A BRAVE BOY
A bright, brilliant and blessed boy who
displayed extra-ordinary courage from his early years occupies a prominent
position in the history of the Church in India.
In the year 1896, Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dionysius II (Mar Divannasios/ Dionysius V, the
Malankara Metropolitan), Senior Metropolitan of the Malankara
Jacobite Syrian Church visited the Jacobite Church at Puthiyakavu near Mavelikkara
in Kerala, South India, on a rainy day after sunset. He wanted to meet a Deacon
(Veettinal Semmassan) urgently. The Deacon was living in a remote village
(Vazhukkattil, Vazhuvady), far from the church. The metropolitan wanted someone to go to
the Deacon urgently and bring him to the church.
As
it was very dark and the rain was heavy, the men who had assembled in the
church were reluctant to go to the Deacon’s residence. Suddenly, a boy who was
only fourteen years old came forward and kissed the Metropolitan’s hand. The
boy (P. T. George) volunteered to fulfil the Metropolitan’s wish. He proceeded
alone, carrying a lantern, through the dark and rainy night and returned
escorting the Deacon. The metropolitan was impressed by the courage, confidence
and cheerful character of the boy and blessed him.
Later
the boy joined the M.D.seminary and High School at Kottayam and he became a priest, Bishop and Archbishop
(Most Rev. Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, 1882-1953). He was an ardent ascetic, good
orator and a man of prayer, determination and dynamism. He founded the ‘Bethany
Movement’ which developed into the religious congregations - Order of the
Imitation of Christ and Sisters of the Imitation of Christ - by blending Indian
asceticism and Christian spirituality. He led the historic reunion movement in
the Church in 1930 and became the first Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara
Catholic Church.
With ardent faith, spiritual strength and
fervent prayer, he courageously faced the tempests during the turbulent times
in the history of the Church and laid the foundation of the Syro-Malankara rite
in the Catholic Church which has now grown into a Major Archiepiscopal Church. Thus,
by his effective efforts and efficient leadership, the Malankara Church of
India re-entered into the communion with the Catholic Church after three
centuries of unfortunate alienation from the Apostolic See of Rome.
The Syro-Malankara
Catholic Church, an autonomous particular church in the Catholic communion, is now headed
by His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, the Major
Archbishop of the Church.
The Malankara Catholic Church retains its authentic Apostolic traditions, spiritual
heritage and ecclesial dignity in the Catholic communion. Mar Ivanios rightfully
earned the title 'The Newman of India'. He was declared “Servant of God” in 2007 as the first step of canonization.
The Bible consoles and inspires us with the
message, ‘fear not’ or ‘do not be afraid’ over a hundred times.
“Do
not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather be
afraid of God, who can destroy both body and soul in hell {Matthew 10: 28, Luke 12: 4}.
A popular proverb in Malayalam, “Malakal ilakeedilum mahajanaanaam manamilakaa” may be translated as:
A popular proverb in Malayalam, “Malakal ilakeedilum mahajanaanaam manamilakaa” may be translated as:
“Mountains
may move; but the minds of masterminds never waver.”
…………………………………………………………………
© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip,
Darsana Academy, Kottayam-686001, Kerala, India ( Former Professor, Cochin
University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala,
India), Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St.
Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St.
Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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