Introduction :Former Professor of New Testament and Greek at Concordia Theological Seminary, Nagercoil , an Exchange Visitor to Germany's Mission Academy [1975], An Associate Pastor of the Reformation Lutheran Church Brookfield, WI, USA [1976- 1978, Former Academic Dean at Concordia Theological Seminary Nagercoil and Secretary Cum Treasurer of Trust Association , I.E.L.C Prof. Rev A. Sundaram, B.Sc, B.D, S.T.M [ Yale University, USA] was a remarkable and multifaceted personality.. He was a Theologian, Linguist, Social Thinker, Visionary, Humanitarian, Writer, Translator,etc and definitely his prolific profile will galvanise the Readers to live a meaningful and fruitful life
Rev.A. Sundaram's Parents and His Birth and his Native Village : Ammachikovil is an enchanting idyllic village and it lies between Panagudi and Vallioor in Thirunelveli District and this tiny village Ammachikovil is surrounded by paddy fields and coconut trees. Some decades ago in Ammachi Kovil there lived a gentleman by name Mr V. Arumugam with his beloved wife by name Mrs. U. Palammal and God blessed this lovely couple with all the conjugal blessings and this couple gave birth to Rev. A. Sundaram on 5th October , 1948 . Rev Sundaram's mother Ms U. Palmmal, Rev. U. Jacob [ father of former IELC Treasurer Mr. Gnan Jothi] and Mr. kanakaraj [ father of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Sundaram ] were siblings. It will be useful to the readers and micro historians to get some more information about Ammachikovil Village. .Definitley Anmmachi Kovil has been progressing economically and educationally during the last five decades. The MELIM Primary School and the IELC Messiah Lutheran Church in Ammachi Kovil are directly connected with the educational, social and religious advancement of Ammachikovil.. It is appropriate to remember one fact here that Rev. A. Sundaram a former student of the MELIM Primary School at Ammachikovil later became a student of "Master of Sacred Theology" course at the world famous Yale University,U.S.A . Ammachil Kovil has produced four Lutheran Pastors including Prof. Rev A. Sundaram, B.Sc, B.D, S.T.M.,[ Yale I University]. Some people from Ammachi Kovil are working in foreign countries. It has produced a lady Civil Magistrate and definitely she will become minimum a District and Sessions Judge before her retirement. . The younger generation is doing well in their education with more responsibility and goals .. All old houses of the village have been replaced by beautiful concrete houses and today Ammachikovil looks fresh and beautiful.
Rev. A. Sundaram's Siblings. God blessed Vr. V. Arumugam and Mrs. U. Palammal Arumigam and this lovely couple gave birth to the following children namely :-[1] Rev. A. Sundaram , [He is the Hero of this Article ] , [2] Ms. Susheela and she lives in Samoogarengapuram, Thirunelveli district, [3] Mr. Philpdhas [ Late], [4] Ms. Packiam and she lives in Kottaram, kanyakumari District, and [5] Ms. Mariya Selvam and she lives in Kottaram, kanyakuamri District.
Rev. A. Sundaram and his Parents and His Siblings
[ A Precious Old family Photo]
Rev. A. Sundaram's Educational Track : . Rev. A. Sundaram pursued his Primary School education at the MELIM Primary School , Ammachikoil , South Valliyoor and did his High School studies at the famous Sankar Reddiyar Government High School[Now it is a Higher Secondary School], in Naguneri, Thirunelveli District and he passed his S.S.L.C meritoriously and in S.S.L.C. Govt Examination Mr.A Sundaram stood First in the undivided Thirunelveli district and thereby he won Merit Scholarship from the Ministry of Education of the Union Government of India for his collegiate studies[1965- 1968] . He pursued his under graduate studies at the famous St John's college and passed his B.Sc degree in May 1969.
Rev. A. Sundaram's Theological Educational Track : After having passed his B.Sc, Rev. A. Sundaram pursued his B.D at the Tamilnadu Theological College, Madurai[ Affiliated to Serampore University] and passed his B.D in April 1974.. While he was studying his B.D in T.T.C , Madurai Rev. Dr. Samuel Amirtham was serving as the Principal of T.T.C Madurai. Moreover during that period Mr.V. Devasahayam of Madras CSI Diocese ,was his B.D Class mate and Mr. V. Devasahaym later served in the Madras CSI Diocese as an ordained Pastor and he was consecrated and installed in 1999 as the Bishop of Madras CSI Diocese [1999 to 2014..] . Great Theologians like . Dr. Samuel Amirtham, Dr. Dhyanchand Carr , Dr. Daynandan Francis were working as Teachers of Rev A. Sundaram ,in T.T.C. Madurai. Moreover Rev A. Sundaram had the privilege to serve as the Chairman of the Students Association of T.T.C, Maduaai, while he was doing his Final year B.D. After having passed his B.D, Rev A Sundaram was selected in 1975 as an Exchange Visitor to Germany's Missions Academy and he visited and stayed in Germany [ September--October, 1975]
Rev.A. Sundaram with his wife Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Sundaram
RevA. Sundaram's Wedding : Rev. A. Sundaram married his maternal uncle Mr. Kanagaraj's cute daughter Ms K. Mary Elizabeth on 24 April 1974 and this marriage was solemnised at the Messiah Lutheran Church , Ammachikovil and God blessed this couple with all the conjugal blessings .
Next Part Will Follow Soon
By. P. Babu Manoharan, M.A,.[ All rights are reserved. This article will be enlarged, modified or corrected later if need].
Very Happy to read our Beloved and One of the IELC Legend Rev. Sundaram Iyya's Article.
ReplyDeleteWe are proud to have studied at Nagercoil Concordia Theological Seminary during his lifetime.
Rev. LSD. Gladson Premkumar,
From Ambur Synod - IELC
Dear Pastor greetings and thanks to you for your inspiring and soulful words about Rev. A. Sundaram. Yes he was a great intellectual and Theologian. .
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