Diocese of Calcutta turns 200

The Diocese of Calcutta today turned 200-year-old with its inaugural ceremony being held at the St Pauls' Cathedral, the mother church of the Church of North India.
The bicentenary year would be celebrated all round the year through a series of programmes beginning today till December 13, 2015 showcasing the Diocese of Calcutta's various initiatives and projects.
A Service of Thanksgiving programme was organised at the cathedral in the presence of Bishop of Calcutta Rt. Rev. Ashoke Biswas, former moderator Church of North India Rev. Dr Philip Marandhi, Vicar St. Paul's Cathedral Rev. Nigel Pope and other invited Bishops, Clergy and leaders from other churches, heads of institutions, office bearers of the Diocese and CNI Synod.

Institutions like Pratt Memorial, St Pauls' Mission School, Duff High School, Christ Church, Union Chapel School among others were present in the ceremony.
At the ceremony, reading of the Old Testament, New Testament, Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession, offering of prayers were followed by special worship dances and songs by students of the institutions.
A documentary film 'The Resonance of the Chronicle' on the Diocese was released later in another programme where Rt. Rev. Prem Chand Singh was the chief guest.
As a part of its bicentenary celebrations, one football tournament and a cricket meet would be held in the city.

In February, a peace walk supporting women empowerment, programmes involving youths and interfaith dialogues among other programmes would be held till next December.