05/12/2025
Church of South India, Kanyakumari Diocese Bishop-Designate: Rev. Dr. S. Christopher Vijayan
Rev. Dr. S. Christopher Vijayan was born on 25 July 1968 into a Christian family in the village of Maruthancode, to his parents, the late Mr. G. Selvamony and the late Mrs. V. Esther. He is blessed with his wife, Mrs. Geroge V. Seline Netto.
After completing his schooling, he pursued theological studies and obtained his B.Th. from Madras Bible Seminary. He began his ministerial journey as a probationer at the CSI Church, Karode, in the CSI Kanyakumari Diocese. Responding to the call for deeper theological formation, he proceeded to the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Madurai, where he successfully completed his B.D. studies.
Following his theological education, he served faithfully as a Church Worker in various congregations, including CSI Church, Anjukandarai; CSI Church, Nambali; and CSI Church, Paul Danielpuram. In May 1998, the Diocese deputed him for missionary service in the Kalrayan Hills, for six months. After this mission posting, he took charge as the caretaker of the Bishop Selvamani Retreat Centre and CSI St. Peter’s Church, and on 29 August 1999, he was ordained as a Presbyter in the Church of South India. After completing his pastoral ministry at St. Peter’s Church, he was deputed for the Training and Exposure Programme organised by USPG, London, UK, which expanded his global missional perspectives and enriched his ministry.
After completing his exposure programme in the UK, he was placed at Liberty CSI Church, Kadamalaikunttu, as a presbyter. During this period, he also published a short biography of Bishop V. S. Azariah in Tamil. In 2003, he pursued his M.Th. studies in the field of the History of Christianity at the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS), Madurai. Following the completion of his postgraduate studies, he was appointed as the Director of Communications in the Kanyakumari Diocese, where he contributed significantly to diocesan publications.
Then he was placed as Presbyter at CSI Church, Mulankuzhi, and was also appointed as the Correspondent of the CSI VV Teacher Training Institute, where he contributed to the educational and pastoral growth of the institution.
He was deputed to serve in the Department of Mission and Evangelism at the CSI Synod as the Director, where he contributed significantly to the expansion and strengthening of various missional initiatives. Following this tenure, he was deputed to the National Missionary Society of India (NMSI) to serve as its General Secretary, offering leadership in national-level mission programmes. He is currently serving as the District Minister at CSI Neyyoor, continuing his faithful pastoral ministry.
His Service of Consecration is scheduled to be held on Sunday, 7 December, at 2 PM, at the CSI Home Church, Nagercoil. The service will be presided over by the Chief Celebrant, Most Rev. Dr. K. Reuben Mark, Moderator of the Church of South India, and graced by Adv. C. Fernandas Rathina Raja, General Secretary, and Prof. Dr. B. Vimal Sukumar, Hon. Treasurer. The occasion will also be blessed by the Bishops of the CSI, along with the office bearers of various dioceses, pastors, and the gathered congregation.
