Diocese of Cochin of the Church of South India-Cedar Herald Index

CSI Diocese of Cochin is one of the twenty four dioceses of the Church of South India (commonly referred to as CSI, successor of the Church of England and other Protestant church missions in South India) covering the churches in Ernakulam and Thrissur districts.

History

Cochin diocese was formed on 9 April 2015 after a special conference of the Church synod in Chennai. Cochin diocese has been carved out of erstwhile North Kerala Diocese and remaining portion was furnished into CSI Malabar diocese.

Diocese of Cochin of the Church of South India

CSI Immanuel Cathedral, Broadway, Ernakulam serves as its cathedral and was promulgated by CSI Moderator Most Rev. Thomas . K. Oommen.

Diocese of Cochin of the Church of South India

Bishops of the Diocese

Rt. Rev. Baker Ninan Fenn (2013 - Till date)

Diocese of Cochin of the Church of South India

Extent, traditions and establishments

The Kochi diocese comprises Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, parts of Idukki and Palakkad districts and CSI Holy Trinity Church, Hinkal, Mysore.

Its tradition is mainly Anglican and episcopal polity is followed.

CSI St. Francis Church, Fort Cochin

St. Francis Church, Kochi situated in Fort Kochi, originally built in 1503, is the oldest European church in India and was under the authority of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial powers and finally handed over to the Church of South India at its inception. The Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama's body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon. This church was renovated by Rev. Thomas Norton, CMS missionary in an Anglican church style for a confirmation service. The Lord's prayer is inscribed on its wooden altar screen.

CSI All Saints' Church, Thrissur

CSI All Saints' church Thrissur was dedicated on 1 November 1842 by CMS missionaries.

CSI Bethel Ashram, Thrissur

It was established in the year of 1934 by Zenana mission.

CMS Higher Secondary School, Thrissur

CSI St. John the Baptist Church, Aluva

St. John the Baptist Church, Aluva built in 1891 by the leadership of Church missionary society (CMS) and was under the auspices of former Travancore cochin Anglican diocese at its beginning and is one of the oldest CMS-built churches in Kerala. Later, It became part of CSI North Kerala diocese. When CSI cochin diocese was established, it became under its see. Now Aluva St. John the Baptist C.S.I church is in its 125th jubilee year. Rev. Praise Thaiparambil the 20th vicar of this church after India's independence and who is the parish member ordained in the 100th year of the church and became the presbyter of his mother parish.