Samuel Amirtham

Studies After general studies leading to B. Sc. specializing in Physics from the Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Amirtham took up teaching at the Scott Christian College, Nagercoil until he evinced interest in Spirituality to take up the profession of Priesthood enrolling as a ministerial candidate under the Diocese of South Kerala, then under the bishopric of A. H. Legg who became his Spiritual Confessor, eventually leading to his enrollment at the Protestant Regional Theologiate in Bangalore.

Spiritual studies In 1953, Amirtham qualified for undertaking research studies at the University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany enrolling for the Doctor of Theology programme specializing in Old Testament under Hans-Joachim Kraus and was awarded the doctoral degree in 1969 CBCNC taught at Serampore College, Serampore.

Administrator In 1969, Amirtham was appointed the first principal of the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary in Madurai. The period 1970s, witnessed Old Testament Scholars leading schools of Christian missions with Samuel Amirtham at the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Madurai, Victor Premasagar, CSI at the Andhra Christian Theological College and C. D. Jathanna, CSI at the Karnataka Theological College, Mangalore.

Amirtham was known for introducing the gurukulam model of community living at the seminary, and is known for having established a living theology concept.

Promoting ecumenism He was Director of the Programme on Theological Education, World Council of Churches from 1980 to 1990. In 1986, Amirtham and C. H. S. introduced a new concept when they presented "The Teaching of Ecumenics" at the WCC. The next year, they co-edited a book by the same name.

Other initiatives He established the Palmyrah Workers Development Society (PWDS) in 1977.

Honors Spiritual formators teaching in affiliated institutions of the Senate of Serampore College (University) contributed essays honouring Amirtham beginning with the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary, Madurai which published For the Sake of the Gospel in 1980 edited by Gnana Robinson, CSI followed by Board of Theological Education of the Senate of Serampore College under the leadership of K. C. Abraham proceeded to publish a contributory volume in 1993 titled New Horizons in Ecumenism: Essays in Honour of Bishop Samuel Amirtham.

In 1988, Amirtham was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree by Honoris causa