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Pilgrims throng Parumala for saint's intercession

Staff Reporter

104th feast of St. Gregorios will conclude today

PATHANAMTHITTA: Hundreds of believers from different parts of the State and outside visited the tomb of Saint Gregorios at the St. Peter's and St. Paul's church in Parumala on Wednesday. Geevarghese Mar Gregorios, affectionately called Parumala Thirumeni, passed away on November 1, 1902. His mortal remains were interred in a tomb inside the church the next day. Mar Gregorios was canonised as saint by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in 1947. He is the first canonised native saint of any Church in India. The annual pilgrimage to the saint's tomb is held on November 1 and 2 and many believers walk all the way to the church town of Parumala from their parishes in far-off places.

The pilgrimage is a major religious event in this part of the State.

Pilgrimage processions were received on the church premises by Parumala Seminary manager Christophorus Ramban at 11 a.m. on Wedne sday. The Metropolitans Geevarghese Mar Ivanios and Yakoob Mar Iraeneus celebrated the holy Eucharist at 6 a.m. and 7.30 a.m.

Public Works Minister T.U. Kuruvilla inaugurated a pilgrims' meet on the seminary premises later in the afternoon.

Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas delivered the festival message. Catholicos of the East and Malankara Metropolitan Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I presided over the meet.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University Cyriac Thomas delivered the keynote address. The Catholicos-designate Paulose Mar Milithios blessed the occasion. The feast will come to a close with a holy Rasa on Thursday afternoon.

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