Ryder Devapriam

Studies General Devapriam pursued graduate

Before joining as Faculty Member of the Andhra Christian Theological College in Rajahmundry, Devapriam pursued a postgraduate degree leading to Master of Sacred Theology specializing in the discipline of Systematic theology at the McCormick, Chicago.

While teaching at the Andhra Christian Theological College which by then relocated from Rajahmundry to Secunderabad, Devapriam sought study leave from the Board of Governors of the College for undergoing further studies enrolling at the General Theological Seminary, New York City and rejoined the Protestant Regional Theologiate in Secunderabad in 1981.

Pastoral The Diocese of Nandyal, founded by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel could not join the Uniting church (Church of South India) in 1947. During the intervening period, the Diocese was under the care of the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma, and Ceylon followed by the Church of North India. Finally, after protracted ecclesiastical conversations, the Diocese of Nandyal was able to join the Church of South India only in 1975. Devapriam was consecrated as Bishop by the Moderator Isaiah Jesudason, CSI and Deputy Moderator Sundar Clarke, CSI at the CSI-Holy Cross Cathedral in Nandyal. Devapriam was elected as the Moderator of the Church of South India Synod held in 1992 at the XXIII session held in the Diocese of Tirunelveli at Palayamkottai.

During Devapriam's bishopric lasting nearly a decade, he attended the twelfth Lambeth Conference in 1988 presided by Robert Runcie, CoE, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Honours, death and reminiscence Honours During the convocation of the General Theological Seminary, New York City held in March 1992, Devapriam was conferred with a Doctor of Divinity degree by Honoris causa along with other notable Clergy comprising Herbert W. Chilstrom of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Robert Louis Ladehoff of the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon, Helen Brogden Turnbull of the Episcopal Church and Gayraud Wilmore of the Presbyterian Church.

Death Devapriam died on 4 September 1992

At the funeral ceremony held at Nandyal, bishops from the various dioceses of the Church of South India were present, including: P. Victor Premasagar; C. D. Jathanna; Samuel Amirtham; D. P. Shettian; N. D. Anandarao Samuel; S. J. Theodore; B. P. Sugandhar; G. Dyvasirvadam and others.