A joint worship service of the CSI Parishes was held at the St. Paul's Chapel of the Holy Trinity Church on Tuesday, 27th September 2022, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the formation of the Church of South India (CSI).
Members of the Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam (Madhya Kerala and South Kerala Dioceses) Parishes attended the historical event. The pastors and representatives of the parishes joined in hoisting the Platinum Jubilee flag at the beginning of the worship service.
Choirs of all parishes joined together in singing Hymns for the occasion in English, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil. The Musicians accompanied the Choir with Organ, Saxophone and Violin which made the occasion memorable.
Rev. Issac Fernandez (Vicar, CSI Tamil) started the service with the opening prayer and read the Gospel from Luke 9:1-6. Rev. Stephen Joseph (CSI Malayalam SKD) delivered the sermon.
Rev. Shaji Jacob Thomas (Vicar, CSI Malayalam MKD) spoke on the "Need for the unity of the church" and broke the bread. He reminded the gathering about the following points enunciated in the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral which became the basis of the union of the CSI:
1. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as "containing all things necessary to salvation," and as being the rule and ultimate standard of faith.
2. The Apostles' Creed, as the Baptismal Symbol; and the Nicene Creed, as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.
3. The two Sacraments ordained by Christ Himself-Baptism and the Supper of the Lord-ministered with unfailing use of Christ's words of Institution, and of the elements ordained by Him.
4. The Historic Episcopate, locally adapted in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into the Unity of His Church.
(Lambeth Conference of 1888 Resolution 11)
Parishioners from all the churches actively participated in various parts of the service. It was a time of great fellowship and the evening ended with the parishioners joining in dinner.
The photos of the Joint Worship Service is available here : https://www.csidubai.com/gallery/30/csi-platinum-jubilee-joint-worship-service