| A. Christopher Asir | |
|---|---|
| Bishop in Madurai Ramnad | |
| Church | Christian |
| See | Church of South India |
| In Office | 2004–present |
| Predecessor | D. Thavaraj David Eames |
| Successor | Incumbent |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1977 |
| Consecration | 23 September 2004 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 December 1947 Pannaivilai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Previous post | Presbyter in Charge |
A. Christopher Asir (born 5 December 1947) is the present Deputy Moderator of the Church of South India[1] as well as the fifth Bishop in Madurai Ramnad.
Contents |
Christopher Asir was born on 5 December 1947 in Tamil Nadu.[2] His parents were Sri P. Asir and Smt. Packiam Asir.
The young Asir was sent to CSI Tucker Higher Secondary School, Pannaivilai and later to the Pope's College, Sawyerpuram[3] for collegiate studies.
Since childhood, Christopher had an inclination to pursue divinity. He was sent to the Hindustan Bible Institute[3] (affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)), Chennai, where he obtained a Licentiate in Theology. Later, he upgraded this with a B.Th. degree.
Starting from the academic year 1973, Asir joined the United Theological College [the only autonomous college under the Senate of Serampore College (University)], Bangalore for pursuing the B.D. degree. Joshua Russell Chandran was the Principal of the College at that time while D. S. Satyaranjan was the Registrar of the College. By 1975, Christopher completed his studies in UTC.[3]
His thesis submitted to the Senate of Serampore College (University) was entitled "A Historical Survey of the Sectarian Church Groups in the C.S.I. Diocese of Tinneveli in the 20th century".[4]
After returning from Bangalore, Asir was assigned a pastoral role[5] in Kannivadi. Later, he was ordained as a Deacon of the Diocese of Madurai Ramnad of the Church of South India in 1976.
During his service in Vedachandur from 1976 to 1978, he was ordained as a Priest in 1977.[3]
Asir was also assigned a teaching role in his alma mater, the Hindustan Bible Institute, Chennai.
The Diocese of Madurai Ramnad was founded in the year 1834. About six revenue districts fall under this diocese.[6] Lesslie Newbigin was the first Bishop of this diocese.
On 23 September 2004 Asir was consecrated as the Bishop in Madurai Ramnad.[7]
The first Bishop in Madurai Ramnad, Lesslie Newbigin also served as Deputy Moderator of the CSI.[8]
During the XXXI session of the Synod of the CSI held in Visakhapatnam from 11–14 January 2008, Asir was elected as the Deputy Moderator of the CSI for a biennium.[9] He succeeded the S. Vasantha Kumar (Bishop-in-Karnataka Central).
Prof. Dr Michael Bergunder,[10] Professor of History of Religions and Mission Studies of the University of Heidelberg, Germany quoted Rev. Christopher's B. D. thesis in an article entitled "From Pentecostal Healing Evangelist to Kalki Avatar: The Remarkable Life of Paulaseer Lawrie, alias Shree Lahari Krishna (1921–1989) – A Contribution to the Understanding of New Religious Movements" in a book published by William B. Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan with the title "Christians and Missionaries in India: Cross-cultural communication since 1500 with special reference to caste, conversion, and colonialism" in 2003.[11]
| Religious titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Right Reverend S. Vasantha Kumar |
Deputy Moderator Church of South India 11 January 2008 – 10 January 2010 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by The Right Reverend D. Thavaraj David Eames |
Bishop in Madurai Ramnad Church of South India 2004–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |