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St.
Dionesius Vattasseril (previously known as H.G. Geevarghese
Mar Dionesius Metropolitan) who was a multifarious genius,
is a blessed gift of God Almighty to the Malankara Orthodox
Church. Thirumeni had dedicated his entire life for the
freedom and welfare of the Holy Church. In his struggle
for independence he had to face so many troubles, obstacles,
abuses, and threatening. But His Grace faced them all
with vigor, strength and manliness, which he had earned
through his own continuous fasting and prayers. While
Thirumeni was alone in the fields of homeland as well
as foreign lands, (especially in Syria) in search of freedom
of the Church, he was looked after by the Angels. He was
able to unite the entire members of the Church, the priests
as well as the laymen, behind his mighty and able leadership.
He was a spiritual educationist, Scholar of languages
especially the Syriac language, literature and traditions.
He was the holder of dignified, valorous and noble personality
and an owner of un opposable commanding power. He remains
in the Church History as the ever Sun of the Church.
Joseph Vattasseril, Mallappally, and Eliamma, Kolathu
Kalathil, Kurichy were Thirumeni's parents. He was born
on 31st Oct 1858. He had his childhood education from
CMS Middle School at Mallappally and the High School education
from CMS High School, Kottayam. In 1876, when he was a
high School student, he was ordained as sub-deacon by
H.H. Moran Mar Pathrose Patriarch.
Dn. Geevarghese had his four-year Theological studies
at the Orthodox Theological Seminary, (Old Seminary) Kottayam.
He came out as a veteran of Eastern Orthodox Theology.
When he was a Theological student, St. Gregorios of Parumala
was his Syriac Professor. Within a short span of time,
Dn. Geevarghese became a great Scholar of Syriac language
and literature. In 1879 Dn. Geevarghese was ordained as
a full Deacon and in 1880, he was ordained as a priest
by St. Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni) By the time Fr.
Geevarghese became an authority of Syriac language, Church
History, Faith and Doctrines of the Fathers, and Theology.
Being the dearly beloved of Parumala Thirumeni, he was
designated as the Malankara Malpan. He had spent his spare
time for reading, studying and thinking and this resulted
him to achieve the status of a renowned writer. 'Doctrines
of the Church' is one of the famous books. He was able
to edit and publish the Church worship order (Detailed
Qurbana Kramam), which could be used by the ordinary faithful
for the meaningful participation in the worships. He,
being a great scholar and Administrator, was appointed
as Principal of M.D. Seminary, Kottayam. In 1903, he was
elevated as a Ramban (monk). In the meantime, he had served
as the Manager of the Parumala Seminary. In 1908 he was
consecrated as H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dionesius Metropolitan
and Thirumeni served as the Assistant Malankara Metropolitan.
From the next year onwards till his entrance to the eternal
rest, he served as the Malankara Metropolitan. H.H. Moran
Mar Baselios Geevarghese II, Catholicose of blessed memory
remarked in the speech before the burial of Vattasseil
Thirumeni, "When we look at the highest solemn position
held by Vattasseril Thirumeni and his deep and firm faith
in God, he is seemed similar to Moses who led the sons
of Abraham from the captive land of Egypt to the promised
land of freedom and happiness.
There is no doubt about it. Moses had spent his entire
life for the freedom of his people but he could not entire
the Promised Land. He was only able to see the Promised
Land from a distance. Likewise the 'Moses' of Malankara
Church has also watched the freedom of his Church from
a distance". Spiritually he was great and he had
no scars of sins. Many people are ignorant about the pious
life of Thirumeni as he had never exposed his spiritual
life. He was never touched by the hypocrisy. Prayers and
fasting influenced the personality of Vattasseril Thirumeni.
Lents and above all by a sacramental pious life. He had
enjoyed the abide ness of God in his speeches as well
as deeds. All the tensions were faced with the power he
had gained through his valued spiritual life. St. Gregorios
was his role model. He had hated hypocrisy. Thirumeni
had his private prayers as well as meditations without
the notice of others inside the closed doors. In spite
of the busy schedules, he used to listen 3-4 lessons from
the Holy Bible everyday. Almost all-private fasting was
observed without the notice of others. C.F. Andrews also
had a faith that Thirumeni was a saint while he was alive.
He had requested once or twice by kneeling down before
Thirumeni to bless him in the language used by our Lord.
Vattasseril Thirumeni was a good orator who was well aware
of the importance of the vitality and morality flow of
words when delivering the speeches on any topic. Vattasseril
Thirumeni is the chief among the Church leaders who drafted
the Church Constitution. He entered the Heavenly abode
on 23rd Feb 1934.
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