Our Lord has risen! Indeed, He has risen!
Greetings to all in Christ. +++
Recently, I had the chance to spent a day and night at Mar Baselios Dayara* (Mount Hermon), Njaliakuzhy and a day at Mar Kuriakose Dayara, Pampady in Kottayam, Kerala with some MGOCSM** students of Christ University, Bangalore .
Geevarghese Mar Ivanios of blessed memory, former Metropolitan of the Diocese of Kottayam founded Mar Baselios Dayara as his monastic abode where he spent most of his time in prayer and learning. Thirumeni nurtured the lives of all living beings who shared their lives and time in his abode, spiritually and physically.
Born in a protestant family, Thirumeni*** embraced Orthodoxy inspired by the Orthodox life and prayers introduced to him by his aunt who he visited in his childhood. Mar Ivanios' knowledge and wisdom went into vast depths which gave meaning to silence and simplicity, his signature style. A man of unceasing prayer, Mar Ivanios was saved from his deathbed and won a battle with cancer in his young age by the intercession of Kuriakose Mar Gregorios who is entombed at Mar Kuriakose Dayara, Pampady. Mar Ivanios' intercessions also yielded miracles in his earthly life. Thirumeni transformed to be an epitome of Orthodoxy, a beacon to Christian life, an inspiration and hope to many.
Mount Hermon, where this servant of God is entombed, continues to nurture those who seek their path to God and to fill their meditative energy from its aura. The monastery follows all the canonical hours of prayer according to the Orthodox tradition. The chants of Jesus prayer and Kyrie-laison**** brings everyone together, focusing their mind, body and spirit into one purpose, ask for His mercy.
Currently, Fr. George Philip is the Abbot of the monastery. In the other hours, the members of the community spend their time looking after the agriculture, the surroundings of the monastery and other duties. One can stay there for a certain time and take part in the community life of Mar Baselios Dayara by contacting the office and informing beforehand, individually or as a group.
I highly recommend a visit there to spend time in silence and contemplation. It will be a unique experience to many especially when one sees that prayer and meditation here goes beyond the track of time and lives inside those who follow the Orthodox life.
A silent powerhouse. We strongly felt the presence and intercession of our Mar Ivanios. Every beautiful thing there speaks of him and his strong faith. This is the closest place to an (or the only) Orthodox Monastery I've felt we have in Kerala. It has also been a nurturing ground from where quite a number of priests have come forward in our Church fulfilling responsibilities in different levels in our community as Thirumeni's disciples. It was good to meet a part of Christ MGOCSM. I appreciate them to have taken some time to visit Mar Baselios Dayara, Njaliakuzhy and Mar Kuriakose Dayara, Pampady in between holidays and internships.
Perhaps another time, I would like to share something about Mar Kuriakose Dayara, Pampady and its founder, Kuriakose Mar Gregorios of blessed memory, an undeclared Saint of Malankara.
* Dayara - Monastery (Origin : Syriac).
** MGOCSM - Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement (1908), students movement of the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Syrian Church
*** Thirumeni - In this context, a title used to address bishops in Kerala among Orthodox/Jacobite/Marthoma communities.
**** Kyrie-laison - Lord, have mercy upon us (Origin : Greek).
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