The Early Ministry of Bishop Mar Ivanios (1925)

After his consecration as Bishop of Bethany, Mar Ivanios embarked on a transformative ministry that would significantly influence the Malankara Orthodox Church and the Bethany Ashram. This phase was characterized by his focus on fostering the spiritual and pastoral growth of Bethany communities, accepting the religious professions of the women postulants, and his theological reflections on Church unity.

One of Mar Ivanios’ first actions as Bishop was to fulfill the long-awaited dream of accepting the religious profession of the women postulants. On May 13, 1925, shortly after his episcopal ordination, he addressed the “Malankara girls” with heartfelt emotion:

“Dear Children, I accept this cross only for your sake.”¹

Three of the postulants underwent immediate preparation, participated in a retreat in September, and on the birthday of Mar Ivanios, September 21, 1925, they made their religious profession, formally joining the monastic life. This event marked a milestone in the development of the Sisterhood of the Imitation of Christ (Bethany Sisters), a counterpart to the Bethany Ashram.

Unlike other bishops in the Malankara Orthodox Church, Mar Ivanios did not have a geographically defined diocese. Instead, his jurisdiction extended to churches and communities that either voluntarily sought Bethany’s services or were entrusted to him by Metropolitan Mar Dionysius VI. Among these were the parishes of Puramattom, Vennikkulam, Mangalam, Vengal, Pathikkadu, Paduva, Thiruvalla, Kadamankulam, and Vanachira.² These communities, known as Bethany churches, fell under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Bethany and adopted many unique practices under his leadership.

Mar Ivanios worked tirelessly for the spiritual renewal of these churches. He encouraged active participation in the sacraments, particularly penitential confession and Holy Communion, and provided catechetical instruction to help parishioners better understand the liturgy and sacraments.³ Some of the Bethany churches were fully established parishes with resident priests, while others functioned as mission stations or chapels.⁴

The architectural and liturgical practices of Bethany churches also reflected their distinct identity within the Jacobite tradition. For example, Mar Ivanios introduced “Hardhava Prarthana” (Prayer of the Heart), a prayer book used exclusively in Bethany churches. He described its use as follows:

“It is true that Bethany Churches use certain books used by the Jacobite Church. But it should be stated that there are a few books used only in the Bethany Church which are not used in the Jacobite Church. Many of you are not unfamiliar with the book called Hardhava Prarthana, which is used in the morning, noon, and evening in Bethany Churches and includes certain special prayers.”⁵

Mar Ivanios recognized the need to establish new churches in areas where there were none, often within the southern provinces of the Malankara Church. These efforts were supported by the local communities, who saw the spiritual benefits of having a Bethany church in their area.⁶

To meet the pastoral and catechetical needs of these new communities, Bethany’s printing and publishing ministry became increasingly important. The printing press, established in Thiruvalla, produced prayer books, catechetical materials, and devotional writings, many authored by Mar Ivanios himself. Handbooks on prayer, meditation, and sacramental catechesis were published in 1926 and the years following, supporting the spiritual growth of both Bethany churches and the wider Malankara community.⁷

After his consecration, Mar Ivanios’ role as the principal advisor to Metropolitan Mar Dionysius VI expanded significantly. He became deeply involved in ecclesial matters, including the legal disputes between the two factions of the Jacobite Church. These litigations, while unresolved, raised questions about the future direction of the Malankara Orthodox Church.

While Mar Dionysius VI was primarily focused on strengthening his faction within the Jacobite Church, Mar Ivanios began to develop a broader vision. Through his speeches and writings, he articulated his belief in the theological necessity of Christian unity, particularly unity with the Church of Rome.⁸ As he expressed in his speech after his episcopal ordination, this vision of unity was rooted in his long studies of Church history and canon law:

“I have come to believe that there cannot be real unity in the Church without an expression of communion with the Church of Rome.”⁹

This conviction would become the defining mission of Mar Ivanios’ ministry in the years to come, setting the stage for his eventual movement toward reunion with the Catholic Church.

1. Trivandrum, Archives of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ, 1925, A.SIC.N-1; cf. also, S. Anniyil, Early Days of Reunion, p. 52.
2. A. Padinjaremannil, Mar Ivanios, p. 53.
3. Mar Ivanios, Girideepam, pp. 129–130.
4. Bar Sleeba OIC, Brief History of the Bethany Order of the Imitation of Christ, pp. 160–162.
5. Mar Ivanios, Bethany Yogam, p. 52.
6. Mar Ivanios, Girideepam, pp. 84–97.
7. Mar Ivanios, Hardhava Prarthana and other works published between 1926–1930; see also Vishudha Kurbana Dhyana Padanam and Papamochanam, published in Thiruvalla.
8. Mar Ivanios, “Speech of Bethany Bishop after His Episcopal Ordination,” in Thomas Mar Anthonios OIC (ed.), Vishvasadhorani: Notable Speeches of the Servant of God Mar Ivanios, pp. 47–75.
9. M. Gibbons, Archbishop Mar Ivanios, pp. 76–77.

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