LL HG Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos – April 17 I Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni

LL HG Puthencavil Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, Metropolitan bishop, who loved and lived entirely for the Church, was born on 10 June 1897 as the third son of Thomas Kathanar of Puthencavu Kizhekethalackal family and Rahelamma of Chungathil family of Koipuram. He was chosen by God from his mother’s womb like Prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you” (Jer. 1: 5). Thirumeni was born prematurely and for the first two days of his life, he did not move, nor produced any sound. But God had great plans for him, saving from the brink of death.

He was a spiritual giant and one of the strongest architects of the modern Malankara Orthodox Church, an advocate an authority and spokesperson of the Catholicate of the East, able administrator Propagandist of the art of oratory, erudite in versatile topics and the spring of the beauty of the order of worship. He is known as the Gaanakokilam (gaanam -song; kokilam – cuckoo bird) of the Church. ‘His presence was joyful, his voice sweet, his words inspiring; his manners endearing, his smile unforgettable’. Holy Church conferred the title Jewel Lamp of Catholicate (Catholicatinte Rathna Deepam).

Geevarghese completed his primary education in Puthencavu, middle school education at Mavelikara, followed by high school education at Chengannur. He obtained his Intermediate certificate from Calcutta and went on to complete his BD at Serampore College, where he had travel to, along with Fr P T Geevarghese (Geevarghese Mar Ivanios). After completing his Bachelor of Divinity degree, he joined the MD Seminary School as a teacher in 1921. He then went on to complete his MA in Literature from the Calcutta University in 1926. He had a passion for teaching and before entering priesthood had taught in MD Seminary School and EMS School, Puthenkavu and also served as Headmaster in MD Seminary School.

He was ordained as a Deacon by HH Baselius Geevarghese II in 1929 and the same year a Priest, by Vattasseril Mar Dionysius, who was his mentor. Vattasseril Thirumeni was extremely impressed with the flawless behaviour, excellent memory skills and wholehearted dedication to the Holy Church of the young deacon and kept him in his radar. He was ordained as Ramban on 6 November 1929 and consecrated as Bishop with the name Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, at the Parumala Seminary on 3 November 1930 by HH Baselios Geevarghese II. As he was the youngest bishop at the time, 33 years old, he was affectionately referred to as ‘Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni’. Following his consecration, he served as the Metropolitan of the Thumpamon diocese from 1930 to 1951. He toiled for the overall growth of Thumpamon diocese and for the prosperity of the Catholicate of the East. Even though, Kochu Thirumeni was consecrated as a metropolitan, when the holy Church was overshadowed by clouds of so many hindrances for the growth and flourishing of the Church, his mission was to travel from one end to the other of Malankara to meet the faithful and to enable them to be staunch and strong faithful to the teachings of the Church Fathers of yesteryears.

He founded several schools and was the architect of many of the spiritual organizations in the Church. During his lifetime, Kochu Thirumeni headed many organizations and established many educational institutions; Catholicate High School, Pathanamthitta, Metropolitan High School, Puthencavu, Teachers Training College, Pathanamthitta. He was the founder of Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, was originally planned by Kochu Thirumeni, but was started after his death. This college became the blessing and guiding path of education for the people of Pathanamtitta. He also served as the President of the Sunday School, and Gospel Team. Other institutions that he set up include Othera Dayara, Bethel Aramana – the Headquarters of the Chengannur Diocese, Pongalady Church (Paranthal), Thumpamon Martha Mariam Center, Theological College, Makkamkunnu, Eraviperoor Hospital. Kochu Thirumeni is the master brain behind the Orthodox Conventions in the Church. His speech at Kunnamkulam is honored as the vital doctrine and teaching of the Holy Church.

To strengthen the monastic movement, he established Basil Dayara and Othara Dayara and also established Bethel Aramana in Chengannur almost 40 years, before Chengannur Diocese was formed. He toiled hard to find resources to complete the construction of all these. He would travel around the state to collect the funds for construction. He even did manual labour along with the labourers. Once, a lay leader came to visit Thirumeni, in the construction site of one of the Schools. Thirumeni was engaged in carrying bricks along with the labourers. After finishing his purpose of visit, the lay leader, hesitant to kiss Thirumeni muddied hands, kissed his elbow and left.

He would labor along with the day laborers. He would carry bricks when he was at a construction site. At night, he would lie on the ground gazing at the skies admiring the Creator’s handiwork. He would walk miles and miles, or travel in buses to reach his people, no matter how far they were. Thirumeni maintained cordial relations with leaders of the other faction in the Church and debated them in the hope they would realize the truth and end the feud. Thirumeni banned fireworks during the Church feast at St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Puthencavu, and the money was redirected for organizing spiritual conventions. Thirumeni started St. Basil Monastery and attracted many learned young men of those days to monastic life. He did not long for what he could have, but always was happy with what was readily available. His Grace did not give prime importance for his own convenience, personal needs and facilities. He often accepted what was available, in the matter of food, shelter and modes of transport from place to place.

God gifted Thirumeni abundantly. His command over English, Malayalam and Syriac was unparalleled, his voice mesmerizing. He was not only a spiritual giant, but an able administrator, great orator, and erudite in versatile topics. Thirumeni travelled all over Kerala and through his sermons and speeches made the faithful unite under the Catholicate flag. Thirumeni used to continuously say “My God, My Church” (Ente daivam, ente sabha) with his hands on his chest.

Kochu Thirumeni’s strong influence on many of the clergy and along with Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius persuaded H.H Baselios Marthoma Mathews I to go for Theological studies at Calcutta. He also led the legal battles against Mar Ivanios, to regain control over some of the schools which were handed over to the latter for management while Mar Dionysius, undertook a trip to Mardin. The entire Malankara Church had great hope and visions in Mar Ivanios Metropolitan. But, when Mar Ivanios Metropolitan, who had been a beloved disciple of St. Dionysius Vattasseril, joined the Roman Catholic Church, with his personal hidden agenda and when his attempts were to deceive the Mother Church, all the leaders of the Church especially St. Vattasseril were in great grief. St. Dionysius found a substitute in Kochu Thirumeni, who was only a Deacon in those days. St. Vattasseril had visited Fr. Thoma, father of Kochu Thirumeni at his residence and requested Fr. Thomas to spare his son Dn. Geevarghese to be a Metropolitan of the Church. Vattasseril Thirumeni handpicked Dn. K. T. Geevarghese, to guard the Catholicate, felt it was the right time to bring Dn. Geevarghese to the Church leadership and fill the vacuum created by the betrayal of Mar Ivanios. The first and foremost mission of Kochu Thirumeni was to look for comfort and hope for the laity and clergy of the Church and he succeeded in his mission tremendously.

Thirumeni never longed to exhibit the depth of his spirituality. He was not getting enough time to pray for hours together during daytime, he used to pray in silence during the night, weeping and crying for the peace and growth of the Holy Church and its members. He led a very simple life and often ignored everything else other than the faith of the Church and its protection in safety. He sacrificed his life also for the betterment of the Church. Many Church leaders like H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese II and others had earnestly requested him to take care of his personal health.

He was very active in the days before his death, visiting various churches in Kunnamkulam and giving very lengthy speeches. He met delegates from a nearby school to talk about upgrading the school from LP to UP, and he promised them help. Despite feeling uneasiness, he met all the people who came to meet him. He fully devoted his life to work for the welfare of his Church until his last breath. Puthenkavil Thirumeni was once returning after a visit to Kunnakulam, when he felt uneasiness and stopped his car before Marthamcode Chapel. He passed away a couple of days later due to a heart attack on April 17^th, 1951 at the Marathamcode Mar Gregorios Chapel, Thrissur, where the room and the bed he used, are maintained as relics of his life. He was just 54. Just as Parumala Thirumeni, Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni was called to his heavenly abode at a young age. During Thirumeni’s final moments, Dn. P.S Samuel sang Thirumeni’s favorite spiritual hymn “Karunakkadale njan nokkum” three times. Thirumeni called out “My God, My God” many times. As the priests finished reciting the Nicene Creed, Thirumeni’s soul departed to the heavenly abode.

His mortal remains were taken to his home parish of Puthencavu and were entombed there where the remains of Mar Thoma VI and Mar Thoma VIII are also entombed. The Holy Church remembers Kochu Thirumeni and celebrates memorial feast April 17. If the legacy of a man’s life is measured by the lives he is touched and how much he is loved, then a big piece of Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni will live on in all of those who knew him and people who have heard about him and been inspired by him. Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni’s life in this world was considerably short, but the impact that he left is forever felt and remembered. Thirumeni lives in the minds of tens of thousands of faithful, even those who have not met him.

Parumala Thirumeni and Puthencavil Thirumeni, Metropolitans of Thumpamon Diocese, departed in their 50s. Both were called ‘Kochu Thirumeni’ not only during their lifetime but also after that. Both were always known and referred with their place names – Parumala and Puthencavu and both these small villages in Kerala are now known world over due to the life and works of these holy fathers. Both were interested to promote education, especially English education both established many schools. Both led simple lives, within meagre means, towering spiritual life, spend the night in tears and prayers. Let His memory be a source of encouragement for all of us and let his prayers and intercession be a fort of protection for one and all of us. May God bless us all in the intercession of the Gem of the Church.