Tonyrogers1123 at 00:55, 9 January 2026

2026-01-09T00:55:35Z

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{{Short description|Church of South Indian bishop}}
{{BLP primary sources|date=April 2023}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type =
| honorific-prefix = [[The Right Reverend|The Most Rt. Rev. Dr.]]
| name = K. Reuben Mark, moderator of [[Church of South India|CSI]]
| honorific-suffix =
| title = [[Karimnagar Diocese of the Church of South India|Bishop – in – Karimnagar]] and [[Church of South India Synod| Moderator of CSI Inter-diocesan Office - in - Chennai]]
| image = Kantipudi Reuben Mark.jpg
| image_size = 225px
| alt =
| caption = Bishop Reuben Mark at the Protestant Regional Theologiate in Secunderabad on 1 January 2019
| church = [[Church of South India]] (''A [[United and uniting churches|Uniting church]] comprising [[Wesleyan Church|Wesleyan Methodist]], [[Anglican]], the [[Church of England]], [[Lutheran]] churches, and missionary societies: [[United Society|SPG]], [[English Wesleyan Mission|WMMS]], [[London Missionary Society|LMS]], [[Basel Mission]], and [[Church Missionary Society|CMS]] in India )''
| archdiocese =
| province =
| metropolis =
| diocese = [[Karimnagar Diocese of the Church of South India|Karimnagar]]
| see =
| elected = 2015
| term = 
| quashed = 
| predecessor = [[Bishop]] [[P. Surya Prakash]], [[Church of South India|CSI]]
| successor = ''[[Incumbent]]''
| opposed =
| other_post =

| ordination = 1988
| ordained_by = [[Bishop]] [[K. E. Swamidass]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] at [[Church of South India|CSI]]-Wesley Cathedral, [[Karimnagar]]
| consecration = 4 May 2015<ref name="Synod">CSI Synod News, New Bishop consecrated and installed in CSI Karimnagar Diocese, Monday, 18 May 2015. [http://www.csisynod.com/news_view.php?Id=207]</ref>
| consecrated_by = The Most Reverend [[G. Dyvasirvadam]], [[Church of South India|CSI]], then Moderator and Principal consecrator and [[The Right Reverend]] [[Thomas K. Oommen]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] then Deputy Moderator<ref name="Synod"/> and co-consecrator
| cardinal =
| created_cardinal_by =
| rank = [[Bishop]]

| birth_name = Kantipudi Reuben Mark
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1961|03|29}}
| birth_place = 
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| buried = 
| resting_place_coordinates =
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| religion = [[Christianity]]
| residence = Mukarampura, [[Karimnagar]]
| parents = [[Sri]] Shadrach
| occupation = [[Priesthood]]
| previous_post = [[Priest]], [[Diocese of Karimnagar]], [[Church of South India]] {{small|(1988–1995)}}, [[Professor]], [[Andhra Christian Theological College]], [[Hyderabad]] {{small|(1995-2015)}}
| education =[[Bachelor of Divinity|B. D.]] ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]]), [[Master of Theology|M. Th.]] ([[Senate of Serampore College (University)|Serampore]]), [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] ([[Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences|Higginbottom]])
| alma_mater = [[United Theological College, Bangalore]] ([[Karnataka]]), [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Theology|University of Copenhagen Faculty of Theology, Copenhagen]] ([[Denmark]]), [[Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences|Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad]] ([[Uttar Pradesh]])
| motto =
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| coat_of_arms =
| coat_of_arms_alt =

| feast_day =
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}}
'''[[The Right Reverend|Rt. Rev. Dr.]] K. Reuben Mark''' is the present [[moderator]] of [[church of South India]] and (2015<ref name="Synod"/> onwards)
[[Karimnagar Diocese of the Church of South India|Bishop in Karimnagar]]<ref>[[Anglican Communion]], ''Member Churches''.[http://www.anglicancommunion.org/structures/member-churches/member-church/diocese/position.aspx?church=south-india&dio=karimnagar&pos=bishop-of-karimnagar&posID=19736]</ref> and the sixth in succession and occupies the ''[[Cathedral]]'' of the Bishop placed in Karimnagar's [[Church of South India|CSI]]-Wesley Cathedral. Reuben Mark is currently a Council Member<ref>[[United Theological College, Bangalore]], ''Council 2015-2018''.[http://www.utc.edu.in/home/council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825103524/http://www.utc.edu.in/home/council |date=25 August 2017 }}</ref> for the period 2015–2018 at the fully-[[ecumenical]] [[United Theological College, Bangalore]]. During the XXXVIth session of [[Church of South India Synod]], Reuben Mark has been elected as Deputy Moderator for the triennium 2020-2023 succeeding [[V. Prasada Rao]].<ref name="George">George Conger, ''New moderator for the Church of South India'', Anglican Link, January 12, 2020.[http://anglican.ink/2020/01/12/new-moderator-for-the-church-of-south-india/]</ref>

Before he assumed the [[ecclesiastical]] office of the Bishop, Reuben Mark was Professor in [[Homiletics]] from 1995 through 2015.<ref name="Senate Directory" /><ref name="Surya">[[P. Surya Prakash]], ''Karimnagar Diocese 133 years and Beyond: Church of South India Karimnagar Diocese - A Story of Transformation (1879-2012)'', 2013. [https://oimts.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/2013-2-prakash.pdf]</ref> Mark's professorship was at the [[Andhra Christian Theological College]], affiliated to India's first University, the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]]'' {a University under Section 2 (f) of the [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]] Act, 1956}<ref>The [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]] is a University within the meaning of Section 2 (f) of the UGC Act, 1956 under which a University means a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act, and includes any such institution as may, in consultation with the University concerned, be recognised by the Commission in accordance with the regulations made in this behalf under this Act. The UGC took the opinion that the Senate fell under the purview of Section 2 (f) of the said Act since ''The Serampore College Act, 1918'' was passed by the Government of West Bengal.[http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/history/u-g-c-and-serampore-college/]</ref>'' with degree-granting authority validated by a Danish Charter and ratified by the [[Government of West Bengal]].<ref>Sankar Ray, The Hindu (Business Line), 11 April 2008 ''Almost a century later, the charter was endorsed officially under the Bengal Govt Act IV of 1918. '' Internet, accessed 30 November 2008. [http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2008/04/11/stories/2008041150100400.htm]</ref>

==Moderator of CSI==
He was elected as Deputy Moderator of CSI Synod from 2020 to 2023. After Reuben Mark was the [[Moderator of the General Assembly|Moderator]] of the CSI Synod from July 2025

==Ministerial formation==
===Graduate===
After the completion of graduate studies in [[Hanamakonda|Hanumakonda]], Reuben Mark discerned his avocation towards [[priesthood]] and became a ministerial candidate of the [[Diocese of Karimnagar]] of the [[Church of South India]], then under the bishopric of [[G. B. Devasahayam]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] who took him into the Church and became his [[Confessor|Spiritual Confessor]] and sent him for [[spiritual formation]] to the [[United Theological College, Bangalore]], where he studied [[Bachelor of Divinity]] degree from 1984 to 1988<ref name="Hiwale">K. M. Hiwale (Compiled), ''Directory of the [[United Theological College, Bangalore|United Theological College]] 1910-1997'', [[Bangalore]], 1997. pp.70 and 134</ref> under the Principalship of the [[Old Testament]] Scholar, [[E. C. John]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] and was taught by faculty that comprised [[G. D. Melanchthon]], [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]]<ref name="Hiwale"/> James Carl, [[South Andhra Lutheran Church|SALC]]<ref name="Hiwale"/> [[Theodore N. Swanson]], [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|ELCA]], [[D. N. Premnath]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] and others. In 1988 when Reuben Mark returned to the Diocese, he was ordained in 1988/1989 by then Bishop [[K. E. Swamidass]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] following which he began ministering in parishes of the [[Diocese of Karimnagar]].

===Postgraduate===
In 1992, Reuben Mark was resent to the [[United Theological College, Bangalore]] to upgrade his academics and studied from 1992 to 1994 during the successive Principalships of [[E. C. John]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] and [[Gnana Robinson]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] taking a postgraduate degree in [[Master of Theology]]<ref name="Hiwale"/> specializing in [[Homiletics]] under Professor [[P. Surya Prakash]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] then Faculty Member<ref name="Hiwale"/> at the [[United Theological College, Bangalore]]. Reuben Mark was awarded graduate and post-graduate degrees by the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]] during the Registrarship of [[D. S. Satyaranjan]], [[Indian Pentecostal Church|IPC]].

===Research studies===
After a period of teaching ministry at the near-[[ecumenical]] Seminary in [[Secunderabad]], Reuben Mark was again sent by his [[Bishop]] [[S. John Theodore]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] for research studies at the [[University of Copenhagen Faculty of Theology]], [[Copenhagen]], [[Denmark]] where he researched from 2000 to 2004 on the theme, ''A Homiletical analysis of the Revival Sermons of [[D. G. S. Dhinakaran]] and its Relevance of the Dalit Perspective''<ref name="Allahabad">''Annual Report'', [[Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences]], [[Allahabad]], 2008-2009, p.22. [http://shiats.edu.in/upd/ar_0809.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314171959/http://shiats.edu.in/upd/ar_0809.pdf|date=14 March 2016}}</ref> and later transferred himself to the [[Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences]], [[Allahabad]] researching under the able guidance of [[Prof.]] V. K. Singh<ref name="Allahabad"/> and was awarded the doctoral degree in 2009.<ref>''List of Ph.D. Scholars.'' [[Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences]], [[Allahabad]]. [http://14.139.57.198/webwapp/PhdPassout.asp]</ref><ref>User ''Bishopreuben'' unsourced edit on 13 March 2016: He registered on 1-9-2000 as a Ph.D. Student in the Copenhagen University and studied for three years (I.e. Up to 31-8-2004) in the field of Homiletics, concentrating especially on the Indian revival sermons by Dhinakaran. He has also conducted valuable fieldwork in India and gathered material related his research. He had fulfilled Ph.D.requirements of Copenhagen University except submission of his thesis. He wanted to transfer his Ph.D. Studies to one of the Indian universities that are under UGC, India for he wanted to do it in India under and Indian scholar for an able guidance, for which the University of Copenhagen also agreed and transferred his candidature from University of Copenhagen to any of the Universities in India. The reasons to transfer his candidature firstly, the research is mostly I.e. 80% related to Indian context. Secondly, as there was no Indian scholars in Copenhagen University and as the studies needed to have further guidance and to be evaluated by Indian experts, informed about the specific social and religious environment in India. Hence, he got transferred to Sam Hagginbotham Institute of Agriculture and Technological Sciences (formerly Allahabad Agricultural Institute) - Deemed University and was awarded a Ph.D. on 25 February 2009.</ref>

==Ecclesiastical ministry==

===Pastoral===
After his [[Seminary]] studies, Reuben Mark was ordained as a [[Deacon]] in 1988 by then [[Bishop]] [[K. E. Swamidass]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] and the following year as a [[Presbyter]] at the [[Church of South India|CSI]]-Wesley Cathedral in [[Karimnagar]] and began pastoring parishes within the [[ecclesiastical]] jurisdiction of the [[Diocese of Karimnagar]] until 1992 when he went to upgrade his academics in the [[Protestant]] Seminary in [[Bangalore]]. After his return from the [[Seminary]] in 1994, Reuben Mark began re-pastoring the parishes until 1995 when [[Bishop]] [[S. John Theodore]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] sent him for teaching ministry to the [[Protestant]] Regional [[Seminary]] in [[Secunderabad]].

===Teaching===
In 1995, Reuben Mark joined the Faculty of the [[Andhra Christian Theological College]], [[Secunderabad]] and began teaching Practical Ministry/[[Homiletics]]<ref name="Senate Directory">[[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], ''Directory of Teaching Staff''. [http://www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in/faculty.php?college=Select%20College&spez=Christian%20Ministry&i=40]</ref> at the [[Andhra Christian Theological College]], [[Secunderabad]] from 1995 to 2015 and taught<ref name="Surya"/> in a near-[[ecumenical]] setting comprising the [[Wesleyan Church|Wesleyan]], [[Methodist]], [[Lutheran]], [[Congregational]], [[Baptist]], and [[Anglican]] Church societies beginning with the periods of Principalship comprising the [[Church of South India]], the [[Convention of Baptist Churches of Northern Circars]], the [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches]], and the [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church]] notably under [[The Reverend|The Rev.]] [[Regunta Yesurathnam|R. Yesurathnam]], [[Church of South India|CSI]], [[The Reverend|The Rev.]] K. D. G. Prakasa Rao, [[CBCNC]] and D. J. Jeremiah, [[CBCNC]], [[The Reverend|The Rev.]] B. J. Christie Kumar, [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]], [[The Reverend|The Rev.]] N. V. Luther Paul, [[American Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]], [[The Reverend|The Rev.]] Ch. Vasantha Rao, [[Church of South India|CSI]] and [[The Reverend|The Rev.]] T. Mathews Emmanuel, [[CBCNC]].

After a two-[[decade]]s teaching ministry that began in 1995, Reuben Mark was recalled to the [[Diocese of Karimnagar]] by the [[Church of South India Synod]] in mid-2015 as his name was announced as Bishop-elect for the [[Diocese of Karimnagar]] resulting in his resignation from the Faculty of the near-[[ecumenical]] [[Protestant]] Regional Theologiate in [[Secunderabad]].

===Bishopric===

During the period when Reuben Mark was teaching at the [[Seminary]] in [[Secunderabad]], the [[Diocese of Karimnagar]] saw the change of at the Bishopric in 2007 following which [[P. Surya Prakash]], [[Church of South India|CSI]], Reuben Mark's Professor at Bangalore was consecrated as the fifth Bishop - in - [[Diocese of Karimnagar|Karimnagar]] who occupied the [[Cathedra]] up to 2014 until his resignation on account of superannuation resulting in [[sede vacante]]. The [[Church of South India Synod]] conducted elections for the Bishopric following which [[G. Dyvasirvadam]], [[Church of South India|CSI]], then Moderator of the [[Church of South India Synod]] announced the appointment of K. Reuben Mark as Bishop-elect for the [[Diocese of Karimnagar]].

On 4 May 2015<ref name="Synod"/> the Most Reverend [[G. Dyvasirvadam]], [[Church of South India|CSI]], then Moderator principally consecrated Reuben Mark with other co-consecrator, [[The Right Reverend]] [[Thomas K. Oommen]], [[Church of South India|CSI]], then Deputy Moderator at the [[Church of South India|CSI]]-Wesley Cathedral, Karimnagar in the presence of Bishops of the adjoining dioceses, [[B. D. Prasada Rao]], [[Church of South India|CSI]], [[Eggoni Pushpalalitha]], [[CSI Order of Sisters]],
[[V. Prasada Rao]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] and the General Secretary of the [[Church of South India Synod]], [[Daniel Sadananda]], [[Church of South India|CSI]]. Also present were the two living patriarchs of the [[Diocese of Karimnagar]], the Old Testament Scholar [[S. J. Theodore]], [[Church of South India|CSI]] and [[P. Surya Prakash]], [[Church of South India|CSI]].<ref name="Synod"/>

{{S-start}}
{{S-rel}}
{{Succession box
| before=[[Bishop]] [[V. Prasada Rao]] 2017-2019| title=Deputy Moderator,<ref name="George"/> [[Church of South India Synod|CSI Synod]], [[Chennai]]
|after=''Incumbent''
| years=2020-2023
}}
{{Succession box
| before=[[Bishop]] [[P. Surya Prakash]] 2007-2014| title=[[Diocese of Karimnagar|Bishop - in - Karimnagar]], [[Church of South India]], [[Karimnagar]]
|after=''Incumbent''
| years=2015-''Present''
}}
{{S-aca}}
{{Succession box
| before=[[The Reverend|The Rev.]] [[Perapogu Joseph|P. Joseph]], [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]] 1986-1994| title=Professor - in - [[Homiletics]], [[Andhra Christian Theological College]], [[Secunderabad]]|after=[[The Reverend|The Rev.]] A. John Prabhakar, [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]] 1999-| years=1995-2015}}
{{S-end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite journal
| author=K. M. Hiwale (Compiled)
| title=Directory of the United Theological College 1910–1997
| year=1998
| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=yCvXPgAACAAJ&q=Directory+of+the+United+Theological+College+1910%E2%80%931997
}}
* {{cite book
| author=Anantha Sudhaker Bobbili
| title=The Road from Poodur in Biographical Passages: Essays in Victorian and Modernist Biography : Honouring Mary M. Lago, University of Missouri, North America
| year=2000
| publisher=University of Missouri Press
| isbn=978-0-8262-1256-6| url =https://books.google.com/books?id=qfXSKIo4fDoC&q=diocese+of+karimnagar&pg=PA133
}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reuben Mark, K.}}
[[Category:21st-century Anglican bishops in India]]
[[Category:Anglican bishops of Karimnagar]]
[[Category:Indian Christian theologians]]
[[Category:Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences alumni]]
[[Category:Senate of Serampore College (University) alumni]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in Denmark]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the Senate of Serampore College (University)]]
[[Category:1961 births]]
[[Category:Indian Christians]]

K. Reuben Mark - Revision history

Tonyrogers1123 at 00:55, 9 January 2026