Dionysius of Vattasseril

Geevarghese Mar Dionysius of Vattasseril popularly known as Vattasseril Thirumeni (31 October 1858 – 23 February 1934) was a bishop of the Malankara Church and 15th Malankara Metropolitan. In 2003, the Church declared Mar Dionysius as a saint. He is known as 'The Great Luminary of Malankara Church' (Malayalam: Malankara Sabha Bhasuran), a title which the Church bestowed on him in recognition of his contribution to the Church.^[1]

Early life and education

Geevarghese was born in Vattasseril family, the fifth child of Joseph Vattasseril of

By 1880, Rev. Fr. Geevarghese had become an authority in the Syriac language, Canons of the Church, Church History, Faith and Doctrine, the Church Fathers, Patristics and Theology. In recognition of his expertise in Syriac and theology he was designated as Malankara Malpaan (a Doctor and Teacher of the Church).[3] In 1887, he was appointed the Syriac teacher at the Old Seminary. Malpan Fr. Geevarghese spent his spare time reading, studying, and thinking which translated to his many writings, such as the book Doctrines of the Church. He also used his scholarship to edit and publish the order of Church worship to be used by the laity as an aid for participation in worship. He wrote and published a book titled Syriac - Chapter I for students of the language. During this period, he also authored the book Doctrines of the Church(Mathopadeshasarangal) which remains one of the most authoritative and popular works describing Orthodox dogma and ecclesiastical traditions with thorough Scriptural explanations. In 1903, he translated the Holy Service book from Syriac to the local language Malayalam and published it with the blessings of the Church authorities.

Principal of M. D. Seminary School

In 1896, by the decision of Managing Committee of the Church, he was appointed as Principal of M. D. Seminary School, Kottayam. He served as the Principal for eight years, while teaching at the Old Seminary at the same time. His colleagues at the Seminary include the eminent Syriac scholar Rev. Fr. Mathen Malpan of Konat.

Bishopric

The Malankara Association meeting which convened at

On 26 November 1911, the Malankara Association convened at the Old Seminary and elected Geevarghese Dionysius as the successor to Malankara Metropolitan Dionysius V. The next year he assumed full office of Malankara Metropolitan following the demise of Dionysius V and served and led the Church in that capacity until his death in 1934 when he and the Church triumphed in establishing the official constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.[5]

Rift of the Malankara Syrian Church

By the early 1910s, there was a rift in the Malankara Church and the two factions emerged, with the Metropolitan faction (Later as

He was an outstanding orator who was well aware of the importance of the vitality and Christian persuasiveness of the Bible when delivering the speeches to the faithful. Prayers and fasting were the pillars of his spiritual foundation. In addition to the liturgical hours of prayer, he spent much time in private prayers and silent meditations behind closed doors. In spite of his busy schedule, he was also able to focus on three to four lessons from the Holy Bible every day. Despite of the many spiritual qualities he shared leadership qualities like domineering charisma and progressive mindedness. The church recognizes him as a living saint of his time on earth.^[2]

Mar Dionysius VI and his fellow clergies have played a central role in elevating the primate of Malankara Orthodox Church to the title

And I commit in each of you the responsibility to upkeep that institution which most of you along with myself truly believe to be indispensable for the survival, prosperity and progress of our Church, and which has been till now painstakingly guarded by all of us, namely the Catholicate.

Death

Dionysius VI experienced physical suffering on 13 February 1934, and suffered from paralysis on 16 February. Still, the Metropolitan had clear memory. On 21 February, Baselios Geevarghese II administered him the service of Anointing. Two days later, Dionysius VI died on 23 February 1934, and was buried the next day in the Chapel of Old Seminary, Kottayam, near the tombs of his predecessors.

In his speech that day, Baselios Geevarghese II said:

On this first Saturday of the Great Lent, on this day of remembrance of the global Malpan Mar Aprem, the great Malpan of Malankara has entered eternal rest. On this day of remembrance of the Martyr St Thevodoros who laid his life for our Lord, our Metropolitan, who is eligible to be called Confessor for suffering similar persecution for the Church, is being interred.

Canonization

Dionysius VI was exalted as a saint and confessor to the faithful. On the 69th feast day of Dionysius VI (24 February 2003), he was canonized by the Episcopal Synod of Malankara Orthodox Church headed by

• Samuel, Rev. Dr. V. C. (1986). Truth Triumphs: Life and Achievements of Metropolitan Mar Dionysius VI. M. O. C. Publishers, Kottayam, India.
• Cheeran, Rev. Dr. Joseph; Kottackal, K. V. Mammen; Pulikkottil, Adv. P. C. Mathew (February 2002) [2001]. വട്ടശ്ശേരിൽ തിരുമേനി: മലങ്കരസഭയുടെ കോട്ട (ജീവചരിത്രം) [Vattasseril Thirumeni: The Fortress of Malankara Church (Biography)] (PDF) (in Malayalam) (3rd ed.). Kottackal Publishers, Manganam, Kerala.
• Kochukoshy I. A. S., C. K. (February 2011) [1994]. ധീരോദാത്ത വിശുദ്ധൻ [The Saint with Exemplary Courage] (PDF) (in Malayalam) (2nd ed.). St. Dionysius Foundation, Kottayam, Kerala.
• Paret, Z. M. (1965). വട്ടശ്ശേരിൽ മാർ ദിവന്നാസ്യോസ് [Mar Dionyisus Vattasseril]. മലങ്കര നസ്രാണി (Malankara Nasraani) (in Malayalam). J. M. Chemmarappally, Kottayam.
• Paret, Z. M. (1965). നിത്യാക്ഷരങ്ങൾ [Eternal Letters]. മലങ്കര നസ്രാണി (Malankara Nasraani) (in Malayalam). J. M. Chemmarappally, Kottayam.
• Chandanappally, Dr. Samuel. വട്ടശ്ശേരിൽ മാർ ദിവന്നാസ്യോസ് [Mar Dionyisus Vattasseril]. മലങ്കരസഭാ പിതാക്കന്മാർ (Fathers of Malankara Church) (in Malayalam).

See also

• Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
• Mar Thoma I
• Mar Thoma II
• Mar Thoma III
• Mar Thoma IV
• Mar Thoma V
• Mar Thoma VI (Dionysius I)
• Mar Thoma VII
• Mar Thoma VIII
• Mar Thoma IX
• Dionysius II
• Dionysius III
• Dionysius IV
• Athanasius
• Dionysius V
• Baselios Geevarghese II

References