The Feast of St Gregory of Parumala the first Canonized Indian Saint
2/11/13 – OCP News Service
Read the life history of St Gregorious of Parumala here:
India/Kerala: The Feast of St Gregorious of Parumala will be held from 26th October 2013 to 2nd of November 2013. Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios or Parumala (15 June 1848 -2 November 1902) of Parumala was a bishop of the Indian Malankara Orthodox Church as well as the Syriac Orthodox Church in India . His memory is equally commemorated in Indian and Syriac Orthodox Churches as well as in Coptic and Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He is the first canonized Saint from India. He is popularly known as Parumala Thirumeni (Bishop of Parumala) or Kochu Thirumeni
Earliest Printed Travelouge in Malayalam Language
Mar Gregorios made the Holy Land Pilgrimage in 1895 as the fulfilment of a long cherished dream. He has also visited the Coptic Orthodox Church in Cairo during the visit. 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 to be considered as the earliest printed travelogue in Malayalam Language. This book had its centenary edition in 1996 and translation into English in 2000.
Life and Miracles
The great Saint of Parumla was know for his pious life, adherence to Orthodox faith and love for the poor. 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.
Source:
OCP News Service
