Church of South India
Cross & Motto
This
is the logo of Church of South India along with its motto.
The
motto comes from John 17:21
The
church includes Anglicans, Methodists,
Presbyterians, Congregationalists and United Reformed congregations
The
cross is red (for life) and the lotus is saffron (for holiness).
Lotus,
a typical Indian flower, is a temple flower. According to Mythology,
Lotus is supposed to be the seat of the creator. “Pankajam” one
of the Indian names of lotus has a very significant meaning, it means
'that born in mud'. This flower blossom at the sunrise and withers
away after sunset, in other words it lives as long as it receives the
sunrays, hence it is also called 'THAMMIPUVE' the flower of the sun.
All these meanings are attributed to the flower suit us well to interpret
the position, nature and role of the people in the bond of union.
The
petals of the lotus and the cross are beautifully kitted together with the
fiery-tongues of the Holy Spirit. It is an authentic Indian
expression of people's communion with God. The original colors, red
(for life) and purple (for piety and ecclesiastical) in white backdrop
implicitly communicate the nature of the mystical union, where, an
inseparable companionship is established, which, again, a typical Indian
thought form.
The
words "THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE, CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA"
are embossed in a circle round the lotus and the cross. The words
are taken from the high priestly prayer of Jesus Christ who prayed not
only for the 'Church' but also for the whole world. Placing the
words in a form of circle, a symbol that also represents the universe
portrays this universality.
"That
they all may be one; that all of them may be one, Father, just
as you are in me and I am in you. (John 17:21)", is an inclusive
affirmation which explicitly shows Christ being the center and the church,
his body. Since it is also, the prayer of the Church that it is not
only churches but all people of India to be united, a prayer for national
integration is well taken care of in the emblem.
The
imposing central position of the cross in the logo conveys the idea
that it was the indefatigable, selfless supreme sacrifice that was made by
Jesus on the cross is the basis of the Church. Cross runs through
the lotus, as it is painted; it depicts the cleansing act of the
cross, working in the hearts of its members, helping to get rid of the mud
in which we were born and restoring us to the pristine purity.
The
four ends of the cross, painted in deep color indicating that it is the
cross that guides all members inside and outside to join in one stream to
pray and labor united for a peaceful coexistence and communal harmony.
It is said that the world waits for the true interpretation of St. John's
gospel from an India mystic. Our logo bridges the gap to certain
extent! Saints, prophets, philosophers, theologians still unborn may yet
produce many more to whom perhaps in a greater measure that before the
truth of God will be revealed and through them to the whole world.
If
August 15th of 1947 was a red-letter day in the history of our country for
on that day was born a free and independent India, September 27th of the
same year was another red-letter day in the history of the Christian
Churches for on that day was born Church of South India. Never in
the history of the world in one country have two great events of such far
reaching importance occurred within the span of less than two months.
It is providence that the Church of South India was born free indigenous
and autonomous in the same year as the country attained its political
freedom.
We
have now come to a stage where we begin to perceive the true nature of the
responsible unity we have sought for. Any union is an ongoing
process of growing together into perfect unity, transcending some of the
barriers and overcoming the difficulties that come in the way.
Living together and working together with a sense of mission is an art,
which the church has mastered through its able leaders, and no doubt we
have crossed more than a half century successfully. But let us not
forget that the unity is the gift of the Spirit. It is not what we
have created or achieved but the sphere of life into which we were drawn
by the spirit.
Church is a complex of personal relationships. Life in the church is life together. It speaks of the qualities that people should possess, their attitude to one another. The symbols, the lotus and the cross, used in the logo of the church possess a rich cultural heritage, which will help us understanding of our call and mission.
(Author
Unknown)