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Focus on Our Linked Diocese – the Diocese of Trichy-Tanjore, India

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Focus on Our Linked Diocese – the Diocese of Trichy-Tanjore, India FOCUS ON OUR LINKED DIOCESE – THE DIOCESE OF TRICHY-TANJORE, INDIA What is a Linked Diocese? The Diocese of Wyoming has a Linked Partnership among five Anglican Communion dioceses on four continents. The links are formed and are strongly based on relationships. This week, we focus on the Diocese of Trichy-Tanjore, India. (Source Data: Church of South India and Trichy-Tanjore websites) The Church of South India Tiruchirappalli Thanjavur (Trichy- Tanjore) Diocese is a diocese of the Church of South India in Tamil Nadu state of India. The diocese is one among the 24 dioceses of Church of South India and this diocese was one of the first 14 dioceses to be formed at the inaugural of the Church of South India in 1947. There are over 88,000 members in the Diocese with over 100 ordained priests. Empowerment of women and Dalits (those of the lowest caste), are main focuses of this diocese. Their ministries are divided among Education, Hospital, Tribal Welfare, Mission, Evangelism and Ministry among women. The diocese has 52 primary schools, 2 high schools, 17 higher secondary schools, 2 nursing schools, 1 industrial training center and 4 colleges (specialized in Arts & Science, Management, Nursing & Community Welfare). All institutions of this diocese are religious minority educational institutions. In 2018, the Right Rev. Dr. D. Chandrasekaran was consecrated as the Bishop of Trichy-Tanjore. The Right Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar had previously served as Bishop for over 10 years. Bishop Smylie and wife Jill traveled to Trichy-Tanjore in 2017 to assist with the election process for a new Bishop at the request of Bishop Paul. Christianity is a minority group in a country overshadowed by the influence of Hinduism. Yet, Christianity is important in how the life of Jesus Christ is acted out by those who follow His way in Trichy- Tanjore. History 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. The General Council of Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, General Assembly of South India United Church and South India Provincial Synod of Methodist Church joined together to from the CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA as the largest united national church in India. The continued growth has been further enriched with the joining of the churches of Basel Mission and the Anglican Diocese of Nandyal. A unique church was born out of the blending of the Episcopal and non - Episcopal traditions as a gift of God to the people of India and as a visible sign of the ecclesiastical unity for the universal church. Organized into 24 dioceses, each under the spiritual supervision of a bishop, the church as a whole is governed by a synod, which elects a presiding bishop every 2 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. The Scriptures are the ultimate standard of faith and practice. The historic creeds are accepted as interpreting the biblical faith, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are recognized as of binding obligation. The Church of South India has its own service book and communion service, both of which draw from several denominational sources. The union, especially in its reconciliation of the Anglican doctrine of apostolic succession with the views of other denominations, is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement. Commitment of the Church Being the largest Protestant church in India, the CSI celebrates her life with Indian culture and spirituality and she also raises her voice for the voiceless on matters of justice, peace and integrity of creation. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the people of India through proclamation of the good news of Jesus; responding to human need through institutional and emergency relief work; through community development projects and skill training programs for the marginalized and disadvantaged sections of the people and programs for the integrity of creation. The Logo of the Church of South India is an important and significant as the formation of the CSI through the process of unification. The Lotus, a typical Indian flower, in Mythology is supposed to be not only a temple flower but also the seat of the creator. "Pankajam" one of the Indian names given to the Lotus has a very significant meaning that "it is born in mud". The Lotus blooms at sunrise and withers at sunset, in other words it lives as long as it can receive the sun rays hence it is also called 'Thammipuvu' meaning flower of the sun. Whether it means "born in the mud" or "flower of the sun" to the Indian Church, it stands to be interpreted as symbolizing the composition, nature and role of the members of the Church of South India in the bond of the union and in the context of being indigenous and also being dependent on the grace of God. The petals of the Lotus and the arms of the Cross are beautifully intertwined together with the fiery tongues of the Holy Spirit. This again is an authentic Indian expression of people's communion with God. The colors being red (for life), purple (for piety and ecclesiastical) and the white backdrop (for purity) implicitly communicate the nature of the mystical union, where, an inseparable companionship is established which, again is a typical Indian thought form. The words THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE, CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA are embossed in a circle round the Lotus and the Cross. The word, are taken from the high priestly prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ who prayed not only for the 'Church' but also for the whole world. This universality is expressed by placing the words in a form of a circle symbolizing not only the universe but also the inclusive nature of the Church. That they all may be one; as thou, father, art in me, and I in thee that they also may be one in us......" (John 17:21) is an inclusive affirmation showing explicitly that Christ is the Head and the Church, His body. It also symbolizes the prayer of the Church that not only Churches need to be united but all people of this country which can be interpreted as a meaningful prayer for national integration. The imposing central position of the cross in the Logo conveys the idea that the indefatigable, selfless supreme sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is the basis of the Church and its faith. The cross runs through the Lotus depicting its cleansing act working in the hearts of the members of the Church and restoring them to the pristine purity of heaven. .
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