Almanac
The themes and lessons for Sundays and other Feast / Commemoration days are adopted from the First cycle (Year A) of the revised three cycled common Lectionary prepared by the “Worship and Mission Commission” of the Communion of Churches in India (Joint Council of the CSI, CNI and the Mar Thoma Church). The collects are prepared by the CSI Liturgy Committee and follow the lectionary themes.
The readings for week-days follow the First Cycle (Year A) of Daily Reading prepared by the CSI Liturgy Committee to cover the Old Testament once in three years and the New Testament twice in three years. A table of Psalms for daily reading is also provided. Themes and prayers for the Prayer Octave for Christian Unity 2023 prepared by the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Vatican are also provided to encourage the local congregations to join the world wide Church in praying, experiencing and anticipating unity. The reflective meditations will be available on the CSI website, www.csi1947.com.
Symbols
Liturgical Colours - 2023
| December 24 Eve to January 6 |
White |
| January 7 to February 21 |
Green |
| February 22 to April 8 |
Purple |
| April 9 to May 27 |
White |
| May 28 to June 3 |
Red |
| June 4 |
White |
| June 5 to December 2 |
Green |
| December 2 to December 24 Morning |
Purple |
White is the color for the festal periods from Christmas Eve to the festival of Epiphany, from Easter day to the eve of Pentecost and for Trinity Sunday. It is also used for Marriages, Thanksgiving Services, Harvest festivals, The feast of Dedication of a Church and for feasts commemorating Saints. White is suitable for baptism, confirmation and ordination, though Red may be preferred.
Red is used on the feast of Pentecost, and during the week between Pentecost, and during the week between Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. It is used on All Saints Day and for the feasts of those Saints venerated as Martyrs. It is appropriate for any service which focuses on the gift of the Holy Spirit, and is therefore suitable for baptism, confirmation and ordination.
Purple is the colour for the Advent season and Lenten season and is therefore used from the first Sunday in Advent to the fourth Sunday in Advent; from Ash Wednesday until Holy Saturday. However, white may be preferred on Holy Communion Service on Maundy Thursday. purple is recommended for funerals and commemoration of the faithful departed, although either black or white may also be used. White is preferred at the funeral of a child.
Green is the colour for ordinary Sundays, It is used between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, and between Trinity Sunday and Advent Sunday.
Orange/Saffron CSI Episcopacy has instituted Orange/Saffron Hand bands and stolls for its Bishops. Orange is colour of India and it is the top of the Indian Flag symbolising Indian spirituality of prayer, meditation, sacrifice, selflessness and commitment. The CSI Episcopal vestments do not change the colours tthroughout the year, for Episcopacy stands for continuity of pastoral leadership, solemnity and dignity of liturgical continuance and perpetual theological reflection and commitment to God and to His word and to His Church.
Source : Almanac 2022
Liturgy
Christian worship is the corporate and united response to God, by men and women who have been brought together in the name of Jesus and seek to give expression to their experience of God, in and through Jesus Christ. The Order of Service for Worship has been prepared by the Liturgy Committee of the Church of South India, to renew the Church’s faith, witness and life.