St.Gregorious of India( Parumala Thirumeni) and Coptic Christians.
0 Comments Published by tk on Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 4:18 AM.
St. Gregorios Geevarghese or Parumala Thirumeni (June 15, 1848 - November 2, 1902) of Parumala was an Indian religious leader and later a saint of The Indian Orthodox Church. He is popularly known as Parumala Thirumeni (Bishop of Parumala).
St.Gregorious of India( Parumala Thirumeni) and Coptic Christians.
And excerpt from the book,"Parumala Thirumeniyude Oorslem Yathravivaranam"(Parumala Thirumeni's Jerusalem Trip Description).This was the first Malayalam travellogue printed ever(1895).He describes his encounter with Coptic christians in Port Zaid(Egypt),one of his stops during the ship voyage to the Holyland.
Parumala Thirumenis words( a rough english transalation)--
"The Eguptaya Church(coptic) in Port Zaid is new and incomplete.Work is still being conducted.This church is being built by the enthusiasm of the Coptic Orthodox bishop Mar Baselios Metropolitan of Jerusalem.
30 coptic christian families,both rich and poor are members of this church.The layleaders name is Barsau afandy.The vicar is Rev.Fr. Patros of Naboro.
"They recieved us with much happiness and a respect.I can undoubtedly say they are a very pious and faithful lot.
Since it was "Vachanippu perunal" on 25th,I conducted the Qurbana.There were atleast 20 coptic christians who took the Qurbana appam from me.They participated in it with the same piety and respect as they would a Coptic Qurbana."
"Something special happened while in this church.A large number of people gathered for "kaimmutthu" in my front.The coptic vicar thought this might be troubling me,so he scolds the believers and tells them to come at another time.
Then a woman of about 50 years old,she disregarded this warning and came to me and kissed my hand 8-10 times.And she was saying something in Arabic loudly to the vicar.
I enquired the vicar what she was telling.She was saying to him with grief, "May the Lord hit you,why did you try to prevent me from kissing the hand of my Father!".
"There is also a school run by the coptic church there,and an advisor called RaphaelSleebashemmashu.He took us to his home and entreated us as guests.On 25th,saturday evening we left Port Zaid and boarded our ship".
"These people are our true brethren" ("ee Kootar nammude satyasahodaranmar aakunnu".-Thirumeni then goes on to say.
Compiled by Kevin[theorthodoxchurch.info/contributing editor]
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