View source for Church of South India

{{Short description|United Protestant church in South India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name               = Church of South India
| image              = Church of South India.png
| caption            = Logo of the Church of South India
| main_classification = [[Protestant]]
| orientation        = [[United and uniting churches|United and uniting]]
| polity             = Mixed polity with [[episcopal polity|episcopal]], [[congregational polity|congregational]], and [[presbyterian polity|presbyterian]] elements<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.csisynod.com/history.php |publisher=Church of South India |access-date=22 August 2020 |language=en |year=2010 |quote=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 23 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. |archive-date=14 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214005331/https://www.csisynod.com/history.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Watkins">{{cite book |last1=Watkins |first1=Keith |title=The American Church that Might Have Been: A History of the Consultation on Church Union |date=3 November 2014 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-63087-744-6 |pages=14–15 |language=en |quote=The Church of South India created a polity that recognized Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Congregational elements and developed a book of worship that bridged the liturgical traditions that came into this new church. It set up a plan by which existing ministries were accepted while including processes which would lead to the time, a generation later, when all ministers would have been ordained by bishops in apostolic succession. The Church of South India was important as a prototype for a new American church because two factors had come together: the cross-confessional nature of its constituent parts and the intention to be, in effect, the Protestant Christian presence in communities all across the southern territories of its nation.}}</ref>
| founder            = 
| founded_date       = 27 September 1947 (Day of Union, not date of establishment)
| founded_place      = [[Tranquebar]], Tamil Nadu (Presently Under the Pastorate of Karaikal - Tranquebar, Tiruchirappalli - Thanjavur Diocese)
| separated_from     = 
| leader_title       = Moderator
| leader_name        = The Rt. Rev. [[K. Reuben Mark]]
| leader_title1      = General Secretary
| leader_name1       = Adv. C. Fernandas Rathina Raja
| leader_title2      = Deputy Moderator
| leader_name2       =  ''not updated''
| leader_title3      = Hon. Treasurer
| branched_from      = 
| merger             = [[Church of India, Burma and Ceylon]] (Anglican), the southern district of the [[Methodist Church]], South India United Church (which was a union in 1904 of the Continental Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches), Basel Mission Churches in South India<ref name="WMC2020"/>
| separations        = [[Anglican Church of India]] (1964)<br/> [[Anglican Catholic Church]] (1984)
| leader_name3       = B. Vimal Sukumar
| fellowships        = [[Christian Conference of Asia]],<br />[[National Council of Churches in India]],<br /> [[Communion of Churches in India]]
| associations       = [[Anglican Communion]],<br />[[World Methodist Council]], [[World Council of Churches]],<br />[[World Communion of Reformed Churches]]
| area               = [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]], [[Telangana]] and [[Sri Lanka]]
| hospitals          = 104<ref name="About CSI"/>
| nursing_homes      = 
| aid                = 
| congregations      = 14,000<ref name="CWM Official website: CSI">{{cite web |last1=Team |first1=CWM Communications |title=Member Church Feature: Church of South India (CSI) |url=https://www.cwmission.org/member-church-feature-church-of-south-india-csi/ |website=Council for World Mission |date=7 March 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="About CSI"/>
| members            = 4,500,000
| ministers          = 3,300<ref name="CWM Official website: CSI" />
| missionaries       = 
| temples            = 
| primary_schools    = 
| secondary_schools  = 2000 schools, 130 colleges<ref name="About CSI"/>
| tertiary           = 
| footnotes          = 
| abbreviation       = CSI
| website            = {{URL|https://www.csi1947.com/}}
}}
{{Christianity in India sidebar}}
The '''Church of South India''' ('''CSI''') is a [[united and uniting churches|united Protestant Church]] in [[India]]. It is the result of union of a number of [[Christian denomination|Protestant denominations]] in [[South India]] that occurred after the independence of India.<ref name="WMC2020"/><ref>Author:Sushil Mittal, Gene Thursby -Religions of South Asia: An Introduction</ref> With a membership of over 4.5 million,<ref>{{Cite web |title=CSI Holy Trinity Church, Albany, NY - Church of South India |url=https://www.csialbany.org/about/church-of-south-india |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=www.csialbany.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CSI Malabar Diocese |url=https://csidioceseofmalabar.com/History |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=csidioceseofmalabar.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=CWM Communications |date=2022-10-11 |title=Church of South India celebrates 75th anniversary, calls for an end to discrimination against the casteless - Council for World Mission |url=https://www.cwmission.org/church-of-south-india-celebrates-75th-anniversary-calls-for-an-end-to-discrimination/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |language=en-US |archive-date=19 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519061033/https://www.cwmission.org/church-of-south-india-celebrates-75th-anniversary-calls-for-an-end-to-discrimination/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> it is the second-largest [[Christianity|Christian]] church based on the number of members in India.

The Church of South India is the successor of a number of Protestant denominations in India, including the four southern dioceses of the [[Church of India, Burma and Ceylon]] ([[Anglican]]), the South India United Church ([[Congregationalist]], [[Presbyterian]] and [[Continental Reformed]]), and the southern district of the [[Methodist Church]].<ref name="Shelley2013">{{cite book |last1=Shelley |first1=Bruce |title=Church History in Plain Language: Fourth Edition |date=10 December 2013 |publisher=Zondervan Academic |isbn=978-1-4016-7685-8 |language=en |quote=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.}}</ref><ref name="oikoumene.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/church-of-south-india |title=oikoumene.org|date=January 1948 |publisher=Oikoumene.org |access-date=2014-08-15}}</ref>

The Church of South India is a member of the [[Anglican Communion]], [[World Methodist Council]] and [[World Communion of Reformed Churches]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anglicancommunion.org/structures/member-churches/member-church.aspx?church=north-india|title=The Church of North India (United)|publisher=Anglican Communion Office|access-date=17 September 2018|quote=Along with the Church of South India, the Church of Pakistan, and the Church of Bangladesh, it [the Church of a North India] is one of the four United Churches.}}</ref><ref name="WMC2020">{{cite web |title=Church of South India |date=9 November 2019 |url=https://worldmethodistcouncil.org/member-churches/name/india-church-of-south-india-bangalore-episcopal-area/ |publisher=[[World Methodist Council]] |access-date=25 June 2020 |language=en|quote=The Church of South India is a United Church that came into existence on 27 September 1947. The churches that came into the union were the Anglican Church, the Methodist Church, and the South India United Church (a union in 1904 of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches). Later the Basel Mission Churches in South India also joined the Union. The Church of South India is the first example in church history of the union of Episcopal and non-Episcopal churches, and is thus one of the early pioneers of the ecumenical movement. The CSI strives to maintain fellowship with all those branches of the church which the uniting churches enjoyed before the union. It is a member of the World Methodist Council, the Anglican Consultative Council, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the Council for World Mission, and the Association of Missions and Churches in South West Germany.}}</ref> It is one of four [[united and uniting churches|united Protestant churches]] in the Anglican Communion, World Methodist Council and World Communion of Reformed Churches, with the others being the [[Church of North India]], the [[Church of Pakistan]], and the [[Church of Bangladesh]].

Being a United Protestant denomination, the inspiration for the Church of South India came from [[ecumenism]] and the words of [[Jesus]] as recorded in the [[Gospel of John]] ([[John 17:21|17.21]]); as such "That they all may be one" is the motto of the Church of South India.<ref name="About CSI">{{cite web |url= http://www.csimichigan.org/ChurchofSouthIndia.html |title= Church of South India International Resource Center |website=CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, Michigan |access-date=11 January 2013 |year=2007}}</ref>

==History==

===Origins===
Four different church traditions were brought together in the CSI: Anglican, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Methodist. All these churches had been established in India through the missionary work of churches in Europe, America, and Australia, which had started their work in India at different periods from the beginning of the 18th century.

The Church of South India Scheme was the first practical attempt of its kind toward a union, on the basis of the following points enunciated in the [[Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral]]:
* The Holy Scripture of the Old and the New Testaments as containing all things necessary to salvation and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
* The Apostles' Creed as the Baptismal Symbol and the Nicene Creed as sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
* The two sacraments, ordained by Christ Himself&nbsp;— Baptism and the Supper of the Lord&nbsp;— ministered with the unfailing use of Christ's words of Institution and elements ordained by Him.
* The [[Historic episcopate (Anglican views)|Historic Episcopate]], locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying need of the nations and people called of God into the union of His Church.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Davidson |first1=Randall Thomas |title=The five Lambeth Conferences |date=1920 |publisher=London : S.P.C.K. |url=https://archive.org/details/fivelambethconfe00lambuoft/page/n5}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The historic episcopate in Anglican ecclesiology the esse perspective |journal=Consensus |year=1986 |volume=12 |issue=1 |url=https://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol12/iss1/7/ |language=en |issn=2369-2685}}</ref>

The first three points could be accepted without any controversial question. But the fourth became contentious, as the Anglican Church maintained [[episcopal polity]] within the [[historical episcopate]] and believed that all its bishops and priests could trace an unbroken line of succession from [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]]; whereas the rest of the churches in the negotiations conformed to other [[Ecclesiastical polity|ecclesiastical polities]] and did not subscribe to the Anglican views on [[apostolic succession]]. After extensive dialogues, an agreement was reached that all who were already ordained in any of the uniting churches would be received as ministers in the united Church; provided all new [[Holy orders|ordinations]] after the union, would be conferred by [[Episcopal polity|episcopally ordained]] bishops of the united Church, with the imposition of hands. The intention was to introduce an episcopate in historic succession [[Historic episcopate (Anglican views)|(from Anglicanism)]] into the new united Church and to ensure its maintenance in the future, by keeping all subsequent ordinations episcopal.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Lausanne, Lambeth and South India, by N.P. Williams (1930) |website=Anglicanhistory.org |url=http://anglicanhistory.org/india/lausanne1930.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Some Comments on the South India Scheme |website=Anglicanhistory.org |url=http://anglicanhistory.org/india/fhood.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803100520169|title=Church of South India|website=Oxford Reference}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Lambeth Conference and the Union of Churches in South India. -- |url=https://biblehub.com/library/schaff/the_creeds_of_the_evangelical_protestant_churches/iii_the_lambeth_conference_and.htm |website=biblehub.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Church of South India Contributes to Anglican Communion |url=https://www.anglicannews.org/news/1999/09/church-of-south-india-contributes-to-anglican-communion.aspx |website=anglicannews.org |language=en-gb}}</ref>

The Church of South India as it exists today came into being with the perseverance and committed efforts of Rev. Vedam Santiago,{{Citation needed|reason=No visible citation; |date=September 2021}} who for a long period of time took leadership of the SIUC, the South Indian United Churches, which later, with the joint efforts of Rev. V Santiago{{Citation needed|reason=No visible citation; |date=September 2021}} and Bishop Azariah became the Church of South India.

=== Formation ===
The Church of South India union ceremony happened at [[St. George's Cathedral Chennai|St George's Cathedral in Madras]] on 27 September 1947, a month after India achieved its independence from the [[United Kingdom]]. It was formed from the union of the SIUC, (South India United Church itself a union of churches from the [[Congregational church|Congregational]], [[Presbyterian]] and [[Reformed church|Reformed]] traditions); the southern provinces of the (Anglican) [[Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon]]; and the Methodist Church of South India.<ref name="anglicancommunion.org">{{cite web |url= http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=S3 |title= Anglican Communion official website – The Church of South India (United) |access-date=2008-06-21 }}</ref> The inaugural service was presided by Bishop Rt. Rev. [[Cherakarottu Korula Jacob|C. K. Jacob]], of the [[Anglican Bishop of Travancore and Cochin|Anglican diocese of Travancore and Cochin]].<ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration">{{cite journal |title=The Order of Service for the Inauguration of Church Union in South India (1947) |website=Anglicanhistory.org |url=http://anglicanhistory.org/india/inauguration1947.html}}</ref> As part of it, nine new bishops, drawn from all the traditions, were consecrated to serve with five Anglican bishops already in the office.<ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration" /> Each new bishop was ordained with the imposition of hands by the presiding bishop, along with two more Anglican bishops (Rt. Rev. [[Michael Hollis]] and Rt. Rev. [[George Selwyn (bishop of Tinnevelly)|George Selwyn]]) and six presbyters from the uniting Churches, also laying hands.<ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration" /> This reconciliation of the Anglican views with those of the other uniting denominations, on the doctrine of [[apostolic succession]], realized in the formation of the Church of South India, is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://library.columbia.edu/content/dam/libraryweb/locations/burke/fa/mrl/ldpd_4492556.pdf|title='A Church Is Born' Records, 1947 – 1948 Church of South India Inauguration|via=The Burke Library Archives}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Church of South India and Reunion in England |journal=Biblicalstudies.org.uk |url=https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/churchman/082-04_249.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Historic Episcopate in the Light of South Indian Experience |website=Churchsociety.org |url=http://churchsociety.org/docs/churchman/080/Cman_080_2_Paul.pdf |access-date=16 January 2019 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924060518/https://churchsociety.org/docs/churchman/080/Cman_080_2_Paul.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="anglican history 1947 inauguration" />

[[File:Church of South India formation service.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The Rt. Rev. C. K. Jacob presiding over the Church of South India inaugural service]]

[[File:George'sCathedral.jpg|thumb|right|300px|St George's Cathedral]]

==Logo==
The [[logo]] of the Church of South India consists of a [[Christian cross|Cross]] superimposed on a stylized [[Nelumbo nucifera|Lotus flower]] depicting split tongue for [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] in a white backdrop; around which the motto and name of the Church, is embossed.<ref name="CSI SYNOD">{{cite web |title=CSI SYNOD |url=https://csisynod.com/csi-synod-logo.php |website=csisynod.com |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208221349/https://www.csisynod.com/csi-synod-logo.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was designed by J. Vasanthan of the [[American College, Madurai]].

The imposing central position of the Cross denotes the foundation of the Church and its faith, while its four arms of the same length promulgates equality. The [[Padma (attribute)|Lotus flower]], called Pankaj meaning "mud-born" in [[Sanskrit]], has been of great spiritual and symbolic significance in India, since ancient times.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Lotus Flower |url=http://www.hinduismfacts.org/hindu-symbols/the-lotus-flower/ |website=Facts about Hindu Religion |date=2 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lotus Flower, Hindu Sacred Flower, Lotus Flower Symbolism |url=https://www.lotussculpture.com/my_articles_lotus.html |website=lotussculpture.com}}</ref> Its placement in the Logo, proclaims the indigenous nature of the Church of South India and its dependence on the grace of God, just as a Lotus that blooms at sunrise and closes at sunset, depends on the [[Sun]]. The stylized rendering, makes the Lotus petals simultaneously depict the fiery split tongues of the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]. The motto of the CSI embossed on the logo, which is an excerpt of [[Jesus]]'s prayer in John 17:21, is used as an inclusive affirmation of the need for the unity of all people.<ref>{{cite web |title=CSI Logo |url=https://www.melbournecsichurch.org.au/her/logo/ |website=Melbourne CSI Church |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-date=17 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417203928/https://www.melbournecsichurch.org.au/her/logo/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="CSI SYNOD"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Church of South India |url=http://csiseafordchurch.org/home/history |website=csiseafordchurch.org|date=4 March 2021 }}</ref>

==Beliefs and practices==
The Church of South India is a [[Trinitarian]] Church that draws from the traditions and heritage of its constituent denominations. The Church accepts the [[Chalcedonian Christological Definition]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bindley |first1=T. Herbert (Thomas Herbert) |title=The oecumenical documents of the faith [microform]. The creed of Nicaea. Three epistles of Cyril. The tome of Leo. The Chalcedonian definition |url=https://archive.org/details/MN41552ucmf_1/page/n241 |publisher=London : Methuen & Co. |year=1899}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Chalcedonian Definition |url=https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/chalcedonian-definition |website=Episcopal Church |language=en |date=22 May 2012}}</ref> as well as the [[Apostles' Creed]] and the [[Nicene Creed]]. Both creeds are included in the Church liturgy as the profession of [[faith]].<ref name="Beliefs and Practices">{{cite web |title=Beliefs and Practices |url=http://redeemercsichurch.org/beliefs-practices.php |website=redeemercsichurch.org |access-date=13 June 2019 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407023758/http://redeemercsichurch.org/beliefs-practices.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csimichigan.org/PDF/FIRST%20ORDER%20FOR%20MORNING%20AND%20EVENING%20WORSHIP.pdf|title=CSI Order of Service|website=CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, Michigan}}</ref> The Church practices [[infant baptism]] for children born in Christian homes and adult or [[believer's baptism]] for others. Baptized children are members of the church and share in the privileges and obligations of membership so far as they are capable of doing so.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csimichigan.org/PDF/HOLY%20BAPTISM%20OF%20INFANTS.pdf|title=Holy Baptism of Infants (CSI)|website=CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, Michigan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csimichigan.org/PDF/HOLY%20BAPTISM%20OF%20ADULTS.pdf|title=Holy Baptism of Persons Able to Answer for Themselves (CSI)|website=CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, Michigan}}</ref>

The Church of South India practices the [[Rite (Christianity)|rite]] of [[Confirmation]], by which the ''confirmands'' (those being confirmed) upon profession of their Christian faith, obtain confirmation of their baptisms and thereafter, get to partake fully in the privileges and obligations associated with Church membership. Secondarily, this is also a [[coming of age]] ceremony. Confirmation is almost always administered by a Bishop with the imposition of hands and occasionally by a Presbyter who is authorized to confirm.<ref name="Beliefs and Practices"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://csimichigan.org/PDF/CONFIRMATION.pdf|title=An Order of Service for the Reception of Baptized Persons into the Full Fellowship of the Church Commonly Called Confirmation (CSI)|website=CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, Michigan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Confirmation |url=http://www.religionfacts.com/confirmation |website=ReligionFacts |language=en}}</ref>

=== Capital punishment ===
The Church of South India opposes the death penalty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csisynod.com/news_view.php?Id=52|title=CSI SYNOD|website=csisynod.com|access-date=2016-10-25}}</ref>

=== Women's ordination ===
The CSI recommended the ordination of women to the priesthood in 1972.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Can woman serve as pastor or ordained priest? |url=https://morungexpress.com/can-woman-serve-pastor-or-ordained-priest |access-date=2025-10-26 |website=MorungExpress}}</ref> Since 1984, the CSI has ordained women to the priesthood.<ref name="Radhakrishnan2011" /> In 2013, the CSI consecrated its first female bishop, [[Pushpa Lalitha|Eggoni Pushpalalitha]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=ACNS staff|title=Church of South India appoints first female bishop|url=http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/09/25/church-of-south-india-appoints-first-female-bishop/|website=episcopaldigitalnetwork.com|publisher=Episcopal Digital Network|access-date=12 January 2016|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053348/http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2013/09/25/church-of-south-india-appoints-first-female-bishop/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet India's first woman Bishop |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meet-indias-first-woman-bishop-535848 |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> The Church of South India, since 1984, has allowed [[Ordination of women in Protestant denominations|women's ordination]].<ref name="Radhakrishnan2011"/> Additionally, "it has taken up issues of gender, dalits and [[landlessness]]."<ref name="Radhakrishnan2011">{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kerala-rising-cases-of-sexual-abuse-within-the-church/1/151572.html|date=26 September 2011|author=M G Radhakrishnan|title=Rising cases of sexual abuse within the church in Kerala force clergy to rethink on homosexuality|publisher=[[India Today]]|access-date=2016-04-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Paul|first1=Cithara|title=Protestants support gay rights|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090805/jsp/frontpage/story_11322140.jsp|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914124004/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090805/jsp/frontpage/story_11322140.jsp|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 September 2012|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Kolkota|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.efionline.org/the-news/efi-news/58-current-issues/189-church-pressed-to-rethink-and-embrace-the-lgbt-community|title=Church pressed to rethink and embrace the LGBT community|last=deepak|website=efionline.org|access-date=2016-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828204418/http://www.efionline.org/the-news/efi-news/58-current-issues/189-church-pressed-to-rethink-and-embrace-the-lgbt-community|archive-date=28 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.christiantoday.co.in/article/church.urged.to.rethink.and.embrace.the.lgbt.community/4326.htm|title=Church pressed to rethink and embrace the LGBT community|last=Today|first=Christian|work=Christian Today|access-date=2018-01-29|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129141718/http://www.christiantoday.co.in/article/church.urged.to.rethink.and.embrace.the.lgbt.community/4326.htm|archive-date=29 January 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== LGBTQIA+ Ordination and Beliefs ===
Many dioceses of the CSI church have confirmed that transgender persons may be ordained as clergy.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/csi-to-ordain-transgender-a-priest/article2864240.ece|title=CSI to ordain transgender a priest|date=2012-02-06|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=2016-04-29}}</ref> On [[transgender]] issues, the Diocese of Madras has a ministry specifically for transgender people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.csimadrasdiocese.org/ministries.php?cat=13|title=Church of South India {{!}} CSI Chennai Diocese {{!}} CSI Diocese of Madras|website=www.csimadrasdiocese.org|access-date=2016-04-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213194541/http://www.csimadrasdiocese.org/ministries.php?cat=13|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012, the denomination invited a transgender pastor to preach.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Transgender-in-a-fix-over-spiritual-path/articleshow/11787219.cms|title=Transgender in a fix over spiritual path - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=7 February 2012 |access-date=2016-05-01}}</ref>

In 2016, a seminary affiliated with the CSI offered a seminar on LGBT issues. "The [[Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary]] in Madurai held a two-hour seminar on gender and sexuality..."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/awesome-tamil-nadu-seminary-teaching-pastors-accept-lgbt-community-46577|title=Awesome! This Tamil Nadu seminary is teaching pastors to accept the LGBT community|date=2016-07-15|work=The News Minute|access-date=2017-12-11}}</ref> Bishops and other clergy have supported LGBTQ inclusion through the church's publication, ''CSI Life''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Francis |first=V.S. |date=December 2023 |title=Finding Space for the Prince of Peace |url=https://csi-synod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/s3/1707718191744CSILife-December20231707718192062.pdf |journal=CSI Life |volume=XXI |issue=12 |pages=8 |via=Church of South India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Singh |first=Peter |date=May 2023 |title=Promise & Transformation by the Holy Spirit |url=https://csi-synod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/s3/1689244935287052023May1689244934947.pdf |journal=CSI Life |volume=XXI |issue=5 |pages=5–8 |via=Church of South India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kumar |first=Sunil |date=March 2023 |title=THE CROSS : FORGIVING, ACCEPTING, LIBERATING AND RESTORING CHRIST |journal=CSI Life |volume=XXI |issue=3 |pages=5–6 |via=Church of South India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Palanna |first=Samuel |date=November 2022 |title=The Ethics of the Covenantal Open Church Amidst the Challenges of the Contractual Open World |url=https://csi-synod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/s3/1673496874169CSILife-November20221673497548179.pdf |journal=CSI Life |volume=XX |issue=11 |pages=5–8 |via=Church of South India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Stephen |first=Alfred |date=September 2022 |title=Mission Statement, Mission Priorities and Mission Consultation |url=https://csi-synod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/s3/1673496228386CSILife-September20221673497062631.pdf |journal=CSI Life |volume=XX |issue=9 |pages=4–5 |via=Church of South India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=John |first=Maxcin |date=July 2022 |title=Theological Education An Eye of a Reader, Tongue of a Teacher and Ears of a Servant |url=https://csi-synod.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/s3/1672639339901CSILife-July20221672639344548.pdf |journal=CSI Life |volume=XX |issue=7 |pages=24 |via=Church of South India}}</ref> 

The [[National Council of Churches in India]], of which the CSI is a member, supported the legalization of consensual same-sex relationships in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-08-04 |title=Protestants cool with verdict on homosexuality |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/protestants-cool-with-verdict-on-homosexuality-53514-2009-08-03 |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=voltaire |date=2018-01-23 |title=India's National Council of Churches Advocates for Repeal of Section 377 - Singapore News |url=https://theindependent.sg/indias-national-council-of-churches-advocates-for-repeal-of-section-377/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=The Independent Singapore News |language=en-US}}</ref> 

In 2015, [[St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore]] hosted an event, co-led by the Rev. Vincent Rajkumar, aimed at denouncing homophobia.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Silthou|first1=Makepeace|title=A Theological Challenge to Christian Homophobia|url=http://thewire.in/2015/12/09/a-theological-challenge-to-christian-homophobia-16685/|work=The Wire|access-date=12 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211203604/http://thewire.in/2015/12/09/a-theological-challenge-to-christian-homophobia-16685/|archive-date=11 December 2015}}</ref> CSI clergy, working with the [[National Council of Churches in India]] also co-led a consultation speaking out against homophobia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://josephgoh.org/?p=525|title=International Consultation on Church and Homophobia|date=2014-12-08|website=Joseph N. Goh|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-23}}</ref> The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) listed the Church of South India as being among the Anglican provinces open to [[Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches|blessing same-sex couples]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Church split over homosexuality would be a failure - Welby|work=BBC News |date=11 January 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35278124|access-date=12 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sanghamam.com/readnews.php?id=8588|title=സവവരഗ രതിയം വിവാഹവം: ആംഗലികകന കമയണിയനില ഭിനനത രകഷം|website=sanghamam.com|language=EN|access-date=2017-05-04|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408170135/https://www.sanghamam.com/readnews.php?id=8588|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Liturgy==
The CSI Synod Liturgical Congress has developed several new orders for worship for different occasions.<ref name="csimichigan.org">{{Cite web|url=http://csimichigan.org/Liturgy.htm|title=Church of South India Liturgy: CSI Order of Services|website=CSI Congregation of Great Lakes, Michigan}}</ref> The order for the Communion service, known as the CSI Liturgy, has been internationally acclaimed as an important model for new liturgies. The committee has also produced three different cycles of lectionaries for daily Bible readings and "propers", and collects for Communion services. In addition, the committee has also brought out a supplement to the Book of Common Worship.<ref name="csimichigan.org"/> Cherishing the [[reformation]] principle of worship in the native language, the CSI liturgy and [[church service]]s are completely in the vernacular, in all the different [[South India]]n states and [[Northern Province, Sri Lanka|Northern Sri Lanka]], which comprise its [[ecclesiastical province]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Where worship began with Canarese hymns |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2017/jan/18/where-worship-began-with-canarese-hymns-1561037.html |website=The New Indian Express|date=19 January 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Book of Common Prayer in Tamil (1885) |url=http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/India/Tamil1885.html |website=justus.anglican.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Anglicans Online: Books of Common Prayer |url=http://anglicansonline.org/resources/bcp.html |website=anglicansonline.org}}</ref>

==Observances and festivals==
The important observances and festivals include [[Lent]] (including its first day, [[Ash Wednesday]]), [[Passion Week]], [[Palm Sunday]], [[Maundy Thursday]], [[Good Friday]], [[Easter]], [[Ascension Thursday]], [[Pentecost]], [[Lammas]] and [[Christmas]].<ref name="Denominations 1">{{Cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=oTtcFiGbW2kC&q=lent+lutheran+catholic+methodist&pg=PA98| title = Comparative Religion For Dummies|publisher=[[For Dummies]]|quote=This is the day Lent begins. Christians go to church to pray and have a cross drawn in ashes on their foreheads. The ashes drawn on ancient tradition represent repentance before God. The holiday is part of Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, and Episcopalian liturgies, among others| isbn = 9781118052273|year=2011}}</ref>

==Constitution==
The Constitution of the CSI is the key document that governs the administration and management of the church. It comprises 14 chapters detailing rules for the functioning of the Church at every level, from local congregations to the pastorate, dioceses and the Synod.<ref>{{cite web |title=Constitution |url=http://redeemercsichurch.org/constitution.php |website=redeemercsichurch.org |access-date=1 July 2019 |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426021727/http://redeemercsichurch.org/constitution.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The most important part of the CSI Constitution is "The Governing Principles of the Church" which sets out 21 governing principles on which the other chapters of the Constitution and the rules contained therein rest. While amending any part of the Constitution can be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Synod, amending the Governing Principles requires a three-fourths majority.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Constitution of the Church of South India |publisher=Christian Literature Society |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AstWAAAAMAAJ&q=editions:UOM39015069848920|year=1952 }}</ref>

==Ecumenism==
As a [[united and uniting churches|united Protestant Church]], the Church of South Indian is a member of the [[World Methodist Council]], as well as the [[World Communion of Reformed Churches]]; as a constituent member of the [[Anglican Communion]] its bishops participate in the [[Lambeth Conferences]].<ref name="WMC2020"/> It also has representation in the [[Anglican Consultative Council]].<ref name="WMC2020"/> Consequently, the CSI is in full communion with the [[Old Catholic Church]]es of the [[Union of Utrecht (Old Catholic)|Union of Utrecht]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.occus.org/old-catholic-church|title=Old Catholic Church in the United States|website=Old Catholic Confederation}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Old-Catholic churches|website=World Council of Churches |url=https://www.oikoumene.org/en/church-families/old-catholic-churches |language=en}}</ref> and the [[Philippine Independent Church|Philippine Independent Catholic Church]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Anglican Communion: Churches in Communion |journal=Anglican Communion Website |url=https://www.anglicancommunion.org/ecumenism/churches-in-communion.aspx |language=en}}</ref> It is a member of the [[World Council of Churches]], the [[World Alliance of Reformed Churches]], [[Christian Conference of Asia]] and the [[National Council of Churches in India]]. Through the [[Communion of Churches in India]], it is also in partnership and full communion with the [[Church of North India]] and the [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church]].

The Church of South India maintains close partnerships with the [[Church of Scotland]], [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church of the United States]], [[Methodist Church of Great Britain]], [[Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap)|Presbyterian Church in Korea]], [[Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea]], [[Presbyterian Church of India]], [[Presbyterian Church (USA)]], [[Reformed Church in America]], [[United Church of Christ]] and the [[Uniting Church in Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CSI 1947 |url=https://csi1947.com/about/partners_screen |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=csi1947.com}}</ref>

==Administration==
The church accepts the [[Lambeth Quadrilateral]] as its basis and recognises the [[Episcopal polity|historical episcopate]] in its constitutional form.<ref name="WCC-CSI">{{cite web|url=http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/asia/india/church-of-south-india.html|title=World Council of Churches – The Church of South India|access-date=2008-06-21|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611024524/http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/asia/india/church-of-south-india.html|archive-date=11 June 2008}}</ref> Like [[Anglican ministry|Anglican]] and most other [[Episcopal polity|episcopal]] Churches, the ministry of the Church of South India is structured with three [[holy orders]] of [[bishop]]s, [[priest]]s and [[deacon]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Packer |first=J. I. |url=https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/churchman/082-04_249.pdf|title=The Church of South India and Reunion in England|journal=The Churchman}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Final Action on the Church of South India by General Convention 1958 |date=24 July 2018 |url=https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/document/final-action-church-south-india-general-convention-1958 |language=en |access-date=25 July 2018 |archive-date=11 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811133953/https://episcopalchurch.org/library/document/final-action-church-south-india-general-convention-1958 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.csicod.org/ORDINATIONOFPRESBYTERS.pdf|title=Orders for the Ordination of Deacons/Deaconesses; The Ordination of Presbyters; The Consecration of Bishops|website=Church of South India: Congregation of Dallas|access-date=26 February 2019|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026123334/http://www.csicod.org/ORDINATIONOFPRESBYTERS.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Synod==
{{main|Church of South India 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 three years. The officers were elected for a three-year term at the Synod meeting. The present officers of the synod are The Rt. Rev. K. Reuben Mark, Deputy Moderator & Moderator in-charge, CSI,  Adv. C. Fernandas Rathina Raja, General Secretary, CSI, B. Vimal Sukumar, Hon.Treasurer, CSI.

The church runs 2,300 schools, 150 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 600 residential hostels for a total of 50,000 children.<ref name="About CSI"/>

==Dioceses==
The church is further divided into twenty-six [[diocese]]s, each under the supervision of a [[bishop]], including one diocese encompassing [[Jaffna]], [[Sri Lanka]]. The dioceses are governed by diocesan councils composed of all [[clergy]] in the diocese as well as lay people elected from the local congregations.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.csi-kanyakumari.org/About.htm |title= About Kanyakumari Diocese |access-date= 2008-06-21 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080827195230/http://www.csi-kanyakumari.org/About.htm |archive-date= 27 August 2008 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Each church will have representation in diocesan council based on their membership. The diocese is headed by the Bishop, who is a presbyter elected through the Diocesan Council. He is considered as the head of the diocese and all the institutions belonging to the diocese. Other than the Bishop, the following are the important administrative posts of each diocese:
*Clergy Secretary: Manages all the activities of the pastoral & evangelical workers in the diocese
*Lay Secretary: Manages all the lay workers' activities in the diocese
*Educational Secretary: Manages all educational institutions and the workers of those institutions
*Diocesan Treasurer: Manages all the income and expenditures of the diocese.
The Diocesan Council also consists of Diocesan Executive Committee, Diocesan Standing Committee, and Pastorate Committee.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
!Name
!Headquarters
!Location
!Bishop<br>(The Right Reverend)
|- 
| style="width:20%;"|[[Krishna-Godavari Diocese of the Church of South India|Krishna-Godavari Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Machilipatnam]]
| rowspan="3" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;"|[[Andhra Pradesh]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[George Cornelious|T. George Cornelious]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Nandyal Diocese of the Church of South India|Nandyal Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Nandyal]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[K. Santhosh Prasanna Rao]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Rayalaseema Diocese of the Church of South India|Rayalaseema Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Kadapa]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[P. Issac Vara Prasad]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Dornakal Diocese of the Church of South India|Dornakal Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Dornakal]]
| rowspan="3" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;"|[[Telangana]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[K. Padmarao]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Diocese of Medak of the Church of South India|Medak Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Medak]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Commissary#Ecclesiastical|Moderator's Commissary]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Karimnagar Diocese of the Church of South India|Karimnagar Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Karimnagar]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Reuben Mark|K. Reuben Mark]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Central Karnataka Diocese of the Church of South India|Karnataka Central Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Bangalore]]
| rowspan="3" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;"|[[Karnataka]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Vincent Vinod Kumar]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Karnataka Northern Diocese of the Church of South India|Karnataka Northern Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Dharwad]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Martin C Borgai]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Karnataka Southern Diocese of the Church of South India|Karnataka Southern Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Mangalore]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[HemaChandra Kumar]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[East Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India|East Kerala Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Melukavu]]
| rowspan="6" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;"|[[Kerala]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[VS Francis]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Kochi Diocese of the Church of South India|Cochin Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Kochi]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Kurian Peter]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Kollam-Kottarakkara Diocese of the Church of South India|Kollam-Kottarakara Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Kollam]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Jose George]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Madhya Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India|Madhya Kerala Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Kottayam]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Sabu Koshy Cherian|Malayil Sabu Koshy Cherian]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Malabar Diocese of the Church of South India|Malabar Diocese]] 
| style="width:15%;"|[[Kozhikode]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Royce Manoj Kumar Victor]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[South Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India|South Kerala Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Trivandrum]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Commissary#Ecclesiastical|Moderator's Commissary]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Diocese of Coimbatore of the Church of South India|Coimbatore Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Coimbatore]]
| rowspan="9" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;" |[[Tamil Nadu]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Timothy Ravinder]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Diocese of Erode-Salem of the Church of South India|Erode-Salem Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Salem, Tamil Nadu|Salem]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[A. Jacob Livingston]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Diocese of Kanyakumari of the Church of South India|Kanyakumari Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Nagercoil]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Commissary#Ecclesiastical|Moderator's Commissary]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Anglican Diocese of Madras|Madras Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Chennai]]
| style="width:30%;"|Paul Francis Ravichandran
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Madurai-Ramnad Diocese of the Church of South India|Madurai-Ramnad Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Madurai]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Jeyasingh Prince Prabhakaran]]

|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Thoothukudi - Nazareth Diocese of the Church of South India|Thoothukudi-Nazareth Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Thoothukudi]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Commissary#Ecclesiastical|Moderator's Commissary]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Tirunelveli Diocese of the Church of South India|Tirunelveli Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Tirunelveli]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[A.R.G.S.T. Barnabas]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Trichy-Tanjore Diocese of the Church of South India|Trichy-Tanjore Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Tiruchirappalli]]
| style="width:30%;"| [[Sede vacante]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Anglican Diocese of Vellore|Vellore Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Vellore]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Sharma Nithiyanandam]]
|-
| style="width:20%;"|[[Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India|Jaffna Diocese]]
| style="width:15%;"|[[Jaffna]]
| rowspan="1" style="width:15%; vertical-align:top;"|[[Sri Lanka]]
| style="width:30%;"|[[Veluppillai Pathmathyalan]]
|}
[[File:Church of South India Dioceses.jpg|400px|right|Church of South India Dioceses and headquarters.]]

==Affiliations==

===Theological education===
The church recognizes theological degrees granted by institutions affiliated with the [[Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College]]. These include:

* [[Kerala United Theological Seminary]] (KUTS), [[Trivandrum]], Kerala
* [[Mennonite Brethren Centenary Bible College]] (MBCBC), [[Shamshabad]], Telangana
* [[Andhra Christian Theological College]] (ACTC), [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]], Telangana
* [[Bethel Bible College, Guntur|Bethel Bible College]] (BBC), [[Guntur]], Andhra Pradesh
* [[Gurukul Lutheran Theological College|Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute]] (GLTCRI), [[Chennai]], Tamil Nadu
* [[Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary]] (TTS), [[Madurai]], Tamil Nadu
* [[Union Biblical Seminary]] (UBS), [[Pune]], Maharashtra
* [[United Theological College, Bangalore]] (UTC), Karnataka
* [[South Asia Theological Research Institute]] (SATHRI), [[Bangalore]], Karnataka
* [[Karnataka Theological College]] (KTC), [[Mangalore]], Karnataka
*  Bishops College (BC), [[Calcutta]], West Bengal
* [[Serampore College]] (SC), [[Serampore]], West Bengal

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
* [[Anglican Communion]]
* [[Church of North India]]
* [[Christianity in India]]
* [[Christianity in Kerala]]
* [[Christianity in Tamil Nadu]]
* [[Christianity in Karnataka]]
* [[Telugu Christian]]
* [[St. Thomas Christians]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Church of South India}}
* [http://www.csisynod.com/ CSI Synod] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829024131/https://www.csisynod.com/ |date=29 August 2018 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130530133045/http://churchofsouthindia.org/ Church of South India, General Secretary]
* [https://www.csidallaschurch.org Church of South India, Dallas, Texas, USA]
* [https://www.csitoronto.org/ Church of South India, Toronto, Ontario, Canada]
* [https://karnatakacentral.csi1947.com Church of South India, Karnataka Central Diocese, India]
* [https://www.csimadrasdiocese.org Church of South India, Diocese of Madras, Tamil Nadu, India]
*[https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/document/final-action-church-south-india-general-convention-1958 Final Action on the Church of South India by General Convention 1958] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811133953/https://episcopalchurch.org/library/document/final-action-church-south-india-general-convention-1958 |date=11 August 2020 }}
*[https://csimadhyakeraladiocese.org/ CSI Madhyakerala Diocese Website]

{{Anglican Churches}}
{{Christianity in Sri Lanka}}
{{Churches in India}}
{{Dioceses in the Church of South India}} 
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Church of South India| ]]
[[Category:Anglican Communion church bodies|India, South]]
[[Category:Members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches]]
[[Category:Protestantism in India]]
[[Category:Christian denominations established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Christianity in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Christianity in Telangana]]
[[Category:Members of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches|India, South]]
[[Category:Members of the World Council of Churches|India, South]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1947]]
[[Category:Thoothukudi]]
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[[Category:Affiliated institutions of the National Council of Churches in India]]
[[Category:Anglicanism in Sri Lanka]]
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