St. Gregorios.
 

St. Gregorios Geevarghese popularly known as "Parumala Thirumeni" was born in the priestly family of "Pallithatta Thanagattu" in Mulunthuruthy near Cochin on 15th June 1848. He was baptised as Geevarghese at his home Parish, Mar Thoman Church Mulunthuruthy. The disciplined life of Mar Gregorios enriched by prayer & fasting helped him to commune with God from his childhood days. He had a thorough knowledge in Theology and Syriac, which he developed through his teachers, Pallithatta Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Malpan (his uncle), Konat Malpan and the Patriarchal delegate Yuyakkim Mar Koorilose. His Grace was a man of prayer and made it clear to the world that Prayer and devotion is mightier than any worldly possession. Parumala Thirumeni's short life was remarkable in many respects. A deacon at the age of 10, a priest at the age of 18, a bishop at the young age of 28 (the reason for calling him as 'Kochu Thirumeni'), passed away on November 2nd 1902, after a saintly life of prayer to become the brightest jewel in the Malankara Orthodox Church.

Thirumeni was blessed with the order of 'Korooyo' at the tender age of ten by Palakunnath Mar Athnasius at the Karingachira St. George Church. At the age of 18, he was elevated as 'Shamshono' and later as 'Kassisso' and 'Corepiscopa' by Yuyakkim Mar Koorilose, the then Patriarchal delegate of the Holy See of Antioch. Later he stayed at the Vettikkal Dayro and led a strict monastic life. In 1872 he was ordained as Ramban Geevarghese (Monk-Priest) by Pulikottil Mar Dionysius.

His Holiness Mar Ignatius Peter III, the Patriarch of Antioch arrived in 1875 and convened the famous Mulunthuruthy Synod. Patriarch appointed Geevargheese Ramban as his private secretary as well as interpreter. In less than a year the Patriarch's esteem of the Ramban grew so high that His Holiness decided to elevate him to the order of a bishop.

On 3rd and 10th Dec 1876, the Patriarch consecrated four Metropolitans at the St. Thomas North Paravur church. 'Mar Gregorios' was the youngest of all and was only 28 and hence came to be known by the endearing name "Kochu Thirumeni". He was born and brought up at his ancestral house, 'Chathuruthy' in Mulanthuruthy, hence is also often called as "Chathuruthy Thirumeni". The name 'Mar Gregorios' entrusted on him on his ordination by His Holiness the Patriarch, was as a special privilege; as it being the honorable title of the Metropolitan (Archbishop) of Jerusalem diocese under the Holy See of Antioch.

As Metropolitan of Niranam diocese, Mar Gregorios stayed at Parumala Seminary. In his bishopric, he established various churches and was the motivator to establish schools in different parts of Malankara. During this period he was closely and intimately associated with varied activities and development of the Malankara Orthodox Church. He was admired for his organizing ability and was very popular with the masses. Later he administered the Thumpamon and Kollam dioceses also. His Grace tried to preach the Holy Gospel of Our Lord to the backward communities and many were accepted into our fold. He also worked hard to uplift these marginalized people.

Thirumeni started a monastery at Parumala. While staying at Parumala Seminary, he taught Syriac to deacons. His ability to teach Syriac hymns was extraordinary. Even in the midst of administrative duties in the dioceses, he gave maximum importance to prayers and lent. He used to get up at 4 am for prayer. His Grace observed prayers seven times a day as taught by the Holy Church. He was very particular about observation of lent with fasting, particularly on Fridays and Wednesdays.

His Grace's long standing desire to visit the Holy Land was fulfilled in 1895, nineteen years after his enthronement as Metropolitan. During his Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he stayed at the "Sehion Malika" (Monastery of St. Mark), the diocesan headquarters of the Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan and visited almost all the important places of Christendom and celebrated the Holy Qurbana of the Passion Week at the altars of the Suriyani Church. On his return, His Grace collected a certain amount from all the Parishes in Malankara and sent a Silver Cross as offering to the Jerusalem Church

At the age of 54, Thirumeni became seriously sick. He knew that his end was near. While the Metropolitans and priests and others were praying, Kochu Thirumeni uttered "My Lord" and closed his eyes. Kochu Thirumeni, passed away on 2nd November 1902 and his mortal remains were entombed at the St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church, Parumala.

In 1947, The Holy Episcopal synod canonized and proclaimed Thirumeni a Saint of the Malankara 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.

November 1 and 2 are the main feast days of Kochu Thirumeni.