Bethany Ashram (the Order of the Imitation of Christ (O.I.C.) was founded by Fr.P.T. Geevarghese Panickaruveettiil O.I.C. (who later became Archbishop Mar Ivanios O.I.C) on Aug.15, 1919 at a place called Perunad, Ranni. Bethany Ashram was the first monastic community in the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church at that time with a unique vision and life-style. The founder Mar Ivanios O.I.C aimed at bringing together the monastic ideals of the Christian East and Indian Sannyasam in a particular life-style which is actualised in a life of intense prayers and apostolic activities. The name Bethany Ashram itself points to this fact. Simple and austere life, atmosphere of intense prayer and solitude, saffron (Kavi) habit, vegetarian food, life in common etc, were some of the basic features of this life style.

Soon after its foundation, Bethany Ashram became the pilgrim centre of the Malankara Church giving solace to the spiritually starved people. In 1930 most of its members joined their founder on his way to Catholic Church and Bethany Ashram remained the cradle of the historic Reunion Movement. This event ushered in a new era in the life and growth of Bethany Ashram. The members were initially confined to the activities directly related to Reunion Movement. But later, along with that, began to undertake a wide range of apostolic activities with an ?All India Missionary Vision?

In 1966 the Congregation was raised to Pontifical Status. On 24th April 2000 tow provinces were erected in the Congregation - Bethany Navajeevan Province and Bethany Navajyothy Province. Bethany Ashram Pune is the Major Seminary of the Congregation. Bethany Vedavijnan Peeth in Bethany Ashram Pune is an Institute of Oriental Studies that caters to the theological formation of our Seminarians.

Apostolic Activities

The following are the apostolic activities of the Bethany Congregation.

1. Preaching the Gospel, conducting retreats, teaching Catechism and giving spiritual instructions for the renewal of the Church.
2. Ecumenical activities and inter-religious dialogue.
3. Mission and parish activities taken up according to the needs of the Malankara Church.
4. Missionary activities aimed at the evangelization of India.
5. Apostolic activities undertaken according to the need of the Universal Church.
6. Social apostolate.
7. Apostolate through communication media.
8. Educational activities.

Other Information

I. Founder: Archbishop Mar Ivanios Panickaruveetiil, O.I.C.
(Fr. P.T. Geevarghese)
       Foundation : 15 August 1919
       Reunion : 20 September 1930
       Reunification : 12 September 1948
       Pontifical Status : 14 April 1966
       Generalate House : Kottayam
       Address : Bethany Ashram Generalate
       Post Bag No. 6 ; Vadavathoor,
       Kottayam - 686 010

II. General Governing Body
       Superior General : V. Rev. Fr. George Thomas Kallunkal, O.I.C.
       Councillors : 
              1. Rev. Fr. Bernard Kunniparampil, O.I.C.
              2 Rev. Fr. James Puthuparampil, O.I.C.
              3 Rev. Fr. Antony Valiavilayil, O.I.C.
              4 Rev. Fr..Premanand Purackal, O.I.C.
       Procurator General : Rev. Fr Chrysostom Kulathintemelethil, O.I.C.
       Secretary General : Rev. Fr Sylvester Kanjiramukalil,O.I.C.

III. Provinces : 2
       1. Bethany Navajeevan Province
       2. Bethany Navajyothy Province
       Total Members : 293
       Bishop : 1
       Priests : 122
       Religious Brothers : 10
       Students : 160