India is a land of rich diversity in terms of religion, culture, and ethnicity. It is home to six major world religions, such as Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism, along with numerous religious sects. Christianity in India traces its origins to the 1st century AD with the arrival of the Apostle Thomas. According to ancient tradition and the St. Thomas Christian community in Kerala, he landed on the Malabar Coast in 52 AD and established Christian communities there.

By the early 20th century, denominational divisions had become so common that it was not unusual for members of the same family to belong to different churches. This fragmentation was seen as a negative witness to non-Christians in India. Consequently, voices began to emerge, calling for a united and indigenous Church that would reflect the oneness of the body of Christ within the Indian context. Bishop Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah (1874–1945) was a pioneering figure in the Indian ecumenical movement and the first Indian bishop of the Anglican Church in India. In the early 20th century, when Western missionary movements were heavily influencing the Indian church with their denominational divisions rooted in their European origins, Bishop Azariah sought to redefine the church’s identity by fostering unity among the various Christian denominations. He dreamed of one united church in India, led by Indians and shaped by local cultures and traditions. He believed the Church should reflect Indian ways of worship and mission and, more importantly, should serve people at the grassroots without any form of segregation.

This study seeks to critically examine the life and mission of the CSI and to analyze the extent to which it aligns with the original vision of Bishop Azariah. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Church of South India, it is crucial to evaluate how much of his vision has been realized and fulfilled in the life and mission of the CSI, which owes much of its foundation to Bishop Azariah’s efforts, and to consider what remains to be done.