Diocese of Madhya Kerala of the Church of South India

Last updated

Diocese of Madhya Kerala
CSIMKD.jpg
Location
Country India
Ecclesiastical province Church of South India
HeadquartersKottayam
Statistics
Churches393
Members0.35 million
Information
DenominationChurch of South India
Established1879
CathedralHoly Trinity Cathedral, Kottayam
Secular priests 197
LanguageMalayalam, English
Current leadership
Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian
Website
https://csimadhyakeraladiocese.org

The Madhya Kerala Diocese is one of the twenty-four dioceses [1] of the Church of South India (CSI), a United Protestant denomination covering the central part of Kerala.

Contents

When the Church of South India was formed on 27 September 1947, the diocese was called the Diocese of Central Travancore. The diocese was formed from the ecclesiastical territories of Protestant denominations in India, including the Diocese of Travancore and Cochin of the Church of India, Burma and Ceylon (Anglican) that was founded in 1879, the South India United Church (Congregationalist, Presbyterian and Continental Reformed), and the southern district of the Methodist Church. [2] [3]

History

The history of the Madhya Kerala Diocese dates back to the work of the Church Missionary Society in the state of Travancore. R.H. Kerr and Claudius Buchanan, visited the Malabar Syrians in 1806, during the episcopate of Mar Dionysius I. Lord William Bentinck sent Kerr to Travancore for the purpose of investigating the state of the native church. During the British period, CMS missionaries started a relationship with Saint Thomas Christians; a division occurred between Orthodox Syrian Christians and a minority from the Church, who were in favor of the Reformed theology of the CMS missionaries. According to some estimates, about 6,000–12,000 Orthodox Syrian Christians joined the Church of India, Burma and Ceylon in 1837; these were known as Syrian Anglicans. [4]

Early in 1876, the Society began negotiations with the Secretary of State for India so that a new diocese can be formed under the Jerusalem Bishopric Act for the Church of England in the Native States of Travancore and Cochin. The Diocese of Travancore and Cochin (in the Church of India, Burma and Ceylon) was erected with its See at Kottayam in 1879 and John Speechly, then Principal of the Cambridge Nicholson Institute (CMS Theological college, Kottayam), was announced as the first Bishop of Travancore and Cochin. Speechly was consecrated a bishop on 25 July 1879 at St Paul's Cathedral; he arrived at Kottayam on 27 January 1880. [5]

In 1888, Speechly left for England and was unable to return, and Noel Hodges (1890–1904), a CMS Missionary from Ceylon followed him as diocesan bishop. He was installed in the Pro-Cathedral, Kottayam in November 1890. During the episcopate of Hodges, the first missionary enterprise of the diocese was organised as its Home Mission, was started at Adoor in 1903. Hodges retired in 1905 and was succeeded by Hope Gill (1905–1925), who was consecrated in Westminster Abbey and arrived in Kottayam in 1906. The full creation of Diocesan structures which began in 1879 was fulfilled in 1920, when Gill constituted, "Travancore and Cochin Diocesan Council" to assist in the management of the temporal affairs and financial business of the church. [6]

On 27 September 1947, the four southernmost dioceses of Church of India, Burma and Ceylon (CIBC), the South India United Church (Congregationalist, Presbyterian and Continental Reformed), and the southern district of the Methodist Church merged to form the Church of South India, a United Protestant denomination. [2] The presiding bishop at the CSI's inauguration was C. K. Jacob, Bishop of Travancore and Cochin [7] who became Bishop in Central Travancore. The diocese's territory was reduced and renamed the Diocese of Central Travancore [8] . Subsequently, it has been renamed the Diocese of Madhya Kerala after the state of Kerala was formed in 1956 — Madhya is Hindi for central. [9]

Due to the presence of CSI Syriac Christians in the Church of South India, churches of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (in Oriental Orthodox Communion, autocephalous), Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church (in Oriental Orthodox Communion, under Antioch) and Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church do interact frequently on occasions such as family gathering and marriages.

Administration

The Diocese has a Diocesan Council which governs the diocese. All the clergy of the diocese and elected laymen from the local congregations are the members of the Diocesan Council.

The diocese is divided into two zones (North Zone and South Zone), each headed by a District Minister. And it is further divided into twelve District Councils. The bishop of the diocese is assisted by the Executive Committee, formed by an election from the Diocesan Council. [10]

The Diocesan Headquarters is at Kottayam, Kerala. The Bishop's House and a Retreat Centre is in the campus of the Headquarters.

The Diocese also publishes an official newsletter named Njananikshepam (The Treasury of Knowledge) every month. The newsletter was published first in the year 1848 from C.M.S. press, Kottayam. [11]

Bishops

Bishop Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian BishopSabuKoshyCherian.jpg
Bishop Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian

Anglican Bishops of Travancore and Cochin

CSI Bishops in Central Travancore/Madhya Kerala

District Councils

The Diocese is divided into 12 District Councils. Each Council has a chairman presbyter.

NumberDistrict CouncilPastoratesOutstation Pastorates
1 Adoor Adoor,

Kadampanad, Kollam, Kulathupuzha, S.Kunnida, Munroethuruthu, Puthuval, Thazhathumon, Thiruvananthapuram

2 Elanthoor Cheenerkara, Elanthoor, Kallely, Kidangannoor, Kuzhikkala, Mallassery, Nallanikunnu, Omalloor, Pathananthitta, Punnackad
3 Ettumanoor Ettumanoor, Kattampakal, Koothattukulam, Muttuchira, Njeezhoor, Ottiankurnnu, Piravam, Vaikom, Varikkamkkunnu, Velloor
4 Kodukulanji Kodukulanji, Angadickal, Chengannur, Karode, Kozhuvalloor, Kollakadavu, Cheruvalloor
5 Kottayam Arpookara, Ascension Kottayam, Cathedral Kottayam, Central Kumarakom, Erikadu, Kothala, Kumaranelloor, Machukadu, Manganam, Manarcadu, Muttambalam, Olassa, Pampady, Thiruvanchoor, Vadavathoor
6 Kumplampoika Ayroor, Chittar, Ennooramvayal (Vechoochira), Karikkattor, Kumplampoika, Neerettucavu, Pullikkallu Ranni, Vayalathala
7 Mallappally Ezhumattoor, Kaipatta, Keezhvaipur, Koothrappally, Kottanad, Mallappally, Mammood, Narakathani, Nedungadappally, Pariyaram
8 Mavelikara Mavelikara, Kallumala, Cherukunnam, Kattanam, Kappil, Bharanikkavu, South Puthuppally, Alumpedika, Njakkanal, Chamavila, Kayamkulam, Kanneetti, Mynagappally, Monkuzhy
9 Mundakkayam Mundakkayam, Thidanad, Vazhoor, Kanam, Edakunnam, Ponkunnam, Karinilam
10 Pallom Pallom, Panimattom, Velluthuruthy, Kavalam, Changanacherry, Kollad, Alappuzha, Karumadi, Njaliakuzhy, Mooledom, Thuruthy, Muhamma, Nalunnakkal, Poovanthuruthu
11 Punnavely Punnavely, Neelampara, Chelakompu, Mundathanam, Kangazha, East Meenadom, Mulekkunnu
12 Thiruvalla Tholassery, Kaviyoor, Perumthuruthy, Valanjavattom, Thalavady, Mundiappally, Kunnamthanam, Kuttoor, Poovathoor, Kumbanad, Warikkadu

Institutions under the diocese

Ashram

Printing Press

Weaving School

Colleges

Higher Secondary Schools

High Schools

Theological Education

Self Financing Schools

Teacher Training Institutes

Special Schools

Notable churches

Within Kerala
Outside India
Canada
UK
Kuwait
Qatar
UAE
USA
Australia
Ireland

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alappuzha district</span> District in Kerala, India

Alappuzha district, is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. It was formed as Alleppey district on 17 August 1957, the name of the district being changed to Alappuzha in 1990. Alappuzha is the smallest district of Kerala. Alleppey town, the district headquarters, was renamed Alappuzha in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kottayam district</span> District in Kerala, India

Kottayam is one of 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala. Kottayam district comprises six municipal towns: Kottayam, Changanassery, Pala, Erattupetta, Ettumanoor, and Vaikom. It is the only district in Kerala that does not border either the Arabian Sea or another Indian state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syro-Malankara Catholic Church</span> Western Catholic church

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, also known as the Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, is an Eastern Catholic sui iuris particular church in full communion with the worldwide Catholic Church possessing self-governance under the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches. It is one of the major archiepiscopal churches of the Catholic Church. It is headed by Major Archbishop Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos of the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum based in Kerala, India. With more than 1096 parishes, its one of India's biggest church evangelical establishments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malankara Metropolitan</span> A title in Indian Christianity

The Malankara Metropolitan or the Metropolitan of Malabar is an ecclesiastical title given to the head of the Indian Orthodox Church. It evolved from the title of the sixteenth century East Syriac metropolitans of India who were also styled the Metropolitan of Malabar. Since the division among the Saint Thomas Christians following the Synod of Diamper, the title has been mostly employed in association with the West Syriac branch of the community, usually known as the Malankara Church, among whom the office of the Malankara Metropolitan became the continuation of the local dynastic Archdeaconate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mavelikkara</span> Town in Kerala, India

Mavelikara is a municipality in the Alappuzha district of Kerala, India. It is located 36 km (22.4 mi) south of the district headquarters in Alappuzha and about 95 km (59.0 mi) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. As per the 2011 Indian census, Mavelikara has a population of 26,421 people, and a population density of 2,088/km2 (5,410/sq mi).

The Anglican Church of India (ACI) is a union of independent Anglican churches in India. It is not currently a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion whose titular leader is the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dionysius IV (born Cheppad Peelipose, was 12th Malankara Metropolitan from 27 August 1825, until he abdicated in 1852 and 107th Successor to the Holy Apostolic Throne of St.Thomas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Punnavely</span> Village in Kerala, India

Punnavely is a village in Thiruvalla Constituency situated on the border of Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts of Kerala, India. Punnavely is a typical Central Tranvancore village with rubber tree plantations, paddy fields, pepper and other spices and lot of NRIs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kodukulanji</span> Village in India

Kodukulanji is a village located around 5 km north of the Achankovil River and 7 km south of the Pamba River, in Alappuzha district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Kottayam</span> Church in India

St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, Kottayam, commonly known as Kottayam Cheriapally, is a Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church located in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Cheriapally meaning ‘small church’, whose appearance contradicts its name, is one of the oldest and well-preserved churches in the state. Cheriapally is located on the way to Kumarakom from Kottayam. The church is dedicated to mother Mary. Kottayam Cheriapally, built in 1579, has retained its old world charm today as well even after so much of environmental changes. The length and breadth of the church is constructed with innovative paintings, mural, and architecture. Before the inception of the Old Seminary in 1815, Kottayam Cheriapally was the Headquarters of the Church and Malankara Metropolitans for a long time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Thomas Christian denominations</span> Christians from Kerala, India

The Saint Thomas Christian denominations are Christian denominations from Kerala, India, which traditionally trace their ultimate origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are also known as "Nasranis" as well. The Syriac term "Nasrani" is still used by St. Thomas Christians in Kerala. It is part of the Eastern Christianity institution.

Cherakarottu Korula Jacob was Bishop of Travancore and Cochin in from 1945 to 1957. He was the 6th bishop of the diocese and the first native bishop and the first bishop of the Madhya Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diocese of East Kerala of the Church of South India</span>

The East Kerala Diocese is one of the twenty-four dioceses of the Church of South India covering the eastern part of Kerala.The diocese headquarters is at Melukavu, Kottayam. The Church of South India is a United Protestant denomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bishop Moore Vidyapith, Cherthala</span> Private anglican school in Cherthala, Kerala, India

Bishop Moore Vidyapith, Cherthala is a CBSE school run by the Church of South India (CSI) Diocese of Madhya Kerala, established in 2001. The school has a student strength of over 2000 pupils and about 100 staff.

CSIDiocese of Cochin is one of the twenty four dioceses of the Church of South India (CSI) covering the churches in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts. The Church of South India is a United Protestant denomination.

Kerala Council of Churches or KCC is a regional ecumenical organisation of the Protestant and Oriental Orthodox Churches in Kerala, India. KCC is an affiliate of the National Council of Churches in India. Its constitution states "The Kerala Council of Churches is autonomous and inter-confessional, comprising Churches in Kerala and Christian Organization". The jurisdiction of the council is also limited by the constitution to the state of Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Thomas Anglicans</span> St. Thomas Christians within the Church of South India

Saint Thomas Anglicans are the Saint Thomas Christian members of the Church of South India (CSI); the self-governing South Indian province of the Anglican Communion. They are among the several different ecclesiastical communities that splintered out of the once undivided Saint Thomas Christians; an ancient Christian community whose origins goes back to the first century missionary activities of Saint Thomas the Apostle, in the present-day South Indian state of Kerala. The Apostle, as legend has it, arrived in Malankara in AD 52.

References

  1. ↑ "CSI SYNOD". www.csisynod.com. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 Shelley, Bruce (10 December 2013). Church History in Plain Language: Fourth Edition. Zondervan Academic. ISBN   978-1-4016-7685-8. Outside the United States the most significant merger was the Church of South India, formed in 1947 through the union of three religious bodies: the Anglican Church of India, Burma and Ceylon; the South India Province of the Methodist Church; and the South India United Church, itself the result of a movement that brought Presbyterian, Congregational, and Dutch Reformed bodies into the union.
  3. ↑ "oikoumene.org". Oikoumene.org. January 1948. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  4. ↑ Admin, NSC- (14 January 2007). "Divisions and Rite of the Churches- Syro Malabar Church, Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Syriac Church, Thozhiyur Church, Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Syro Malankara Church, Chaldean Syrain Church". Nasranis. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "Church of South India "CSI Church"".
  6. ↑ "Bethel Malayalam Church New Delhi". Bethelmalayalamchurch.com. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  7. ↑ Eyre Chatterton
  8. ↑ Thomas, Rev. C. Y. (28 September 2023). "THE CSI MADHYA KERALA DIOCESE". CSI Michigan.
  9. ↑ "CSI MKD". csimadhyakeraladiocese.org. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "CSI to open 'political desk'". The Hindu . 12 November 2014. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  11. ↑ "Publication Detail". csimadhyakeraladiocese.org. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese".

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.