Bethany Ashram and its Founder

The Order of the Imitation of Christ (OIC) popularly known as Bethany Ashram is the first indigenous Religious Congregation (Sanyasa Ashrama) for men started in the Malankara Church. It was founded by Servant of God Archbishop Mar Ivanios on 15 August 1919 at Ranni, Perunadu, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala – INDIA.

Name of the Organisation

Bethany in the Bible is the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus who intimately loved our Lord and were loved by Him. This Biblical name ‘Bethany’ indicates the nature and charism of our Congregation, which gives supreme importance to both prayer and action. An Ashram is the abode of a Sanyasi where strenuous effort for God experience is made in prayer, silence, simplicity and hard work.

Bethany Ashram and Malankara Catholic Church

Bethany Ashram became the Cradle of the Reunion Movement as Mar Ivanios its founder and others entered into the communion of the Universal Church on 20 September 1930, giving rise to the formation of the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church. The founder, Mar Ivanios started charitable institutions under this organization disregarding the cast, creed, and colour of the inhabitants. Bethany Ashram was raised to Pontifical status on 14^th April 1966.

The charism of Bethany Ashram

The charism of the Order of the imitation of Christ is following Jesus Christ in his life of prayer and action, realized in the oriental monastic tradition and Indian sanyasa and aimed at the evangelization of India through the spiritual renewal of the Malankara Church.