Sisters of Imitation of Christ
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Imitation of Christ (Known as Bethany Sisters) was founded by Servant of God Mar Ivanios in 1925 in the Jacobite Church. In 1930 all the ten members of the congregation, together with the founder, re-united with the Catholic Church. Bethany is a congregation of Contemplatives in action. The congregation received Potificial status in 1956. Now there are five Provinces (Trivandrum, Thiruvalla, Bathery, Pathanamthitta and Muvattupuzha) under one Mother General. There are some 800 sisters, 13 novices and about 50 candidates in the congregation.The spiritual renovation of the Malankara Church, Re-union, Evangelization and upliftment of women through imitation of Christ is the charism of the congregation.