The Bethany Ashram facts for kids

Bethany Ashram, located in Perunadu, Ranni, is a special place that was the very first "Ashram" (a type of monastery or spiritual community) for the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. It was started by two important people: P. T. Geevarghese (who later became Archbishop Ivanios) and Alexios (who later became Alexios Thevodosius). The people living at Bethany Ashram follow a religious group called the Order of the Imitation of Christ, often shortened to O.I.C.

How Bethany Ashram Started

The Idea for a New Community

P. T. Geevarghese spent time in Serampore, where he could pray and think deeply. He read about St. Basil and his ideas on "monasticism." Monasticism is a way of life where people live together, often in a monastery, dedicating themselves to prayer and spiritual growth. St. Basil's ideas really inspired him.

Geevarghese also visited places like Sabarmati Ashram, started by Mahatma Gandhi, and Santiniketan, founded by Rabindranath Tagore. These visits gave him new ideas about "Sannyasa," which is an Indian way of living a simple, spiritual life. These experiences made him think about starting a group of missionaries. Missionaries are people who spread their religious beliefs and help others. He wanted them to work in India.

From Home to Ashram

Slowly, the home where P. T. Geevarghese and his friends lived in Serampore became like an Ashram. They began to live a religious life, following rules similar to St. Basil's, but adapted for Indian culture. Because he felt this was his true calling, he decided to leave his job at Serampore College.

Finding a Home for the Ashram

After returning from Calcutta, Geevarghese searched for a place to build his Ashram. A friend, Advocate E. J. John, generously gave 100 acres of land. This land was in Mundanmala, Ranni-Perunadu, Kerala, right where the Pampa and Kakkatt rivers meet. They also bought another 300 acres from the Government of Travancore.

In 1918, Fr. Alexios and Oomman Vadhyar went to Mundanmala. They made the first arrangements to set up the Ashram. They also started an orphanage there, as helping others was a key part of Bethany Ashram's mission. P. T. Geevarghese joined them in Mundanmala in 1919.

In 1925, P. T. Geevarghese also started the Bethany Madhom. This was a place for religious women. He got help from the Anglican sisters of the Oxford Mission Sisterhood of the Epiphany, who were working in Serampore.

Mar Ivanios Becomes a Bishop

A New Role for Geevarghese

The Malankara Synod, which is a church council, decided that P. T. Geevarghese should become a "bishop" for Bethany. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the church. He was ordained (officially made a bishop) by Baselios Geevarghese I on May 1, 1925. When he became a bishop, he received the new name Mar Ivanios.

A Change in Leadership

In 1930, Bishop Mar Ivanios, one of the founders of Bethany Ashram, decided to leave the Malankara Church and the Ashram. He joined the Catholic Church. After he left, Fr. Alexios became the new leader, or "superior," of the Ashram in 1930.