In a truly landmark moment for the Church of South India’s Malabar Diocese, two pioneering women have embarked on their journey towards priesthood. This consecration marks a significant shift in a Church where the sacred altar has historically been an exclusively male domain.
The CSI Malabar Diocese, which covers the entire Malabar region of Kerala—from Palakkad to Kasaragod—is a large and influential body, serving over one lakh followers across 132 churches, according to a Church official.
During a moving service held on Thursday at Mananchira Cathedral, Bishop Royce Manoj Victor officially ordained Saju Mary Abraham, 52, and Nimshi David, 25, as deaconesses. This vital role is recognized as the initial step towards achieving full priesthood, a milestone they are expected to reach after a year of dedicated service.
As the two women solemnly took their vows, the altar, usually a sea of male clergy, now included their presence. For many in the congregation, this moment resonated with a quiet yet deeply profound symbolism, marking a visible evolution within the Church.
“This is more than just an event for two individuals; it signifies the entire Church moving forward,” stated Joyprasad Pulickal, an executive committee member, highlighting the broader implications of the ordination.
Saju Mary Abraham, a distinguished scholar originally from Ranni in Pathanamthitta, South Kerala, brings an impressive academic background to her new role, holding postgraduate degrees in physics, sociology, and theology. Her expertise extends to her previous teaching positions in seminaries in Salem (Tamil Nadu) and Allahabad, and she is fluent in six languages, including ancient tongues like Greek, Hebrew, and Sanskrit, a Church official confirmed.
Adding to the family’s spiritual lineage, her husband, Father Reji George Varghese, is also an ordained priest. Their family is completed by a daughter pursuing law and a son studying engineering.
Nimshi David, at just 25, embodies a fresh generation of women embracing ministry. Hailing from Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, and raised in Wayanad, she demonstrated exceptional academic prowess by earning a gold medal in philosophy from Madras Christian College, followed by a distinguished theology degree in Chennai. Her father, Father David Stephen, serves as the esteemed vicar of St. Paul’s CSI Church in Nedunkaran.
While the Church of South India has previously extended priesthood to women in other dioceses, this marks the first instance of such ordinations within the Malabar region, making it a truly historic occasion.