Monasticism as the Heart of Ecclesial Renewal

For Mar Ivanios, monasticism was not merely an ancillary element of the Church; it was the “heart” of ecclesial life, providing spiritual vitality, apostolic fervor, and a model of Christian perfection. He believed that monastic communities played a critical role in revitalizing the Church, serving as centers of prayer, ascetic discipline, and missionary outreach. Through his establishment of the Bethany Ashram and Bethany Madhom, Mar Ivanios sought to create a uniquely Malankara form of monasticism that combined the rich ascetic heritage of Eastern Christianity, the sanyasa traditions of India, and the organizational discipline of Western monastic orders.

This synthesis gave birth to a spiritual movement within the Malankara Church that not only fostered personal sanctity among its members but also contributed to the renewal and mission of the wider ecclesial community.

Bethany Ashram: The First Indigenous Monastic Order in the Malankara Church
In 1919, Mar Ivanios (then Father P.T. Geevarghese) founded the Bethany Ashram in Mundanmala, near Ranni-Perunad, Kerala. This marked a historic moment as the first organized monastic community within the Malankara Church. The Ashram was conceived as a place where individuals could dedicate themselves entirely to prayer, ascetic discipline, and apostolic service, embodying the Christian ideal of a life fully oriented toward God. The Rule of the Bethany Ashram was modeled on the ascetic teachings of St. Basil of Caesarea, adapted to the cultural and spiritual context of India. Its members lived a life of simplicity, manual labor, and strict adherence to spiritual discipline, aiming to foster both personal holiness and communal renewal.

Mar Ivanios envisioned the Ashram as a beacon of light in the Malankara Church, which he believed was in need of spiritual rejuvenation. He wrote:

“The Bethany Ashram is not just a place for personal sanctification but a sanctuary from which the light of faith and love radiates to the entire Church and society.”¹

Bethany Madhom: A Parallel Community for Women
Recognizing the indispensable role of women in the life and mission of the Church, Mar Ivanios founded the Bethany Madhom, or Sisters of the Imitation of Christ, in 1925. This monastic community for women was established to complement the work of the Bethany monks, focusing on prayer, education, and social service. The Bethany Sisters became actively involved in catechesis, pastoral care, and the establishment of schools, thereby extending the mission of the Church to families and communities. They also embraced the ascetic ideals of their male counterparts, demonstrating that women could play a significant role in the spiritual and ecclesial renewal of the Church.

Incorporation of Indian Sanyasa Traditions
Mar Ivanios was profoundly influenced by the Indian spiritual tradition of sanyasa, which emphasizes renunciation, simplicity, and the pursuit of union with God. He integrated elements of this tradition into the life of the Bethany communities, including their emphasis on detachment from material possessions, vegetarianism, and a lifestyle marked by humility and service. The Ashram’s saffron-colored robes and use of terms like guru (spiritual teacher) and disciple reflected this Indian influence. By rooting the Bethany communities in India’s cultural and spiritual soil, Mar Ivanios ensured that their witness to the Gospel would resonate deeply with the Indian people.

“To be a true sanyasi is to live as Christ lived—detached from the world, yet fully immersed in the service of others,” Mar Ivanios wrote.²

Eastern Christian Asceticism
The spiritual and ascetic practices of the Bethany communities were deeply shaped by the Eastern Christian monastic tradition, particularly the teachings of the Desert Fathers and St. Basil. These practices included:

• The centrality of prayer and liturgy: The daily routine of the Bethany communities revolved around the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the recitation of the canonical hours.
• Fasting and abstinence: Members observed strict fasting and periods of silence to foster spiritual discipline and self-mastery.
• Manual labor: Echoing the ethos of “ora et labora” (pray and work), the monks and nuns engaged in agricultural and other manual labor as a means of self-sufficiency and humility.

Western Organizational Discipline
Mar Ivanios also drew inspiration from Western monastic orders, particularly the Jesuits and the Benedictines, in structuring the Bethany communities. He admired their emphasis on education, missionary outreach, and disciplined communal life, and sought to incorporate these elements into the Bethany Ashram and Madhom.

A Source of Spiritual Vitality
Mar Ivanios believed that monastic communities were the spiritual heart of the Church, sustaining its life and mission through their prayers, sacrifices, and witness to the Gospel. For him, the holiness of the Church depended in large part on the sanctity of its monks and nuns.

“The monastic life is a wellspring of grace for the Church, radiating the light of Christ to a world in darkness,” he wrote.³

He frequently emphasized that the Bethany Ashram and Madhom were not isolated enclaves but integral parts of the Church, called to serve and uplift the wider ecclesial community.

A Model of Christian Perfection
The Bethany communities embodied the ideal of Christian perfection, serving as a model for both clergy and laity. By living lives of prayer, self-sacrifice, and service, the monks and nuns bore witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and inspired others to deepen their faith.

Centers of Missionary Outreach
Beyond their role as centers of spiritual renewal, the Bethany Ashram and Madhom became hubs of missionary activity. Members engaged in catechesis, preaching, and charitable works, bringing the message of Christ to those on the margins of society. This missionary zeal was a hallmark of Mar Ivanios’ vision of monastic life.

Revitalization of the Malankara Church
The Bethany Ashram and Madhom played a pivotal role in revitalizing the spiritual life of the Malankara Church, providing it with a new generation of leaders committed to prayer, holiness, and service.

A Unique Malankara Monasticism
By synthesizing Indian, Eastern Christian, and Western traditions, Mar Ivanios created a distinctly Malankara form of monasticism that remains a vibrant part of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church today.

Inspiration for the Universal Church
The Bethany communities have become a model for how monastic life can contribute to both the spiritual and missionary dimensions of the Church. Their emphasis on simplicity, prayer, and cultural adaptation continues to inspire religious communities worldwide.

Mar Ivanios’ vision of monasticism as the heart of ecclesial renewal was realized through the establishment of the Bethany Ashram and Bethany Madhom. These communities, deeply rooted in Indian culture and Eastern Christian spirituality, exemplified his belief that the Church could only be revitalized through the holiness and missionary zeal of its members. His synthesis of traditions and his focus on the spiritual vitality of monastic life remain a testament to the enduring power of prayer, asceticism, and service in the life of the Church.

1. Mar Ivanios, The Bethany Monastic Ideal, 1927.
2. Cyril Malancharuvil, The Syro-Malankara Church: Its Past and Present, Malankara Library, 2002.
3. Antony Valiyavilayil OIC, The Ecclesial Vision of Mar Ivanios, Bethany Publications, 2015.
4. Bar Sleeba OIC, The Bethany Ashram and Its Mission, 1980.
5. Vatican Archives, Correspondence on Monastic Renewal, 1925–1930.

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