The Last Journey Is On At This Time… Friday
Jan 26 9:15PM
Prof. John Mathew Koodarathil
An ICON posting
Kottayam Jan 26 2006:
HH Baselius Marthoma Mathews II after breathing last at 5:15 PM
at Devalokam Aramana on 26 January is now on the last leg of his
journey to his hallowed tomb at Sasthamkota. The deceased soul
bid farewell to Kottayam remaining silent with closed eyes and
lips spending more than 4 hours at Mar Elia Cathedral. No
exaggeration, the whole of the society converged at Elia
Cathedral without caste and creed to pay their last respects
making all the 4 hours most precious and rewarding for everyone.
From then on, one has to see to believe- the journey from
Kottayam to Sasthamkota, the seat of the final rest. A Bava, a
spiritual leader, a gentleman bishop who was always on the wings
to celebrate as many holy masses, to bless as many marriages, as
many baptisms, to conduct as many funerals, to conduct as many
programs, to participate in as many functions, to bless as many
people, to traverse as many miles as possible on foot and
otherwise is (now at this point of time 9:15), slowly but
virtually inching his way to his last resting place.
The journey which started
from Kottayam at 3:10, reached Chengannur at 7:45, taking more
than four and a half hours. The mortal remains of Bava in
cortege is receiving the last goodbyes and goodnights from the
people. People cutting across religions and other affiliations
are waiting patiently, hours and hours; to have a last look at
their loving Angel Achen turned Bava (I could have a glimpse of
it as I traveled ahead of the cortege). Every pathway, every
junction proudly and solemnly holds aloft the big sized
photographs of HH Marthoma Mathews II disseminating grace
everywhere to everyone.
Now it is night. Still on either side of the road, faithfuls
wait patiently for the cortege to arrive. In front of the
churches, priests and all other church members are in huge
numbers singing grieved hymns breaking the silence of the night.
Young and old are now, on either side of the road with lighted
candles, not knowing how many more hours they are to wait. At
Paranthil, near Adoor, I could find a big ground lighted with
candles, people sitting around singing hymns and reading the
Bible. What a touching and poignant sight. Even stones are
taking tongues! Yes Angel achen will come this way, but not to
repeat it anymore.
Now is its 10:30. The cortege just passed Adoor.
It is indeed an accomplished journey which every Orthodox man
along with his other friends will sustain in memory for years to
come. Let us wait…
The journey which started
from Kottayam at 3:10, reached Chengannur at 7:45, taking
more than four and a half hours. The mortal remains of Bava
in cortege is receiving the last goodbyes and goodnights
from the people.
