Sadhu Kochu Kunju Upadesi

30th November, 1945 (1121 Virchikam 15): Sadhu Kochukunju Upadesi (b.Dec.1883) passes away. Sadhu Kochukunju Upadesi (Mr. Moothampakkal Itty Varghese,Moothampakkal, Edayaranmula near Chengannur) was a unique personality in history of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
For almost forty years he preached the Bible in simple language all over South India. He practised and lived the life of a Sadhu. He wrote more than 200 hymns, many of that are printed in worship books across denominations even today. Thousands turned to God by hearing his messages. He was the first General Secretary of the ‘Mar Thoma Voluntary Evangelists’ Association, which was founded in 1924, and he continued in the post until 1945.

His continuous travels and gospel work made him sick many times. But on Friday, 30th November 1945 he became very sick and called to eternal rest on 15 Virchikam 1121 (8.45 am) and was buried in the Lakha St.Thomas Mar Thoma Church Cemetery on the following day. The funeral service itself was a great honour for him. Two Bishops, more than 100 priests and more than 40,000 people attended the funeral service.

Read more about his life in our free pdf Ebook: https://nalloorlibrary.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/sadhu-kuchujunu-upadeshi.pdf