Geevarghese Mor Gregorios

Dr.Geevarghese Mor Gregorios (Perumpally Thirumeni) (October 10, 1933 – February 22, 1999) was a bishop of the Syrian Orthodox Church, President of the Episcopal Synod of the Church in India, President of the Synod of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church and the Metropolitan of Cochin, Kottayam, Kollam, Niranam and Thumpamon Dioceses.

Geevarghese was born in the ancient aristocratic family of Parapallil in Puthupally, Kottayam as the third son of Mathew Asan and Annamma. His father died when he was very young and he was taken care of by his elder brother P.M.Mathew.

Geevarghese received his theological education at Thrikkothamangalam Mor Sharbil Dayro and Manjanikkara Mor Ignatius Dayro.

Geeevarghese was ordained priest by Mor Yulius Elias Qoro on August 1, 1958 and for several years served as the vicar of St. George's Simhasana Church, Perumpally.

Fr. Geevarghese was elected to the episcopate by the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Christian Association meeting at St. George Church, Karingachira in January 1974. Consecrated metropolitan by Patriarch Ignatius Ya`qub III on February 24, 1974 for Cochin diocese with additional charge of Kottayam diocese, Mor Gregorios became the Metropolitan of Kottayam after the 1982 Synod at Cochin presided by Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. In the early 1970s, when the church in Malankara became divided again over the role of the Patriarchate of Antioch, Mor Gregorios led the faithful who maintained their spiritual association with Antioch. Following the death of Catholicos Baselios Paulose II on September 2, 1996, Geevarghese presided over the Episcopal Synod and the Synod of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church until his own death.

Geevarghese died on February 22, 1999. His remains are interred in the sanctuary of the Perumpally Simhasana Church. Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas visited this church in April 2000 to offer memorial prayers at his tomb.

Perumpally Thirumeni's final resting place

Perumpally Thirumeni wrote many of the prayer songs of the Syrian Orthodox Church. He has the record of ordaining the most priests, more than a hundred; the vast majority, like Thirumeni, with little to no theological education. Many church buildings were named in memory of Geevarghese Mor Gregorios. He started the Hail Mary Residential school at Perumpally.