While serving at Serampore College as Professor, a great desire was initiated in the mind of MA Achen to establish an ascetic Ashram in the linage of Indian Rishies but with Christian faith and ideologies. The environment in Bengal during his living there was invigorating and steeped in spiritual fervor to augment his ideologies. In his experimental voyage of learning Indian ascetic tradition, he visited Shantinikethan of Rabindra Nath Tagore. His mind expanded to the horizon of ideas he could gain from Shatni Nikethan. The dress code he designed later for his dream Ashram was very similar to that in Ashram originated by this Bengali Sage Poet. He also visited and studied the way of life and discipline of Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi.

Fr. Geevarghese opened his mind and desire to his Guru, mentor and friend Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dianasius Thirumeni and bagged consent and blessings from him. It was in 1917, while he was still in Bengal serving Serampore College; the Monastic order of Imitation of Christ of Bethany was officially established. He wrote his plans in detail to his friends back in Kerala. E. J. John Elenjickal offered him a piece of land admeasuring 1 Acre in Mundan Mala, near to Pampa river bank at Ranni Perinad. Fr. Geevarghese visited the project site during his next vacation and found the place quiet and away from the inhibited area apt for his dream project. Few more Acres of surrounding land also was acquired.

In 1919, MA Achen resigned the job of Serampore College, returned to Kerala and concentrated full time for the Bethany Ashram project. Kalappurackal Yakob Semmassan [Later Jacob Mar Theophilus] and Mattackal Alexander Semmassan [Later Alexios Mar Theodeasios of Quilon Diocese] were directly involved with him for the development of the Ashram. Many rich and poor people of Malankara and outside contributed liberally for the construction of the Ashram. Initially grass-thatched huts were erected with splintered bamboo windows, doors and walls. The dry mud floors were polished with cow dung smear. Ashramites started cultivating the surrounding land planting coconut palm, aracnut palm, mango groves, jackfruits, plantains etc.

Ashramites had to follow a very strict daily routine. Getup with the bell at 5. A.M, followed by morning ablutions and a customary bath. Proceed for Holy Qurbana in the chapel which will conclude by 7 O' Clock. Then it was the time for breakfast and cleaning of Ashram and surroundings till 9.30. Classes in Bible, theology, training for priesthood, lessons of faith and tradition etc. were followed till 12 O' Clock. 12-12.30 was the time for Noon Prayer in the Chapel. 12.30 lunch was served and till 3, Ashramites had time for self study. After the tea, it was time for hard work in the field and all Ashramites irrespective of age or level of order turned to be the farmhands. At 5 O' Clock wash themselves and get ready for vespers. From six to nine it was supper, discussion, debates, newspaper reading, discourses and mild entertainment like jokes, talks etc. At 9 O' Clock Suthara [Bed time Prayer] and allowed to read silently in their rooms. At sharp 10, lights off and perfect silence.

Earthen pots and cups were used for eating and drinking. Food was purely vegetarian with milk and egg served during non-lent period. Diary and poultry were in-house. Palm-leaf umbrellas were used during rainy season and headgear made of palm frond was used while laboring in work field in hot sun. Single mat served for bed. White clothes dipped in saffron were the regular wear. Nobody owned anything except their own dress and sandals. All others were considered common property. There was no distinction between young, old, clergy, laity; all were equal. Material honor or popularity was not a concern for the Ashramites. The ordained ones used to go out for organizing retreats, meditations etc. for the members of the Church in addition to the regular Church Worshipping Services. After well organizing the Bethany Ashram, next step of Fr. Geevarghese was to shape an order for dedicated women. As it was mentioned some where else, he encouraged many women from Kerala to undergo higher education in Calcutta at Diocesan College and College in Barisole run by Oxford Mission of Epiphany of England. It was Accamma, daughter of Advocate E.J. John Elenjickal was the first to enroll in this institution.

Fr. Geevarghese approached Mother Edith of Barisole for starting a spiritual and theological training center in Malankara. However Mother Edith discouraged Fr. Geevarghese but offered to reserve seats in Barisole for girls sponsored from Kerala. Barisole was a small city slightly away from Calcutta and situated on the bank of river Ganges and Brahmaputhra. This was the only non-catholic training college for the training of women to a spiritual order. The first girls who ventured to enroll in Barisole for missionary training were Mariamma daughter of Kuttiyil Kuriakose Achen, Kunjamma a niece of Fr. P.T. Geevarghese and Annamma daughter of Puthenpurackal Philipose. The first girl who offered to join the Sanyasini group of Fr. Geevarghes was Kunjilachi [M.P. Sosamma] of Mookancheril Padinjare Veettil [Family of Pathrose Mar Osthathios Thirumeni]. Kunjilachi was widowed at the age of nine years. As the child marriage was prevailing that time she was married at age of eight years and lived with her husband for few months, then husband expired of typhoid, a killer disease of that time. She refused to get remarried and offered her life for prayer and missionary life.

Subsequently, Fr. Geevarghese started Balikamadom girls school at Thirumoolapuram in the building complex of Kandathil Varghese Mappilai, with the help of two teachers given by the Mother Edith of Barisole. Fr. Geevarghese was giving personal instructions to the school and it being a boarding school, he acted as the local father to every child admitted who lived away from their home and parents.

Being his beloved disciple Vattasseril Thirumeni desired to order Fr. P.T. Geevarghese as a Bishop. Accordingly, on May 1, 1925, P.T. Geevarghese was ordained as a Bishop by H.H. Basalios Geevarghese I, the Second Catholicose of Malankara with Vattasseril Geevarghese Mar Dianasios as co-celebrant at the Niranam Church. The Episcopal title given to Fr. Geevarghese was Geevarghese Mar Ivanios. It was on the next day of the consecration of Vaakathanam Karuchira Geevarghese Mar Philoxenos, Metropolitan of Kottayam Diocese as Second Catholicose Basalios Geevargese I and it was his first consecration ceremony after his ordination. The new Bishop was appointed as the Episcopa of Bethany Monastic order of Imitation of Christ.

With his ecclesiastical authority as Episcopa of Bethany, Mar Ivanios ordained first three nuns to the Bethany Order for women on September 25, 1925, the day of remembrance of St. Mary and his own birthday. This was the first time in the history of Malankara Church to ordain women to the Church Order. The first ordained woman of Malankara was M.P. Sosamma with ordained name Saina who was the sister of Pathros Mar Osthathios Metropolitan.

[TO BE CONTINUED IN NEXT ISSUE]

ARCH BISHOP MAR IVANIOS - PART 1

ARCH BISHOP MAR IVANIOS - PART 2

ARCH BISHOP MAR IVANIOS - PART 3