VETTIKKAL DIYARA

After Reconstruction
 

Vettikal Diyara which was five Kilometers away from Mulunthuruty as his abode where he could live the Monastric life of abstinence, decipline and devotion, unhindered.

Mulunthuruty church had established a chapel at Vettical, and services were conducted only occasionally at the chapel. It was this neglected place, which Geevaghese Cor Episcopa choosed as his hermitage, shifting his residence from Mulunthuruty church.
Vetticcal chapel got a new lease of life with the arrival of the monk priest Geevarghese. People living in and around Vettical were immensely impressed by the very strict ascetic discipline of the Cor Episcopa. 

Every day quite a number of people used to visit him and seek his advice and guidance in various matters. The presence of the monk at Vettical was a great inspiration to the people around. The name and fame of the young hermit was fast spreading around the place. So much so that before long Vettical chapel became a place of pilgrimage. A few aspirants for seminary training joined the Cor Episcopa at Vettical. 

The first half of the 19th century was significant in many ways for the Malankara church.
The then Malankara Metropolitan Palakunneth Mathews Mar Athantaious has consciously started spreading “ reformist” teaching in the church, and this move met with stiff resistance from the people. In this difficult situation the church leaders sent Fr.Joseph Pulikkottil to the Syrian Patricia at Mardin (This Place was the part  of then Turkish Kingdom ) to get him consecrated as bishop.

Fr. Joseph was consecrated as Pulikkottil Joseph Mar Dinitios by the Syrian Patrichah Yakkob II. The new bishop reached Malankara in 1865 and began the endeavor to save the church from the heterodox teachings of Mar Athanasious.  At the age of 24, on 7th April 1872, Geevargheese Cor Episcopa was ordained as Ramban by H. G.Pulikoottil Joseph Mar Diontious.

Palakunnathu Mathews Mar Athanasius was going ahead with his “reformist” ideas. The people who resisted his heterodox movement joined Pulikottil Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan. At this time in order to defeat the “reformist” designs of Mathews Mar Athanasius, Syrian Patriarch Peter III visited Kerala in 1875. He was accorded a warm welcome in Malankara.  He visited many churches in Kerala, including the famous Mulanthurithy Church. During this time Ramban Geevarghese came into close contact with the Syrian patriarch.
 

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