Kochu Thirumeni  had to suffer much of a lingering disease of Piles, as he approached the last days of his life.  About 3 months before his heavenly abode, Thirumeni's illness become more serious.  Accidentally one of his most trusted disciples Fr.Kochu Koshy visited the Seminary the same day.   On the request of Thirumeni,  Fr.Kochu Koshy stayed back and nursed His Grace with utmost care.  Within a few days another prominent disciple Wattasseril Fr. Geevarghese, who was at Kottayam also reached there to nurse his 'Guru'.  Though some Ayurvedic treatments were done, his health didn't improved.  Thirumeni since then was predicting his death, that would happen within a few months.  As soon as the news spread, faithful from north to south of Malankara were visiting him.   Even in his bed, Thirumeni enquired about the welfare of each and every visitor and was very particular in serving them.  The faithful living nearby, out of their deep affection and respect for this Holy father, contributed enough rice and other items required for supplying daily bread to the people visiting Kochu Thirumeni.   This continued for more than a month until his death.

On hearing the seriousness of our Kochu Thirumeni's illness, Malankara Metropolitan Pulikottil Mor Dionysius staying then at Trivandrum rushed to Parumala.  The news about the Parumala Thirumeni's illness was a great shock for Mor Dionysius.  Kochu Thirumeni, then was considered to be his successor to the seat of Malankara Metropolitan.   Kadavil Mor Athanasius Paulose of Angamali and Parumala Thirumeni were the closest aides of Mor Dionysius.  Unfortunately Kadavil Thirumeni at the time, too had some serious health problems and hence was resting at North Paravur church.   Mor Dionysius who was then 70, was very sad on the turn of the events and on seeing our Kochu Thirumeni suffering in pain, he cried loudly.  Such was his closeness with Kochu Thirumeni. 

Kochu Thirumeni's body was becoming weaker and weaker, and around five days before his death, he called one of his chief disciples, Wattasseril Fr.Geevarghese by the bed side and entrusted him with the keys and other documents.   His Grace then told his esteemed colleagues that he will leave this world within a few days.  Then for a couple of days he lay speechless.  On the third day towards midnight he asked those standing nearby " What is the date today ?".   Eighteenth (Malayalam era) they said.  "My Lord I must endure this pain for two more days", sighed His Grace.  Holy Father actually new even the date of his death.   Two days after, on Sunday the 20th (2nd November), "Kantheela"{-Syriac word for the Holy Sacrament of the sick} was celebrated for Thirumeni.   At around midnight the same day, Thirumeni in a feeble voice said  "Ente Karthave" (Oh My Lord !!!) .  Punnoose Ramban and other priests standing nearby, had the Prayers then and suddenly the Great Saint of Malankara left this world submitting his soul to his Father, the God.   Eye witnesses testify that they saw a bright light as he lay breathing his last. ( Source:-'Vissudha Edayan' )

Last  Rites

News of his death spread like a wild fire and flocks from different parts of Malankara streamed into Parumala to see once for ever their beloved shepherd and to pay their last respects.   

Thirumeni's body was kept in sitting position in a chair with the pastoral staff (Crosier)  and Sleeba (Cross) in both hands, inside the church as per the tradition of the Syriac Church.

Mor Gregorios Geevarghese of  Parumala

(during the Funeral rites, wearing all the vestments...)

Funeral rites were conducted partially on Monday (November 3rd).  On Tuesday morning, Metropolitan Mar Ivanios of Kandanad diocese together with around 200 Priests and deacons continued the Holy Prayers. Though Pulikottil Mor Dionysius many times came inside the church to see the body of his favorite fellow metropolitan, he being very sad was unable to conduct the prayers and he had to return to his room.  More than 7000 people were assembled there to participate in the Prayers.  By around 2 P.M. on November 4th, the services inside the church ended.  Then 'Nagarikanikkal' (traditional procession around the place) started, Thirumeni's body was kept in a sitting position in the Chair, with the faithful carrying Silver crosses, Church flags etc..   After that the people were allowed to kiss the hands of departed Thirumeni, which continued for more than three hours and finally the last rites started.  The most emotional moment of the service was the farewell prayers.   His Grace's body was laid to rest in a specially erected tomb inside the 'Madboho' (Altar) of the seminary church. The place of his tomb was selected by Thirumeni himself a few days before his illness was known, in September.   The faithful filled the tomb with frankincense as per the tradition of the Church.   After the funeral, new cloths were offered to the poor & needy who were present there.

Condolence from the Jerusalem Metropolitan, Mor Gregorios Ivanious

Dn. Sleebo (later  the Patriarchal delegate, St. Osthatheos Sleebo -Kunnamkulam) informed the Patriarchate & the Jerusalem Metropolitan about the  demise of Parumala Thirumeni.  The people of our Church at Jerusalem was very sad on hearing the passing away of Parumala Thirumeni.  He was known to many since his visit to the Holy city, the visit being just six years before his death.  Thirumeni's stay at the St.Mark's Monastery in Jerusalem during his pilgrimage, brought the Church at Middle East and Malankara closer.   It was for the first time in many centuries  a group of Church dignitaries from Malankara were visiting the faithful of the Suryani Church at Jerusalem.   So naturally the people of Jerusalem had a special affection to the Malankara Church and more particularly for Mor Gregorious of Parumala who led the delegation.  On behalf of  the Church at Jerusalem, Mor Ivanios Elias send a touching condolence message to the Malankara Church through Dn. Sleebo, who was then residing at Malankara.  The copy of the translated version (in Malayalam), of the Encyclical written in Syriac by the Metropolitan of St.Mark's Dayro is given below. (Click below)

The 30th day of Demise

The 30th day services of the demise of our Parumala Thirumeni was celebrated on 3rd December 1902 at the Parumala seminary church.  A large amount was received as offerings for the function from many a parishes of Malankara.

Selection of new Metropolitan-designates

After 4 P.M. the same day,  a general council of the Malankara Church was convened under the auspices of Malankara Metropolitan Mor Dionysius V  and  selected the two most prominent disciples of Parumala Thirumeni, 'KOCHUPARAMBIL RAMBAN  PAULOSE'  of  Mulunthuruthy (later Mor Kurillos Paulose , the Malankara Metropolitan of the Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church) and 'WATTASSERIL Fr. GEEVARGHESE' (later Malankara Metropolitan Mor Divanasious Geevarghese of the Catholicate faction of the Syrian Church) as Metropolitan-designates.

In another meeting that was convened the next day, it was decided to rename the new English School at Thiruvalla after the name of its founder Mor Gregorios (Parumala Thirumeni) as, 'Mor Gregorios Memorial High School' (M.G.M).