Madurai-Ramnad Diocese of the Church of South India
The Madurai-Ramnad Diocese is a diocese of Church of South India in Tamil Nadu state of India. The diocese is one among the 24 dioceses of Church of South India.
Diocese of Madurai Ramnad | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Ecclesiastical province | Church of South India |
| Information | |
| Cathedral | CSI Cathedral, Madurai |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Rt.Rev.Dr.D.Jeyasingh Prince Prabhakaran |
| Website | |
| www.csidmr.com | |
History
The Diocese of Madurai and Ramnad has been functioning for the Glory of God in the historically famous cities of Tamilnadu. Our Diocese has its strong footing in the committed service rendered by missionaries. Church Missionary Society (CMS), The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG) and The American-Madura Mission were the three reputed organisations that stamped their service in our Diocese. Among the above said three Missionary Societies, the American-Madura Mission’s contribution is tremendous.
When the missionaries found the speedy and steady growth of these offspring of their handwork and labour, considered that the right time to hand over the mission to the Diocesan people. As a result, they founded Madurai Mission Sangam on 15th January 1934, and handed over the missionary projects and decided to back them up with their valuable guidance. This establishment had been functioning successfully from 1934 to 1947. On 27th September 1947, the Church of South India was formed and the Diocese of Madurai and Ramnad became a part of it, encompassing the two Districts Madurai and Ramnad. Now it holds 6 prominent districts – Madurai, Ramnad, Dindigul, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar and Theni.
About the Diocese
The diocese comprises following six districts Madurai, Dindigul, Virudhunagar, Theni, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu state. The cathedral church of the diocese is situated at Narimedu, Madurai.
Bishops
- 1947–1959: Lesslie Newbigin
- 1959–1978: George Devadass
- 1978–1994: David Gnaniah Pothirajulu
- 1996–2004: Thavaraj David Eames[1]
- 2004–2012: Christopher Asir
- 2013–2022: Marialouis Joseph
- 2022–present: Jeyasingh Prince Prabhakaran
Notable churches
- CSI Cathedral , Narimedu, Madurai
The Cathedral at Madurai is the biggest Cathedral in South East Asia, sprawling over a four-acre site which is built in Gothic style combined with architectural elegance, Tamil culture and theological significance. It was built during the Rt. Rev. Dr. David Pothirajulu from donations from across the diocese. It was dedicated on the Easter Day, 30 March 1986 by the then CSI moderator, Rt.Rev.Dr. I. Jesudasan.
+ C.S.I St.John's Church, Virudhunagar
+ C.S.I Good Samaritan Church,Madurai'
- Mary Clara Memorial Church, Melur, Madurai District
- Abishehanather CSI Church, Sivaganga (North)
- C.S.I Webb Memorial Church, Ponnagaram, Madurai
- C.S.I Immanuel Church,AruppukottaiTown pastorate
Educational institutions under the diocese
- C.S.I.Bishop Christopher Asir memorial College of Dental Science and Research, Madurai
- C.S.I College of Arts and Science for Women, K.Pudur, Madurai
- C.S.I Jeyaraj Annapackiam College of Nursing & Allied Sciences, Pasumalai, Madurai
- C.S.I Industrial Training Center, Pasumalai, Madurai
- C.S.I College of Education Pasumalai, Madurai-04
- C.S.I.College of Education, Ramnad
- C.S.I. Teacher Training Institute, Batlagundu
- C.S.I. Teacher Training Institute, Thirumangalam, Madurai