An incident that occurred way back in 1935 during the time of the plague in Kunnamkulam, in the Mangad Mar Gregorios Orthodox Church is well known among the people there. Mangad is a small village in the Thrissur District of Kerala, near to Kunnamkulam.

Mangad, St. Gregorios Orthodox Church

Though there were buildings, church and other facilities, water was a big problem. Three to four wells were dug in the church compound, but to no avail. Thus all were sad and struggling due to lack of water. At that time they heard that Mar Gregorious Thirumeni of Pampady had come to Kunnamkulam. Thus the church members of Mangad decided to approach Thirumeni and ask him for help. They believed that Thirumeni would be able to tell them where water would be available to dig the well.

As per the request , Thirumeni came to the church. He entered the church, prayed and then came out. He walked around the church compound, praying constantly all the time. When he reached a particular spot, he stopped there. He prayed and indicated a  specific spot to the devotees. Thus he showed the exact location where the well was to be dug. Thirumeni said these words at that time. "Makkalle, urundu perundu vellam undayikollum. Ningalude aavashyathinu vellam labhikkum." (Dear Children, you will get enough and more water for all your needs....). After completing the prayers there, he re-entered the church.

After Thirumeni had gone back, a well was dug at the exact sport shown by Thirumeni. When they reached about 45 feet, they could see a bed of heavy stones. Usually this indicates that water would not be available there and it would be just stones even if dug further. Knowing this, they stopped the work. All were very sad and disheartened. The fact that water was unavailable in the place even showed by this saintly person demoralized one and all. Even the last hope they had was up in air!!

Well in the church compound where water was found due to the prayers of Pampady Thirumeni

But on the last day of work, after all left the well, a Hindu brother named 'Raghavan' who ran a tea shop went to the well. "How could water be not found in a place indicated by such a divine person? " was the thought that entered his mind. He decided to go down and check. He went down on a rope with an iron instrument called 'Ilavangu'. He walked on the floor and started hitting various parts of the thick stone bed. But when he hit one spot, a small piece of the rock broke away. From that small hole, large amount of water started flowing out!!!

He started screaming with joy even from inside the well. He came out quickly, rang the church bell and shared the happy news with one and all who came running to see what was the matter. Huge gathering of people came and took part in this joyous occasion and thanked All Mighty for hearing their prayers through the intercession of our beloved Pampady Thirumeni.

Our HB Catholicate Designate Poulose Mar Milithios Metropolitan is a member of the Mangad St. Gregorios Orthodox church and is a witness for the above incident as a young child.

Our 'Shreshta Niyuktha Catholica Bava', who is a witness to the above miracle