The Logo of the Church of South India is an important and signifcant as the formation
of the CSI through the process of unifcation.The Lotus and the Cross used in the Logo
possess a rich cultural history and heritage which will help us in the understanding of the
signifcance of the unifcation and our call and mission as members of this great and unique
church.

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, is 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
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 a formation 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
the idea that it was the indefatigable, selfess supreme sacrifice that was made by Jesus on
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 perfect 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.

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
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. 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. The symbols, the lotus and the cross, used in the logo of the church possess a rich cultural heritage, which will help us understand our call and mission.