LL HG Geevarghese Mar Ivanios – Apr 12 / Man of Unceasing Prayer – Radiance of Orthodox Spirituality and Monasticism

Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Ivanios was born on November 14, 1940 in Madurai, in the Keeyath family, Othera, as third son of K George and Annamma. His father, a railway employee, belonged to Marthoma Church. He spent his early childhood in Madurai until he was four years old and then shifted to Kollam, as result of his father transfer of residence. After schooling there, he did his BSc from Fathima Matha National College, Kollam. He used to attend the Church service and studied Sunday School in a CSI Church, close to his house.

He grew up in Kollam, until the age of twenty-one. He was fascinated by the prayers and worship styles of Orthodox faith and was attracted fasts and lent which he imbibed from his sister family married in Orthodox family. While in Kollam he had a few  friends from the orthodox faith, staying in Kollam Aramana. He started to attend the Evening Prayers of the Orthodox Church, there. There he met and developed a close-knit relation with HG Mathews Mar Coorilos and finally became a member of the Orthodox Church and began to partake Holy Qurbana. He also, started to serve as an Altar Server and even as a Sunday School teacher.

His father wished, he would pursue an Engineering career, but young George had already decided to join seminary.  He was ordained as deacon in March 1963 by Metropolitan Mathews Mar Coorilos, (HH Baselios Marthoma Mathews II) of blessed memory.

As a deacon, young Geevarghese (K G George) took up a voyage to England, by sea via Bombay, to pursue his post-Graduation, under the advice of LL HG Philipos Mar Theophilos and LL Metropolitan Mathews Mar Coorilos. He spent two years living among the Cowley Fathers of the Anglican Monastery. Then, he studied at the Mansfield College, Oxford. He took Masters in Theology, from the Oxford University. He had also, pursued for Greek, Latin and Sanskrit, Hebrew and Syriac languages as well during the course of his never-ending student pursuit. While in Oxford, the participated in the Orthodox Services and learned further about the richness of Orthodox faith and heritage. Dn. George, spent eight years in Oxford as an ascetic inmate. In 1971, he was invited to teach Hebrew, Greek, and Syriac in OTS Kottayam by LL HG Philipos Mar Theophilos. He also served as the warden of OTS. He was ordained a full deacon in 1972 and as priest in December 1973, through the hands of LL HG Metropolitan Mathews Mar Coorilos.  

In 1978, Fr George was diagnosed with cancer. This was a setback, but he accepted it as the will of God, and took shelter under the wings of the Almighty, and fully submitted himself to prayer and meditation. During these days he experienced a vision and heard voice of saints. This paved a way to a new chapter in his life and slowly his illness dramatically improved. He attributed this healing to God Almighty and his life oIn 1978, Fr George was diagnosed with cancer. This was a setback, but he accepted it as the will of God, and took shelter under the wings of the Almighty, and fully submitted himself to prayer and meditation. During these days he experienced a vision and heard voice of saints. This paved a way to a new chapter in his life and slowly his illness dramatically improved. He attributed this healing to God Almighty and his life of kneeling and timely devout prayer and intercession of Parumala Thirumeni and Pampady Thirumeni. He had already patterned his life to the saintly life of these saints. He re-joined the Seminary as well as served as the Vicar of Mar Geevarghese Mar Gregorios Chappel, Karappuzha Kottayam. In March 1979, HH Baselios Marthoma Mathews I of blessed memory professed him to the rank of a Ramban.

Geevarghese Ramban was elected to the office of bishopric on December 28, 1982 convened at MGM Geevarghese Ramban was appointed in Parumala seminary for seven years. He got an opportunity to celebrate Holy Qurbana almost every day in Parumala Seminary, which he considered as a blessing.  He was elected to the office of bishopric on December 28, 1982 convened at MGM High School Thiruvlla. He was subsequently consecrated as Episcopa Mar Ivanios on May 15, 1985 at St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Puthiakavu, Mavelikkara along with four other bishops, namely, Mathews Mar Epiphanios Philipose Mar Eusebius, Thomas Mar Athanasios, and Paulose Mar Milithios. Since then, he was serving the Kottayam Diocese as Bishop. He was elevated as metropolitan in 1991. It is also interesting to note that young Geevarghese lived with the Cowley Fathers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, when he was student at Oxford. When he got consecrated as Bishop, the name adorned upon him was also that of St. John, rendered in Greek Language though, Ivanios.

From 1971 onwards, he was teaching at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam, (thus even earned the virtue of being the Guru of HH Baselios Marthoma Paulose II). Metropolitan Mar Ivanios had authored number of books, ‘Hridaya Sudhikaranam’ (Purification of Heart), ‘Nirlepam’ and ‘Mounathinte Lavanyam’. Metropolitan Mar Ivanios served as the President of Malankara Orthodox Herald from 1985 to 1991. His Grace was also a renowned devotional Guru, with very rich and deep spirituality was witnessed throughout his life. Many were able to witness his smile, humor, love and humility in person. His numerous stories and words of wisdom served as an inspiration to all those who came in contact with him. His Grace challenged many to develop their spiritual lives through the disciplines of fasting, meditation, reading, daily prayer and study of the Scriptures.

His love for nature, especially flowers and pets. He closely examined every single plant and tree that he passed by during his walks. He shared about his sensitivity towards nature and how he promoted the importance all human beings to be responsible stewards in protecting as well as preserving God’s creation. Thirumeni was guiding light and an Apostle of Charity, a man of unceasing prayer, cheerful giver, virtuos bishop and believed in the power of mediatory prayers. He had personal encounter with the saints of the Church including Parumala St. Gregorios and Pampady Kuriakose Mar Gregorios.

The legacy into the profundities of Orthodox faith, tradition, worship, liturgy and life of many of the priests of Malankara Orthodox Church owes most to Mar Ivanios Thirumeni. He was a role model, virtuous bishop, an example of simplicity, a lover of nature, a cheerful giver, a good abbot, a man of prayer and an apostle of charity. His Grace was an voracious reader and had a large collection of books of the orthodox literature. In order to spread the radiance of Orthodox spirituality and monasticism Mar Ivanios, Thirumeni founded a monastery, Mar Baselios Dayara at Njaliyakuzhi, Kottayam, at a time when monastic tradition was dwindling. His love towards silence and prayer was not less than that of the desert fathers of the Holy Church, based on which Thirumeni established, a very unique aspect of this monastery is that after the prayers during canonical hours, the residents of the monastery spend time in Jesus Prayer. Thirumeni used to live here and lies interred here.  

May Ivanios Thirumeni’s prayers be a fortress and refuge for us.