for the Eucharistic liturgy using the stone grinder and would store enough wheat flour for this purpose. The ascetic prayer life of His Holiness Baselios Geevarghese I Catholicos was an inspiration to many. He would keep a keen eye for spiritual youth and encourage them to dedicate their life for the service of God.

H. H. used to keep a personal diary, which has become an authentic source of history of his times. H.H. translated parts of gospels, and many liturgical works from Syriac to Malayalam. Publication of the first Sabha Panchangam (calendar) goes to his credit. He had evinced a keen interest in Church architecture and many Churches and buildings built during his times bear testimonies to his architectural skills. An account of his sea voyage to Ceylon as a part of a Church delegation is considered a beautiful piece of Malayalam travelogues written at that time. Another important development was the promulgation of the judgment in the Trust Funds case on July 2 1928, in favour of Malankara Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Dionysius VI. The judgment stated in an unambiguous language that the excommunication of Mar Dionysius was invalid.

The holy Father led the Church with perfect devotion to God was a true ascetic too, passed away on 17 December 1928 at Neyyoor Hospital following an operation for appendicitis. He is laid to rest on the northern side of Vallikkattu Dayara Vakathanam, where he spent most of his life. The Dayara was renovated in 1982 by the then HH Baselios Marthoma Mathews I and has emerged as one of the very important spiritual and pilgrimage centers of the Malankara Church. Baselios Geevarghese I, was revered by orthodox believers and the tomb in which his mortal remains are interred attracts pilgrims from all over Malankara.

May the intercession of this holy Father who stands as an icon of holiness, humility and simplicity and who was instrumental in the establishment of various monasteries, churches and educational institutions, be a source of abundant blessings to all of us.