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{{Short description|Anglican Church Priest}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Notability|Biography|date=April 2023}}
{{BLP primary sources|date=April 2023}}
{{rewrite|date=March 2025}}
}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox Christian leader
| type = [[Pope]]
| honorific-prefix = Bishop
| name = P. I. Vara Prasad
| honorific-suffix = [[Church of South India|CSI]]
| title = Bishop – in – [[Rayalaseema Diocese|Rayalaseema]]
| image =
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| church = [[Church of South India]] (''A [[United and uniting churches|Uniting church]] comprising [[Wesleyan Church|Wesleyan Methodist]], [[Congregational]], [[Calvinist]], [[Presbyterian]] and [[Anglican]] missionary societies – [[United Society|SPG]], [[English Wesleyan Mission|WMMS]], [[London Missionary Society|LMS]], [[Basel Mission]], [[Church Missionary Society|CMS]], [[Arcot Mission|ABCFM]] and the [[Church of England]])''
| province =
| metropolis =
| diocese = [[Rayalaseema Diocese|Rayalaseema]]
| see = [[Church of South India]]
| elected = 
| term = 22 February 2021 – present
| quashed =
| predecessor = [[B. D. Prasada Rao]], CSI
| successor = ''Incumbent''
| opposed =
| other_post =

| ordination = 25 March 1993 as [[Deacon]]<ref name="Roll">[[Rayalaseema Diocese]], ''Ministerial Roll'', [[Church of South India Synod]]. [https://www.csisynod.com/Admin/ministerial/55_Ministerial%20Roll%20-%20Rayalaseema%20Diocese.pdf]</ref> 7 August 1993 as [[Presbyter]]<ref name="Roll"/>
| ordained_by = L. V. Azariah, CSI
| consecration = 22 February 2021
| consecrated_by = The Most Reverend Dharmaraj Rasalam, Moderator (Principal consecrator), The Right Reverend [[K. Reuben Mark]], Deputy Moderator (Co-consecrator)
| cardinal =
| created_cardinal_by =
| rank = [[Bishop]]

| birth_name = Peyyala Issac Vara Prasad
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1962|10|08}}
| birth_place = [[Andhra Pradesh]]
| death_date = 
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| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| religion = [[Christianity]]
| residence = [[Kadapa]]
| parents = [[Smt.]] Sarah Sarojini (Mother); [[Sri]] P. Abraham (Father)
| occupation =
| previous_post = [[Pastor]] - in - [[Gooty]]
| education = [[Bachelor of Theology|B. Th.]] (Serampore)
| alma_mater = [[Andhra Christian Theological College]], [[Secunderabad]], [[Telangana]]
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'''Bishop P. I. Vara Prasad''' (born 8 October 1962)<ref name="Roll"/> is a [[Silver jubilee|silver jubilee Priest]]<ref name="Synod News"> Rev. Peyyala Isaac Varaprasad has been Selected as the New Bishop in the Rayalaseema Diocese of the CSI''Communication of CSI Synod News'', February 20, 2021.''[https://csi1947.com/csinews/]''</ref> and current bishop of [[Rayalaseema Diocese of the Church of South India]]. Ever since his ordination as deacon/Presbyter in 1993 by then Bishop L. V. Azariah, he began his career as a Priest in Churches within ecclesiastical jurisdiction of CSI-Diocese of Rayalaseema that comprise parts of civil states of [[Andhra Pradesh]] and Telugu-speaking parts of [[Tamil Nadu]]. Vara Prasad is well versed in conducting [[Mass (liturgy)|mass]], following [[Presbyterian]], [[Congregational]] and [[Anglican]] rites.

==Ministerial formation==
Vara Prasad undertook spiritual studies as a fully-resident seminarian at [[Andhra Christian Theological College]], [[Secunderabad]], affiliated to nation's first<ref name="UNESCO">[http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0017/001790/179035eb.pdf UNESCO Structures of University Education in India, 1952]</ref> University, the [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], where he studied [[Bachelor of Theology]] during the academic years 1989–1992.<ref name="Roll"/> He studied at the seminary at a time when cycle of principalship was rolling over from [[Suppogu Joseph]], [[Samavesam of Telugu Baptist Churches|STBC]] to [[M. Victor Paul]], [[Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church|AELC]], both of whom were New Testament Scholars. Co-faculty comprised Systematic Theologians, [[Regunta Yesurathnam]], CSI, B. J. Christie Kumar, STBC, [[G. Dyvasirvadam]], CSI, as well as P. Joseph, STBC and [[G. T. Abraham]], CSI, who taught [[Christian Ministry]].

With availability of international Scholars from [[Germany]], [[Canada]] and [[United States]], Vara Prasad was exposed to faculty, that composed of alumni from Universities of [[University of Hamburg|Hamburg]], [[University of Montreal|Montreal]] and [[Yale University|Yale]], Klaus Schäfer, EMS, Raymond Waldock, [[Canadian Baptist Ministries|CBM]] and Tracy Greer Gipson, [[American Baptist International Ministries|ABM]]. Communicative English and library accession system were enhanced with presence of LaVerne Louise-Waldock<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=dXTkAAAAMAAJ&q=LaVerne+waldock+theology+canadian+baptist ''Yearbook 1991'', Baptist Union of Western Canada, 1991, pp.167-168]</ref> and Marjorie May Lynch-Gipson.<ref>[https://brownsfh.com/tribute/details/56/Rev-Tracy-Gipson/obituary.html ''Obituary of Tracy Gipson'']</ref>

Much like any [[University Grants Commission (India)|University Grants Commission]]-recognised institution, Vara Prasad learnt the nuances of academic learning in a semester system. He also learnt [[Biblical Greek]] and [[Biblical Hebrew]] from perhaps the best available Scholars<ref>Babu Rao, G. ''Content Analysis of Theological Syllabi – [[Old Testament]]'' in ''Religion and Society'', Volume 32, Issue 4, 3 September 1985. [https://books.google.com/books?um=1&q=g.babu+rao+doctoral+studies&btnG=Search+Books]</ref> in India in Serampore University system. During his three-year ministerial formation at Protestant Regional Theologiate in Secunderabad, Vara Prasad also came under the tutelage of Old Testament Scholar, G. Babu Rao, [[CBCNC]],.<ref name="Wilson">[[H. S. Wilson|Wilson, H. S.]] (Edited), ''The Church on the Move: Essays in honour of [[Victor Premasagar]]'', Christian Literature Society, [[Madras]], 1988, p.vi. [https://books.google.com/books?id=S-wrAAAAMAAJ&q=babu+rao]</ref> Prasad was awarded a graduate degree during 1993 convocation of [[Senate of Serampore College (University)]], then under Registrarship of New Testament Scholar, [[D. S. Satyaranjan]], [[Indian Pentecostal Church of God|IPC]], held at [[Serampore College]], [[Serampore]].

==Career==
===Parish work===
Vara Prasad's began serving in parishes under the Diocese after his ordination in 1993,<ref name="Synod News"/> that comprised Churches established by [[Reformed Church in America]], [[London Missionary Society]] and [[Society for the Propagation of the Gospel]]. He was in [[Kamalapuram, Kadapa|Kamalapuram]], [[Yerraguntla]], [[Kadapa]], [[Adoni]], [[Anantapur]], [[Guntakal]], [[Pulivendula]], among other parishes.<ref name="Synod News"/><ref>[https://www.csicentralchurch.com/pastor/ CSI-Central Church, Kadapa, ''Our Pastors'']</ref> Vara Prasad went about his priestly duties as Pastor in ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Rayalaseema under the care of able Servants, comprising L. V. Azariah, C. B. M. Frederick, [[K. B. Yesu Vara Prasad]] and [[B. D. Prasada Rao]].

Vara Prasad was involved in both spiritual and healing ministries<ref>[http://amc-arogyavaram.com/HEALINGMINISTRYREPORT2017.PDF Arogyavaram Medical Centre, ''Healing Ministry Report'', 2017]</ref> of the Church. Gradually, he began exhibiting leadership skills for the larger cause of the Church, which included conducting retreats<ref>''Telugu Region Leadership Training Camp for the Dalit and Adivasi Youngsters was held in Rayalaseema'', 2018.[https://www.csisynod.com/pcdeptnews_view.php?Id=5574&cat=]</ref><ref>''One Day Retreat for Missionaries in Rayalaseema Diocese: Enhancing Capacities of Congregation as Missional Congregation'', 2018.[https://csisynod.com/news_view.php?Id=5671]</ref> and also representing the Diocese at [[Church of South India Synod]].<ref>[https://www.csisynod.com/executive-committee.php CSI Synod Executive Committee 2020-2022]</ref>

===Bishopric===
Issac Vara Prasad had nearly 30 years<ref name="Synod News"/> of parish service and was a senior Priest in his diocese. He stood in fray for bishopric of the Diocese and was elected to the panel constituted by the CSI Synod. He was declared elected as Bishop by CSI Synod and was consecrated on 22 February 2021 at CSI Central Church, Kadapa<ref name="Synod News"/> by Moderator, Dharmaraj Rasalam (Principal Consecrator) and Deputy Moderator [[K. Reuben Mark]] (Co-consecrator), which was witnessed by a host of Bishops from adjoining dioceses.<ref name="Synod News"/>

==Writings==
[[File:Academic block face.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Protestant Regional Theologiate in Secunderabad; Vara Prasad studied here during 1989–1992.]]
Vara Prasad's parish ministry in [[Pulivendula]] brought him in contact with then Chief Minister, [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]], whose family were members of CSI Church there. After coming to know about conversion experience of ancestors of YSR and their faith journey, he encouraged<ref name="Synod News"/> their family members to compile an autobiography, which could serve as a sourcebook of inspiration for others.<ref>Prasada Reddy, T. Sivarama, ''An Autobiography of Y. S. Chinna Konda Reddy'', published by Y. S. Prakash Reddy, Kadapa, 2010, pp.11–16 [https://www.uecf.net/books/konda_reddy_english.pdf]</ref> Vara Prasad's interest in motivating his parishioners to document could perhaps be attributed to influence of his Spiritual Formators in [[Church history|Church History]]/[[History of Christianity]] comprising B. C. Paul, AELC, C. Yesupadam, AELC, D. J. Jeremiah, CBCNC, and K. L. Richardson, AELC, who taught at varying intervals back in his seminary days.
*{{cite book |last1=Vara Prasad|first1=P. I.|editor-last1=Prasada Reddy|editor-first1=T. Sivarama|title=An Autobiography of Y. S. Chinna Konda Reddy|publisher=Y. S. Prakash Reddy|date=2010|pages=11–16|chapter=A Tribute to Y. S. Chinna Konda Reddy|chapter-url=https://www.uecf.net/books/konda_reddy_english.pdf|name-list-style=amp}}

==See also==

{{Portal inline|Reformed Christianity}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-hon}}
{{Succession box| before=[[B. D. Prasada Rao]], [[Church of South India|CSI]]| title=Member, Board of Governors, [[Andhra Christian Theological College]], [[Secunderabad]] | after=''Incumbent''| years=2021–''present''}}
{{S-rel}}
{{Succession box
| before=B. D. Prasada Rao, [[Church of South India|CSI]]| title=Bishop - in - [[Rayalaseema Diocese|Rayalaseema]] [[Kadapa]] |after=''Incumbent''| years=2021-''present''
}}
{{S-end}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vara Prasad, Peyyala Issac}}
[[Category:Christian clergy from Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:21st-century Anglican bishops in India]]
[[Category:Anglican bishops of Rayalaseema]]
[[Category:Indian Christian theologians]]
[[Category:Senate of Serampore College (University) alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian bishops]]
[[Category:Indian Christians]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian bishops]]
[[Category:Telugu people]]

Peyyala Issac Vara Prasad - Revision history

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