Bethlehem Charitable Trust
Every ministry has a beginning. Bethlehem Charitable Trust began with one man's complete surrender to God. The life of Rev. Fr. Anil Varghese is a testimony that when a person places everything in God's hands, He can transform one life into a blessing for countless others.
Today, Bethlehem Charitable Trust stands as a sanctuary of hope for the elderly, the abandoned, the bedridden and the terminally ill. Behind this mission lies a remarkable journey of faith, suffering, perseverance and unwavering trust in God's providence.
Rev. Fr. Anil Varghese was born in 1981 as the second son of Mr. Varghese, who served in a modest government position at the CBI Court, and Mrs. Eliamma, a devoted homemaker. Even before his birth, doctors expressed concern that complications during pregnancy might leave the child with permanent physical disabilities.
Yet, God's providence prevailed. Contrary to all medical expectations, he was born healthy, without any physical impairment. His parents recognised this as a divine gift and nurtured him in a home rooted in faith, prayer and Christian values.
Looking back today, Fr. Anil believes that God had already begun shaping his life long before he understood the purpose for which he had been created.
At the age of eight, Fr. Anil's life took an unexpected turn. He was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, a severe kidney disorder that placed his young life in grave danger.
Months were spent in Medical Trust Hospital, Ernakulam, where doctors fought tirelessly to save him. As the illness progressed, the medical opinion became increasingly discouraging, leaving his parents with only one hope — complete surrender to God.
During those difficult months, prayer became the strength of the family. Every day was lived with uncertainty, yet they continued to believe that God's plan was greater than human understanding.
This painful period would later become the defining turning point of Fr. Anil's life, transforming suffering into a lifelong vocation of service.
During one of the most critical nights of his illness, young Anil experienced a profound spiritual awakening. From childhood he had heard stories of St. Baselios Yeldo Bava, whose holy tomb at Kothamangalam Cheriyapally had been a place of prayer for countless believers.
In that difficult period of suffering, he experienced the saint's loving presence and felt an unmistakable call from God. Deep within his heart he made a promise: if God spared his life, every day that followed would be dedicated to His service.
That promise became the foundation of his life. What seemed to be a child's simple prayer gradually unfolded into a lifelong vocation of faith, sacrifice and compassionate service.
The illness that had once threatened his life became the very instrument through which God revealed His greater purpose.
Although the desire to become a priest had taken root in his childhood, the path to the Holy Priesthood was marked by years of prayer, patience and unwavering faith. Twenty-three years of waiting and spiritual preparation strengthened his conviction that God had called him for a greater purpose.
The prayerful life of his paternal grandfather, Mr. Geevarghese of Mookkanottil, deeply influenced him during his formative years. He was further inspired by the opportunity to spend time in the presence of Rev. Fr. Pinahas Rambachan of Malekurish Dayara, whose life of holiness and devotion left a lasting impression on him.
A defining chapter in his journey began in 1994, when H.G. Joseph Mor Gregorios Metropolitan (His Beatitude Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Joseph) assumed leadership of the Kochi Diocese. The Metropolitan embraced Anil with the affection and guidance of a loving father, nurturing his vocation and encouraging him to pursue God's calling with humility and dedication.
Reflecting on his journey, Fr. Anil often says that the gift of priesthood was never something he earned through his own merit, but a priceless grace bestowed solely through God's infinite mercy.
Inspired by the vision and encouragement of H.G. Joseph Mor Gregorios Metropolitan (His Beatitude Catholicos Aboon Mor Baselios Joseph), his priestly ministry soon extended far beyond the altar, reaching the sick, the elderly, the abandoned and those living on the margins of society. This calling eventually blossomed into the ministries of Bethlehem Charitable Trust.
Even before entering full-time priestly ministry, Fr. Anil began visiting patients at Ernakulam General Hospital in 2005.
He spent time in cancer wards and destitute wards, meeting people who had been abandoned by their families and forgotten by society. He offered prayers, distributed medicines, provided food and, above all, reminded them that they were not alone.
Every hospital visit deepened his understanding of human suffering. He encountered countless elderly patients who longed not only for medical treatment but also for love, dignity and someone willing to sit beside them.
In 2007, this growing burden led him to establish the St. Gregorios Hospital Ministry, through which volunteers served meals and extended compassionate care to patients at Tripunithura Government Hospital.
Without realizing it, these quiet acts of mercy were preparing the foundation for a much greater ministry that God was about to reveal.
In 2016, another defining chapter unfolded in Fr. Anil's life when his beloved mother became bedridden due to severe arthritis.
Together with his sister and family, he spent nearly seven months caring for her. Those months revealed the immense physical, emotional and spiritual burdens carried by families looking after bedridden patients.
More than medical treatment, he realised that patients longed for dignity, companionship, prayer and unconditional love. He witnessed firsthand the silent struggles of caregivers whose sacrifices often went unnoticed.
Following his mother's peaceful passing on 2 December 2016, Fr. Anil felt that God was gently leading him towards a ministry dedicated to the elderly, the abandoned and those confined to bed.
What appeared to be a personal loss became the seed of a mission that would later touch hundreds of lives.
In 2019, after years of parish ministry, Fr. Anil made one of the most courageous decisions of his life.
He voluntarily stepped away from parish responsibilities to dedicate himself completely to serving the abandoned, the elderly and those who had no one to care for them.
It was a decision that many struggled to understand. Some expressed concern, others discouraged him, a few distanced themselves, while some even ridiculed his vision.
Yet Fr. Anil remained unmoved. His confidence rested not in financial security or human approval, but entirely in God's providence.
He often reflects upon the life of Joseph in the Old Testament, whose journey through suffering, rejection and perseverance ultimately revealed God's greater purpose.
On 4 September 2019, Bethlehem Geriatric Care Home began in the simplest way imaginable.
Fr. Anil welcomed three bedridden patients from Ernakulam Government Hospital into his own family home. There were no grand buildings, no large financial resources, and no certainty about the future— only complete trust in God's guidance.
Day by day, God opened new doors. Volunteers arrived. Benefactors extended their support. Friends became partners in the mission.
What began with three residents gradually grew into a home that now provides shelter, nursing care, nutritious meals, medical assistance, spiritual care and dignity to nearly eighty residents and staff members.
Every person welcomed into Bethlehem is treated not merely as a patient, but as a cherished member of one family, deserving of love, respect and compassion.
What began with three bedridden patients in a family home has grown into a ministry that continues to touch countless lives through God's providence and the generosity of compassionate people.
Donated by Rev. Fr. Anil Varghese for Bethlehem Charitable Trust.
Purpose-built care home, chapel and dining facilities.
Residents and caregivers living together as one family.
Touched through healthcare, compassion and God's love.
The Trust has supported nursing students and children from financially struggling families, enabling them to complete their education and build brighter futures.
Numerous families have received financial support for medicines, treatment and dialysis, ensuring that illness never becomes a barrier to hope.
The Trust has constructed homes, provided marriage assistance and extended support to families experiencing hardship.
Although Bethlehem has grown beyond anything imagined in 2019, the mission continues.
Current priorities include completing the remaining infrastructure, installing a lift, acquiring a dedicated ambulance and expanding patient care facilities.
One of Fr. Anil's greatest dreams is to establish a dedicated Cancer Care Home where patients can spend their final journey surrounded by dignity, love and compassionate care.
With God's grace and the support of generous well-wishers, Bethlehem Charitable Trust hopes to continue extending Christ's love to every person in need.
Every stage of Fr. Anil's life reflects God's loving guidance, preparing him for a ministry dedicated to serving the abandoned, the elderly, and those most in need.
Born to Mr. Varghese and Mrs. Eliamma, Fr. Anil's life began with God's loving purpose and providence.
After recovering from a life-threatening illness, his family dedicated his life to God, marking the beginning of a remarkable spiritual journey.
Began serving cancer patients and abandoned individuals in hospitals, offering comfort, prayer and compassionate care.
Established the St. Gregorios Hospital Ministry, expanding the mission of serving the sick and the abandoned with Christ's love.
Caring for his bedridden mother became a deeply transformative experience that inspired the vision for Bethlehem Geriatric Care Home.
Bethlehem Geriatric Care Home was founded to provide lifelong care, dignity and hope for abandoned bedridden patients.
Donated his family property for the establishment and future growth of Bethlehem Charitable Trust, ensuring that the ministry would continue serving generations to come.
Every life entrusted to Bethlehem is a reminder that compassion is the language through which God continues to touch the world.
— Rev. Fr. Anil VargheseThe story of Bethlehem Charitable Trust is still being written. Every elderly person welcomed into our home, every patient comforted, every family encouraged, and every prayer answered becomes another chapter in God's unfolding plan.
What began with one man's faith and three bedridden patients has grown into a ministry of hope, healing, and compassion. Yet, there are many more lives waiting to experience the love and dignity that every human being deserves.
We warmly invite you to become part of this journey. Through your prayers, encouragement, volunteering, sponsorships, and generous support, you can help us continue extending Christ's love to those who need it most.
Your prayers, generosity and encouragement help Bethlehem Charitable Trust continue providing shelter, healthcare, dignity and hope to the elderly, the abandoned and those who have no one else to care for them.