The late Archbishop, Servant of God Mar Ivanios OIC was born on September 21, 1882 at Mavelikkara. Born in the famous 'Mallitta' Panicker family belonging to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox church, he assumed the baptismal name Geevarghese. Young Geevarghese, a brilliant student in his early school days, at the age of 15 received minor orders and was sent to Madras Christian College for higher studies. There he obtained his Master's Degree. On 15th September 1908 Geevarghese was ordained a priest by His Grace Vattasseril Mar Dionysius. Just after ordination, Fr. P.T. Geevarghese was appointed principal of M. D. Seminary, Kottayam. Later the young principal moved to Calcutta accepting an invitation to teach in the Serampore College. During his stay at Calcutta, Fr. P.T. Geevarghese concentrated his attention on the foundation of a monastic community as an instrument of spiritual renewal within the Syrian Orthodox Church. In his attempt, he was very well inspired by the Christian and Hindu monastic traditions. After making the necessary arrangements to begin such a form of life, he resigned his professorship at Serampore and started the community on 15th August 1919 at Mundanmala, Ranni in Kerala, to which he gave the name Bethany Ashram.
Within no time, Bethany Ashram and its beloved founder came to the limelight of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Abo Geevarghese OIC was consecrated Bishop of Bethany on 1st May 1925 and he received the new name Mar Ivanios OIC. His relentless search for truth in the ascetic atmosphere of Bethany Ashram led him to the firm conviction to reunite with the Catholic Church. On 20th September 1930, Mar Ivanios, together with Mar Theophilos and most of the members of Bethany Ashram embraced the Catholic Church. As later history reveals, the reunion movement gained rapid momentum under the leadership of Mar Ivanios OIC, an eminent scholar, a man of great vision, a spiritual leader. Mar Ivanios OIC rightfully earned the title 'Newman of the East' even before his demise on 15th July 1953. He could capture the attention of the world as a sage, founder of religious communities, an apostle of church unity, scholar and author of more than thirty books, a social reformer and a true Sacerdos Magnus, a pillar of the church in India.
- Our Management
St. Martha's Bethany Vidyalaya is managed by Bethany Fathers of Bethany Navajeevan Province of the Order of Imitation of Christ (OIC) a pontifical congregation in the catholic church. The Congregation has been running a number of education institutions in various parts of India and abroad with a social commitment for quality education to all without social or economic discrimination. St. Martha's Bethany Vidyalaya is Privileged to provide complete schooling for a child from I to VIII since the school is established.
- Our Motto
St. Martha's Bethany Vidyalaya has a dream of Liberating young minds and souls from the clutches of ignorance and darkness. This dream is our motto "SA VIDYA VIMUKTHAYE" which means "Education is that which liberates." Education for us is a Mission with a Vision - a Mission of going beyond.. of breaking barriers and building bridges..with the vision for a bright future ahead.
- Our Emblem
- CROSS: Symbolizes sacrifice, submission of ego and salvation. A student of St. Marthas Bethany Vidyalaya, should be able to understand and acknowledge the value of sacrifice that is seen every day. "Verily, verily I say unto you, unless a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit" (Jn 12:24). It also symbolizes the submission of ego to God which is very important for a student and also liberation or salvation through knowledge which turns to wisdom
- Book: Symbolizes all the theoretical knowledge acquired by the students
- Yogic Posture: it is not mere bookish knowledge but pondering upon, understanding and imbibing the value behind it and transforming it into wisdom, thus acknowledging it as a path of liberation. It is to create responsible citizens.
- Radiance: this wisdom gained should be spread to the whole of Punjab and they should be useful citizen for the state and the nation.
- Grains: Symbolizes Punjab which is called the "Granary of India" or "India's Bread Basket".
- The big grains or amber of grains signify the fruits of wisdom and the holistic development of the child.
- Our Objectives
"Education is not the filling of a pain, but the lighting of a fire." - William Butler Yeats
- The aim of the school is to impart training in all fields, academic, physical, cultural moral and develop proper interest, attitude and value and skills and make each student a responsible and useful citizen.
- Intellectual education is sought to be given by way of a course of student that is suited to the mental development of the students. The choice of the course of studies is governed by the consideration that it serves as solid foundation for higher studies.
- Moral education is important by way of instilling in the students a passion for whatever is true, good honest and honourable. In the achievement of these, moral education is imparted in such a way that the principles of moral living exert a lasting influence throughout their lives.
- Social education is imparted by way of making the students realize that she/he is a member of the society. Hence a spirit of service and dedication to duty is also aimed at; above all, the student is gradually trained to be a responsible citizen.
- Physical education is provided with the help of various disciplines in sports and games. Individual performance of the students are given due attention and the spirit of co-operation and sportsmanship are adequately emphasized.
- Courses Offered
St. Martha's Bethany Vidyalaya follows the academic patterns as prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Punjabi and Hindi taught from Class 1-8.