Geevarghese Ivanios facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ivanios Geevarghese Panikkervettil
First Metropolitan Archbishop of Trivandrum, Founder and First head of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church.
Church	Syro-Malankara Catholic Church
See	Syro-Malankara Catholic Major Archeparchy of Trivandrum
Enthroned	11 June 1932
Reign ended	15 July 1953
Predecessor	None (seat created)
Successor	Aboun Mor Benedict Gregorios Thangalathil OIC
Orders
Ordination	15 September 1908
Consecration	1 May 1925 by Baselios Geevarghese I
Personal details
Birth name	P. T Geevarghese
Born	(1882-09-21)21 September 1882 Mavelikkara, Kerala
Died	15 July 1953(1953-07-15) (aged 70) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Buried	Saint Mary's Malankara Syrian Catholic Cathedral Church, Pattom, Trivandrum
Nationality	India
Previous post	Metropolitan Archbishop of Bethany Ashram of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

Aboun Mor Ivanios Geevarghese Panikkervettil (born P. T. Geevarghese on September 21, 1882 – died July 15, 1953) was an important leader. He became the first Metropolitan Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. This church is based in Trivandrum, India.

He founded two religious groups: the Bethany Ashram for monks and the Bethany Madam for nuns. He was also the first person in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to earn a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. He worked as a school principal and a college professor. The Catholic Church is considering him for sainthood. He was declared a "Servant of God" in 2007 and "Venerable" in 2024.

Early Life and Education

P. T. Geevarghese was born in Mavelikkara, Kerala, India. His birthday was September 21, 1882. His parents were Thomas Panicker and Annamma Panicker.

His family, the Panickervettil family, was well-known in Mavelikkara. The rulers of Travancore had given them the special title of 'Mylitta Panicker'.

Geevarghese went to Protestant and government schools when he was young. In 1897, he attended M. D. Seminary High School in Kottayam. He then studied at Serampore College and Madras Christian College. He finished his high school studies in 1899.

Becoming a Deacon and Priest

On January 9, 1900, he became a deacon. A deacon is a church helper. He continued his studies at CMS College, Kottayam. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and Indian History.

In 1907, he earned his Master's Degree (M.A.) with high honors. After returning from college, he became the principal of his old high school. He worked to improve the Malankara Church. He started Bible study groups and was known as "Deacon of Sacraments."

He became a priest on September 15, 1908. He was known as M. A. Achan because he was the first priest with an M.A. degree. He helped the Malankara Church gain more independence. In 1912, the church split into two groups. Geevarghese belonged to the group led by Bishop Vatteseril Dionysius.

Teaching at Serampore College

In 1912, Geevarghese went to Calcutta with Bishop Dionysius for a meeting. There, he was asked to become a professor at Serampore College. He used this chance to help young people from Kerala get a good education. About 20 young people moved to Calcutta to study.

At Serampore, Geevarghese spent more time praying and thinking. He read about monasticism, which is a way of life focused on prayer and simple living. He also visited places like Sabarmati Ashram and Santiniketan. These visits gave him ideas about starting a group of missionaries in India.

His home in Serampore slowly became like a monastery. He and his followers began to live a religious life. They followed rules similar to those of St. Basil, but adapted for Indian culture. He decided to dedicate his life to this path and left his job at Serampore College.

Founding the Bethany Ashram

After leaving Serampore, Geevarghese looked for a place to start his ashram. An old friend gave him 100 acres of land in Ranni-Perunadu, Kerala. The land was wild and overgrown.

Geevarghese and his followers built a small hut from branches and bamboo. This became the first ashram in Malankara on August 15, 1919. He prayed for a name and opened the Bible, finding the word "Bethany." He felt this name was perfect for a place of prayer and action.

The Bethany Ashram became a special place for spiritual experiences. Geevarghese gave talks and led retreats there. He also wanted the ashram to help the poor. He started a home for orphans alongside the ashram.

Geevarghese also wanted to help Syrian Christian women get an education. In 1925, he founded the Bethany Madom. This was a convent for women who wanted to live a religious life.

Becoming a Bishop

The Malankara Synod decided that Geevarghese should become a bishop. On May 1, 1925, he was ordained as a bishop of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. He was given the name Geevarghese Ivanios.

Joining the Catholic Church

On September 20, 1930, Geevarghese and some others joined the Catholic Church. They made their Catholic profession of faith to Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger. Many members of the Bethany orders also joined the Catholic Church. This event led to the creation of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

Establishing the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church

In 1932, Geevarghese traveled to Rome and met Pope Pius XI. He also attended a large church meeting in Dublin, Ireland. There, he met G.K. Chesterton, a famous writer. Chesterton noted how Geevarghese had brought people to the Roman Communion.

When he returned from Rome, Geevarghese worked to build up the Malankara Christian Community within the Catholic Church. On June 11, 1932, Pope Pius XI officially established the Syro-Malankara Catholic hierarchy.

Growing the Church and Helping Society

Geevarghese sent missionaries to many places. Priests from different Malankara groups joined the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. He also welcomed missionaries from the Syro Malabar Church. Joseph Kuzhinjalil, who founded the Daughters of Mary, was one such missionary.

Under Geevarghese's leadership, about 75 priests joined from various Malankara Church groups. Around 150 churches and mission stations were started. Many Hindus, especially from the Nadar community in Kanyakumari, also joined the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

Geevarghese also helped society by establishing about 50 schools. He also founded a college called Mar Ivanios College. He met important people like U.S. President Harry S Truman, King George V of the United Kingdom, and George Bernard Shaw.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1951, the Silver Jubilee of Geevarghese's ordination as a bishop was celebrated. Pope Pius XII sent him a letter remembering his work for unity.

Geevarghese passed away on July 15, 1953. He was buried at Saint Mary's Cathedral, Pattom, Trivandrum.

Path to Sainthood

Geevarghese was declared a "Servant of God" on July 14, 2007. This is the first step towards becoming a saint. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis made this announcement at Saint Mary's Malankara Syrian Catholic Cathedral in Trivandrum.

On March 14, 2024, Pope Francis approved Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Ivanios's heroic virtues. This means he was declared "Venerable," another step on the path to sainthood.

See also

• Malankara Catholic Youth Movement

Images for kids

• 

  Benziger (front left) with other Indian bishops, on the far right Mar Ivanios