From an early age, Zacharias Thirumeni harbored a deep desire to serve both God and society. This yearning, fostered by his parents’ encouragement and guidance, led him toward a path of spiritual dedication. His decision to become a teacher and priest was a natural outcome of this aspiration, and the values and lifestyle of a teacher were evident in his later roles as both priest and bishop.

The foundation of Santhigiri Ashram in Aluva is closely tied to Zacharias Thirumeni’s personal connection to the area. Having been a student at U.C. College, Aluva since 1956, and later a teacher at the Settlement High School in Aluva and the Ashram English High School in Perumbavoor from 1961 onwards, Thirumeni developed a strong affinity for the locality. His experiences in these roles, especially at the Ashram School, cultivated within him an appreciation for the contemplative life, which eventually gave birth to Santhigiri Ashram.

Zacharias Thirumeni’s extensive travels, especially through his involvement with the World Council of Churches, allowed him to gain insight into the global church’s operations. His visit to the Taizé community in France profoundly influenced him. The community’s practice of addressing everyone as “brother” and their shared lifestyle left a lasting impression, contributing significantly to the vision and formation of Santhigiri Ashram.

In April 1992, a trust was officially registered, including Zacharias Thirumeni and trustees Shri Oommen Johnson (Niranam), Shri George Kovoor (Aluva), and Shri John Mathew (Ranny). The trust purchased ten acres of land in Edathala for ₹11 lakhs, funded by the sale of Thirumeni’s ancestral property and contributions from relatives and friends. On August 29, 1993, (Thirumeni’s birthday) a dedication ceremony took place, with Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, ( currently Most Rev. Dr. Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan) inaugurating the Ashram’s social service initiatives.

In February 1994, the Episcopal Synod assumed control of the Santhigiri Trust, with the Mar Thoma Metropolitan serving as president and the trust was expanded to include eleven members. In 1996, through amendments to the trust deed, Santhigiri Ashram was brought under the general administration of the Mar Thoma Church.

The Ashram’s first building, named ‘Anugraha’, was constructed with well-thought-out plans for various facilities, including a playground, agricultural land, gardens, lawns, a fish pond, and a meditation hill known as ‘Dhyanagiri’. The first guest house, ‘Ashram’, was built with ten bedrooms to accommodate visitors for meditation and prayer, according to specifications provided by Zacharias Thirumeni. The structure features a front door opening to communal life and a back door leading to spaces for personal contemplation.

The Ashram’s conference hall, ‘Archana’, seats 400 people, and its ‘Ashraya’ complex includes a counseling center, allopathy clinic, dental clinic, and Ayurveda clinic.. The youth hostel, ‘Abhaya’, is used for camps and conferences, while Adharsha, Anunaya and Anaswara and Archana were different blocks of guest rooms over the years for increasing number of guests who come and stay here. We are thankful for the invaluable support of friends of Zacharias Thirumeni for sponsoring these buildings. The mess hall is named ‘Akshaya’, and the Director’s quarters are referred to as ‘Anupama’.