About Parumala Perunnal
Parumala Perunnal is the memorial feast of St Gregorios of Parumala, the Malankara Orthodox bishop known as Parumala Thirumeni, who died on 2 November 1902 and was declared a saint in 1947. Pilgrims gather at his tomb in Parumala church, on the Pampa river in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, on 1 and 2 November. In 2026 the main feast day falls on Monday, 2 November 2026.
Who was Parumala Thirumeni?
Parumala Thirumeni is the name Kerala Christians use for St Gregorios of Parumala, a bishop of the Malankara Syrian church who lived from 1848 to 1902. He was born Geevarghese, called Kochaippora at home, on 15 June 1848 at Mulanthuruthy near Ernakulam. He was made a reader-deacon at the age of ten and a priest in his teens.
In December 1876, at only 28, he was consecrated a metropolitan, one of six bishops raised together, and the youngest of them. That is why people still call him Kochu Thirumeni, the young bishop. He took charge of the Niranam diocese and later Thumpamon and Kollam.
His work was practical as much as spiritual. He pushed his parishes to open schools, including St Thomas School at Mulanthuruthy and the Syrian English School at Thiruvalla, trained priests at the seminary he built at Parumala, and reached out to communities the church had ignored. After a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1895 he published *Oorslem Yathra Vivaranam*, which the Malankara Orthodox Church describes as the earliest printed travelogue in Malayalam. He died at Parumala on 2 November 1902, and thousands came to his funeral the next day.
- 15 Jun 1848Born
At Mulanthuruthy, to Kochu Mathai and Mariam.
- 10 Dec 1876Consecrated metropolitan
At 28, the youngest of six new bishops.
- 1895Parumala church and Jerusalem
He builds the church at Parumala and travels to the Holy Land.
- 2 Nov 1902Dies at Parumala
His tomb becomes a place of prayer almost at once.
- 2 Nov 1947Declared a saint
By Catholicos Baselios Geevarghese II of the Malankara Orthodox Church.
- 20 Oct 1987Recognised by the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch
Making him a saint for both branches of the Malankara church.
Why is Parumala Perunnal on 2 November?
Parumala Perunnal is on 2 November because it is the anniversary of his death in 1902. In the Eastern churches a saint's feast is usually kept on the day of their death, their "birth into heaven", and the feast is called an ormaperunnal, a memorial feast. Services at Parumala run across 1 and 2 November.
The date matters in Kerala for another reason: the two feast days share the calendar with Kerala Piravi, the state's formation day on 1 November, and with All Souls' Day, which Catholics keep on 2 November.
How is Parumala Perunnal observed?
Parumala Perunnal is observed with prayer at the saint's tomb in the church of St Peter and St Paul at Parumala, an island village on the Pampa river about 7 km from Thiruvalla and 10 km from Chengannur. The present church, designed by the architect Charles Correa, is a round building about 39 metres across that seats more than 2,000 people. Mar Gregorios founded the original church here in 1895.
In the days before the feast, many pilgrims walk to Parumala from parishes across central Kerala, praying on the way. At the church, people pray and light candles at the tomb, make offerings called nercha in thanks for prayers answered, and attend the Holy Qurbana and evening prayers led by the church's bishops.
Visitors are not only Orthodox. The Malankara Orthodox Church says Parumala became a pilgrimage centre because of the answered prayers people attribute to his intercession, and Christians of other churches, as well as people of other faiths, come to pray at the tomb. Orthodox parishes in the Gulf, the United States and elsewhere hold their own services for the feast.
What to write for Parumala Perunnal
A Parumala Perunnal message is closest in spirit to a prayer. Ask for his intercession, remember the family's own ties to Parumala, and wish pilgrims a safe walk.
Blessed Parumala Perunnal, Appa and Amma. Light a candle for me at the kabar. May Kochu Thirumeni's prayers keep our family safe.
Safe journey on the padayatra. Rest when you need to, and remember me in your prayers when you reach the church.
Wishing you and your family a blessed Parumala Perunnal. Hope you get to be home for the Qurbana.
Perunnal ashamsakal from home. The church is full, the candles are lit, and Ammachi says she prayed for all of you by name.
On Parumala Perunnal I'm praying for you. So many people have found comfort at his tomb. May you find it too.
- Perunnal
- A feast day in the Malayalam usage of Kerala's Syrian Christians.
- Ormaperunnal
- A memorial feast marking a saint's death anniversary.
- Thirumeni
- A respectful title for a bishop in the Syrian churches of Kerala.
- Kochu Thirumeni
- "Young bishop", a name for St Gregorios, consecrated at 28.
- Kabar
- The tomb of a saint or bishop in a church.
- Nercha
- A thanksgiving offering made at a church, often food or candles.
- Qurbana
- The Holy Eucharist, the central service of the Syrian churches.
- Ashamsakal
- Malayalam for "greetings" or "wishes".
- Padayatra
- A pilgrimage made on foot.
Do
- Wish Orthodox and Jacobite friends a "blessed" perunnal; it is a church feast.
- Mention Parumala, the Qurbana or prayers if you know the family goes.
- Keep it simple for colleagues: "Wishing you a blessed Parumala Perunnal" is enough.
Avoid
- Don't assume every Kerala Christian keeps this feast; Catholics, Mar Thoma and other churches have their own calendars.
- Avoid jokes about saints or answered prayers.
How to wish someone on Parumala Perunnal
A good Parumala Perunnal message is a blessing and a prayer, not a party greeting. For Orthodox and Jacobite Syrian Christian friends, wish them a blessed perunnal and ask for Parumala Thirumeni's intercession. For someone making the pilgrimage, wish them a safe journey. Keep the tone warm and devout, and don't assume every Kerala Christian belongs to this church.
Write a few lines in your own words, pick a design and share it as one link on WhatsApp, Instagram or anywhere else. They open an animated card made just for them, with no app and no sign-up.
Language tip: English, Hindi + regional language.
When is Parumala Perunnal in 2026 and 2027?
Parumala Perunnal is on 2 Nov every year. Only the weekday changes.
- 2026
- 2027
Frequently asked questions
When is Parumala Perunnal in 2026?
Parumala Perunnal 2026 falls on Monday, 2 November 2026.
Who is Parumala Thirumeni?
Parumala Thirumeni is St Gregorios of Parumala, born Geevarghese in 1848 at Mulanthuruthy, Kerala. He became a metropolitan of the Malankara church at 28, died at Parumala on 2 November 1902, and was declared a saint in 1947.
Why is Gregorios of Parumala called Kochu Thirumeni?
Gregorios of Parumala is called Kochu Thirumeni, meaning "young bishop", because he was consecrated a metropolitan in 1876 at the age of 28, the youngest of the six bishops raised at that time.
Who declared Parumala Thirumeni a saint?
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church declared Gregorios of Parumala a saint on 2 November 1947, under Catholicos Baselios Geevarghese II. The Syriac Orthodox Patriarch recognised his sainthood on 20 October 1987.
Where is Parumala church?
Parumala church, the church of St Peter and St Paul, stands on Parumala island in the Pampa river in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, about 7 km from Thiruvalla. It holds the tomb of St Gregorios and was rebuilt to a circular design by the architect Charles Correa.
Can people of other faiths visit Parumala church?
People of other churches and faiths do visit Parumala church, especially around the perunnal in early November. Many come to pray at the tomb of St Gregorios, whose intercession devotees credit with answered prayers.
Last verified by the Kehdoo team on .