Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni

H.G. GEEVARGHESE MAR PHILOXENOS

Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni, H.G. (L.L.) Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos Metropolitan, was born on 10th June 1897 as the second son of Thoma Kathanar of Kizhekethalackal family in Puthencavu and Rahelamma of Chungathil House, Koippuram. Puthencavu is a village on the banks of River Pamba, which is revered as the Ganges of Kerala and Chengannur is the nearest town. In his initial years he was known as Geevarghese. He had four brothers and one sister. He had his Primary education in Puthencavu and Middle School Education in Mavelikkara and High School Education in Chengannur.

He was ordained as Deacon by H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius, the then Malankara Metropolitan. Dn. Geevarghese had his intermediate studies from CMS College, Kottayam and the theological studies from Serampore University, Calcutta. After completing B.D. degree he joined M.D. Seminary High School, Kottayam, as a teacher in the year 1921. He went to Calcutta in the year 1926 and received M.A. Degree. Dn. Geevarghese was ordained as Priest by H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Metropolitan. He later became the most beloved and dependable disciple of H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dionysius, who is revered as the illuminator of the Church and also is the second declared Saint of our Church.

Fr. Geevarghese was the 41st priest of the Vadakethalakal (Mavelikara) family. He was elevated as a Ramban (Monk) in the year 1929. On 2nd November 1930, he was consecrated as a Bishop with the name H.G. Geevarghese Mar Philexions Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese, at Parumala Seminary. As he was the youngest of the living Metropolitans in those days, he was affectionately called "Kochu Thirumeni".

Puthencavil Kochu Thirumeni was the Metropolitan of Thumpamon Diocese from 1930 to 1951. Thumpamon Diocese was graced to have St. Gregorios of Parumala (Parumala Kochu Thirumeni) as its 2nd Metropolitan. The Diocese enjoyed tremendous growth during the tenure of H.G. Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos by the various administrative reforms introduced by His Grace. His Grace constructed an office and a centre for the Diocese at Makkamkunnu. Later on the location of this centre and its office came became a place of luminous glory. His Grace desired in those days to convert his place of residence as a community for Monks.

The following are the main achievements of His Grace:

Othara Dayara - Kochu Thirumeni started a Dayara when an acre of land and a few buildings were donated by Mr. T.K. Alexander of Thottumukkathu family.
Bethel Aramana - It was the result of the earnest desire of His Grace to have a centre near the M.C. Road. The Pothel Kulam, a pond where waste materials were dumped, was converted as Bethel, with a few essential buildings.
Pongalady Church.(Paranthal) - A church close to M.C. Road where an old small church was replaced with a new and elegant church and a few other buildings.
Thumpamon Marth Mariam Center - This was constructed with an intention to start a convent there.
Theological College, Makkamkunnu - A pretty seminary was functioning here to train up the priests of the southern Dioceses.
Eraviperoor Hospital - It was established with the intention to expose the healing mission of the Church.
Educational institutions -

(1) Catholicate High School Pathanamthitta

(2) Metropolitan High School, Puthencavu

(3) Teachers' Training School, Pathanamthitta

(4) Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta.

Kochu Thirumeni had a very unique personality. His Grace was a good swimmer and a great sportsman. He extended his patronage to other sportsmen and sports teams. He was so meticulous about the private and public funds managed by him. He took care to hide his spirituality within himself rather than exhibiting to the faithful and used the nights for the private and intercessory prayers.

His Grace was a great admirer of Art and Literature and an avid reader of books that he utilized his travelling time in reading. His Grace sincerely longed to have an Indian identity for the hymns and songs used in the worships. His Grace is honoured in the Church as the sweet violin of the Orthodox Church.

Kochu Thirumeni was always humorous in conversations and His Grace was a well known orator. His Grace longed for and led a simple life with modesty maintained in word and deed alike. Kochu Thirumeni was an ardent advocate of true and genuine Ecumenism and in the way of life His Grace was revered as one of the beacons of the Church. Thirumeni was a light of the spiritual revival in the Holy Church as a devotee of prophetic visions as well as a great administrator. His Grace initiated the transfer and the salary as well as the pension schemes for the Priests for the first time in the history of the Church. He introduced the administrative system of the spiritual organizations.

The following positions were held by him in the Holy Church.

(1) President of Sunday School
(2) President of Gospel team
(3) Leader of the spiritual organizations
(4) Architect of Orthodox Conventions.

Puthencavil Kochuthirumeni's contributions towards the spiritual revival of the entire Church is beyond explanation. It was the time when the Malankara right workers were trying their best to attract followers to their movement, from this ancient Church. Also many were confused with the statements, convention speeches and other attempts of reformation groups to attract the followers to their faith and teaching. So Kochuthirumeni utilized the public meetings and convention stages to enable the faithful of the mother Church to be stern and a strong being of the orthodox faith. Kochu Thirumeni was well honoured whenever he visited as a result of his awe-inspiring worships, melodious hymns and unique oratorship. This sort of work of Kochuthirumeni enabled the Malankara Church to achieve a fresh look for its spiritual experiences. Kochu Thirumeni's vision of missionary works was exemplary. He had introduced a master plan for the missionary works of the Church.

Thirumeni was one of the pioneers of the famous Kallopara convention. When he concluded the speech in the convention on 16th March 1951, he said "you should not invite me for the next years convention. I will not come". Those words came true. During the famous Kunnamkulam spech Thirumeni said " today's youth have to take care of the holy church. Among the present workers of the Church, the elderly and even I, may die tomorrow or day after. So the youth must get ready to serve the holy Chuch" It happend on the same day after. Once before going to Kunnamkulam for the last time, Thiurmeni told Unni Sir ( Poikayil) that Thirumeni's days are numbered. He also showed him the place where he was to be buried. Later on history proved that those words were prophetic. Thirumeni used to walk around the Puthencavu church holding the hands of Late Mr Eapen Koshy ( Puthenpurackal) told him one day " My son, My days are numbered. When I will die My must be buried here. My place must be behind my father's place". ( Kochuthiruni's holy remains are laid to rest just behind the tomb of his father).

His Grace’s speech on the Catholicate Day in 1951 in Kunnamkulam is very famous. After two days, (i.e.) on 17th April 1951, His Grace breathed his last in Marathamcode Church. His mortal remains were brought to Puthencavu and were interred in the specially constructed tomb in St. Mary's Cathedral, Puthencavu. A condolence meeting was organized by all christian churches in Trivandrum to mourn the sad demise of Puthencavil Kochuthirumeni. The meeting was presided over by HG Mar Ivanios of the catholic Church (Malankara Catholic). During the presedential address, Mar Ivanios said " Puthencavil Thirumeni is my disciple. There were differences of opinion between us on certain topics. Kochuthirumeni was a great person of the Orthodox Church. Mar Philoxenos had his theological studies from a college of the Baptist Church. But he returned from there after the studies as a great spokesman for the orthodoxy. He has guided the orthodox Church through the safest ways and paths".

The tomb remains as a place of peace, hope and spiritual inspiration for hundreds and hundreds of faithful.

The following lines are inscribed on the tomb:
* His presence was joyful *
* His voice sweet *
* His words inspiring *
* His manners endearing *
* His smile unforgettable *

Source: Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni, the Vigour & Splendour of the Orthodox Church
authored by Jose Kurian Puliyeril and published by Mar Philoxenos Memorial Friends Association (MARPFA) UAE.

Additional information available in:

Malankara Sabha Pithakanmaar – By Dr. Samuel Chandanappally.
Puthencavu Mar Philoxenos-Malankarayude Mahatwamulla Saithu – By Rev. Fr. Mathew Koshy
Malankarayude Yuga Silpi – By Rev. Fr. John Thomas Karingattil.
Puthencavu Kochu Thirumeni - Katholicattinte Karuthanaya Vakthavu – By Adv. P.C. Mathew Pulikottil and Mr. K.V. Mammen Kottackal.