The Annual Feast of St. Gregorious of Parumala – the First Canonized Indian Saint (2018)

OCP Pan-Orthodox Icon of St. Gregorious of Parumala

OCP News Service – 1/11/18

India/Kerala: The Feast of St. Gregorious of Parumala is being held at the Parumala Seminary Church of the Malankara Church (1st and 2nd of November 2018). Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala (15 June 1848 -2 November 1902) was a bishop of the ancient Malankara Orthodox Church and as well as the Syriac Orthodox Church in India. His memory is commemorated in Indian, Syriac, Coptic, and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches. He is the first canonized Saint from India. He is popularly known as ‘Parumala Thirumeni’ (Bishop of Parumala) or ‘Kochu Thirumeni’.

Earliest Printed Travelogue in the Malayalam Language

Mar Gregorios made the Holy Land Pilgrimage in 1895 as the fulfillment of a long cherished dream. He has also visited the Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo on his journey back to India. On his return, he published a travelogue under the title ‘Oorslem Yathra Vivaranam’ (a narrative of the Jerusalem visit). This book, published in 1895 is considered the earliest printed travelogue in the Malayalam Language. This book had its centenary edition in 1996 and translation was made in the English language in the yeaer2000.

Life and Miracles

The great Saint of Parumla was known for his pious life, adherence to Orthodox faith and love for the poor. A large number of miracles are reported by the faithful from the intercession of St Gregory. Thousands of non-Christians visit the tomb at Parumuala to offer their prayers every month.

The OCP Pan-Orthodox Icon of St. gregorious of Parumala 

The OCP Icon of St. Gregorious of Parumala (the first canonized Indian Saint) is a symbol of Pan-Orthodox Christian Unity. The icon was written by Eastern Byzantine Orthodox monks and the original is preserved at the OCP Chancellors residence in Chicago. Learn more on the OCP Foundation here:

Source:
OCP News Service