A Seminar Paper on Paulos Mar Gregorios

Submitted to: Rev. Sunny.P

Submitted by: George John

Introduction: Bishop Paulos Mar Gregorios, who shepherded the Delhi Diocese, as metropolitan, for over two decades,
was a larger- than- life-figure; he demonstrated Christian love for all of humanity. He was gifted with a penetrating
intelligence and remarkable clarity of mind. He is known for his unusual versatility and profound social sensitivity. A
leading theologian of the Orthodox churches of the world, he was well known in the mainstream churches all over the
world. He had worked with Martin Luther king Jr, during the Civil rights movement in America. His former name was Fr
Paul Varghese, he was an ecumenist. He was a sensible philosopher, inspiring preacher, profound educationalist, effective
teacher, prolific writer and dynamic social activist.

Here I would like to look on to the biography, his teachings and some of his views.

Biographical Sketch: Gregorios was born on August 9, 1922 at Thripunithura, in a traditional family of practicing
Christians, to T P. Paiely and Aley. The multi- linguist, Paul Varghese started his career as a free lance journalist. His
keenness to help the poor suppressed and exploited workers found him hand- in- hand with trade union activities. The
returning point in his life came five years later, quite by an accident of circumstances. He took up a job as a teacher in
Ethiopia. As a teacher in Ethiopia, he imbibed the rich culture of the Ethiopian people, mastering Amharic their ancient and
official language. The Ethiopian emperor, H. H. Haile Sellassi, learned about his capabilities and enthusiasm and soon took
him under his wings. After his master degree in theology from Oklahoma University in 1954, he worked as a director of a
fellowship house in Alwaye and a visiting professor of Union Christian College, Alwaye. In 1955, he joined the faculty of
Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam. He also served as the general secretary of Orthodox Students Christian
Movement. In 1961 he was ordained as Fr. Paul Varghese by the Catholicos, the supreme head of the church. He did his
doctoral studies in oxford and Germany and received his doctorate in theology from Serampore University in Calcutta. 1
Contribution: Paulos Mar Gregorios was a prolific writer. These are his main writings: Love’s Freedom ( a spiritual
autobiography), A Human God, The Cosmic man, Freedom and authority, Be Still and Know, The Human Presence, The
Gospel of the Kingdom, A Light too Bright, The Freedom of the Man, The meaning of Diakonia.
Summary of His Teachings:
Man: Man cannot be Man if he does not identity with the whole of mankind and this is the new humanity in Jesus Christ,
says Gregorios. Jesus effects salvation for all men whether one believe in him or not. He advocated a cosmic Christology.
Jesus is the cosmic man. He was influenced by Gregory of Nyssa. For Gregory of Nyssa, Man in Christ is cosmic man and
Man is mankind, so also man is free. Theosis is the ultimate Goal. It is the liberation often whole cosmos. He states that the
understanding about enlightenment is seen even in Buddhism that is in Indian tradition, so the enlightenment and humanism
are not western alone.2
Church: Church is like a tree planted on earth. The seed is Christ and the planting is of the lord. Church should be
indigenized. For him, Christian religion is universal and Christ is the center of all religion. His incarnation, life, teaching and
resurrection are the center of all religion. The three authorities are: bible, traditions i.e. the worship and service of early
Christians, and teachings of church fathers. 3 About theology Paulos Mar Gregarious said “I know that theology is not
‘divinity’. To me it is very human, and full of the contradictions of being human. Especially when it is one individual
theology, coming from the academic desk top rooted in the life experience of worshipping and serving communities.
Theological task is not always edifying. Sometimes by trivializing the Truth, Theology can be counterproductive for
spiritual growth”. The church is understood by Gregarious as the ‘Pleroma of Christ’. He states that, “After the resurrection
and Pentecost, the house of God is the abode of the holy trinity on earth, in history. It is Christ’s body, the church, in which
Christians lived. But as it is Christ’s body, Christ lives in it. We know that it was constituted by the Holy Spirit as they came
on the day of Pentecost and abode on the disciples”.4

1
www.angelfir.com/gregorios_muscat/BishopPaulose.html
2
M.Stephen, New Trends in Christian Theology (New Delhi: Serials Publications,2009),101.
3
M. Stephen, Bharatheeya Christhava Darsanam (Kottayam: Royal Graphics, 1999),77.
4
Op.Cit., 101.
1
 About Jesus Christ, he said that “God remains beyond our comprehension, but god has come to us in human form –
a divine a human person with whom we can deal better. That person, Jesus Christ, cannot be merely and instrumentality for
our salvation. Christ remains God while being Human. This too is beyond our conceptual or logical comprehension. In
Christ we are seized by God’s incarnate love and in union with Christ, we respond to God in faith and gratitude. Along with
orthodox thinking Paulos Mar Gregarious believe that the two natures Christology is not authentic tradition. This does mean
that he holds Monophysitic view that is the human nature of Jesus is subsumed in the divine. 5
Personal Encounters: V.R. Krishna Iyer, one of the former justices of Supreme Court wrote that “Paulos Mar Gregorios is
for me a great soul, an intimate friend, a cultural wonder and global wanderer with a head and heart full of spiritual ware
and moral corals. I had known him for long and what brought me closer to him is the crimson spirituality whereby socialism
meets with humanism and both blend with the Supreme Light. Moreover, Mar Gregorios is a world traveler who confronts
ideologies and challenging changes in the West and East.6
Mar Gregorios’s friend Cherian Eapen, a former social activist and trade union leader says: “Mar Gregorios taught
the people of India that they should learn from the Enlightenment liberalism, imperialist pragmatism, and socialist
humanism” while avoiding the down-side of these philosophies. He thought, said Cherian, that India should learn from
“Western Europe, the United states, and the Socialist countries, but with a critical mind. India should have an identity of her
own, independent of these three, but in collaboration and interaction with them, and should at the same time develop self-
respect for her own traditions, philosophy, and the arts.7
Challenges: He was an untiring champion of peace and justice. He was the first religious personality of stature of India,
who started participating in the peace movement. He was also a constructive analyst who was active in the campaign to get
rid of the nuclear weapons from the world. It was this anti- nuclear campaign that earned him the name “The Red bishop”
from the western media. 8 His vision about the Cosmic Christology challenges the people. He was a spiritual father and a
compassionate friend of the poor. He was deeply sensitive for an urgent response of human suffering and multi faceted
poverty. The orphanage for the boys at Thalakod in Kerala, his role in the Vietnam War is just modest examples. 9 Mar
Gregorios’ vision of unity in the midst of diversity was controversial, but even after his passing away continues to inspire
and lead others towards greater understanding. He has a vision of the dynamic and dialectical aspects of the rapid gush of
modern social values. His guidance is of great importance not merely to Christians or Indians but to the entire world.
Assured Values through His teachings: He had an over wakeful luminous mind. The locus of his vision was the kingdom
of God, and the basis of his theology was the Christian affirmation of the union of God and humanity in Christ, perfect
union of divinity and humanity without confusion and separation. “Gregarious envisioned a society that held robust
Christian social values, rooted in faith in God, love and altruism, devoid of selfishness and monitory motives.” 10 He
cherished freedom for others. He considered Man’s freedom and values should be the same pattern otherwise it will create
corruption and violence.
Evaluation:
The ongoing contribution of Paulos Mar Gregorios, reflected in his writings and work. Probably his most substantial gift
was one of Vision and foresight “the life and vision of Paulos Mar Gregorios are excellent examples of the boundless love
of God.” The bishop practiced what he preached. Having lived in the Christian tradition of half a life time, he set about
studying other faiths. A great teacher appears once in a while. Several centuries may pass by without the advent of such a
one. That by which he is known is his life. He first lives and then tells others how they, man live like wise, such a teacher
was Paulos Mar Gregorios.
Conclusion:
Gregarious, the gifted many facets of the life and work of H.G. Dr. Paulos Mar Gregarious points to the many versatility of
his interest and range of his contribution. He was an outstanding and renowned theologian, a simulative thinker, a powerful
author. He was a loving shepherd, a spiritual father and a lucid teacher of the holy Bible. Dr. Paulos Mar Gregarious, who
lived true to his name, lived a full life, a lifelong commitment to knowledge, a life in pursuit of excellence. None of us may
reach this stature, who lived a life for a noble cause and left for his heavenly abode on Nov 24, 1996.

5
Ibid.,
6
Anand Amaladass, Indian Christian Thinkers (Chennai:Satya Nilayam Publications, 2005),108.
7
Ibid.,
8
www.angelfir.com/BishopPaulose.html
9
Ibid.,
10
Anand Amaladass, Op.Cit.,109.
2
Bibliography
www.angelfir.com/BishopPaulose.html
Amaladass, Anand. Indian Christian Thinkers .Chennai: Satya Nilayam Publications, 2005.
Stephen, M. New Trends in Christian Theology .New Delhi: Serials Publications,2009.
Stephen,M. Bharatheeya Christhava Darsanam. Kottayam: Royal Graphics, 1999.