A Journey To Jerusalem by Parumala Thirumeni

A Journey to Jerusalem by Parumala Thirumeni

THE TRANSFIGURATION PHILOSOPHY
Parumala Thirumeni is la saint who could effect a change in the people through his life land work. In Oorswlem Yathra Vivaranam his aim is to transform the minds of readers through his words. It was this principle of change which he used in literatures as the theory of transfiguration. And this theory evolved as a fruit of the way of life which he had shaped in spirituality through leading a full-dedicated life.

As far as an author is concerned, life is his message. The words and actions in life are a part of that message. That is the reason why the reader feels that the ‘new fire’ has been lit in his mind, while Thirumeni describes the experience of the “New Fire”.

The “New Fire” is something that originates at the sepulchre of the Lord , during the night of the Holy saturday . It is believed that this fire originates by itself .The author was a witness to people waiting for the “New Fire” to appear, eagerness, joy, singing, shouting and clapping of hands . He describes this waiting in an intimate language. At long last, as he stood with the new fire before the Holy sepulchre he had a rare sense of penitence, feeling of guilt and disturbance of mind, and this could also move the mind of readers.

The “New Fire” is a blessing for all people .Once Upon a time the authorities did not allow poor Christian approach the Holy Sepulchre for receiving the new fire .The Lords and the rich kept the poor at bay. At the time the “New Fire” came out opening the pillars at the door and reached the poor people . While the author narrates this incident, the travelogue becomes a living experience .Parumala Thirumeny who saw the cleft pillar, generates amazement in the mind of the readers as well.

Literacy critics are of the view that only a noble man can produce a sublime work of literature. Parumala thirumeni was a saint. It was a life which was slowly and silently shaped. For him works, actions land life were all one and the same.

It was Kochaippora alias Geevarghese who was born in the Pallathathu house of Chathuruthy family in Mulanthuruthy (Ernakulam District) on 15 June 1848 who later became “Parumala thirumeni”. He was given the official title “Geevarghese Mar Gregorios”, on his consecration as Metropolitan. However, this 29 year old Metropolitan who reached Parumala Seminary was called as “Parumala Kochu Thirumeni” by all.

Even though thirumeni stayed at Parumala as the Metropolitan of Niranam, his relationship with Niranam was very strong. The Niranam church was founded by St. Thomas, the Apostle of Christ and this Church was the “Cathedral” of the Diocese. The history of Niranam had augmented the genius of Parumala thirumeni. Poets have compared Niranam to heaven: “the great land of Niranam is later earth and heaven”. In those days Niranam was well known as the birth place of Kannassa Poets (14th century) and the seat of their teacher “Kapaleswara” of the Thrikkapleswara Temple.

Thirumeni was a great scholar in Syriac and taught Syriac language to the seminarians at Parumala. The Church at Parumala, (recently demolished and rebuilt) was founded by him.

Kandathil Varghese Mappilai, O.M.Cherian and Chitramezuthu K.M.Varghese had a close knowledge about the intellectual acumen of Parumala thirumeni.

O.M.Cherian writes about thirumeni thus:

“The name ‘Parumala Kochu Thirumeni’ is great and well known name in the Kerala Syrian Christian families. It is well known that this bishop during his lifetime had gained extraordinary stature in devotion, prayer life, concentration, concern for his community and self sacrifice. There has never been a great soul of this stature in modern times or historical times in Kerala, who has fascinated the people during his life time, and even after, in spiritual and Godly affairs”.