ST.GEEVARGHESE MAR DIONYSIUS
(VATTASSERIL THIRUMENI)
Saint Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril, born Gheevarghese, was the Malankara Metropolitan of the Indian Orthodox Church. Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius is popularly known as ‘Malankara Sabha Bhaasuran’ (The Great Luminary of Malankara Orthodox Church), a title which the Church has bestowed on him in recognition of his rich contribution to Malankara Orthodox Church. Vattasseril Thirumeni was a man of prayer, determination and dynamism. He was a saint who never stooped before falsehood. Saint was born to Joseph Vattasseril of Mallappally and Aleyamma, Kolathu Kalathil of Kurichy on 31 October 1858. Following his elementary education at C. M. S. Middle School in Mallappally he completed his high school education from C. M. S. High School, Kottayam. In 1876, while still a high school student, he was ordained as a sub-deacon by HH Moran Mar Paulouse Patriarch. Saint studied at the Orthodox Theological Seminary (Old Seminary or Pazhaya Seminary), Kottayam for four years. He soon became a great Syriac scholar under the careful tutelage of Mar Gregorios Geevarghese of Parumala, who taught him at Seminary. In 1879 Thirumeni was ordained as a full deacon and in 1880 he was ordained as a priest by Gregorios. By 1880, Maran had become an authority in the Syriac, Church History, Faith and Doctrine, the Church Fathers, and Theology. In recognition of his expertise in Syriac and theology he was designated as Malankara Malpan. He spent his spare time reading, studying, and thinking which translated to his many writings, such as Doctrines of the Church. He also used his scholarship to edit and publish the order of Church worship to be used by the laity as an aid for participation in worship. He was appointed as Principal of M. D. Seminary, Kottayam. In 1903, he was blessed as a Ramban (monk). He also served as the Manager of Parumala Seminary. In 1908 he was consecrated as Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Metropolitan and served as the Assistant Malankara Metropolitan. The next year he became the Malankara Metropolitan and served and led the Church in that capacity until his death in 1934 when he and the Church triumphed in establishing the official constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Prayers and fasting were the pillars that were Maran spiritual foundation. In addition to the liturgical hours of prayer, Maran spent much time in private prayers and silent meditations behind closed doors and away from the attention of people. IDespite Maran literal application of Christ’s instruction to pray in private and not for others to see, many recognized that he was a living saint amongst them.
