Church of South India marks 'formation day'

The Church of South India (CSI) on Tuesday, September 27 celebrated its 'formation day' with prayers and special events organised by the dioceses in different parts of the south region.

CSI was established in September, 1947 as a result of the union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India.

On Tuesday, more than 14,000 congregations of the CSI marked the ecumenical fellowship with special services. CSI churches are spread over 22 dioceses in four southern states.

"It was September 27, 1947 when the Church of South India was born and Madras took the pride of opening the first leaf in the history of CSI," Rev. Dr. V. Devasahayam, Bishop of Madras Diocese, earlier stated in a letter during CSI's Mission Festival.

"The whole diocese has been envisioned of the need to walk in the footsteps of the greatest evangelist the world has ever seen, who is Christ our Lord. The Church is motivated to follow the methods of evangelism taught by the Lord to meet the people in their own place and to share the love of Christ and His saving power," he said.

The second largest after the Catholic Church in India, CSI has a membership of over 3.8 million.

The Church was formed by the merger of three denominations: South India Provincial Synod of Methodist Church, the South India United Church (Congregational, Presbyterian and Reformed) and the southern dioceses of the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon (Anglican).

The Church affirms that the purpose of the union is to fulfill the priestly prayer of Jesus Christ "that they all may be one, and that the world may believe that you have sent me - John 17:21".