Archdeacon George of the Cross

Archdeacon George (Geevarghese) of the cross was the son of the elder brother of Archdeacon Geevarghese of Christ. By the last year of Bishop Mar Abraham, he became the Archdeacon. After the death of Persian Bishop Mar Abraham in 1597, he led the Indian Church. He led the church amidst Portuguese intervention. The synod of Diamper 1599 was held during his time. In 1601 Francis Roz became Bishop appointed by Menezis of Goa. In the beginning there was cordiality. But the deliberate downgradation of Angamaly and the inertia of Bishop Roz frustrated him. When the Archdeacon protested, Roz ex-communicated him. In 1615 Bishop and Archdeacon reconciled each other, but again fell out later. The next Bishop Britto also did not recognize the Archdeacon's ecclesiastical status. He led the church in a period of severe stress turmoil. He led the church in a period of severe stress and held it together. After his time and his brother's time the root family of Pakalomattam became heirless. The only son shifted residence to Alappatt house. He is believed to have been buried in the forefront of Pakalomattam Thravadu (Kuravilangadu).[1]

Synod of Diamper

In 1597, Mar Abraham, the last metropolitan archbishop appointed by the Chaldean Patriarch, died. His Archdeacon, George (of the Cross) according to the custom and by virtue of appointment of Mar Abraham, took up the administration of the Archdiocese of Angamale. Menezes hastened to nominate Fr. Francis Ros SJ as Administrator. At last, since the Archdeacon George (of the Cross) was well accepted by the people, Menezes had unwillingly reversed his decision and confirmed the Archdeacon as Administrator. Archdeacon called together an assembly of the Saint Thomas Christians at Angamali, in which a solemn oath was taken that they would act only according to the wishes of Archdeacon, and that if the Pope sent them as their Bishop, not their Archdeacon, but a Latin, that they would plead their case with Rome.[2]

Menezes undertook a visit to all the Churches of Saint Thomas Christians in February 1599, which lasted for few months and slowly earned the good will of people. After having won over a considerable number of people and priests, Menezes threatened to depose Archdeacon, George (of the Cross) and appoint in his place Thomas Kurian, another nephew of former Archdeacon whose claims had been ignored in 1593. In order to prevent a division, Archdeacon, George (of the Cross) yielded to the demands of Menezes.[2]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "PAKALOMATTAM AYROOKUZHIYIL - Ancient Christian family from Kerala , India spread all over the world .Malayali Brahmin Nampoothiri Royal Tharakan Syria Syrian Christians Suriyani Arattupuzha Arapurakal Kulathumkal Kadavana Kurudamannil Vadakkanethu". Ayrookuzhiyil.bravepages.com. Retrieved 2012-07-26.
  2. 1 2 CHAI, Volume II, History of Christianity in India p-70-75
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