- Christopher Asir
-
A. Christopher Asir Bishop in Madurai Ramnad Church Christian See Church of South India In Office 2004–present Predecessor D. Thavaraj David Eames Successor Incumbent Orders Ordination 1977 Consecration 23 September 2004 Personal details Born 5 December 1947
Pannaivilai, Tamil Nadu, IndiaPrevious post Presbyter in Charge A. Christopher Asir (born 5 December 1947) is the present Deputy Moderator of the Church of South India[1] as well as the fifth Bishop in Madurai Ramnad.
Contents
Early years
Christopher Asir was born on 5 December 1947 in Tamil Nadu.[2] His parents were Sri P. Asir and Smt. Packiam Asir.
The young Asir was sent to CSI Tucker Higher Secondary School, Pannaivilai and later to the Pope's College, Sawyerpuram[3] for collegiate studies.
Divinity & higher studies
Since childhood, Christopher had an inclination to pursue divinity. He was sent to the Hindustan Bible Institute[3] (affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)), Chennai, where he obtained a Licentiate in Theology. Later, he upgraded this with a B.Th. degree.
Starting from the academic year 1973, Asir joined the United Theological College [the only autonomous college under the Senate of Serampore College (University)], Bangalore for pursuing the B.D. degree. Joshua Russell Chandran was the Principal of the College at that time while D. S. Satyaranjan was the Registrar of the College. By 1975, Christopher completed his studies in UTC.[3]
His thesis submitted to the Senate of Serampore College (University) was entitled "A Historical Survey of the Sectarian Church Groups in the C.S.I. Diocese of Tinneveli in the 20th century".[4]
Ordination & Lecturership
After returning from Bangalore, Asir was assigned a pastoral role[5] in Kannivadi. Later, he was ordained as a Deacon of the Diocese of Madurai Ramnad of the Church of South India in 1976.
During his service in Vedachandur from 1976 to 1978, he was ordained as a Priest in 1977.[3]
Asir was also assigned a teaching role in his alma mater, the Hindustan Bible Institute, Chennai.
Bishopric
The Diocese of Madurai Ramnad was founded in the year 1834. About six revenue districts fall under this diocese.[6] Lesslie Newbigin was the first Bishop of this diocese.
On 23 September 2004 Asir was consecrated as the Bishop in Madurai Ramnad.[7]
Deputy Moderatorship
The first Bishop in Madurai Ramnad, Lesslie Newbigin also served as Deputy Moderator of the CSI.[8]
During the XXXI session of the Synod of the CSI held in Visakhapatnam from 11–14 January 2008, Asir was elected as the Deputy Moderator of the CSI for a biennium.[9] He succeeded the S. Vasantha Kumar (Bishop-in-Karnataka Central).
Works
- CSI College of Dental Sciences & Research, Madurai 625 001 [6].
Honours
Prof. Dr Michael Bergunder,[10] Professor of History of Religions and Mission Studies of the University of Heidelberg, Germany quoted Rev. Christopher's B. D. thesis in an article entitled "From Pentecostal Healing Evangelist to Kalki Avatar: The Remarkable Life of Paulaseer Lawrie, alias Shree Lahari Krishna (1921–1989) – A Contribution to the Understanding of New Religious Movements" in a book published by William B. Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan with the title "Christians and Missionaries in India: Cross-cultural communication since 1500 with special reference to caste, conversion, and colonialism" in 2003.[11]
Memberships
- Chairperson
- CSI Dental College, Madurai
- Member, Chethana, a Bengaluru-based network of grassoot organisations.
See also
- Lesslie Newbigin, previously Bishop-in-Madurai Ramnad
- Victor Premasagar, previously Moderator of the CSI and Bishop-in-Medak
- J. W. Gladstone, Moderator of the CSI and Bishop-in-South Kerala
- B. P. Sugandhar, previously Moderator of the CSI and Bishop-in-Medak
- G. Dyvasirvadam, Bishop-in-Krishna Godavari
References
- ^ Anglican Communion, Provincial Directory: Madurai Ramnad
- ^ Pannaivilai.net. Internet, accessed 20 May 2008
- ^ a b c d Ibid.
- ^ Robert Eric Frykenbert (Ed.), Christians and Missionaries in India: Cross-cultural communication since 1500 with special reference to caste, conversion, and colonialism, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2003. [1]
- ^ Panaivilai.Netop. cit.
- ^ Diocese of Madurai Ramnad, CSI Dental College site. Internet, accessed 20 May 2008.[2]
- ^ Panaivilai.Net op. cit.
- ^ Bibliography of the writings of Lesslie Newbigin, page 3. Internet, accessed 20 May 2008.[3]
- ^ Asia Pacific Ecumenical News, 20 May 2008, Indian Protestant Church elects new Moderator. Internet, accessed 20 May 2008 [4]
- ^ Faculty of Theology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. Internet, accessed 20 May 2008.[5]
- ^ Robert Eric Frykenbert, op. cit.
Further reading
- Eyre Chatterton (1924). A History of the Church of England in India since the Early Days of the East India Company. http://anglicanhistory.org/india/chatterton1924/23.html.
Religious titles Preceded by
The Right Reverend S. Vasantha KumarDeputy Moderator Church of South India
11 January 2008 – 10 January 2010Succeeded by
IncumbentPreceded by
The Right Reverend D. Thavaraj David EamesBishop in Madurai Ramnad Church of South India
2004–presentSucceeded by
IncumbentCategories:- People from Tamil Nadu
- Tamil people
- 20th-century Anglican bishops
- 21st-century Anglican bishops
- Indian bishops
- Anglican bishops by diocese in India and Asia
- Indian Anglicans
- 1947 births
- Living people
- Indian theologians
- Indian priests
- Indian clergy
- Senate of Serampore College (University) alumni
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