Saintly Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Gregorious – Pampady Thirumeni
Saintly Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Gregorious (1885-1965) popularly known as Pampady Thirumeni was the bishop of the Kottayam Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Church, one of the oldest indigenous Christian churches of India. His austere life is marked by intense prayer and fasting, boundless compassion and all encompassing hospitality elevated him to the status of a living legend. Hundreds of devotees throng at Mar Kuriacose Dayara, Pampady, where Metropolitan’s mortal remains are entombed, beseeching his intercessions.
As the sixth son of pezhamattom Chackochen and Illayachi of Pampady, he was born on 5 April 1885. He learned the Scriptures and Syriac under the disciplined tutorship of Vattaserril Geevarghese Malpan in Old Seminary, Kottayam . He received his deaconship on 5 February 1899, his priesthood on 28 July 1906 and the next day made Ramban by Kadavil Paulose Mar Athanasios.
On 16 February 1929, he was consecrated the Metropolitan of Kottayam diocese with the title ‘Kuriakose Mar Gregorios’. As Metropolitan of Kottayam diocese, he held its administrative responsibilities for thirty five years. It was in Pampady Dayara, that he breathed his last on 5th April 1965. His mortal remains were interred in the Dayara Church at Pampady.
Thirumeni’s pocket watch also stopped exactly at 02:35 hrs at the time of his last breath and the same is still displayed at “Pothenpuram Dayara” of Pampady, Kottayam Dist along with the other belongings of Thirumeni. Although Thirumeni is still not declared as a Saint formally by the church, as experienced by many of us, he is a Saint in the true sense. There is testimony and as experienced by many, all the Faithfull’s calls/prayers are answered by Thirumeni promptly, the same way he was taking care of the needy (irrespective caste, creed, religion etc) during his life time.
Anniversary: 5th April, Perunnal of H.H Kuriakose Mar Gregoriose (Popularly known as Pampady Thirumeni). The Golden Jubilee of Pampady Thirumeni’s demise was befittingly observed with many charity initiatives matching the bishop’s vision and mission.
The Special cover issued on the occasion of Kottayampex 2016 features the colour portrait of the Saintly Metropolitan Kuriakose Mar Gregorious against the background of the church. The Special pictorial cancellation is a line graphic sketch of the logo of the church and issued on 06-10-2016 (KL22/2016).
