Tirunelveli Diocese

History of Tirunelveli Diocese

The formation of tiny congregation at Palayamkottai consisting of just 40 members, the first being Clarinda, was the humble beginning of the Diocese of Tirunelveli, the biggest in Asia now. The infant church was nursed and nourished by the foreign missionaries from Trustbuster like Schwartz and Jaenicke and a few indigenous stalwarts like Sathianathan, Royappan, Savarirayan, Savarimuthu and Anandapragasam. Good news was spread to many areas, and churches were established in different parts of Tirunelveli District. The establishment of a church at Mudalur the first Christian village in 1799 was momentous event in the annals of the history of the Tirunelveli Diocese. It paved way for the "en masse" conversion of Nadars thanks to the enthusiastic and indefatigable ministry among them by David Sundaranandam Gericke and Kohlhoff. James Hough oversaw the missionary work of the SPCK after Schwartz and Jaenicke.

The Church Missionary Society (CMS) and the Society for Propagation of Gospel (SPG) entered the Tirunelveli field and went on planting Churches besides looking after the existing churches for almost a hundred years till they merged into the Diocesan main stream in 1924. CTE Rhenius was head and shoulders above the rest in the CMS. Apart from building the Holy Trinity Cathedral at Palayamkottai, he planted 371 churches including Meignanapuram, Dohnavur, Pannaivilai and Nallur. No wonder, he is considered the greatest missionary after St. Paul and called "The Apostle of Tirunelveli. Pettitt, John Thomas, Tucker, Schaffter, Hobbs, Barenbruck were the other important CMS Missionaries who laboured in the Tirunelveli Vineyard.

Nazareth, Sawyerpuram and Idayangudi were the important fields nursed by the SPG missionaries. The Rev Caemmerer and the Rev Canon A Margoschis worked strenuously for the stabilization of the Churches around Nazareth. Schools and a hospital were established at Nazareth, a model Christian settlement. Sawyer, a layman working for the East India Company, formed a village exclusively for Christians and it is called Sawyerpuram after him. Dr. GU Pope and Rev. Huxtable developed it into a model village. Dr Robert Caldwell burnt himself for the establishment and development of many churches including Idaiyangudi, a village far away from Tirunelveli.

Ever since Tirunelveli was upgraded into a Diocese in 1896, it has been casting its net wide and deep. Many pastorates in the East and South have adopted a village in the northern part of the Diocese. This scheme has been paying rich dividends. Besides, Tirunelveli Diocese has introduced outreach ministry. Committed people, clergy and laity, go to other districts for gospel work during the first week of September every year. It established the first indigenous missionary organization called Indian Missionary Society (IMS) in 1903 to take the good news to the unreached areas in other states. The Rt. Rev V. S. Azariah, the first Indian Bishop, is one of the fruits of Tirunelveli Diocese. Now, the Diocese has 287 thousand members spread over 138 Pastorates in 1166 villages.

Apart from spiritual work, Tirunelveli Diocese has been striving hard to address to the economic, educational and social needs of the poor, the aged, the mentally retarded, the visually disabled etc. The fruits of this Diocese are in every nook and corner of globe bearing witness to the Good Shepherd.

Contact

16, North Highground Road, Palayankottai - 627 002,Tamilnadu, INDIA
Telephone : +91 462 2578744, Telefax : +91 462 2574525
Email: info@csitirunelveli.org ,  http://www.csitirunelveli.org

Madras Dioces ( Chennai Dioces )

The year 1640 marks the beginning of what is now the Diocese of Madras in the Church of South India, being the year of the founding of the city of Madras, and it was only in 1647 that a Chaplain of merchant fleet of the East India Company came ashore to celebrate Holy Communion in a temporary chapel in the Fort St. George. With the consecration of the oldest Anglican Church on the east of the Suez Canal in 1680 in the precincts of the Fort, dedicated to St. Mary the Blessed virgin, under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London, came established presence of the non-Roman Catholic Church in Madras.

The next 150 years saw the growth of the Christian population in Madras, It became obvious that the St. Mary's Church in the Fort cannot serve the growing and spread-out Christian population. So in 1815 the Church of St. George was built on the arterial road linking St. Thomas Mount and Fort St. George. On October 28, 1835 Daniel Corrie, the Archdeacon of Calcutta, was consecrated Bishop and installed in the Church of St. George, it marked both the coming into being of the Diocese of Madras and the elevation of the parish Church on the Choultry Plain to the dignity of a Cathedral.

The Character of this Diocese was slowly forged over the next 160 years by rule and example of successive Bishopes.

    * Daniel Corrie who was 58 when he became Bishop, he resisted the Governmental policy of encouraging and even participating in "heathen festivals".

    * Bishop George Spencer took charge of this Diocese from 1838. He an Anglican Bishop, ordained several Methodist and Congregationist missionaries.

    * Bishop Thomas Deltry's episcopate was from 1849-1861. He consecrated no fewer than 21 new churches.

    * Bishop Fredrick Gell (1861-1899) was first and foremost a pastor. He who has commanded the love and respect of most men who are not Christian.

    * Bishop Whitehead succeeded the See in 1899 and ministered until 1922. Whitehead was involved in the eventual formation of the CSI.

    * Bishop Harry Waller who has already been Bishop of Tinnevelly for seven years took charge of this Diocese in 1922. His great contribution was the enormous upgrading of educational institutions throughout the Diocese.

    * Bishop Michael Hollis in 1941 was the first to be elected to office by the Madras Diocesan Council. The man's greatness is encapsulated in a single sentence in his first sermon as the Bishop of Madras.

    * Bishop David Chellappa was the first Indian Bishop of the Diocese.

    * Bishop Lesslie Newbigin, who had been consecrated Bishop on the Inaugural Day, had already held the charge of the Diocese of Madurai- Ramnad for twelve years before going to Geneva in 1959 as the Gen. Secretary of the International Missionary Council. He came to Madras on being elected Bishop in 1965.

    * Bishop Sunder Clarke's assumption of charge in 1974 returned the Diocese once more to Indian leadership.

    * Bishop Masilamani Azariah, was consecrated and installed on January 2,1990. It could be justifiably claimed that the individual objectives of his ten illustrious predecessor have found full and harmonized expression in his emphases. Totaly convinced as he is in the philosophy of Self- Realisation, Self- Respect and Self- Reliance. Bishop Azariah has led the Diocese in the quest for, and in the discovery of, "a new spiritually appropriate for the twentifirst Century".

Contact

Church of South India - Diocese of Madras
P.O. 4914, Cathedral Road, Chennai - 600086,India.
Telephone : +91- 44 - 28113929 / 28113933 / 28117629, Fax : +91 - 44 - 28110608,
Web : www.csimadrasdiocese.org , Email : diocese@csimadrasdiocese.org

Church of South India

The Church of South India (commonly known just as CSI) is the successor of the Church of England in India. It came into being in 1947 AD as a union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India. With a membership of over 3.8 million, it is India's second largest Christian church after the Roman Catholic Church in India.CSI is one of four united churches in the Anglican Communion.

The inspiration for the Church of South India was born from ecumenism and inspired by the words of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Gospel of John, 17.21
 

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

That they all may be one is also the motto of the Church of South India.

History

The CSI was inaugurated September 27th in 1947 at St. George's Cathedral Chennai, only a month after India achieved its independence from the United Kingdom. It was formed from the union of the South India United Church (itself a union of churches from the Congregational, Presbyterian and Reformed traditions) and the southern provinces of the Anglican Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon and the Methodist Church of South India.In the 1990s, a small number of Baptist and Pentecostal churches also joined the union.

The presiding bishop of the inaugural function was Rt. Rev. C. K. Jacob of the Anglican Diocese of Travancore and Cochin. A vast congregation gathered in the cathedral at Madras from all over the world. The following historical declaration made by Bishop Jacob at the inaugural.

"Dearly Beloved brethren, in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ the head of the church, who on the night of his passion prayed that his disciples might be one, and by authority of the governing bodies of the uniting churches whose resolutions have been read in your hearing and laid in your prayer before Almighty God; I do hereby declare that these three churches, namely - The Madras, Madura, Malabar, Jaffna, Kannda, Telugu; Travancore Church councils of the South India united church; The Methodist church of South India. Trichinopoly, Hyderabad and Mysore districts; The Madras, travancore and Cochin, Tinnevelly and Dornakal dioceses of the churches of India, Burma and Cylon; are become one Church of South India, and these bishops, presbyters, deacons and probationers who have assented to basis of union and accepted the constitution of the Church of South India, whose names are laid upon this Holy table are bishops, presbyters and deacons of this church. in the name of the Father, and the son, and the Holy Sprit. Amen"

Discussions about the merging of South India's Protestant denominations began at a 1919 conference at Tranquebar (today known as Tharangambadi). This famous conference on church union is known as Tranquebar 1919. One of the main leaders of this conference and later negotiations was Bishop V. S. Azariah of the Dornakal diocese who was the first Indian bishop of the Anglican Church. The Church of South India is considered the result of twenty-eight years of prayers and discussions. By the independence of India in 1947, the union was achieved and the CSI officially established.

The inaugurations of the Church of South India opened a new chapter in the history of the churches. This was the first time in the history of the church such a union was realised between Episcopal and non-episcopal churches. By this union four traditions came together i.e. Anglican (Episcopal), Congregational, Presbyterian, and Methodist.

One of the three churches to come into Church of South India was South India United Church (S.I.U.C.). S.I.U.C. was formed in 1908. This was a union between Congregationalists and Presbyterians. The Basal Mission, district of Malabar also joined the S.I.U.C. in 1919.

When C.S.I. was inaugurated there were fourteen dioceses. Today the church has twenty-two dioceses and more than 2 million members. There are eight diocese in Tamil Nadu, six in Andrhra Pradesh, four in Kerala, three in Karnataka and one in Sri Lanka.

Logo

The logo of the CSI is a cross superimposed on a stylized lotus and surrounded by the motto and the name of the church. The symbols of the lotus and the Christian cross used in the logo possess a rich cultural heritage in India and is used to symbolize the call and mission of the CSI.

In Indian mythology, the lotus flower is the seat of the Creator. It is also known variably as those that are born in mud and the flower of the sun. These symbolisms are adopted to interpret the position of God and the nature and role of the people in the CSI.

The petals of the lotus and the cross are knitted together with the symbol of the fiery-tongues of the Holy Spirit as referenced in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. It is an expression of the people's communion with God. The original colors, red (for life) and purple (for piety and ecclesiastical) on a white backdrop communicate the nature of the mystical union where an inseparable companionship is established between God and humanity.

The motto and the name of the CSI is placed in a circle around the lotus and the cross. The words are taken from the prayer of Jesus Christ who prayed not only for the church but also for the whole world. This universality is portrayed by placing the words in a form of circle, a symbol which also represents the universe. It calls for the unity of both the church and all peoples of India.

The central position of the cross in the logo conveys the idea that it was the sacrifice that was made by Jesus on the cross that is the foundation of the Church. The four ends of the cross painted in deep color indicates that it is the cross that guides all Christians to join in one stream to pray and labor united for a peaceful coexistence and communal harmony.

Organization

The church accepts the Lambeth Quadrilateral as its basis and recognises the historical episcopate in its constitutional form . The CSI Church is the second largest church in India based on the population of members, next to the Roman Catholic church, and also the largest Protestant denomination in the country.

Synod

The church is governed by a synod based in Chennai and headed by a presiding bishop bearing the title of Moderator who is elected every two years. The current moderator is S. Vasanta Kumar, Bishop of the Diocese of Karnataka Central.The deputy moderator is G. Devakadatcham, Bishop of the Diocese of Kanyakumari.


Dioceses

The church is further divided into 22 dioceses, each under the supervision of a bishop, including one diocese encompassing Jaffna, Sri Lanka. The dioceses are governed by diocesan councils comprising of all clergy in the diocese as well as lay people elected from the local congregations.

Congregations

The church has 14,000 local congregations with 3.8 million members worldwide. While the majority of the members are in India,congregations exist in Sri Lanka where a full diocese is organized, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Agencies

The church runs 2000 schools, 130 colleges and 104 hospitals in South India. In the 1960s the church became conscious of its social responsibility and started organising rural development projects. There are 50 such projects all over India, 50 training centres for young people and 500 residential hostels for a total of 35,000 children.

The School for Small Farmers is a specific agency catering to the needs of the farming communities in their Dalit and Adivasi congregations.

SYNOD

The Church of South India is the result of the union of churches of varying traditions Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed. It was inaugurated in September 1947, after protracted negotiation among the churches concerned. Organized into 22 dioceses, each under the spiritual supervision of a bishop, the church as a whole is governed by a synod, which elects a moderator (presiding bishop) every 2 years. Episcopacy is thus combined with Synodical government, and the church explicitly recognizes that Episcopal, Presbyterian, and congregational elements are all necessary for the church's life. The Scriptures are the ultimate standard of faith and practice. The historic creeds are accepted as interpreting the biblical faith, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are recognized as of binding obligation.

Discussions concerning union had begun at a conference at Tranquebar (now Tarangambadi) in 1919, and in 1947, after India attained independence, the union was completed. The Church of South India has its own service book and communion service, both of which draw from several denominational sources. The union, especially in its reconciliation of the Anglican doctrine of apostolic succession with the views of other denominations, is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement.

Formation

On 27th September 1947, the General council of Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, General Assembly of South India United Church and South India Provincial Synod of Methodist Church joined together to from the CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA as the largest united national church in India. The continued growth has been further enriched with the joining of the churches of Basel Mission and the Anglican Diocese of Nandyal. A unique church was born out of the blending of the Episcopal and non - Episcopal traditions as a gift of God to the people of India and as a visible sign of the ecclesiastical unity for the universal church.

Vision

The Church of South India (CSI) affirms that the purpose of the union is to fulfill the priestly prayer of Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church "That they all may be one, and that the world may believe that you have sent me". And the Church of South India would become an effective instrument of God's mission so there will be greater peace, closer fellowship and fuller life in the Church and a renewed commitment for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed.

Commitment Of The Chruch

Being the largest Protestant church in India, the CSI celebrates her life with Indian culture and spirituality and she also raises her voice for the voiceless on matters of justice, peace and integrity of creation. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the people of India through proclamation of the good news of Jesus; responding to human need through institutional and emergency relief work; through community development projects and skill training programmes for the marginalized and disadvantaged sections of the people and programmes for the integrity of creation. Translating this vision and commitment, the Synod of the Church of South India as the apex body of the church endeavors to encourage, equip and empower her dioceses, congregations and institutions through varied ministries.

The Journey Continues

The CSI is a united and uniting church moving forward with a dynamic vision for The Communion of Churches in India. The Church of South India, the Church of North India and the Mar Thoma Church are already members of this commune of Churches and are venturing into wider ecumenical relations to witness to One Lord Jesus Christ. 

SYNOD Contact Details

The General Secretary
Church of South India Synod
CSI Centre,
# 5, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai – 600 014
Phone: +91 – 44 – 2852 1566 / 4166,
Fax: +91 – 44 - 2852 3258,
E-mail: csi@vsnl.com

Officers of the SYNOD

Moderator
Most Rev. S. Vasanthakumar
(Bishop, Karnataka Central Diocese)
Diocesan Office,#20, Third Cross, CSI Compound, Bangalore – 560 027, Karnataka, South India.

Deputy Moderator
Rt. Rev. G. Devakadasham
(Bishop, Kanyakumari Diocese)
CSI Diocesan Office,71 A, Dennis Street,Nagercoil, K.K. Dist – 629 001.Tamil Nadu, South India.

General Secretary
Ar.M.M.Philip
(Madhya Kerala Diocese)
CSI Centre, #5, Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai – 6000 014.Tamil Nadu, South India.
Phone: +91 – 44 – 2852 1566 / 4166, Fax: +91 – 44 - 2852 3258, E-mail: csi@vsnl.com

Hon. Treasurer
Dr. Bennet Abraham
(South Kerala Diocese)
Palli Vila Veedu, Gandhipuram Rd, Sreekariyam P. O., Trivandrum – 695 017.Kerala,South India.