After his return from Jerusalem, Mor Gregorios  wished to spent rest of his life in prayer & meditation.  The pilgrimage to the Holy City had made him more devotional.  Except in urgency, he tried to avoid interfering in the administration of the dioceses.  But the Malankara Metropolitan Mor Dionysius made him more involved  in the general affairs of the Malankara Church.  The Malankara Metropolitan wished to ordain Mor Gregorios as his successor.  Kochu Thirumeni was later entrusted with the mission of starting schools.  

A new Cemetery at Kunnamkulam  Arthat church

During his stay at the Arthat church (1899) in connection with the starting of the St.Ignatius School,  the shortage of space in the graveyard of the church came to his notice.  Dr.Bhukanon,  a Church missionary  in 1800 itself had recorded about the sad situation of the graveyard of the church.  He said, "Cemetery is located near western side of the Main door of the Church. Due to the Shortage of space, the graves had to be dug very often. The bones from these had to put in an open pit which is exposed to the public".  It being one of the largest parishes, the graveyard was not enough. 

So on the insistence of Parumala Thirumeni, a general body meeting of the church was held and it decided to buy some more land for this purpose. Cherumanoor Iype, a parishioner of that church volunteered to lead the construction.  Parumala Thirumeni laid the foundation stone of this big cemetery.  By the time it was finished, the total area of the graveyard increased to around 4.5 acres and still is one of the largest in Malankara.  The area is enclosed by high walls on four sides, with the front side wall measuring 12 feet in height.  The names of Parumala Thirumeni and Cherumanoor Iype is engraved in a stone in the front of the cemetery.

Ordinations of two of his diciples (1898)

On 26th November 1898 (M.E. 1074 Vrischikam, 12), Parumala Thirumeni ordained two of his disciples, Painadath Kuttikkatt Dn.Paulose of Akaparambu Parish and Kallacheril Dn.Geevarghese (Punnose) of Kurichy as Full Priests.  Three days after, on 15th November both were again ordained together, as Ramban Paulose and Ramban Geevarghese by Parumala Thirumeni himself.  Pulikottil Mor Dionysius Joseph and Kadavil Mor Athanasius Paulose assisted Mor Gregorios in that ceremony. 

{A news about these ordinations published in the Church Magazine, 'EDAVAKA PATHRIKA'  of Vrischikam 1898 issue can be accessed by clicking HERE.}

After his ordination, Ramban Paulose continued to stay at Aluva, managing the administration of Thrikkunnathu Seminary church.   But later on the request of Parumala Thirumeni, Ramban Paulose went to Parumala and was there for about 3 years, supervising the construction of  the Seminary. (Though the Seminary church was consecrated by Parumala Thirumeni in 1895, it took 5 more years to complete the construction of the Seminary building).  It was during his stay at Parumala seminary, Ramban Paulose  came closer with Ramban Geevarghese of Kurichy.  They become close friends.  But the unfortunate split that happened in  Malankara Syrian Church, a decade after the demise of Parumala Thirumeni, forced them to follow the two different factions.  The split had forced the majority of southerners to side with the faction led by Wattasseril Thirumeni, while northerners stood with the Patriarch.  This avoidable split is supposed to be a creation of some, who themselves later formed an independent diocese under another Church in 1930.  By the time the facts was realized, the disputes between the two factions of the Malankara Church reached a flash point, which naturally prevented the unity.  

Ramban Paulose become the Malankara Metropolitan (Mor Athanasius Paulose) of the Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in 1918 and Ramban Geevarghese become the Catholicose (Mor Baselios Geevarghese) of the Catholicose faction of the Syrian Church in 1929.   Throughout their life, both were very particular in following the strict pray-full life as taught by their teacher, Mor Gregorius.  They are considered to be two legends of the Malankara Syrian community. 

A Miraculous  Healing 

In his book 'Vissudha Edayan',  Prof. P.N. Chacko is mentioning about the miraculous healing of Palakkattu Very Rev John Corepiscopa the late 'Vicar' of Mulunthuruthy MarThoman Church.  

 It was at the age of 12, Fr.John's marriage was fixed  with Konatt Mathen Malpan's daughter, Kunjalachar.  The marriage celebration was planned, just after his ordination as a deacon at the same venue.   But unfortunately, days before his marriage he become seriously ill.  Since the ceremonial day was already fixed, the parents however decided to continue with the arrangements.   But he was not cured even on the day before his marriage and so the bridegroom was brought to Pampakuda church where the ceremony was planned, in a 'Manchal'.  On the day of the ceremonies (28th Feb 1901), Metropolitans and other Church dignitaries including Parumala Thirumeni were present.  Parumala Thirumeni on knowing the serious of the situation, approached the bridegroom and prayed with hands on the patients head.  Surprisingly by the time the function was about to start, he become completely cured and the marriage ceremony was celebrated after his ordination as a Deacon. 

Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the ordination of Pulikottil Thirumeni as a Priest

Malankara Syriac Church in a special meeting of the 'Malankara Edavaka Mahayogam' held in April 1901, decided to celebrate the 50th jubilee year of ordination as 'Kassisso' of then Malankara Metropolitan, Pulikottil Mor Dionysius Joseph.  

It was on  6th Chingam of M.E.1028 (21st Aug,1952), Pulikottil Thirumeni was ordained as a Full Priest (Fr.Joseph) at the Kunnamkulam Chiralayam Church by Mor Kurillos Yuyakim the Patriarchal delegate.  He was later ordained as Metropolitan Mor Divanyasious, on 6th May 1865  by the Patriarch of Antioch H.H. Mor Ignatius Yakoob II  at the Syrian Orthodox Monastery in Deyar'Bakkir (Turkey).  Since then he was working tirelessly to defend the faith of ancient Syrian Church in Malankara.  In the Mulunthuruthy Synod (1876) convened by the Patriarch Mor Ignatius Peter III , Mor Dionysius was chosen as the Malankara Metropolitan (local head).   By the end of the 19th century, the Malankara Church under the able leadership of Mor Dionysius, almost reestablished its lost glory.   The Old Seminary at Kottayam, which was for many decades under the European missionary influence, become a part of the Malankara Church through a verdict of the local court.   

In recognition of Mor Dionysius Joseph's able leadership, the Malankara Syrian community decided to honour him. A grand ceremony, with a procession through the town, was planned at Kottayam Old Seminary premises.  But unusually heavy downpour started a few days before the celebrations and the organizers feared about the outcome.  The atmosphere become very cloudy on the night before and there was every possibility for a heavy downpour on the celebration day.  But Parumala Thirumeni was so confident about the success of the celebrations and he was seen praying all the night.  Surprisingly there was no rain on that particular day (27th Nov,1901) & the function continued smoothly.  Many believe it as a miracle, happened through the prayers of Parumala Thirumeni.

Passion Week services at Paliakkara St.George church

Parumala Thirumeni celebrated the Passion week's ceremonies in 1902 at the Paliakkara, St. George Church. Mor Gregorios Bawa's health at that time was said to be very weak and he was very exhausted.  Many thought that something undesirable may happen soon.  Anyhow with God's grace, he completed the Holy Services of that Passion week.  The foundation stone of the proposed 'Syrian English School' (later MGM High School) at Thiruvalla was laid by Thirumeni during his stay there at that time.

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