Thousands of CSI Members of the Madhya Kerala Gather to Celebrate CSI Platinum Jubilee
18 Sep 2022
Around eight thousand members of the Madhya Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India gathered on the 18th of September at Bishop C. K. Jacob Nagar (Baker Higher Secondary Girls School Ground) in Kottayam to praise God for the blessing they received in the form of the united church, the Church of South India, 75 years back. The venue was named after the late Rt. Rev. C. K. Jacob, the first Indian bishop of Madhya Kerala Diocese, who got the golden opportunity to announce the formation of the Church of South India in the worship service held at St. George’s Cathedral, Chennai, on 27th September 1947.
The programme was inaugurated by Mr V. N. Vasavan, the Minister for the Cooperation and Registration. He highlighted the contributions of the missionaries, CSI Church and especially the Diocese to South Indian society.
In his Presidential Address, Rt. Rev. Dr Sabu K. Cherian presented the core areas the diocese should give focus on for the immediate future. He reiterated the need of strengthening the educational institutions and opening more new ones, bring more professionalism to other institutions and organisations, extend better pastoral care to the diaspora communities, address the new challenges in the post- COVID era, and spiritual revival of the church when we move to the final quarter of the first century of the Church.
Adv. Fernandes Rathina Raja, the General Secretary of CSI, delivered the keynote address. Dr Theodosius Mar Thoma Metropolitan gave the sermon of blessings. Bishop Dr Yuhanon Mar Chrisostomos, Bishop Thomas Mor Themotheos, Mr Thomas Chazhikadan M. P., Mr Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan MLA, Ms Bincy Sebastian (President, District Panchayat), Adv. Noble Mathew gave felicitation speeches.
Rev. Shajan A. Idicula, the Treasurer of the Diocese, led the thanksgiving worship service. Rev. Nelson Chacko, the Clergy Secretary gave the welcome speech, and Mr Jacob Philip Kallumala, the Lay Secretary of the Diocese gave the vote of thanks.
There were cultural programmes by various educational institutions of the diocese, Sunday School units and Youth Movement. A documentary was screened which visualised the history of the formation of the Church of South India.
The participation of the church members from various parts of the diocese in large numbers added meaning and jubilance to the public meeting.