The Congregation of the Order of the Imitation of Christ (OIC) which is also known as Bethany Ashram, was founded by the late Archbishop Mar Ivanios on 15th August 1919. The Congregation aims at following Jesus Christ in his life of prayer and action, realized in Oriental monastic tradition and Indian sanyasa which are aimed at the evangelization of India through the spiritual renewal of the Malankara Catholic Church.

The General Chapter of the Order of the Imitation of Christ held in the year 1998, decided to establish provincial system in the Congregation and so it formed two provinces, namely Bethany Navajeevan Provinces, with its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram and Bethany Navajyothy Province with its headquarters in Desom, Aluva. Girideepam group of institutions are owned and managed by Bethany Navajyothy Province, Desom, Aluva.

“Girideepam” means shining lamp on the mountain top. The mission to enlighten and educate began in 1976 at Bethany Ashram, Kalathipady, Kottayam. Girideepam Bethany higher secondary school had a humble beginning in the year 1975. In 1987 the school presented its first batch of SSLC, since then an uninterrupted history of total pass with top state ranks and grades continues.

The credibility and social commitment of this institution called for another school with CBSE syllabus. Girideepam Central School was established in 1997. This School in the same campus has grown into a full-fledged Senior Secondary School and presented the first batch of AISSE (X) in 2001 and AISSCE (XII) in 2003. The commendable results in Board Examinations put this School in the list of top-ranking CBSE Schools in the country.

The unveiling of Girideepam Institute of Advanced Learning (GIAL) in 2005 was a milestone for Girideepam group of institutions in the higher education segment. The college affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam is offering 7 Under Graduate Programs and 3 Post Graduate Programs.

Recognizing the need of professional Management education in the State, Girideepam unveiled its prestigious Business School in 2010. The full time MBA programme of Girideepam Business School is approved by AICTE, New Delhi, and affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam. GBS strives to inculcate in the students, the values of justice, excellence and service to the society. The college concentrates on the holistic transformation of students into full-fledged professionals who can cope with the wherewithal of life’s journey and contribute towards better practices in Management profession.

It was the untiring passion, the commendable determination and dedication of the Bethany Fathers, synchronized with social responsibility that helped the group of educational institutions to grow by leaps and bounds.

Today, Girideepam has become a brand in the education sector. Girideepam Institutions have been consistent in providing overall growth and development in curricular and extracurricular activities.