The Annual Feast of St. Gregorious of Parumala – the First Canonized Indian Saint – 2019

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

OCP News Service – 27/10/2019

Visit the official portal of the Parumala Church here:

Malankara- India: The 117th Feast of St. Gregorious of Parumala is being held at the St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Orthodox Church (1st and 2nd of November 2019). Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios of Parumala (15 June 1848 -2 November 1902) was a Metropolitan of the ancient Malankara Church. 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. The centenary edition of the book was published in 1996 and it was translated into English in the year 2000.

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.

A supporter of Western Rite Orthodoxy and a Close Associate of Met. Alvares Julius and Archbishop Rene Vilatte
St. Gregorious was vehement supporter of the Western Rite Orthodoxy. He maintained close associations with Metropolitan Alvares Julius and Archbishop Rene Vilatte, Primates of the two Western Rite Orthodox Communities of the Malankara Church. St. Gregorious traveled to Colombo (Ceylon-Sri Lanka) and took part in the consecration of Archbishop Vilatte in 1892. St. Gregorious was honored with the Order of Crown of Thorns by Archbishop Vilatte for the support provided for the Western Rite Orthodoxy.

The OCP Pan-Orthodox Icon of St. Gregorios 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