S. Christopher Vijayan


Selvamony Christopher Vijayan is an Indian Protestant bishop. He is the seventh [Diocese of Kanyakumari district|Kanyakumari of the Church of South India|Bishop in Kanyakumari] in the Church of South India.

Early life and education

Christopher Vijayan was born on 25 July 1968 into a Christian family in the village of Maruthancode, Kanyakumari district, to G. Selvamony and V. Esther. His wife is George V. Seline Netto.
He completed a B.A degree at Madurai Kamaraj University. He has completed a Bachelor of Theology degree at Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Chennai. Bachelor of Divine and Master of Theology Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Madurai. Christopher has also completed his Doctorate in Ministry in Serampore University under the guidance of M. Peter Singh on the title "Revamping Health and Educational Activities of the Christu Kula Ashram, Thirupatur: Missional Challenges to the National Missionary Society of India."

Career

Vijayan served as Director of Mission Department of the CSI, General Secretary of NMSI, and presently the District Minister, CSI Church, Neyoor.
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, 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 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 pastoral ministry.