V. E. Christopher

V. E. Christopher was the Moderator / Bishop of India's largest Lutheran Church, the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church.^[2]

Early years

Ernest Christopher was born into a pastoral family in Bhimavaram in Andhra Pradesh to Rev. Vardanapu Krupadas and Smt. Bhagyamma. His father, Rev. V. Krupadas was a pastor of the AELC.^[3] He had his schooling in Bhimavaram and collegiate education in Rajahmundry.^[3] Later, he pursued degree studies in Sri Y. N. College (an NAAC-A grade college affiliated to the Andhra University), Narsapur in West Godavari District.

Part of a series on
Christianity in India
Background St. Thomas Christians (Nasrani) St. Thomas Christian churches St. Thomas Christian crosses Synod of Diamper Coonan Cross Oath Malankara (historical)
People St. Thomas the Apostle St. Alphonsa St. Francis Xavier St. Gonsalo Garcia St. Euphrasia Eluvathingal St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara Bl.Mother Teresa Bl.Devasahayam Pillai Mar Sabor and Mar Proth Mar Baselios Eldho Marthoma Metrans Paremmakkal Thoma Kathanar Thomas of Cana Mar Gregorios of Parumala Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly Mar Joseph C. Panjikaran Mathews Mar Athanasius Metropolitan Mar Geevarghese Dionysius Abraham Malpan Palackal Thoma Malpan Mar Augustine Kandathil William Carey
Denominations St. Thomas Christian Chaldean Syrian Jacobite Syrian Malankara Orthodox Syrian Malabar Independent Syrian Mar Thoma Syrian St. Thomas Evangelical Syro-Malabar Catholic Syro-Malankara Catholic Latin Church Latin Catholic Church Brahmavar Orthodox Church Protestant Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church of North India / of South India Garo Baptist Indian Pentecostal Church of God Church of God (Full Gospel) North Bank Baptist Christian Northern Evangelical Lutheran Presbyterian The Pentecostal Mission Seventh-day Adventist True Jesus United Evangelical Lutheran
Indian Christianity portal

Divinity

Like his father, Christopher had an inclination to pursue the ultimate profession of priesthood. His Church society (the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church) readily sponsored him for his priestly studies. The AELC was then headed by Rev. Dr. S. W. Schmitthener.

Armed with a sponsorship letter from his Church society, Christopher enrolled^[3] for the graduate degree of Bachelor of Theology (B. Th.) offered by the ecumenical Andhra Christian Theological College (affiliated to the Senate of Serampore College (University)), Hyderabad.

The then Principal of the College was the Cantabrigian Victor Premasagar. With disciplined faculty at ACTC, the young Christopher had a sound priestly formation. He was taught New Testament by Muriel Carder and K. David while Victor Premasagar and G. Babu Rao, taught him Old Testament, the core subjects in any seminary or theological faculty of a University. Christopher was known to be studious and disciplined.

Ordination & Pastorship

After Christopher's ordination, his Church President, the India-born Rev. Dr. S. W. Schmitthener posted^[3] him to East Godavari District to minister in a rural parish. He also served in Lutheran parishes in Rajahmundry and Bhimavaram.

Higher Studies

Christopher later enrolled for the degree of Bachelor of Divinity (B. D.) at his alma mater, the Andhra Christian Theological College, Hyderabad and upgraded himself to earn a B. D. degree.

Synod of the AELC

Rev. Christopher was twice^[3] elected as the Synod President of the West Godavari Synod, one of the six Synods of the AELC.

Presidentship

In due course of time, Christopher was elected to the Vice-Presidency^[3] of the Church Society. Later on June 1, 2005,^[3] he was declared elected as the President of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church.

References

Further reading

• Erwin Fahlbusch, Geoffrey William Bromiley (Ed.) (1999). "The Encyclopedia of Christianity, William B. Eerdmans Publishing, ISBN 0-8028-2415-3, ISBN 978-0-8028-2415-8". Page 357. ISBN 978-90-04-12654-1.