In the Indian Orthodox religion, Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios is the patron saint. He was born in Kerala as Kochu Ipeora Gheevarghese to Mathai and Mariam Gheevarghese on June 15, 1848. As a young child, Ipeora was taught by a man named Malpan. On September 14, 1859, Ipeora was ordained as a deacon. Soon afterwards,

Malpan became sick with smallpox. Throughout the Malpan's sickness and death, Deacon Gheevarghese stayed with him. He soon became sick and during his illness, Ipeora saw a vision of Mary, the Mother of God, coming down to him to comfort him. She told him to dedicate the rest of his life to the Lord. Soon after this experience, the deacon recovered. In 1865, the Deacon Gheevarghese was ordained as a priest at the age of 18. In 1872, Joseph Mar Dionysios raised the priest to ramban. A few years later, on December 10, 1876, Patriarch Peter III raised Gheevarhgese Ramban to the highest order, Bishop. He was now officially, Bishop Gregorios or Mar Gregorios. Because he was such a young Bishop, only being 28, he was often referred to as "Kochu Thirumeni." Mar Gregorios was appointed to the Niranam Diocese as metropolitan. he was finally bedridden. On November 12, 1902, Mar Gregorios received the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for the very last time. Around midnight of the same day, Mar Gregorios cried out, "My Lord!" three times and returned to his creator. In 1947, on the 45th anniversary of Mar Gregorios' death, the Holy Episcopal Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church declared Gheevarghese Mar Gregorios, called Parumala Thirumeni by his faithful followers, their first Saint.

Quotes from Mar Gregorios

"Be rich in love of man and love of God. Brothers should never cheat each other. When you move away from unity you are sure to move away from God". "Forgiveness is strength. It gives a person a good name. It is the distinguishing feature of righteous people ". "Prayer is the inspiration of childhood, the refuge of youth and peace during old age". Mar Gregorious was a visionary and was instrumental in setting up many educational institutions which are till date serving the society at large. The Syrian English School (present 'MGM Higher Secondary School') at Thiruvalla, was a dream of Parumala Thirumeni. He was also keen to preach gospel among the lower castes. He was a social reformer who very well understood the social stigma that could arise towards the lower caste people who were baptized. He was of the opinion that they should be given exclusive churches at first and later, mingling should happen. He also wished to provide education to the poor and downtrodden.

Born on 2nd October, 1924 at Pathamuttom, a village in Kottayam District of Kerala State, India of the parents Kurien Mariam of Kayyalath family, he was called Punnoose. School Education started at the local village school was completed from the nearby English Medium School. B.A. and M.A. History were obtained from D.N. Jain

College and Mahakoshal Mahavidhyalaya, Jabulpur. Theological education started at Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur was completed in U.S.A., acquiring B.D. from General Theological Seminary, New York and S.T.M. from Berkley Divinity School, New Haven. Educational career was crowned with Ph.D. (Honoris Causa) from the General Theological Seminary.

The influence of his spiritual mentor V.Rev.M.C. Kuriakose Ramban resulted in the ordination of Punnoose as a celebate priest at the age of 23 in 1947 from the illustrious Catholicose Baselious Geevarghese II. The important churches served by him as vicar are St. George, Jabalpur, St. Marys Dadar and Churches in Baharin, Doha, Abudabi, Dubai and finally Bhilai. The real turning point in his life was in 1952 on completion of 25 years of parish work when he voluntarily assumed the responsibility of full time missionary work as the Director of St. Thomas Mission, Bhilai.

Fr. Punnoose was elevated to the exalted position of a Bishop in 1975 as Stephanos Mar Theodosius and given the charge of of Madras Diocense in 1979 and his untiring efforts led Calcutta Diocese from glory through out his stewardship. He was called to eternal rest on 5th Nov. 07 at Muscat while visiting his flock. Mar Theodosius was a man of varied interests. H.G. will be remembered for his excellent educational institutions including an Engg. College, an Arts and Science College, a B.Ed. College, 26 Schools, most of them at the Secondary and Higher Sec. levels apart from a large number of Balavadis in villages.

Mar Theodosius had a wholistic concept of Mission. He saw mission as the development of the whole man or village, the physical, the spiritual, the economic and the social developments. The village mission activities started and developed by H.G. are now copied by many. Mar Theodosius was a visionary Bishop. His call had been for selfless service for the sake of the poor, illiterate and marginalised millions of India. It fell on many deaf ears in his life time. The joy of this soul will know no bounds if some children of the Orthodox Church decide to walk in his footprints.