List of Indian Christians

This article lists notable Indian Christians. The list includes both Indians who lived within India and its predecessor states, and those of Indian ancestry who resided in other countries.

Freedom Fighters

• Titusji[1]
• Kali Charan Banerjee (1847–1902)[2]
• Krishna Mohan Banerjee[3]
• Amrit Kaur[4]
• Harendra Coomar Mookerjee[5]
• Pandita Ramabai[6]
• S. K. Rudra[7]
• J.C. Kumarappa
• Joseph Baptista
• Joachim Alva

Business

• M. G. George Muthoot, Chairman of Muthoot Group[8]

Politics

• Ajit Jogi, first Chief Minister of Chattisgarh
• Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy current Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
• George Fernandes was an Indian trade unionist, statesman, journalist, freethinker
• S C Jamir Former Chief Minister of Nagaland, and former Governor of Maharashtra and Odisha.
• Madhusudan Das
• A. J. John, founder leader of Travancore State Congress[9]
• Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (1949–2009), former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh[10]
• Sangliana, Police Officer of Karnataka, originally from Mizoram, who also served as a Member of the Parliament of India[11]
• Lal Thanhawla, Chief Minister of Mizoram[12]
• Y. S. Sharmila, Telugu politician
• Y. S. Raja Reddy
• Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, former M. P. of Kadapa and Minister of Andhra Pradesh
• Thomas Chandy Former minister, Businessman.[13]

Cinema

• Tiger Prabhakar, Kannada cinema actor[14]
• Nagma

Sports

• Vinod Kambli, cricketer[15]
• Mahesh Bhupathi, professional tennis player also widely regarded as among the best doubles players in the world with 11 Grand Slam titles to his credit[16]
• Leander Paes Indian professional tennis player who is considered as one of the greatest doubles player in the history of the sport along the record of most doubles wins in the Davis Cup.
• Vece Paes Vece Paes was a former Indian hockey midfielder, and representing the Indian team in the 1972 Munich Olympics, that won the bronze medal.
• Mary Kom, Olympic bronze medallist in 2012 Summer Olympics, London[17]

Religious leaders

• Dr.Philipose Mar Chrysostom - Padma Bushan, world record holder for the longest serving bishop in the world, record holder as theme actor in the longest comprehensive biopic documentary ever made,[18][19] Metropolitan Emeritus of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.[20]
• Thomas K. Oommen – Bishop of Diocese of Madhya Kerala of the Church of South India, Past Moderator Church of South India.[21][22][23]
• Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II - 8th Catholicos of the Malankara & 21st Malankara Metropolitan (2010–Present).(Supreme head of the Malankara Church aka Indian Orthodox Church)
• Andrews Thazhath - the third and the Metropolitan Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur
• Jacob Thoomkuzhy - Catholic Arch Bishop Emeritus and the second Metropolitan Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Archdiocese of Thrissur
• Joseph Mar Thoma - Metropolitan of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.
• Jolly Abraham - Leading evangelist worship leader in South India. Founder of Musi-Care Cultural and Charitable Trust[24]
• Puroshottam Choudhary - preacher, evangelist, writer of Christian literature
• Aurobindo Nath Mukherjee - first Indian Bishop of Calcutta and Metropolitan of India
• Lal Behari Dey - Indian journalist, writer, and Christian missionary
• Ravi Zacharias - Christian apologist, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.
• D. G. S. Dhinakaran - Christian evangelist.
• Paul Dhinakaran, Indian evangelist and the Chancellor of Karunya university, which he owns.
• K. A. Paul, Evangelist, Philanthropist, Politician and founder of Praja Shanti Party.
• K. P. Yohannan, founder and president of Gospel for Asia, He is also the founder and Metropolitan Bishop of Believers Eastern Church.
• Valerian Gracias - First cardinal from India.
• Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy - First Indian to head a Sacred Congregation of the Catholic Church.
• Acharya K. K. Chandy - President Emeritus- Fellowship of Reconciliation India; 1 of the 3 Founding Fathers - Christavashram, Kottayam; Founder Father- Gurukul Ecumenical Centre for Peace.
• Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly - Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute.
• Mary Celine Payyappilly - Servant of God, Professed Religious of the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel.
• George Alencherry - Catholic Cardinal and the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
• Varkey Vithayathil - Catholic Cardinal and former Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church.
• Antony Padiyara - Catholic Cardinal and the First Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
• Joseph Parecattil - First from the Syro-Malabar church to be made a cardinal.
• Augustine Kandathil - First head of the Syro-Malabar Church and first Indian to assume powers and rule as an archbishop of the Catholic Church.
• Kuriakose Elias Chavara - First Indian to be beatified Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
• Saint Alphonsa - first Indian Catholic to be raised to sainthood Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
• Mother Teresa of Kolkata - Founder of Missionaries of Charity and the most well-known Christian social worker of India (although Albanian and born in Skopje in Macedonia, she became an Indian).
• V. C. Samuel - World-renowned Theologian, Historian, Ecumenical Leader, Professor/Dean in India and abroad, Priest, Indian Orthodox Church.
• Cyril Baselios - Former head of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
• Mariam Thresia - Syro-Malabar Church.
• St. Euphrasia - Syro-Malabar Church.
• St. Joseph Vaz - Goan Oratorian priest and missionary to Sri Lanka
• Rani Maria Vattalil - Catholic religious and missionary social worker in the Franciscan Clarist Congregation
• Nidhiry Mani Kathanar - Priest of the Syro-Malabar Church who led a relentless campaign for indigenous bishops. Founder of Nazrani Deepika Malayalam newspaper.
• Neiliezhü Üsou (1941–2009), an influential Baptist preacher, theologian, Church musician, music teacher and composer from the North-Eastern state of India, Nagaland.
• Baselios Yeldo - was the Maphrian of the East of the Syriac Orthodox Church. He was the Catholicos of Jerusalem and Mosul. He is the Saint of Malankara Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox and Jacobite Orthodox Churches.
• Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I - First Catholicos who used Mar Thoma in his title. He was awarded The Order of St. Valdimer by the Patriarch of Russia.
• Antonio Francisco Xavier Alvares - First Head of Goan Orthodox who was a Catholic Priest who joined Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in search for real believes and worship.
• J. W. Gladstone -Former Moderator of the Church of South India.
• K. C. John - India Pentecostal Church of God General President.
• Telesphore Toppo - First Indian Cardinal from the Scheduled Tribal communities.
• Devasahayam Pillai (1712–1752), beatified convert, layman and martyr of the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church.
• Geevarghese Gregorios - (1848-1902) First Indian to be raised to sainthood. First Saint of Malankara Church and the youngest one in Malankara to become a Bishop.
• Geevarghese Dionysius of Vattasseril (Dionysius VI) (1858-1934) Malankara Metropolitan and Saint of Malankara Orthodox Church.
• Thomas Fernando, former Catholic bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin
• Francis Tiburtius Roche, former Catholic bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin
• Peter Fernando, former Catholic bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin

Others in Christian ministry

• Siluvai Ignaci - Catholic Priest and Educator from Kuthenkuly
• Maria Theresa Chiramel - Catholic nun.
• Ken Gnanakan - Evangelist, singer, environmentalist and Founder Director of Acts Ministries.
• P. C. John - Kerala Brethren person.
• Nirmala Joshi - Former Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity.
• Bakht Singh - Evangelist, Apostle and Pioneer in local Church planting Ministries in India.
• Sadhu Sundar Singh - Missionary, Christian universalist.
• Sadhu Kochoonju Upadesi - Malayali preacher and poet / composer.
• Benjamin Bailey (missionary) -Missionary, Founded the first College in India, Developed first English Malayalam Dictionary.

[25]

• Graham Staines – Australian missionary[26][27]
• Elizabeth Paul Sister at CSI Order of Sisters, First woman to be ordained to priesthood[28]

Cultural leaders

• Michael Madhusudan Dutt - famous Bengali poet and dramatist[29]
• George Menachery - Historian, author, encyclopaedist, archaeologist, anthropologist, writer of Church History[30][31]
• Fr. Paul Poovathingal, Carnatic music singer[32]

See also

• Christianity in West Bengal
• Christianity in India
• Christianity in Andhra Pradesh
• Christianity in Tamil Nadu
• Goan Catholics
• List of Anglo-Indians
• List of Saint Thomas Christians
• List of Syro-Malabar Catholics
• Mangalorean Catholics
• Marathi Christians
• Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church

References

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/recreating-an-unsung-hero/article7875442.ece https://ctrendsmag.com/2018/inspiration/titusji-a-christian-satyagrahi/ https://www.theweek.in/theweek/specials/2020/03/06/my-father-said-no-to-bapu.html
2. Gispert-Suach, George (2002). "Two-Eyed Dialogue: Reflections after Fifty Years" (PDF). The Way. 104 (Suppement): 31–41. Retrieved 10 June 2014. the Rev. Kali Charan Banerjee, himself a convert to the Anglican Church.
3. Murshid, Ghulam (2012). "Banerji, Rev. Krishna Mohan". Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
4. Brown, Judith M. (2003). "Who is an Indian?". In Brian, Stanley; Low, Alaine M. (eds.). Missions, Nationalism and the End of Empire. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 130. ISBN 978-0-80282-116-4.
5. Brown, Judith M. (2003). "Who is an Indian?". In Brian, Stanley; Low, Alaine M. (eds.). Missions, Nationalism and the End of Empire. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-80282-116-4.
6. Jayawardena, Kumari (1995). The White Woman's Other Burden : Western Women and South Asia During British Colonial Rule. Routledge. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-13665-707-8.
7. O'Connor, Daniel (2005). A Clear Star: C. F. Andrews and India 1904 -1914. Chronicle Books. p. 37. ISBN 978-8-18028-023-8.
8. "The leader, the higher order was looking for" (PDF). Muthoot News. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
9. Fr. George Thalian: "' The Great Archbishop Mar Augustine Kandathil, D. D.: the Outline of a Vocation '"., Mar Louis Memorial Press, 1961
10. Murthy, V. Gopala Krishan (5 September 2009). "YSR buried with full state honour in Idupulapai". Merinews. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
11. "Meghalaya: BJP puts its sole Christian MP at work". Indian Express. 21 February 2008. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
12. "Mizo National Front heat on Mizoram CM over 'idol worship'". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
13. {{https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-mla-thomas-chandy-passed-away/article30358988.ece https://www.firstpost.com/india/thomas-chandy-dies-at-72-ex-kerala-minister-and-mla-passes-away-at-kochi-home-survived-by-wife-and-three-children-7808411.html http://ddnews.gov.in/national/kerala-state-transport-minister-thomas-chandy-resigns}}
14. User, Super. "My Dad Prabhakar Did not Die of Gangrene: Vinod Prabhakar - chitraloka.com | Kannada Movie News, Reviews | Image". Retrieved 2 October 2015.
15. "Vinod Kambli embraces Christianity - Sport - DNA". Dnaindia.com. 9 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
16. Sinh, Gauri (2 September 2002). "Shvetha & Mahesh? Why knot!". The Times Of India. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
17. Aarti Narang. "Mary Kom: Full-Confidence Lady". Reader's Digest. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013.
18. "Blessy's biopic on Mar Chrysostom will be 72 hours long - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
19. "Mohanlal, Blessy back again for documentary on Mar Chrysostom". OnManorama. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
20. Mar Thoma, Alexander (31 December 2011), "The Syrian heritage and the Mar Thoma Church", The Harp (Volume 2), Gorgias Press, pp. 9–10, ISBN 978-1-4632-3293-1, retrieved 12 April 2020
21. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/Thomas-K.-Oommen-selected-Bishop-of-CSI-diocese/article15293120.ece
22. https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/02/church-of-south-india-moderator-bishop-thomas-k-oommen-recovering-after-a-stroke.aspx
23. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/csi-synod-council-meeting-on-jan-11/article30520244.ece
24. "Jollee good show!". The Hindu. 19 May 2011. Retrieved 15 September 2016.
25. https://www.academia.edu/32378606/Benjamin_Bailey_a_brief_biographical_sketch https://benjaminbaileyfoundation.org/Benjamin_Bailey.html
26. https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/regional/burnt-alive-a-story-of-faith-family-and-forgiveness/news-story/ea7182b7e42018a381969d9cd64a713f
27. http://www.chr.org.au/documents/Missionary-Story.pdf
28. https://www.worldanglican.com/india/nandyal/the-church-of-south-india-united/the-rt-revd-eggoni-pushpalalitha
29. "Boloji.com - Poetry". boloji.com. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
30. "Prof. George Menachery".
31. "Welcome to Indian Christianity".
32. "A rare concert". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 31 March 2006.