Canonization

Inclusion of the name of

MOR GREGORIOS IN THE 5th TUBDEN (diptych)

Declaration of Holy Fathers as Saints was not common in the ancient Church. All those who were baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, were considered as blessed. Even then, St.Mary the Mother of God, the Apostles and the Prophets of the old Testament were all worshiped with SPECIAL deep respect.

From the 3rd century onwards, the universal Church started remembering the Holy Fathers (not by specific names as of now) in the 'TUBDEN' (Diptych) and in the private prayers in between. Besides this, the annual remembrance day of these Holy Fathers were also celebrated.

This tradition continued in the early Church till the advent of a great split that occurred in AD. 451, when the Roman and Constantinople Patriarchates together opposed the ancient traditional faith of TRINITY followed by the Oriental Churches, namely, the Syriac Church of Antioch; the Coptic (Egyptian) Church; and the Armenian Church. After this split, the Roman and Constantinople Churches adopted some new practices, and declaration of Sainthood of Holy Fathers started with it. Even then it was only the Roman Church that pronounced new Saints, while the Eastern (Greater) Orthodox Church of Constantinople followed the traditional practice of only reciting the names of Holy Fathers in the 'DIPTYCH'. But after the split between these two Churches (Roman & Constantinople) in the 11th century, the Russian Orthodox Church which was in commune with the Constantinople Patriarchate, also started declaring their Church Fathers as saints (from 14th century). Conferring Sainthood, thus become a prestige for the projection of their respective Churches (Roman & the Eastern (Greater) Orthodox Churches) in the western world. In the Roman Catholic Church, an elaborate and complex system of beatification and Canonization of Holy Fathers also started with it.

Meanwhile the Oriental (Lesser) Orthodox Churches, continued to remember the Holy Fathers in the 'TUBDEN' and also celebrated their annual feasts without any deliberate process for the declaration of Sainthood. In addition to St. Mary, the Apostles & other Prophets of old Testament; the Christian Martyrs-'Maudyananmar' (those who were physically tortured for Christian faith); the Holy Fathers who lived fighting for the continuation of true Apostolic Faith of the Church; and the Monks who lived a divine life of Prayers, meditation, fasting, were all considered as Saints by the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Their individual names were subsequently mentioned in the 'TUBDEN', recited during the 'HOLY QURBONO'. The Syrian (Jacobite) Orthodox Church, like all other Oriental Orthodox Churches follows this faith. (The Syriac Orthodox Church, the Coptic Church, the Armenian Church and the Ethiopian Church forms the group of Oriental Orthodox Churches.)

Mor Gregorious of Malankara, who lived a century before, was a great prophet of his time. He led a saintly and ascetic life. He prayed to God for the people with utmost sincerity and dedication. In return, they too loved this Holy father. After his demise many were visiting the Holy tomb of Mor Gregorios Geevarghese at Parumala St. Peter's Church. Many were cured of serious illness and other sufferings, through His Grace's intercession. He was a great intermediary between the God and the common man. People considered him to be a Holy father.

Just four years (in 1906) after the demise of Saint Gregorios, a shrine was established (near Mulunthuruthy) for the first time in His Grace's name by one Parasseril Varkey. This shrine and the adjoining 5 cents of land was later surrendered to Vettickal Karmelkunnu St.Thomas Syrian Simhasana Church.

In 1922 the Syrian Christian Students movement of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church under the Holy See of Antioch, was renamed as 'Mor Gregorious Students Association' by one of his chief disciples, Mor Athanasius Paulose (Malankara Metropolitan - 'Valiya Thirumeni' of Aluva). It was for the first time the name of Mor Gregorious was adopted by any of the students organisations of Malankara. ('Mor Gregorious Orthodox Christian Students Movement' (MGOCSM) was named as such, later in 1960). In 1947, Orthodox Church (Methran faction) of Malankara, proclaimed 'Mor Gregorious' as Saint.

In the Roman Catholic Church, as mentioned earlier, an elaborate and complex system of Beatification and Canonization of bereaved people, who lived a divine life exists. The favours received, such as healing of the sick, miracles happened etc. are evaluated by a Papal committee, who conducts a detailed inquiry. During this process a devil's advocate is appointed to argue against the Canonization of such individual and finally the declaration of Beatification or Canonization is made by the Pope himself. (ref: an article by Zacharia George in 'Vision')

But in the Oriental Churches (Syrian Orthodox Church belongs to this group), such an elaborate and bureaucratic system is non-existent. Oriental Orthodox Churches allows to pray at the Tombs of its Holy fathers and seek their intercession without any formal processes. These Churches emphasizes on following the footsteps of such divine people by remembering them.

Following these traditions of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch remembers its Holy Fathers who led a divine life, by reciting their names in the 'TUBDEN' (Diptych). It is the ultimate recognition for those who served the Church in commune with the God. Even for the inclusion of a name in the 'TUBDEN', there is no specific procedures. Of the six diptychs read during the Holy Qurbono, the fifth 'TUBDEN' is the 'Canon of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church'. Adding names to the fifth 'TUBDEN' is not same as "canonizing a saint" in the Roman Catholic sense. Syrian Orthodox Church does not have a tradition of declaring saints based on proof of their effectiveness in curing diseases, working miracles, etc. However, the Church have a long tradition of remembering the fathers and doctors of the church in our liturgies. Hence adding names to the 'TUBDEN' (diptychs) cannot be equated to the 'Roman Catholic way' of declaration of sainthood.

Until 1987, all the Holy fathers whose names were remembered in the 5th 'TUBDEN', lived before the 7th century. In this context it was very special, when on 22nd August 1987, the Holy Episcopal Synod of Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church convened by the then Catholicose, 'H. B. Mor Baselios Paulose II', requested its Supreme Spiritual head the Patriarch of Antioch & all the East, to allow the names of 'Patriarch Mor Ignatius Elias III', 'Maphriyono Mor Baselious Yeldho' and 'Mor Gregorious of Malankara', to be read in the 5th 'TUBDEN' along with the Holy Fathers of the Church.

Patriarchal bull permitting to recite the name of 'Mor Gregorious' in the 'TUBDEN'

On 20th December 1987, through the historical Apostolic Bull No. E 265/87, the Patriarch of Antioch, H.H. Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iywas permitted to recite the name of 'MOR GREGORIOS OF MALANKARA' in the Fifth diptych ('TUBDEN') of 'Holy Qurbono'. The Patriarchal declaration regarding this was first read in the Mulunthuruthy MarThoman Church, the home parish of Chathuruthy Kochu Thirumeni. (Click Here for the concerned Encyclical of the Patriarch)

Thereafter in the Holy Qurbono of the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, 'Mor Gregorios of Malankara' is remembered in the 5th TUBDEN, after the names of Patriarch Mor Ignatius Elias III (Majanikkara-1932) and Maphriyono (Catholicose) Mor Baselios Yeldho (Kothamangalam-1685). This is very significant considering that, besides these three Holy fathers who lived between 17th and 20th centuries, all the other 23 Holy fathers remembered in the 5th TUBDEN, were of the pre-7th century. Also, Mor Gregorios is the only Holy father of Indian origin, whose name is recited in the TUBDEN.

Few years later, Methran faction of the Orthodox Church in Malankara also started to recite the names of 'Mor Gregorios' and 'Maphriyono Mor Baselios Yeldho', in the fifth 'TUBDEN'.

Mor Gregorios Bawa was the prophet of his time who set the moral tone for his people. A Saint is one who is totally dedicated to God. Certainly Mor Gregorios was one who had no other interest except Christ and his Church. He can be said to be the first Metropolitan of our Church in India who had a sense of mission to the non-Christian brethren.

Malankara Metropolitan 'Mor Dionysius V' always approached his subordinate 'Mor Gregorios', for advice during every difficult missions. Many problems which the able administrator Mor Dionysius found difficult were solved by a simple word of this Holy father. The most important factor that helped Mor Dionysius to overcome all obstacles is said to be the tears and prayers of Mor Gregorios. Mor Dionysius later throughout his life, took important decisions only after praying for the intercession of Mor Gregorios Bawa, whom he considered as a Holy Person. The laity acknowledged Mor Gregorios as a Saintly father, even during his life time.

After His Grace's demise, innumerable numbers of churches, altars etc. are named after him. His relics are kept in many churches for public veneration and intercessory prayers are held in his name.