Basic doctrines of the church : true translation of Matopadesha sarangal

2006·5.4 MB·English

by  Geevarghese Mar Dionysius, Saint, Metropolitan of Malankara, 1858-1934

Vattasseril Geevarghese Malpan
(Saint Geevarghese Mar Dionysius)
BASIC DOCTRINES
OFTHE CHURCH
(Matopadesha Sarangal)
. * ♦

BASIC DOCTRINES
OF THE CHURCH
(True Translation ofMA TOP A DESHA SARANGAL)
Vattasseril Geevarghese Malpan
(Saint Geevarghese Mar Dionysius)
Translated with an introduction by
Metropolitan Dr. Yakob Mar Irenaios
MOC Publications
Devalokain, Kottayam
Basic Doctrines of the Church (English)
(True Translation ofMatopadesha Sarangal)
By: Vattasseril Geevarghese Malpan
Translated with an introduction by
Metrop. lit an Dr. Yakoh Mar Irenaios
All rights Reserved
First Published: December 2006
Copies: 2000
Published by:
MOC Publications
Devalokam, Kottayam.
Phone: [phone]
Layout: St.George Graphics, Ktm.
Cove design & Pnnting Wild Thoughts, Kottayam-1
Rs. 50/-
ISBN- 81-86631-69-0
Dedicated to
the inspiring memory of two martyrs of the
Malankara Orthodox Church
SRI. VARKEY VARGHESE ASAN
(An a pappy)
The personal security to Malankara Sabha Bhasuran.
Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius. He was fatally attacked
on the banks of River Meenachil that winds its way about the Old
Seminary campus, by thugs planted by the enemies of the
Metropolitan, on 30th March 1912 and he succumbed to injuries
the following day. The mortal remains of this brave soldier of the
Church lie burned at St.Mary’s Puthenpally, Kottayam.
SRI. T. M. VARGHESE
(Malankara Varghese)
An ardent defender of the Malankara Orthodox Church, who
was attacked with deadly weapons on the public road by the sworn
opponents of the Church, and died within a short time. His mortal
remains are interred in the cemetry of the Bethel Suloko Church,
Perumbavoor.
These matchlessly brave sons of the Malankara Church sacri¬
ficed their lives on the altar of the freedom of the Church, which they
held dearer than their lives. The Church is proud of their lives and
sacrifice, and fondly cherishes their memory! May the Lord reward
them for their selfless services and sacrifice. The Church shall not
rest till she fulfills the dream that they nursed and died for, to keep
the detractors of the freedom of this Church at bay and hold the
dignity and banner of its autocephaly sky-high!
May their precious lives continue to inspire us!
Contents
1. Message from His Holiness the Catholicos.5
2. Publishers’ Note.9
3. Vattasseril Mar Dionysius-Life History at a Glance .... 11
4. Introduction. 15
5. Text with Foot notes 31
Message from His Holiness the Catholicos
Blessings to the members of the M.O.C. Publications Committee
and all those who are involved in the publication of the English
translation of Matopadesha SarangaV.
‘
Beloved of the Lord,
As you all know, the late lamented Malankara Metropolitan
Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dionysius is the chief architect of
the autocephaly and independence of the Malankara Orthodox
Church. Thirumeni strove tirelessly to uphold the right of the church
of St Thomas in India for self-governance and heroically resisted
all attempts to shackle that freedom, even at the risk of his own
life. His single-minded devotion to the cause of defending the
freedom and honour of the church earned him the title *Sabha
Bltasuran ’ (illuminator of the church), an appellation that has
never been given to anyone before or after. In recognition of his
intensely pious life, the Holy Episcopal Synod canonised him as
Saint of the Church in 2003. Despite his pressing preoccupations
such as teaching in the Seminary and conducting unending court
cases to uphold truth and independence of the church, he found
time to write books for teaching the faithful of the church the basic
tenets of the Orthodox Christian faith. ‘Matopadesha SarangaV
is undoubtedly his magnum opus. The book was written more
than a century ago when our common people did not know much
about the theological positions of our church.
We are indeed happy that M.O.C. Publications is bringing
out an English translation of this classic work, particularly for the
instruction of the younger generation of the day who are not familiar
with the nuances of Malayalam. We place on record our great
appreciation to all who are associated with the production of
‘Matopadesha SarangaV in Malayalam, particularly His Grace
Dr Yakob Mar Irenaios, our scholarly Metropolitan-brother who
undertook the strenuous task of translation.
May the prayers and blessings of St Dionysius be with us all.
Baselios Marthoma Didymus I
Catholicos of the East & Malankara Metropolitan
Catholicate Aramana, Devalokam
November 30, 2006

AND IN SACRED MEMORY OF
HIS GRACE THE MOST REV.
GEEVARGHESE MAR DIONYSIUS
METROPOLITAN OF M ALAN KARA
1908-1934
BORN IN VATTASSERY FAMILY AT MALL APPALLY
ON OCT. 31,1858
ORDAINED DEACON BY H.H. PATRIARCH PETER III
ON OCT 12,1876
PRIEST BY H.G MAR GREGORIUS OFPARUMALA
ON .IAN. 18. 1880
CREATED M ALPAN OF M ALANK ARA B Y
H.H. PATRIARCH PETER III IN 1881
PROFESSED REMBAN BY H.G MAR DIONYSIUS
ON NOV. 1 1903
CONSECREATED METROPOLITAN AT JERUSALEM
ON MAY 31, 1908.
ONSET. 15,1912. HE EFFECTED IN INDIA
THE RESTORATION OF THE CATHOLICATE OFTHE EAST
THROUGII H.H. PATR1 ARCH ABDULMESSIA1 1II
ENTERED ETERN AL REST ON FEB. 23.1934.