Early Life

Born April 6, Good Friday/ Saturday 1912	Edayil House Cheekkanal, Omalloor Travancore the Indian Kingdom Now Kerala State, Republic of India
Father	E.I. Cherian, M.L.C 1874-1952 (Member of the Legislative Council – Sree Moolam Praja Sabha, Travancore) An Educationalist and a Popular Leader
Mother	Annamma Cherian Kizhakkethil Family, Puthanpeedika, Omalloor, Pathanamthitta
Nationality	Indian
Mother –Tongue	Malayalam
Ethnicity	St. Thomas Christians of Malabar (Kerala, India)
Religion	Indian Orthodox Christian
Baptism	St Thomas Orthodox Church Valiya Pally Omalloor
Spouse	Dr. Kunjannamma Samuel Cherussery House, Puthuppally, Kottayam
Son	Zachariah Samuel

General Education

Primary School Cheekkanal, Omalloor, (One among the several schools founded by E.I. Cherian)
Government School Omalloor, India
Government English Middle School Pathanamthitta, India
St. Thomas English High School Kozhencherry, India
Private Study: Syriac Language

Alma-Mater/Higher Education

St. Ignatius Seminary Manjanikkara – Omalloor Seminary Omalloor, Kerala, India 1932-1940
Union Christian (U.C) College Aluva, Kerala, India 1944-1948
Madras Christian College (MCC) Tambaram, Chennai, India 1948-1950
United Theological College (UTC) Bangalore, India 1950-1953
Union Theological Seminary New York, USA 1953-1954
Yale Divinity School Yale University New Haven, Connecticut, USA 1954-1957
Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS) Bangalore, India 1957-1959
Ramakrishna Ashram India 1957-1959
The University of Chicago Chicago, Illinois, USA 1959-1960

Degrees/Awards

Malpan – Rabbi Qualified for Teaching Syriac Language and Ecclesiastical Subjects 1934
B.A., Philosophy Main with Psychology Subsidiary 1 St. Rank with Gold Medal The University of Travancore (Later University of Travancore), India 1948
M.A. Philosophy Main with Psychology Subsidiary Distinction Madras University, India 1950
B.D. Theology Distinction Senate of Serampore University, India 1953
S.T.M. (Master of Sacred Theology) Magna Cum Loud Union Theological Seminary New York City, USA 1954
PhD - Yale University Magana Cum Loud New Haven, Connecticut, USA 1957
Post Doctoral Research Scholar Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS) Bangalore, India Ramakrishna Mission India University of Chicago USA
Rockefeller Research Fellow
D.D.

Polyglot

POLYGLOT / MULTI-LINGUIST
Familiar with fifteen languages and a scholar in at least Seven, namely, Malayalam, English, Sanskrit, Syriac, Greek, Arabic and Hebrew

Malayalam - Mother Tongue
Sanskrit
Syriac
Greek
Hebrew
European Languages English, French and German
Indian Languages	Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, Kannada and Telugu
African Languages	Ge’es and Amharic (Ethiopian)

Major Fields

Specialisation

Institutions

St. Ignatius Seminary Malpan Manjinikkara, Omalloor, Kerala, India, 1933-1940
Serampore College/University Serampore, West Bengal, India Professor 1960-1963 College of Arts, Science, Commerce and College of Theology The College/University consists of two entities Theological Degrees are awarded by the Senate of Serampore University and the Arts, Science and Commerce degrees are of the University of Calcutta.
Haile Selassie I University (HSIU) (Present Addis Ababa University), The Theological College of Holy Trinity Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Associate Professor 1963-1966 Professor and Dean 1968-1976 Secretary, University Faculty Council (for two years)
United Theological CollegeProfessor Bangalore, India, 1966-1968; 1978-1980
Orthodox Theological College (Pazhaya Seminary) Professor and Dean Kottayam, Kerala, India 1980-1991
Indian School of Theology Ecumenical Christian Centre (ECC) Visiting Professor Whitefield, Bangalore, India
South Asia Theological Research Institute (SATRI) Research Guide and Examiner Bangalore, India
Federated Faculty for Research in Religion and Culture Professor and Dean 1986-1990 Kottayam, India
St. Ephraim Ecumenical Research Institute (SEERI) Regional and Research Centre of Mahatma Gandhi University Chief Advisor; Chief Editor 1986-1998 Kottayam, Kerala, India

Advance Reading

ADVANCE READING/RESEARCH
In addition to the Libraries of Alma-Mater and the Institutions, spent long time in the following libraries world-wide for further studies

Known for

Profession

Life long Researcher, and Teaching and Preaching Ministry

Holy Vocation

Sunday School Inspector 1931-1932 Preaching and teaching with the help of Magic Lanterns
Secretary, Translator and Interpreter of Elias Mar Yulios The Delegate Metropolitan of the Syrian Patriarch of the Antioch 1932-1940 Besides study and teaching served as Secretary to Elias Mar Julius, the Delegate Metropolitan of the Patriarch of Antioch
Clerical Ordination Qoruyo March 3, 1935 Apodyaqno - Sub-deacon March 14 1936 Shamosono - Deacon Sept 12, 1937 Kassiso - Priest Jan. 9, 1938 Ordained Specifically for the Entire Church of Malabar
Malpan 1933-1940 St. Ignatius Seminary Manjanikkara – Omalloor The Founder Malpan of the Seminary along with Fr. Abdul Aahad Remban, (later Patriarch Mar Ignatius Yakob III) Priestly Service 1938-1940 St. Ignatius Seminary Manjanikkara – Omalloor
Greatly contributed towards translating Syriac Liturgy to Malayalam - Holy Qurbana Thaksa and Prayers for regular worship
Vicar - Malpan 1940-1944 St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Church Chengalam, Kottayam, Kerala, India (More than 10 Deacons stayed there and studied when other seminaries were closed down due to Samudaya Case)
GreatlyTranslated for the first time Syriac Liturgical Poems to Malayalam Namely kymtha ’ for the liturgical calendar period - Suboro to Pentacost - including Sundays and other Feasts and Hosanna, Passion Week, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. These translations were handed over to V.K. Mathews Vattasseril (Later Priest, Metropolitan and Catholicose Baselios Marthoma Mathews I) in 1944, and published it in 1949 – Current use in the regular worship of the Church.
Priestly Service 1944-1948 (Higher Studies in U.C. College) Besides Union Christian College Chapel he served in the Fellowship House, Chacko Homes, Mahilalayam all in Aluva, Kristhu Sishya Asram, Thadakom, Coimbatore and number of Parishes as per the invitations. After the demise of K.C. Chacko one of the founder of U.C. College, stayed in his residence Chacko Homes till 1948.
Active participation in the Youth Christian Council Association (Y.C.C.A) A voluntary NGO of social revolutionary and spiritual movement founded by ….
Active participation in Student Christian Movement (S.C.M) an international organisation.
Priestly Service 1948-1950 (Higher Studies, Madras Christian College) In addition to the - Madras Christian College Chapel served in Madras City Parish and Coimbatore, Thadakom and Bangalore as on call.
Vicar First full time Vicar of the Orthodox Church Parish in Bangalore 1950-1953 Holy Trinity Church Trinity Circle, M.G. Road. Bangalore The first Parish of Orthodox Christian Community in Bangalore was established in 1943. Under the Priesthood of Fr. P.M. Mathews Modisseril, who conducted services once in a month for two years (1943-1944). Later the services were conducted intermitted by some priests who visited Bangalore occasionally). (Later this parish was divided into St. Gregorios (Present Cathedral , Hosur Road and St George, Indiranagar) More…
Founder Father St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, (Valiya Pally), Jalahally, Bangalore (1952- 1953; 1957-1959) During the Vicariate period in Bangalore, in addition to the four Prayer Groups in Bangalore City area, a fifth one also started in Jalahally area for the Defence Service personals and Conducted prayer meetings and Holy Qurbana in the CSI Church and Military Barracks intermitted. Later during the Post Doctoral research and study in Bangalore further strengthened this prayer group and also conducted H. Qurbana several occasions. This tiny Congregation later developed in to a full-fledged Parish in 1966 dedicated in the name of St. Mary. More…
Higher Studies/Research, USA 1953-1957
Priestly Ministry in Bangalore Post Doctoral Research 1957-1959	Holy Qurbana in Holy Trinity Church in alternative Sundays and CSI Church & Military Barracks in Jalahally, intermitted.
Translation of Liturgical Texts Syriac to English Holy Qurbana Thaksa Wedding Ceremony (English Malayalam Combined) Baptism Ceremony (English Malayalam Combined)
Teaching and Priestly Ministry Ethiopia 1963-1966 In addition to the teaching ministry in the Holy Trinity Theological College of, Haile Selassie I University, served as the Vicar of the Indian Orthodox Congregation General Coordinator of the Conference of the Oriental Orthodox Churches – Addis Ababa Conference -1965 1968-1976 During the second period, appointed as Vicar and the full in charge of the entire priest who are in Addis Ababa City and in Ethiopian Country.
Teaching and Priestly Ministry Bangalore 1966-1968 During the Professorship in UTC assisted the Holy Trinity Church and St. Mary’s Church, Jalahally. Founder President St Gregorios Church (Present St. Gregorios Cathedral) (1968- 1972) During the Professorship in UTC Bangalore, Mathews Mar Athanasios (Later Catholicose Mathews I) Bishop of Outside Kerala, appointed as President of the Church Building Committee. Three decades after the first holy Qurbana in Bangalore, the Orthodox Congregation has shifted its office and service to their own Church from the Holy Trinity Church, carrying with it all the belongings and records of the Orthodox Church congregation. Above all, the congregation when shifted to St. Gregorios Church was carrying with it the continuity of the Tradition and all the rights of the original congregation started in the year 1943. Justifiably the St. Gregorios Church is called the Main Church for the Orthodox Christian Community in Bangalore. More…
Ambassador 1968 Officiated as an emissary to Ethiopia and other African Countries By Moran Mar Baselios Ougen I, Catholicos.
Founder Father St. Thomas Orthodox Church 1976-1982 (Now Mahaedavaka) St. Thomas Town, Bangalore East The Congregation was started in the in Sevanilayam Chapel in the Catholic Center, Bangalore East, and served until 1982. A new Church was constructed and dedicated it in the name of the St. Thomas the Apostle of India. More……
Founder Father and Patron St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church, 1982-1998 Vijayanagar, Bangalore, 1982 a new congregation started worship in the Railway Recreation Club and later in 1993 a Church constructed in Rajajinagar and dedicated in the name St. Stephen. Later the Church was shifted to newly constructed building in Vijayanagar More…
Founder Resource Person 1986-1990	Divyabodhanam Theology Course
Founder Resource Person 1986-1990	Thiruvachanabhashyam Bible Translation and Commentary
Sunday School (Catechism) Text Books	Prepared the Text Books for Catechism for the Entire Oriental Orthodox Churches Class VIII to XII
Golden Jubilee Calibrations of the Indian Orthodox Church in Bangalore 1943 1993

Ecumenical Arena

World Council of Churches

Faith and Order Commission

International Theological Dialogues Eastern and Oriental Orthodox

DIALOGUE BETWEEN EASTERN AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
…The main theological issue for discussion at these meetings was obviously the Christology of the Chalcedonian formula. It should be mentioned here that Dr. V.C. Samuel has made a very signal valuable contribution towards better theological and historical understanding between the Churches. He was specially qualified for this because of the profound theological exploration he had made in connection with his doctoral programme at Yale University, New Haven, USA. His sharing of the results of his study and research at the Conversations and other publications was an important contribution to the removal of prejudices and misunderstandings. A book reporting and reflecting on the first four unofficial conversations has been published under the title Does Chalcedon Divide or Unite? and this volume includes a Paper by Dr. Samuel on One Incarnate Nature of God the Word. These unofficial conversations helped the participants to see that both the so-called Chalcedonian and the non-Chalcedonian Orthodox Churches had the same Christological faith. Not being in communion with each other is really not justified on any theological grounds. But the problem still remains as to how the communion relationship may be restored. A decision by an ecumenical council is necessary to bring about the unity. The Orthodox Churches are now in the process of seeking ways by which an ecumenical council may be convened.

International Theological Dialogues Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox

DIALOGUEVIENNA CONSULTATIONS THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN ROMAN CATHOLIC AND ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES VIENNA, AUSTRIA
About this multipronged dialogue in which Fr. Samuel is involved as representative of Indian Orthodoxy, volumes should be produced to honour him around the theme, the future of Indian Orthodoxy.

Orthodoxy

Indian

Association With

Important Associations

Works

End of an Era

Passed away peacefully in the Early Morning on Thursday November 18, 1998 at the residence; Edayil, Kengeri, Bangalore
Farewell Service November 20, 1998 At St. Gregorios Cathedral, Hosur Road, Bangalore Funeral Services Lead by H.G. Philipose Mar Eusebios H.G. Mathews Mar Severios Assisted by hundreds large number of Priests came from all over India representing different denominations and thousands of admirers from different walk of life Orthodox Theological Seminary and staffs with the Principal Fr. Dr. K.M George St. Thomas Orthodox Seminary Nagpur Gurukul Theological College, Chennai United Theological College, Bangalore Fr. Alex Daniel (Alexios Mar Eusebios) Fr. Sabu Kuriakose (Zacharias Mar Aprem) Farewell Addresses HG. Philipose Mar Eusebios HG. Mathews Mar Severios HG. Dr. Thomas Mar Athansios Dr. Russell Chandran Dr. K Rajaratnam Fr. Dr. K.M. George Rev. Dr. M.J. Joseph Dr. Francis Thonippara Dr. Jayakiran Sebastian Fr. Alex Daniel (Alexios Mar Eusebios) Fr. Sabu Kuriakose (Zachariah Mar Aprem) Fr. Abraham Marett Fr. P.O. Philip Fr. Koshy Fr. M.J. Kuriakose Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasios visited Medical College and conducted Dhoopaprardhana and gave a message. On 21st Sunday His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews II arrived Bangalore and Celebrated the Thanks Giving Holy Qurbana in the Cathedral and Dhoopa Prarthana and Delivered a Memorial Lecture. On 41st Day Service conducted in the Cathedral and Cemetery Messages were given by Rev. Dr. Russell Chandran Rev. DR. E.C. John Dr. K. Rajaratnam Dr. Kiran Sebastian DR. Francis Thonippara Rev. Sr. Dr. Theresetta Very Rev. A.C. Koshy Cor-episcopa Fr. Abraham Maret FR. M.K. Kuriakose Fr. Joy George Fr. Slomo Isaac George Dr. Mohan Isaac Zachariah Samuel
Mortal Remains European Cemetery Hosur Road, Bangalore

Books on VCS

Fr. Thoma: Why Priests are to Marry Not? 1976
M.K. Kuriakose: Orthodox Identity In India: Essays in Honour of V.C. Samuel: Ed., Bangalore - 1988
Dr. Prof. Samuel Chandanappally. Malankara Sabhapithakkanmar (Holy Church Fathers of Malankara): Cee Dees Books – 1991.
Fifty Golden Years: Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee, Bangalore 1994.
Dr. T.I. Varghese. Malankara Anthiokian Bandham Pathompatham Noottandinte Srishti (Relation between Malankara and Antioch: Nineteenth Century Creation): Malankara Sabha Deepam, Kottayam - 1997
Rt. Rev. T.C. John Cor-Episcopa, Marthoma Kristhianikal Innale Innu Nale (St. Thomas Christians; Yesterday, Today and omorrow): TCSK Smaraka Samithy, Kidangannur – 2000.
Vaidikarude Vaidikan: (Priest of Priests): Ed. Commemorative Volume; Ed: Rev. Dr. K.L. Mathew Vaidyan, E.J. Varghese VCSEF, Konni – 2001.
Manavikthayum Ecumenisavum Samkalina Velluvili (Ecumenism and Humanism Contemporary Challenge): Prof. Ninan Koshy, VCSEF, Konni – 2003.
Aradhana Vijnaniyam: Compiled, Ed: E.J Varghese, VCSEF, Konni – 2004.
Sapthathi Niravil, M.S. George, Bangalore – 2013.
The Twain Shall Meet: An Orthodox re-reading of the proceedings of the Council of Chalcedon by V.C. Samuel, Compiled, Ed: Fr. Jose, V.C.
Re-envisioning Indian Christian Identity: A Historico Theological Understanding of V.C. Samue,: Dr. Ninan K. George, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2015.

Monuments/Memorials

St. Gregorios Orthodox Church (Cathedral) Hosur Road, Bangalore First Vicar (1950-1953) Founder President: Church Building Committee (1966-1968)
St. Thomas Orthodox Mahaedavaka Bangalore East Founder Father (1976-1982) Rev. Dr. V.C. Samuel Memorial Hall
St. Thomas Orthodox theological Seminary Nagpur, Maharashtra, India Fr. Dr. V.C. Samuel Memorial Library Fr. Dr. V.C. Samuel Memorial Achieves
St. Stephen Orthodox Church, Vijayanagar, Bangalore. Founder Father and Patron (1982-1998) Rev. Dr. V.C. Samuel Memorial Hall and Library
St. Mary’s Orthodox Church (Valiya Pally) Jalahally. Founder Father (1952-1953; 1957-1959)
Rev. Dr. V.C. Samuel Ecumenical Study Forum
Rev. Dr. V.C. Samuel Study Forum, Orthodox Theological College, Kottayam, Kerala