But the fourth became contentious, as the Anglican Church maintained episcopal polity within the historical episcopate and believed that all its bishops and priests could trace an unbroken line of succession from St. Peter; whereas the rest of the churches in the negotiations conformed to other ecclesiastical polities and did not subscribe to the Anglican views on apostolic succession.

[13][14][15][16][17] The Church of South India as it exists today came into being with the perseverance and committed efforts of Rev.

Vedam Santiago,[citation needed] who for a long period of time took leadership of the SIUC, the South Indian United Churches, which later, with the joint efforts of Rev.

[19] This reconciliation of the Anglican views with those of the other uniting denominations, on the doctrine of apostolic succession, realized in the formation of the Church of South India, is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement.

The imposing central position of the Cross denotes the foundation of the Church and its faith, while its four arms of the same length promulgates equality.

The Lotus flower, called Pankaj meaning "mud-born" in Sanskrit, has been of great spiritual and symbolic significance in India, since ancient times.

The stylized rendering, makes the Lotus petals simultaneously depict the fiery split tongues of the Holy Spirit.

The motto of the CSI embossed on the logo, which is an excerpt of Jesus's prayer in John 17:21, is used as an inclusive affirmation of the need for the unity of all people.

[48] CSI clergy, working with the National Council of Churches in India also co-led a consultation speaking out against homophobia.

[49] The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) listed the Church of South India as being among the Anglican provinces open to blessing same-sex couples.

[54] In 2023 the Communion of Churches in India, of which the CSI is a part,[55] filed an application before the Supreme Court opposing petitions for same-sex marriage, writing that marriage is a divine institution uniting two persons of the opposite sex, and also writing to the President of India on the subject.

The committee has also produced three different cycles of lectionaries for daily Bible readings and "propers", and collects for Communion services.

[58] Cherishing the reformation principle of worship in the native language, the CSI liturgy and church services are completely in the vernacular, in all the different South Indian states and Northern Sri Lanka, which comprise its ecclesiastical province.

[59][60][61] The important observances and festivals include Lent (including its first day, Ash Wednesday), Passion Week, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Thursday, Pentecost, Lammas and Christmas.

It comprises 14 chapters detailing rules for the functioning of the Church at every level, from local congregations to the pastorate, dioceses and the Synod.

[68] The church accepts the Lambeth Quadrilateral as its basis and recognises the historical episcopate in its constitutional form.

[69][70][71] The church is governed by a synod based in Chennai and headed by a presiding bishop bearing the title of Moderator, who is elected every three years.

Due to the Madras High Court's ruling, which invalidated the recent elections and identified procedural discrepancies at the Synod meeting held in Hubli in January 2023.

There are 50 such projects all over India, 50 training centres for young people and 600 residential hostels for a total of 50,000 children.