Victor Premasagar

Denomination	Church of South India
Senior posting
See	Medak
Title	Bishop in Medak
Period in office	1983—1992
Consecration	1983
Predecessor	B. The Church of South India ( Abbreviation: CSI) is a union of many Protestant Denominations spread throughout South India. The Diocese of Medak is one of the 22 Dioceses of the Anglican Church of South India. The Diocese of Medak is one of the 22 Dioceses of the Anglican Church of South India. G. Prasada Rao
Successor	B. P. Sugandhar
Religious career
Previous post	General Secretary of the Church of South India
Personal
Date of birth	October 14, 1927(1927-10-14)
Place of birth	Medak, Andhra Pradesh
Date of death	December 1, 2005 (aged 78)
Place of death	St. Joseph's General Hospital, Guntur

Victor Premasagar was an acknowledged authority on Old Testament. B P Sugandhar is the present Bishop in Medak of the Church of South India (CSI Events 1066 - Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings - In England on Senlac Hill seven miles from Hastings, the forces Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For the district information see Medak district. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Medak ( Telugu: మెదక Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Guntur ( Telugu: గుంటూరు Urdu: گنٹور, Hindi: गुंटूर In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. ^[1] He taught that subject in his early years at the Andhra Christian Theological College in Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC is an ecumenical enterprise of some of the Church societies in Andhra Pradesh in India founded in the year 1964 India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

He was well versed in Aramaic, Syriac, Ugaritic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and Sanskrit, in addition to Telugu, English and German. Aramaic is a Semitic language with See Syriac (disambiguation for other uses Syriac (syr ܠܫܢܐ ܣܘܪܝܝܐ leššānā Suryāyā) is an Eastern Aramaic language The Ugaritic language, discovered by French archaeologists in 1928 is known only in the form of writings found in the lost city of Ugarit, near the modern Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. ^[2]

He was a member of the Society for Biblical Studies in India, (SBSI) a society that incorporates Biblical Scholars of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions and whose members research and study the Old and New Testaments. The Society for Biblical Studies in India (SBSI was constituted on August 4 1963 during the proceedings of the Indian Conference of Biblical Scholars held at Gurukul Lutheran Theological Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. He was also elected as the office bearer of the SBSI. In the year 1972 he served as its Vice-President. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[3]

Early years

Premasagar was born in Medak and was raised a Christian in what is now the Church of South India. For the district information see Medak district. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Medak ( Telugu: మెదక A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth The Church of South India ( Abbreviation: CSI) is a union of many Protestant Denominations spread throughout South India. In addition to the ancient Indian epics, his boyhood was filled with stories from the Bible. Indian epic poetry is the Epic poetry written in the Indian subcontinent. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin In the foreword to Promise in the Ancestral Narratives, his doctoral dissertation, Premasagar made mention of the Biblical stories that his mother told during his childhood and the promise they held. He completed his schooling from Wesley School in Secunderabad. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Secunderabad ( Telugu:సికింద్రాబాద్)is It was around this time that he to study divinity. Divinity and divine (sometimes 'the Divinity' or 'the Divine' are broadly applied but loosely defined terms used variously within different faiths and belief systems —

He completed his college studies from the century-old Andhra-Christian College (under Andhra University), Guntur. Andhra-Christian College, popularly known as AC College, is one of the oldest colleges in India. Andhra University (Telugu - ఆంధ్రా యూనివర్శిటి located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Guntur ( Telugu: గుంటూరు Urdu: گنٹور, Hindi: गुंटूर His contemporaries there included Sri N.T. Rama Rao^[4] (a film actor and later Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh) among others. Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao ( Telugu:నందమూరి తారక రామా రావు( 28 May 1923 – 18 January 1996 Premasagar was involved in athletics. Football and tennis being his favourite sport. [7]

Divinity

Continuing his study of the Bible, he went to the United Theological College in Bangalore and took his Bachelor of Divinity. Etymology According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word bible is from Latin biblia, traced from the same word through Medieval Latin and Late Latin Motto In the New Testament book of Matthew, Chapter 2028 it is said SICUT FILIUS HOMINIS NON VENIT MINISTRARI SED MINISTRARE ET DARE ANIMAM SUAM REDEMPTIONEM Bangalore ( officially Bengaluru ( Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು) is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. In Western universities a Bachelor of Divinity (BD or BDiv is usually an Undergraduate Academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of While at UTC, Bangalore, his classmates included Rev. Dr. E. C. John (another Old Testament scholar and later the Principal of the United Theological College), Rev. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. Motto In the New Testament book of Matthew, Chapter 2028 it is said SICUT FILIUS HOMINIS NON VENIT MINISTRARI SED MINISTRARE ET DARE ANIMAM SUAM REDEMPTIONEM Dr. Sam Amirtham (a renowned figure in the World Council of Churches), Rev. The World Council of Churches ( WCC) is an international N. D. Ananda Rao Samuel (Bishop-in-Krishna Godavari and Moderator of the Church of South India in the 1970s), Rev. The Church of South India ( Abbreviation: CSI) is a union of many Protestant Denominations spread throughout South India. Dr. C. D. Jathanna (another Old Testament scholar who later was the Principal of Karnataka Theological College as well as Bishop-in-Karnataka Central of the Church of South India) among others. In Western Christianity, the Old Testament refers to the books that form the first of the two-part Christian Biblical canon. Karnataka Theological College (KTC is an Ecumenical Seminary catering to the Kannada -speaking students wishing to pursue the priestly vocation After graduation, the Church of South India first posted him to a rural congregation. In due course of time, he was sent to Cambridge University where he continued to study the Old Testament and was awarded the Cambridge tripos. The University of Cambridge (often Cambridge University) located in Cambridge, England, is the second-oldest university in the The University of Cambridge, England, divides the different kinds of honours Bachelor's degree by Tripos ( a word which has an obscure

After returning from Cambridge, he undertook teaching the Old Testament in the Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC) in the river town of Rajahmundry. The city of Cambridge (ˈkeɪmbrɪdʒ is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England Andhra Christian Theological College (ACTC is an ecumenical enterprise of some of the Church societies in Andhra Pradesh in India founded in the year 1964 WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Rajahmundry (రాజమండ్రి is a city and a Municipal corporation in Later, the Board of Governors of ACTC accorded him study leave which Rev. Premasagar utilized to go to St. Andrews University, Scotland for further studies of the Old Testament. The University of St Andrews is the oldest University in Scotland and third oldest in the English-speaking world, having been founded between Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. He studied in St Mary's College and was awarded a Ph.D.. "PhD" redirects here for other uses see PhD (disambiguation. Afterwards, he returned to ACTC to continue his teaching and later became its first Indian Principal.

Bishop Premasagar delivering the graduation address in ACTC during the Principalship of Rev. Dr. S. Joseph.

Together with his wife Mrs. Daisy, they saw to the needs of the students, the staff, and to the faculty. Mrs. Daisy's nursing skills gained in England were put to use. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland On invitation from Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, in the United States of America, he took sabbatical from ACTC to teach there for a year. Wartburg Theological Seminary is a Lutheran ( ELCA) Seminary located in Dubuque Iowa. Dubuque is a city in the US State of Iowa, located along the Mississippi River. On his return, the Board of Governors was pleased to extend the term of Principalship by two more terms. Rev. Dr. K. David, a New Testament scholar succeeded Dr. Premasagar at ACTC.

Bishopric

While continuing to serve at ACTC, he was elected as the General Secretary of the Synod of the CSI based in Chennai. Later, he was elected as the Bishop-in-Medak, Asia's largest Anglican bishopric. The Diocese of Medak is one of the 22 Dioceses of the Anglican Church of South India. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs It was at this time that indigenous methods were devised and put into practice for raising funds from the local congregations for supporting Church programmes which was met with widespread success. During the 21^st synod (January 13-18) 1988 of the CSI held in American College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, he was elected^[5] as the Moderator of the Church of South India. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Madurai Tamil Nadu ( Tamil:, Country of the Tamils, t̪ɐmɨɻ n̪aːɽɯ is one of the 28 states of India. The Church of South India ( Abbreviation: CSI) is a union of many Protestant Denominations spread throughout South India. He was instrumental in bringing rapid development of the Church - congregation-wise as well as in its social action.

As for the educational institutions in the diocese of Medak, schools were made to adapt to modern trends in order to face the changing pattern. St.George's Grammar School, Wesley College and other educational institutions were modernized during Premasagar's tenure.

Bishop Premasagar conducting mass in a Church.

Premasagar on his consececration as bishop.

In the year 1983, the Queen of England, Elizabeth II, came to Hyderabad. The Kings of Wessex, who conquered Kent and Sussex from Mercia in 825 became increasingly dominant over the other kingdoms of England during For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II On 20 November 1983, the Queen celebrated her 36^th wedding anniversary in the Holy Trinity Church in Bolarum, Secunderabad. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Secunderabad ( Telugu:సికింద్రాబాద్)is ^[6] The Church service was officiated by Bishop Premasagar and his ministerial colleagues Rev. B. Prabhakar Rao and Rev. B. P. Sugandhar, the present Bishop-in-Medak and the Moderator of the CSI. B P Sugandhar is the present Bishop in Medak of the Church of South India (CSI The Diocese of Medak is one of the 22 Dioceses of the Anglican Church of South India.

The Bishop's of the Church of South India are invited to the decennial Lambeth Conference held at the Lambeth Palace, the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury in London. The Lambeth Conferences are decennial assemblies of Bishops of the Anglican Communion convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Lambeth Palace is the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Rev. Premasagar attended the eleventh and twelfth conferences in 1978 and 1988 respectively.

Premasagar was a translator for the Bible Society of India (BSI) in its Telugu Bible Common Language Translation Programme since the 1970s. The Bible Society of India (BSI is a body that is authorized to translate produce distribute and market the Holy Bible. He headed the Translations Committee of the Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary of the BSI till the 1990s and then was followed by Rev. G. Babu Rao^[7], his colleague while at ACTC. Premasagar was also the President of the Bible Society of India headquartered in Bangalore for a long period. Bangalore ( officially Bengaluru ( Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು) is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka.

Bishop Premasagar poses with the team of the Bible Society of India. To his left is B. K. Pramanik, its General Secretary.

Retirement

After retirement from the bishopric, Rev. Ryder Devapriyam, Bishop-in-Nandyal and a former colleague of Rev. Premasagar while at ACTC, succeeded him as the Moderator while Rev. B. P. Sugandhar, Presbyter-in-charge of Church of St John the Baptist, Secunderabad became the Bishop-in-Medak. B P Sugandhar is the present Bishop in Medak of the Church of South India (CSI The Diocese of Medak is one of the 22 Dioceses of the Anglican Church of South India.

Post-retirement, Premasagar spent about a year at the Presbyterian Church of Wales as an invitee^[8] On his return to India, Premasagar taught part-time at ACTC. The Presbyterian Church of Wales (Eglwys Bresbyteraidd Cymru also known as The Calvinistic Methodist Church (cy ''Yr Eglwys Fethodistaidd Galfinaidd'' is a denomination He was later invited by Dr. K. Rajaratnam^[9], Director of Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, Chennai to teach and guide doctoral students and was Professor Emeritus of Old Testament. Gurukul Lutheran Theological College & Research Institute is an ecumenical seminary situated in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India.

Later, on invitation from Rev. P. N. S. Chandra Bose, the Director of Bethel Bible College^[10], Guntur and also the Andhra Pradesh Auxiliary President of the Bible Society of India to take up its Principalship, Rev. The Bible Society of India (BSI is a body that is authorized to translate produce distribute and market the Holy Bible. Premasagar left for Guntur from Chennai and taught the rural students until he died at St. Joseph's Hospital, Guntur on 1 December 2005. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[11]

Gallery

The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, His Excellency Dr. C. Rangarajan honouring the bishop in the presence of Dr. J. Oliver of the Andhra Pradesh Council of Churches.

Dr. K. Rajaratnam being honoured by Dr. Premasagar and Rev. T. Dayanandan Francis of the Christian Literature Society in Chennai.

Bishop Ch. Victor Moses honouring Premasagar on completion of seventy-five years in Bethel Bible College, Guntur.

Works and legacy

He wrote several articles in scholarly journals and in other popular Church magazines. He also wrote:

• He emptied Himself - Bible Studies on Jesus Christ Frees and Unites', The Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 1976^[12]

• Promise in the Ancestral Narratives: A theme of the early Hebrew traditions, The Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 2000^[13]

• Interpretive Diary of a Bishop - Indian Experience in Translation and Interpretation of some Biblical passages, The Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 2002^[14]

Some essays were written in his honour (fetschrift) commemorating his shastipoorthi (completion of sixty years) and brought into a book entitled:

• The Church on the move - Edited by H. S. Wilson[13], The Christian Literature Society, Chennai, 2002^[15]

See also

• Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, Latin Vulgate
• Biblical Criticism, Form Criticism
• Rev. The Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia, or BHS, is an edition of the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible as preserved in the Leningrad Codex, and The Vulgate is an early Fifth Century version of the Bible in Latin, and largely the result of the labours of Jerome, who was commissioned by This article is about the academic treatment of the bible as a historical document Form criticism is a method of biblical criticism that classifies units of scripture by literary pattern (such as parables or legends and that attempts to trace each type to its period Dr. Gerhard von Rad, Rev. Gerhard von Rad ( October 21 1901 &ndash October 31, 1971) was a German Lutheran Pastor, University professor Dr. Claus Westermann, Dr. Rev Dr Claus Westermann was an Old Testament scholar He was born on October 7 1909 in Berlin Klaus Koch
• Rev. Klaus Koch (born October 4 1926) is an Old Testament Scholar with major contribution to the growth of Biblical Studies. Dr. K. David
• St.George's Grammar School

References