Rt. Rev. Dr. S. Samuel Rajadurai
Balancing scripture and constitution for the development of faith and distribution of justice.
The seventh Bishop · consecrated 6 December 2025, St. Luke's Church, Tiruchirappalli
Three commitments
As the History of the Diocese records them.
Revival of Christian faith and works rooted in faith.
In managing the providence for the people, to do mercy and justice to the marginalised.
To conduct the financial affairs of God’s household with integrity and faithfulness.
From the study and the field to the see
Every stage in the Bishop's résumé, in order — study, work, ministry, ordination — to his consecration.
- Study · 1982–1985Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), MathematicsBharathidasan University
- Study · 1986–1988Master of Arts (M.A.), Philosophy & ReligionMadurai Kamaraj University
- Study · 1988–1991Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.)Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, affiliated to Serampore College
- Work · 1991–1992Field Worker and Street Theatre ArtistConstruction Workers Union
- Ministry · 1992–1993Candidate for MinistryCSI Church, Perunkarunaipalayam
- Ministry · 1993–1995DeaconateCSI Church, Pudukkottai
- Ordination · 1993Ordained Deacon28 November 1993
- Ordination · 1994Ordained Presbyter10 July 1994
- Ministry · 1995–1998Assistant PresbyterAll Saints' Church, Tiruchirappalli
- Study · 1998–2000Master of Theology (M.Th.)Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, affiliated to Serampore College
- Ministry · 2000–2002Pastorate Committee ChairpersonParamathi & Thennilai Pastorates
- Ministry · 2002–2005PresbyterCSI Church, Ariyalur
- Ministry · 2002–2008DirectorDepartment of Dalit and Adivasis concern of the Diocese
- Ministry · 2005–2007PresbyterCSI Immanuel Church, Vellakoil
- Ministry · 2007–2008PresbyterCSI Church, Thanthondrimalai
- Study · 2008–2012Doctor of Theology (D.Th.)Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, affiliated to Serampore College
- Ministry · 2011–2012PresbyterCSI Church, Thalavaipattinam
- Ministry · 2012–2015PresbyterCSI Immanuel Church, Udumalpet
- Ministry · 2012–2015DirectorDepartment of Lay Preacher Training Programme of the Diocese
- Ministry · 2015–2018ChairmanDistrict Church Council, Dharapuram
- Ministry · 2018–2023PresbyterCentral Pastorate, Dharapuram
- Ministry · 2021–PresentFaculty for M.Th. (Part-Time)Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS), Madurai
- Ministry · 2023–PresentPresbyterBethel Church, Dharapuram
- Consecration · 2025Consecrated Bishop6 December 2025, St. Luke's Church, Tiruchirappalli
In response to the love and call from our Lord Almighty, I committed myself to the ministry after completing my secular undergraduate education. I am a dedicated theologian, ordained minister, and academician with over three decades of experience in pastoral ministry, theological education, and social justice advocacy. Currently serving as a Presbyter and part-time M.Th. faculty member at TTS, I hold a Doctor of Theology (D.Th.) with a strong research focus on food security, biblical social ethics, and liberation theology.
From his résumé.
Books, articles and studies
Books · 4
- 2024Historical Settings of the Biblical Narratives
- 2023Learning from the Saints
- 2017Promised Land and Right to Subsistence
- 2015The Lamb and the Beast
- Historical Settings of the Biblical Narratives: Combining the perspectives of Scripture and Social AnalysisISPCK, New Delhi, 2024
- Learning from the Saints: Biblical Inquiry for Personal DevotionISPCK, New Delhi, 2023
- Promised Land and Right to Subsistence: The Disintegration of Peasantry and the Neoliberal Policy on Food Security in IndiaISPCK, New Delhi, 2017
- The Lamb and the Beast: Socio political study of the images of revelationISPCK, New Delhi, 2015
Articles · 12
- 2025Postulates of the Nihilism of Friedrich Nietzsche and its contemporary implications: A Theological and Social Analytical InquiryStaff Seminar, Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS)
- 2025Powers and Principalities: Towards a Biblical understanding of PowerStaff Seminar, Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS)
- 2025What is there in one loaf of bread?: A Presentation on the issues connected with food security in IndiaStaff Seminar, Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS)
- 2022Representing God in times Pandemic (covid-19): A Ministerial perspective of Christian faithGod in Times of Pandemic, CSI Centre
- 2021Ark of the Covenant: fact, faith and fearCSI LIFE
- 2021The Plight of the Food Producing Tribals, Women and Dalits in India: An Agrarian Approach to Christian TheologyCSI LIFE
- 2020Providence of God: Comprehending Agriculture and Food security in the context of farm acts 2020 in IndiaTamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS)
- 2019Land Ownership and Dalits in India: A case of injusticeDSA, Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS)
- 2018Rethinking Ecclesia: Towards being and becoming Christ Communities – A Borderless Church from a Prophetic Diakonia PerspectiveCSI Synod
- 2017Reformation and HopeTamil Nadu Theological Seminary (TTS), Alumini
- 2016Strangers at my gate: towards an ecclesiastical comprehension of the ongoing migration in IndiaDepartment of Mission and Evangelism, CSI Synod, Chennai
- 2000Trinity and Counter Trinity as counter posed symbols of power and Authority in the book of RevelationAJTR
Research · 6
- 2017Study on the conditions of women engaged in agriculture and allied activities in Tamilnadu with special reference to Vellore districtFor Thendral Movement, Ranipet; National Commission for Women, New Delhi
- 2017The Plight of Small Peasants in the Context of Globalization with special reference to Karur–Tirupur areaISPCK, New Delhi
- 2012Promised Land and Right to Subsistence: The Disintegration of Peasantry and the Neoliberal Policy on Food Security based on a study in TamilnaduDoctoral research
- 2000The Lamb and the Beast as Socio-Political Images in the book of RevelationM.Th. thesis
- 1992Child Labour in Utensil sectorFor Centre for Labour Education and Development (LEAD), Chennai
- 1991A Study on Child Labour and the Interventions against the practice in a Biblical PerspectiveB.D. thesis
The James Massey Subaltern Studies Award, 2017, for the book “Promised Land and the Right to Subsistence”.
Bishop's portrait and official profile
This section is being prepared.