അല്‍വാറീസ് മാര്‍ യൂലിയോസ് തിരുമേനി

1. At a glance.
Born in Verna, Goa on 29-04-1836
Ordained as Priest of the Catholic Church-1862
Joined the Malankara Orthodox Church-1887 Ordained as Bishop at Kottayam- 29-07-1889
Entered in to the heavenly abode-23-09-1923
Holy Relics translated in to St.Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Ribandar- 05-10-1979
Holy Relics shifted into the present ‘Kabar’ 06-10-2001
2. Childhood and life as Father Alvares.
Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares, son of Joseph Baptista Alvares and Marino Expectaco Lorenco was born in a pious and noble Catholic family in Verna on 1836. After completing his studies in Rachol Seminary in 1859 he left to Bombay and there he was ordained as a Catholic Priest in 1862 by Bishop Walter Estin, the Apostolic Vicar of Bombay.
Fr.Alvares came to Goa in 1867 and resided in Panaji. He spent his time in serving the poor and downtrodden. Besides social and charity works he was very much involved in the field of Education and Journalism. He left RC Church and embraced the Malankara Orthodox Church in 1887.
3. Alvares Mar Julius Thirumeni.
While he was a priest of the Catholic Church he was in search of the true Biblically Christian One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. He was against the false devotion and religious exhibitionism. He objected to the ‘Concordot’ of the Pope and interference of the Government in the Church Administration. He could not withstand the harassment meted out to him by the ecclesiastical and civil powers. He went to Western and Eastern Churches and finally came to Malankara and joined the Orthodox Church. Being pious and considering his faith, his way of life and attitude towards his fellow being, he was consecrated as Bishop by Mar Joseph Dionesious (Pulikkottil), Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala, Mar Paulose Evanios of Kandanadu and Mar Athanasios (Kadavil) at Kottayam Old Seminary on 29th July 1889.He was elevated to the position of Metropolitan (Arch Bishop) with the jurisdiction of Goa, India (excluding Malabar) and Ceylon.

4. Patriot and Saint.
This designation was given to Alvares Mar Julius by none other than Goan Historians. After joining the Orthodox Church Mar Alvares was excommunicated by the RC Church. He was persecuted by the Catholic Church and the Portughese Government. Though he was advised by some off his old friends to reunite with the Catholic Church, especially when he was very sick, he refused and stuck to his Orthodox faith. For the common people he was a true Missionary, a patriot, and an apostle of charity.
5. True Missionary

Since Alvares Mar Julius was not allowed by the rulers to work freely in Goa he was mostly based in Canara region of Karnataka with the main base at Brahmawar. He along with Fr. Noronha worked with dedication to spread the true faith among the people along the west cost of India from Mangalore to Bombay. About 5000 families joined the Orthodox Church. It is a fact which is unknown to many that he ordained two priest namely Rev. Fr. Joseph Kanianthra and Rev.Fr. Lukose of Kannamcote and one Deacon David Kunnamkulam at Brahmawar on 15th Oct. 1911. The Brahmawar mission remains still as a symbol of his work.
He was in Ceylon for more than five years. While He was there he ordained Timothy René Vilattee as Bishop in the presence of Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala on 1892.
6. Journalist and Writer
He started a number of periodicals one after another. “A Cruz”(The Cross), “Vardade”(The Truth), O Progress De Goa”, “O Brado Indiano”, “Times Of Goa” were prominent among them. Most of them were educative and supportive for the right of the public. As he was a critic of the Government, most of them were banned and forced to stop publications after few years. “The Universal supremacy of the Church of Christ”, “Antioch and Rome” were some of the books written by him.
7. Freedom Fighter
Fr. Alvares, was having an independent vision. The Catholic Church and the Portuguese Government were just like two sides of a coin. He was against the interference of the rulers in the Church activities. The section of the Catholic Community lead by Fr. Alvares formed an ‘Independent Catholic Mission’. Finally he left the RC Church. He wanted a free nation and a free religion.
His ‘Swadeshi’ ideology urged him for strong advocacy for the use of local commodities in place of foreign materials (clothes, food etc-) and encouraged people for the indigenous way of life. He was well ahead of Lokmanya Tilak and all other Indian Nationalists in that “Swadeshi” Ideology.
He did not leave even the Antiochean Patriarch Mar Abdullah when he claimed full authority over the Malankara Orthodox Church in 1911. He joined in condemnation of the above powers by Patriarch. He did not want the Malankara Orthodox Church should bow to anybody.
8. Educationist
Fr. Alvares was a great Scholar, man of high principles and had an impressing personality. He opened a college where Goan priests were teaching Portuguese, Latin, French and Philosophy. In 1912 Mar Julius opened an English School in Panaji. Both did not function for long, due to one reason or other.
9. Social Worker
At that time Goa was frequently affected by epidemic like malaria, typhoid, small pox, cholera and plague. Mar Alvares was every where extending help to the needy without caring for his own health. He published a booklet “Direcoes Para O Treatment Do Cholera” (Directions for Treatment for Cholera).
He was so concerned about shortage of food in Goa. His Grace appealed to the people to produce cheaper food. He published a booklet “Mandioca” (about the cultivation of Tapioca).

10.An Apostle of Charity
Though Portuguese Government dubbed him as a traitor, later he was considered by them and by all the Goans as an ‘Apostle of Charity’. In 1871 he started a Charitable Association in Panaji to render help to the poor, beginning with wandering beggars. After few years he extended the Association to other cities in Goa. During the last ten years of his life he concentrated his activities in Panaji. His home for the poor was having lepers, T.B patients, scavengers, beggars and all other destitutes as inmates. Since he was not having any income he was forced to beg with a bowl in his one hand and a staff in the other hand for support. One day Mar Alvares requested a shop keeper for contribution. Instead of giving any money, the arrogant fellow spat in the bowl. Without getting angry His Grace told to him “All right, I shall keep this for me. Now, give something for the poor”.(He was very much ahead of Mother Teresa in that respect). By seeing the dedication and determination of the Arch Bishop the shop keeper contributed generously.

11. Martyr
Mar Alvares was having a firm faith in the Orthodox Church. Leaving his fortune in the Catholic Church, he embraced the Orthodox Church. He was excommunicated and persecuted. He was falsely abdicated, arrested, stripped off his Episcopal vestments and taken through the street, only with his underwear, to the police lockup. There he was put in a filthy room without a bed or chair wherein the floor smelt of urine and faeces. He was also forcibly deprived off his cross and the ring, the episcopal insigne he was wearing. He was beaten and presented in the Court. But the Government could not prove the allegations and he was acquitted. After few days he was caught again on alleged charges of high treason but this time too the Justice found him innocent. He was not allowed to use his Episcopal Vestments till his death; he used only a black robe. When His Grace was persecuted, none of the Orthodox Church People were nearby. He suffered alone as forsaken by everybody; just like his own Master, Jesus. As a true Christian, Alvares Mar Julius Metropolitan suffered like the Disciples and Martyrs of the early Christianity.
12. Last days and funeral
His last days were in Ribandar Hospital at the mercy of a charitable institution, fighting against dysentery at the old age. It was his wish to be buried by any Orthodox designates but he was specific not to have any Catholic priest for the same. He breathed his last on 23rd Sept. 1923. Since he was a well known journalist and social worker, he had a number of friends. The citizen committee lead by the Chief Justice, arranged to give a grand funeral to this Patriot and Saint. His body was kept in state in the Municipal Hall for 24 hours to enable the people to pay homage.

All the News papers were full of articles and homage about the departed. Though Alvares Mar Julius was considered by the Government and the Roman Catholic Church as an enemy, the Governor General sent his representative to pay tribute to him. Thousands of people especially poor and beggars paid their last respects. Funeral speeches were made by high dignitaries. The funeral procession winding all the main roads of Panaji was taken and the body was laid to rest in the secluded corner (‘Themmadikkuzhi’) of St. Inez (Panaji) cemetery on 24th Sept 1923 without any funeral rites.
13. Sepulcher of Mar Alvares

After four years (23-09-1927) his bones were collected by his friends and admirers, kept in a lead box, buried in the same place, laid a marble slab with the inscription “Em Memoria De Padre Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares, Diue Foimui Humanitario Missionario E Um Grade Patriota”(Padre Alvares a great Humanitarian Missionary and a great Patriot) and erected a big Cross. This is still the biggest Cross in that Cemetery.
For forty long years nobody visited the grave. Nobody knew where he was buried. But a jewel could not be hidden for long. His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasios, the then Metropolitan of out side Kerala Diocese (Later His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews First) during his visit to Goa in 1967, after a lot of enquiries, found out the Tomb. It was a coincidence that the first Holy ‘Qurbana” of Orthodox Church was conducted by His Grace in the St. Inus Church where the Late Alvares Mar Julius was laid to rest. As per his and the Panaji Orthodox Parishners’ wishes, a small Church was constructed in Ribandar and the Holy Relics were translated to the Church by His Grace Philipose Mar Theophilose, the Diocesan Metropolitan Of Bombay on 5th October 1979. When the St. Mary’s Church was reconstructed in the same place, the Holy Relics were shifted to the present Sepulcher which was specially made on the side of the ‘Madbaha’, by the Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Church H.H Moran Mar Baselios Mathews II on 06th October 2001.

14. ‘Shradha Perunnal’

The St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Ribandar, Panaji celebrates his Shradha Perunnal every year in September, during the week falling 23rd to honor this great Apostle of charity and Martyr. A large number of people are blessed through his intercession. So many visit his Kabar everyday with prayers and offertory seeking blessings and favours.
Except in the first few centuries of Christianity, the Church never had such a missionary worker as Alvares Mar Julius. Nobody might have suffered like Mar Alvares, who was chased from his home state, arrested on fabricated charges, paraded nakedly through streets, beaten, jailed, produced to the Court, forced to beg for the poor and the needy, buried in the ‘Themmadikkuzhi’ etc.
Who else was described as a pious priest, a zealous Missionary, prolific writer, a powerful orator, a militant Journalist, a selfless Philanthropist, a noted educationist, a dedicated Social Worker, a daring Revolutionary, an alert Political Activist, over and above an Apostle of Charity. Truly he was a Martyr of Orthodox Church in India. He was a living stone used in the building of the spiritual temple, made himself as a Holy High Priest. His life was sacrificed to God. He is truly a Holy Saint.
“THE MEMORY OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS A BLESSING” (PROV. 10:7)

പരിശുദ്ധ പാമ്പാടി തിരുമേനി

H. G. Kuriakose Mar Gregorious of Kottayam diocese is a jewel of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church for the grace he radiated from his saintly life. Many have seen miracles while he was alive. Christ said one who believes in him will never die, because “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14.6). His Grace is still living in Christ even though he has traveled away from his earthly body, and is still staying as a refuge to millions. Many have testified the power of intercessory prayers of Thirumeni including metropolitan of Kottayam diocese H. G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanious for his miraculous healing from cancer. Thirumeni was born to Chacko and Ilachi on April 5th, 1885 at Pampady, Kottayam. Baptismal name given to him was Kuriakose. Education started at the age of 5. The kid grew with amazing attachment to the Church and worship and was ordained as sub-deacon (korooyo) at the age of 14 by Paulose Mar Athanasious at the Pampady Church. After becoming a deacon, Thirumeni proceeded to the Old Seminary for theological studies. The young deacon led a prayerful life. During vacation time, the young deacon served his church at Pampady. One year, the villagers faced severe drought and the deacon during a sermon during the Holy Qurbana on Sunday declared that everyone should fast and pray intensely for three days for the mercy of our Lord. While kanji was served on the third day, heavy rain started pouring down. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—
whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5: 14, 15).
The deacon was ordained as a priest on 8th July, 1906 by H. G. Paulose Mar Gregorious, followed by the Ramban ordination on 9th July, 1906. He stayed first at the Pampady Church and later shifted to Parumala Seminary.Life at the place of St. Gregorious (Parumala Thirumeni) tremendously influenced the Ramban which is evident on his life afterwards. Pampady church was later closed due to fights between the two factions when Ramban had to find another home. He earned the land, which was donated by his former school teacher Madathil Ashan, and a church and dayara was built. Vattaseril Mar Dionysius christened the dayara as “Thabore Dayara”. The reconstruction of the church and dayara started on 28th of May, 1920. During the construction of the center pillar, a shining star was witnessed in the sky. Consecration of the new church took place on 20th January, 1923.Rambam was ordained as the Metropolitan on February 16th, 1929 by the late Moran Mar Baselious Geevarghese II Catholicose. Thirumeni was a symbol of love even when fights were going on between the two factions. He visited the deceased bishops of the other faction. He prayed and fasted intensely during the times of court cases and issues for peace. Thirumeni was a refuge to many poor and needy by helping them in different ways. He has supported many students for their education needs, has helped the poor and the aged and stayed as a guardian to many. ‘Kantheela’ was administered to Pampady Thirumeni on Dec 8th, 1962 by Catholicate Designate Augen Mar Themothious Metropolitan, Mar Ivanious, Mar Athanasious and Mar Kuriakose.
In Kantheela, a patient is anointed in the name of Christ to absolve one of sins as much as to relieve from ailment. ‘Kantheela’ was administered to Pampady Thirumeni on Dec 8th, 1962 by Catholicate Designate Augen Mar Themothious Metropolitan, Mar Ivanious, Mar Athanasious and Mar Kuriakose. In Kantheela, a patient is anointed in the name of Christ to absolve one of sins as much as to relieve from ailment. Catholicose designate Augen Mar Thimotheus Thirumeni, during the Holy Qurbana at Pampady dayara on 09th June, 1962 said: "We solemnised the 'Kantheela Susroosha' for Gregorious Thirumeni after Holy Qurbana yesterday. We consider it a big blessing. Even though physically present with us, Thirumeni is one who has left everything mortal, with his mind full of thoughts about heaven. There is none in our church like him. We all think about material things much more. But Thirumeni is fully prepared to go to Heaven. We consider it a real blessing that five Metropolitans and fifty achens could solemnize the function in the presence of thousands of believers. This Achen (Fr. P. C Yohannan) looks after him more than blood children would do for a father. Moreover there are a few young men who are prepared to do anything for Thirumeni here in the dayara". Thirumeni’s health deteriorated and was admitted to the hospital on March 11th, 1965. No improvement was shown and he was shifted back to the dayara. On April 4th, 1965, at 2.35AM, the soul of our beloved Thirumeni started his journey to meet his Lord in the heaven to praise and intercede for all his loving children. May the biography of this blessed servant of Lord be a guide to us all in our journey of salvation. May his intercessory prayers be a refuge to us all in times of tribulations.

My blessed children, even if I am physically removed from you, I shall be with you spiritually. Remember what good I may have done for you. Pray for me.
(Pampady Thirumeni)

Recovery from Critical Illness by the Intercessory Prayers of Pampady Thirumeni
Geevarghese Mar Ivanios
English translation of an article written by H.G. Geevarghese Mar Ivanios of Kottayam Diocese, published in Malayala Manorama special supplement dated 19th January 2006.
While Lord Jesus Christ was teaching the multitudes, some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They tried to take him inside the house and put him in front of the Lord. However, as they could find no way due to the thronging of the crowd, they climbed on to the roof, removed some tiles and lowered the man on the bed down into the middle of the room, right in front of Christ. When Jesus Christ realized the magnitude of faith they had, He said to the paralyzed man, "Your sins are forgiven". He then uttered, "I tell you, get up, pick up your bed and go home". At once the man got up in front of them all, took the bed he had been lying on and went home, as recorded by St. Luke in the Holy Bible.
It is quite evident in the above instance that our Lord cured the paralytic person not because of the faith shown by him, but on the contrary, by witnessing the staunch faith delineated by those who brought him. This incident points out and clarifies that the Lord will be compassionate to a person even by the prayers of others. In accordance with the exhortations of Jesus Christ, "Those who believe in me shall live even if he dies; those who live and believe in me shall not die", Orthodox Church teaches that there is no death for a faithful and even though 'dead' is a word in common usage, it is only meant to denote one's departing from the earthly body. Moreover, the Orthodox Christians believe that even though the departed faithful are invisible, they too, like any other living persons, are members of the Holy Church and the same fruition can be availed when they pray for a living person, similar to the effect of prayers by the living faithful for one another. One can attain Lord's grace by his own prayers for self or by the prayers of others for him.
It has been our untainted faith that the Saints who departed from their bodies live with Christ and they also continue to pray for those living in their bodies. When the Saints are requested to intercede for them by those who take refuge in their prayers, mediation of the Saints is wholeheartedly accepted. They get a chance to share the solidarity of the Saints. Moreover, they also become obliged to imitate the Saints. The author of the Epistle to Hebrews instructs the faithful to remember those who had preached the Word of God and led them. He advises to reminisce the memory of the end of their lives and be imitators of their faith.
Pampady Thirumeni, although departed from the earthly body, still continues to live. He persists to pray for others still, the very same way he used to do while living in the body. Prayers of that Saint are effective and fruitful. Those who indulge in the refuge of the Holy Father's intercessory prayers are numerous.
I had served Karapuzha Mar Gregorios Chapel as its Vicar from 1973 till 1985. In 1978, I was confronted with a fatal illness. First, I was admitted at the Carithas Hospital. Later on I was transferred to Kolenchery Hospital. But once again I was shifted to Carithas Hospital where my illness got diagnosed. I soon realized that I was affected with the deadly disease Cancer, which had already begun encompassing me. I reached a particular mental state of affairs.
Everyone felt that remedy was impossible. Just before I was being taken to Adayar Cancer Institute in Madras from Carithas Hospital, my colleague at seminary, Rev Fr. K.M. Alexander came near me and asked, "Acha, What are your feelings in your mind right now?". I replied that a Bible verse was surfacing in my mind then. St John 11:40, "You will see God?s glory if you believe". Respected Achen prayed only after pacifying me to expect and believe so. My relatives and friends who had gathered there bid farewell to me. In the meantime an unaffordable amount had been already spent on my treatment. Bill of Carithas Hospital was settled with an amount taken as loan. Immediately after reaching Adayar Cancer Institute and undergoing the preliminary check up, the Chief Medical Officer informed me, "Father, you must be admitted immediately. You need not pay anything. We will do our best. The rest is in God's hands".
Chemotherapy treatment started instantly. Before long, I started losing my hair and beard. At one point of time only three whiskers remained on my chin. I was moving into a hopeless condition. The second phase of treatment was very crucial and critical. I became unconscious. I slipped into a sinking stage. Fierce fight against death had already begun. Doctors informed my bystanders that they would come to know the result within 10 minutes. My colleagues and friends had already undertaken arrangements with regard to transferring my dead body back home and elaborate plans for funeral also got finalized.
At that time, while being in an unconscious state, I had a vision. Four Saints were standing near me! One of them asked me, "Why are you lying down?". He told me to sit upright. I saw that he was lending a helping hand to make me sit on the bed. Suddenly all the four Saints disappeared.
Myself and those near me were wonderstruck as I was by then sitting upright on the bed, fully conscious, as if resurrected from death. I got miraculously cured! Treatment was started in May 1978. But, by November 1978, by the Grace of God, I was again able to celebrate Holy Qurbana!
After 2 years, while on a check up visit to Adayar, Dr Subramanya Swami (the earlier mentioned Doctor who had treated me during the critical period) asked me, "Father, How are you?" I replied that I was keeping good health. His reply was, "Father, I am very pleased to see you in good health. Now I believe in prayer".
I was bestowed with the grace of God in abundance. I did get relieved from a very critical illness. Gradually my hair and beard began to grow. I regained my former status. In March 1979, I was raised as Ramban. In 1985, I reached the position of Metropolitan. I was infected with cancer while I was in the service of the Chapel of Pampady Thirumeni. I am sure that Pampady Thirumeni had been praying for me. I had been taking refuge in the intercessory prayers of Thirumeni regularly. I firmly believe that by the power of prayer, especially by the prayers of Pampady Thirumeni, my illness got cured. I received the blessings from the invisible hands of the Holy Saint while serving in his Chapel. It was because of those blessings that I was fortunate to become his successor as the Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese. The Lord hears the fervent prayers of the righteous.

പരിശുദ്ധ പരുമല തിരുമേനി

It was on June 15, 1848, that Kochu Ipeora(Geevarghese) was born in Chathuruthy family, Mulanthuruthy, Kerala. His parents were Kochu Mathai and Mariam, who had three sons and two daughters. After the birth of fifth child Ipeora, Mariam died. After the early days of education under Malpan (teacher) Geevarghese of Chathuruthy, Kochu Ipeora was ordained as deacon on September 14, 1859; he was only ten years old at that time.
One day Malpan became seriously ill with smallpox. Deacon Geevarghese was the only one who stayed and took care of him, while all others were sent home. On the eighth day, Malpan died and Deacon became ill. During this time he had a vision of St. Mary in his dream, descending to console him, and exhorting him to dedicate the rest of his life to the Lord. He pledged: "He Would". This was a heavenly vision that enabled him to become a humble servant of God. Very soon the deacon recovered.
At the age of 18, in 1865, he was ordained as a priest. Joseph Mar Dionysios raised him to the order of monks(Ramban) in 1872. The Patriarch of Antioch consecrated four (4) metropolitans at Paravoor Church, Kerala on December 10, 1876. The youngest among them was Geevarghese Ramban. He was named Mar Gregorios. But because of his age, everybody called him "Kochu Thirumeni" (Young Bishop). Mar Gregorios was appointed the bishop of Niranam, Kerala. He started a monastery at Parumala, Kerala.
Mar Gregorios was a man of God. He lived not according to the way of the flesh but according to the law of god. He led a virtuous and austere life, like a monk, living on frugal diet enriched by prayer and fasting.
At Parumala Seminary he led an austere life. He woke up at 4am in the morning and prayed till 5am. He taught deacons till 7am followed by prayer and a light breakfast. From 9am till 11am he taught deacons again. From 11am to noon he took care of administrative matters and again went to prayer at noon and then to lunch. He rested till 1:30pm and taught till 4pm with a brief prayer in between. From 4pm to 5:30pm he was busy with his administrative duties. After evening prayers and supper he taught bible to the deacons. At 9pm he would let the deacons go to bed, but he would still be praying until midnight. On Wednesdays and Fridays and lenten days, he would fast till evening. Besides, he observed his own special fasts. People came from far and near to seek his blessings and paternal advice.
In his own words "Prayer brings truth, religious faith, honesty and respect among the people."
St. Gregorios became sick when he returned from Veeyapuram Church after blessing a marriage. Even from the beginning of his illness he knew that he was in his last days. The news of illness spread all over Malankara. Although he grew weaker day by day, his face shone brighter and brighter. It was on November 2, 1902, midnight he was ready to meet his heavenly father. He left his earthly abode and flew to eternity. In 1947, The Holy Episcopal synod canonized and proclaimed him a Saint of the Orthodox Church. There are hundreds of instances that proved his Saintliness. Thousands of people receive favors and blessings through his intercession.
The growing flow of pilgrims to his tomb, several years after his demise, tells a story of a man of faith, prayer, healing, and great intercession.

പരിശുദ്ധ വട്ടശ്ശേരില്‍ ഗീവര്‍ഗീസ് മാര്‍ ദിവന്നാസ്യോസ് തിരുമേനി

Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius is popularly known as Malankara Sabha Bhasuran (The Great Luminary of Malankara Orthodox Church) which our Church has bestowed on him in recognition of his rich contribution to Malankara Orthodox Church. Vattasseril Thirumeni was a man of prayer, determination and dynamism. He was a saint who never stooped before falsehood.
He bravely fought for the establishment of Catholicate to be the symbol of self-identity and independence of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. The unique and historic contribution of Mar Dionysius is the establishment of Catholicate in Malankara in 1912 at Kottayam. He can be called as the architect of the Indian Orthodox Church and thus endeared himself as one of the greatest fathers of the Indian Orthodox Church.
Geevarghese of Vattasseril was born on 31st October, 1858 in Mallappalli, near Kottayam. At that time Malankara Syrian Church was in a state of internal conflict. Two parties in it were fighting each other to gain control of the Church and its assets. Mathews Mar Athanasius was the Metropolitan of the Church then. He had his own supporters in addition to the support he enjoyed from the government.
Geevarghese had his early education in Malayalam under a local village teacher. After his elementary studies, he continued his learning in the C.M.S. High School, Kottayam, when Patriarch Peter III visited South India. He paid special attention to study English language and thereby he got attracted to religious subjects in English Books. In 1876 he was ordained to one of the minor orders in the Church's ministry by Patriarch Peter III himself. He then took up a study of the Syriac language and syriac fathers. Geevarghese read these works under the guidance of Metropolitan Mar Gregorios of Parumala and Mar Ivanios Murimattom of Kandanad, who was later made the first Catholicos of the Indian Orthodox Church. His two literary works, a Syriac Text Book for Beginners and "Mathopadesa Sarangal" (Basic Doctrines of Religion) show the influence of his early training in this direction.
In 1879 Geevarghese was ordained as a deacon, and in the following year, when he was hardly 21 years old, he was made a priest. As a deacon, he served Mar Gregorios as his secretary and accompanied him while he visited Churches. This experience brought him in contact with people and clergy in different parts of the Church. As priest, Fr. V. J. Geevarghese was involved in a number of activities, both in church and in society. In church, he maintained close connection with Mar Dionysius V, the then Malankara Metropolitan, Mar Gregorios of Parumala and Mar Ivanios Murimattom. This association helped him soon to be intimately related to three important institutions in the Church the Old Seminary, the Parumala Seminary and the M.D. Seminary. In 1881 Fr. V. J. Geevarghese was appointed to teach at Parumala. Besides, he served as its Manager as well for a period of about thirty years. When Mar Dionysius V took the control of Old Seminary in 1885, the teaching program came to be reinaugurated at the Seminary under the Malpans V. J. Geevarghese and Mathen of Konat.
In 1903, on the first death anniversary of Mar Gregorios, Fr. Geevarghese was ordained as a Monk. It was while serving as Principal of M.D. Seminary that Fr. Geevarghese played a key role in the social life of the community, namely starting of the M.G.M High School, Thiruvalla in memory of the Mar Gregorios of Parumala, establishment of a number of Primary Schools founding of the Malankara Syrian Mahajan Sabha etc. During the Malankara Association Meeting held in March, 1908, Vattasseril Geevarghese Ramban has been chosen as Metropolitan and sent him to the Patriarch in Antioch for consecration. Thus he was consecrated as the Metropolitan by name Geevarghese Mar Dionysius VI on 31st May 1908. But he was not given the "staticon (kalpana)", the authorization letter assigning him to a particular church or a diocese specifying the field of his service. It is customary that every bishop when ordained, a staticon is also given to him. Later on, a staticon was issued without mentioning any, right of succession to Mar Dionysius V. The Patriarch Mar Abdulla expressed that office of the Metropolitan of Malankara was not necessay for the Indian Church. Accordingly the Patriarch has sent a Syrian Bishop by name Sleeba Mar Osthathios to India to succeed Mar Dionysius V, who was expecting Geevarghese Mar Dionysius VI to succeed him.
When Mar Dionysius V passed away on 11th July 1909, Patriarch Abdulla was requested to confirm the appointment of Geevarghese Mar Dionysius as his successor, which he had agreed. He was given a rousing welcome and felicitation by the Malankara Association and all Churches. During his meeting with leaders of Malankara Association, Patriarch made a suggestion in a very diplomatic way that they should write a statement acknowledging the authority of the Patriarch over everything in the Church, which few have opposed. Even then Patriarch gained strength by various methods. Patriarch Abdulla asserted that he had the authority whether the Indian Church admitted it or not. He was claiming both spiritual and temporal authority in the Church of Malabar as a divine right while the Royal Court decision admitted only the spiritual authority, which Mar Dionysius VI and those who stood with him were willing to admit but opposed to his claim of temporal authority. In fact this was the only difference between the two sides.
Spiritual authority here referred to matters related to interpretation of faith, maintenance of the sacramental life, and the observance of ecclesiastical discipline. Authority of temporal matters consisted of the carrying out of the Church's internal administration, management of its finances, Schools, Parishes and other institutions. Court decisions from the 19th Century (1889) had denied to the Patriarch authority in the temporal sphere. All the Bishops consecrated by Ihe Patriarch during the period following 1875, except Mar Dionysius VI, had admitted this illegitimate claim and given the Patriarchs concerned the registered deeds demanded by them. Thus in reality all of them have betrayed the cause of preserving the integrity of the Indian Church.But the only exception was Mar Dionysius VI. The Malankara Association also turned down the demand on the Patriarch. In the face of this serious humiliation, Patriarch Abdulla adopted the method of threats saying that if the Metroplitan did not abide by his demand, he would see evil days and the Church of Malabar would not see peace and unity any longer.
Finally Patriarch Abdulla with the advice of his supporters took the decision of sending a letter of excommunication to Metropolitan Mar Dionysius, received by him on 27th June 1911. Mar Dionysus convened the Managing Committee of the Church at the M.D. seminary Chapel. This meeting expressed its solidarity with the Metropolitan, ignoring his excommunication, and resolved to call the Malankara Association to workout the steps to be adopted in handling the situation. Meanwhile, in response to communication from Kerala, the Senior Patriarch Mar Abdul Messiah, the canonical Patriarch informed on 17th August 1911 that the excommunication of Mar Dionysius by Abdulla was null and void, and the Church of Malabar should only ignore it. The supporters of Mar Dionysius have requested the Senior Patriarch Mar Abdul Messaiah to visit India to repair the damage done by Patriarch Abdulla. Accordingly, on 13th June 1912 he arrived in Kerala. He raised Punnoose Ramban to the Episcopal rank as Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Gregorios (later installed as third Catholicos in 1929), in cooperation with Mar Dionysius and Mar Evanios Murimattom. The Patriarch has also cooperated with Mar Dionysius and Mar Gregorios in the installation of Mar Ivanios as Catholicos, at Niranam. He has further consecrated two other Bishops, Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, who became the second Catholicos in 1925, and Euachim Mar Ivanios.
Mar Abdul Messaiah returned to Antioch and passed away on 30th August 1915, before which he issued two Kalpanas dated 17th September 1912 and 24th February 1913 stating that the Catholicos has been installed, and that the Bishops of Malankara Syrian Church have the right to raise a successor to the Catholicos. It is given the authority to fulfill, in consultation with the Malankara Association, all the services needed for the edification of the Church, by the Holy Spirit. He shall thus ordain Melropolitans and Bishops, consecrate the Holy Mooron, and perform the other functions necessary for the Church. The matter had gone through the court and finally Mar Dionysius' right to be the Malankara Metropolitan and hold the Seminary and other assets of the Church in his possession was established in the Court.
Thus Mar Dionysius VI attained the zenith of his glory as the victor in all court cases. Ha had won all the law suits in which he was involved and he was legally recognized as the Metropolitan of Malankara. He had organized matters connected with the Church in such a way that the people who followed him were assured of their spiritual and ecclesiastical needs satisfactorily met. With all these obstacles Mar Dionysius had prepared the ground for establishing a seminary for the training of the candidates for the Church's ministry and concentratred on the formation of a constitution for the Church. During last days of his life, Mar Dionysius VI involved himself in the drawing up of the Constitution for the guidance of the Church and he made a draft for the same, though he could not see its adoption.
About a year before his death, Mar Dionysius VI got ready his 'Will', handing over all the properties of the Church administered by him to the episcopal Synod of the Church, after his time. The Patriarchal side raised objection to its adoption in Court, soon after his death. But it had no effect, as the court dismissed the case. The 'Will' was then registered and formally executed. He bade farewell to his earthly life on 23rd Febraury 1934 in triumph and glory, after receiving the benefits of all the sacred rites with full participation.
An illustrious leader, Mar Dionysius served the Malankara Syrian Church as its Metropolitan for a period of twenty five years. His unwavering faith, sincere devotion and dauntless courage are laudable and commendable.
During his priestly days when he was teaching in the Seminary, he wrote the Book Mathopadesa Sarangal (Basic Doctrines of Religion) which reflects the faith of man, such as teaching of the Church concerning God, the Sacraments, Prayer, Fasting, Man and his Salvation and similar subjects. He has also brought out the Malayalam version of Qurbana Kramam (Order of Service for Qurbana), now in use on Sundays in our Church.
Another historical achievement Mar Dionysius VI was able to pursue, was the establishment of the Catholicate in Kerala. Mar Abdul Messaiah Patriarch was willing to cooperate with Mar Dionysius VI and his episcopal colleagues in instituting the office of the Catholicate at Kottayam. Murimattathil His Grace Paulose Mar Ivanios was raised as the first Catholicos of the East in 1912 and he has been named as His Holiness Baselios Mar Paulose I. By the reestablishment of the Catholicate in Kerala, the Malankara Orthodox Church became autocephalous.
The first Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, occupied the throne as stated above was His Holiness Baselios Mar Paulose I, installed at the Niranam Church in 1912. The Catholicate and the Patriarchate are indeed equal in rank. The Catholicos has the right at supervision over his church, in the same way as the Patriarch has it over that of his.
As our Church pays its profound respects to the sacred memory of Mar Dionysius VI, it should dedicate itself to follow his example and build on what he had begun. May the remembrance of his saintly life be a blessing to the Church as a whole and to its members individually.