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 St. Dionesius Vattasseril (previously known as H.G. Geevarghese
Mar Dionesius Metropolitan) who was a multifarious genius, is a blessed gift
of God Almighty to the Malankara Orthodox Church. Thirumeni had dedicated his
entire life for the freedom and welfare of the Holy Church. In his struggle
for independence he had to face so many troubles, obstacles, abuses, and
threatening. But His Grace faced them all with vigor, strength and manliness,
which he had earned through his own continuous fasting and prayers. While
Thirumeni was alone in the fields of homeland as well as foreign lands,
(especially in Syria) in search of freedom of the Church, he was looked after
by the Angels. He was able to unite the entire members of the Church, the
priests as well as the laymen, behind his mighty and able leadership. He was
a spiritual educationist, Scholar of languages especially the Syriac
language, literature and traditions. He was the holder of dignified, valorous
and noble personality and an owner of un opposable commanding power. He
remains in the Church History as the ever Sun of the Church.
Joseph Vattasseril, Mallappally, and Eliamma, Kolathu Kalathil, Kurichy were
Thirumeni's parents. He was born on 31st Oct 1858. He had his childhood
education from CMS Middle School at Mallappally and the High School education
from CMS High School, Kottayam. In 1876, when he was a high School student,
he was ordained as sub-deacon by H.H. Moran Mar Pathrose Patriarch.
Dn. Geevarghese had his four-year Theological studies at the Orthodox
Theological Seminary, (Old Seminary) Kottayam. He came out as a veteran of
Eastern Orthodox Theology. When he was a Theological student, St. Gregorios
of Parumala was his Syriac Professor. Within a short span of time, Dn.
Geevarghese became a great Scholar of Syriac language and literature. In 1879
Dn. Geevarghese was ordained as a full Deacon and in 1880, he was ordained as
a priest by St. Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni) By the time Fr. Geevarghese became
an authority of Syriac language, Church History, Faith and Doctrines of the
Fathers, and Theology. Being the dearly beloved of Parumala Thirumeni, he was
designated as the Malankara Malpan. He had spent his spare time for reading,
studying and thinking and this resulted him to achieve the status of a
renowned writer. 'Doctrines of the Church' is one of the famous books. He was
able to edit and publish the Church worship order (Detailed Qurbana Kramam),
which could be used by the ordinary faithful for the meaningful participation
in the worships. He, being a great scholar and Administrator, was appointed
as Principal of M.D. Seminary, Kottayam. In 1903, he was elevated as a Ramban
(monk). In the meantime, he had served as the Manager of the Parumala Seminary.
In 1908 he was consecrated as H.G. Geevarghese Mar Dionesius Metropolitan and
Thirumeni served as the Assistant Malankara Metropolitan. From the next year
onwards till his entrance to the eternal rest, he served as the Malankara
Metropolitan. H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Geevarghese II, Catholicose of blessed
memory remarked in the speech before the burial of Vattasseil Thirumeni,
"When we look at the highest solemn position held by Vattasseril
Thirumeni and his deep and firm faith in God, he is seemed similar to Moses
who led the sons of Abraham from the captive land of Egypt to the promised
land of freedom and happiness.
There is no doubt about it. Moses had spent his entire life for the freedom
of his people but he could not entire the Promised Land. He was only able to
see the Promised Land from a distance. Likewise the 'Moses' of Malankara
Church has also watched the freedom of his Church from a distance".
Spiritually he was great and he had no scars of sins. Many people are
ignorant about the pious life of Thirumeni as he had never exposed his
spiritual life. He was never touched by the hypocrisy. Prayers and fasting
influenced the personality of Vattasseril Thirumeni. Lents and above all by a
sacramental pious life. He had enjoyed the abide ness of God in his speeches
as well as deeds. All the tensions were faced with the power he had gained
through his valued spiritual life. St. Gregorios was his role model. He had
hated hypocrisy. Thirumeni had his private prayers as well as meditations
without the notice of others inside the closed doors. In spite of the busy
schedules, he used to listen 3-4 lessons from the Holy Bible everyday. Almost
all-private fasting was observed without the notice of others. C.F. Andrews
also had a faith that Thirumeni was a saint while he was alive. He had
requested once or twice by kneeling down before Thirumeni to bless him in the
language used by our Lord.
Vattasseril Thirumeni was a good orator who was well aware of the importance
of the vitality and morality flow of words when delivering the speeches on
any topic. Vattasseril Thirumeni is the chief among the Church leaders
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