About Us
A Heritage Worth Preserving
Launched on July 3, 2021
Indian Christian Day / Yeshu Bhakti Divas is a global Movement that honours India's nearly 2000-year old heritage on July 3 - St. Thomas Day.
MOVEMENT STRUCTURE
A People's Movement
Every individual, church, campus, or community group is free to mark July 3 in their own way. The more celebrations the better — in every nation, every region, every locality. All that is needed is the shared vision:
Love. Serve. Celebrate.
One Movement. Two Expressions
Indian Christian Day
Celebrating Jesus through India's historic Christian traditions — uniting denominations and diaspora worldwide.
Yeshu Bhakti Divas
Devotion to Yeshu rooted in India's own soil — satsang, seva, and bhakti in our languages and cultural expressions.
Same Date
Observed every year on July 3 - St. Thomas Day
Shared Values
Love Serve Celebrate - shared faith & heritage
Vision 2030
Decade of Celebration leading to 2030
2021 HISTORIC LAUNCH
Movement Launch
On July 3, 2021, Indian Christian Day / Yeshu Bhakti Divas launched as a historic act of unity — bringing together denominations, languages, and regions.
The launch received support from leaders across nearly every Christian tradition in India including Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Cardinal George Alencherry, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Metropolitan Bishop Theodosius (Mar Thoma), Rev. Dharmaraj Rasalam (Moderator, CSI), Bishop Thomas Abraham (St Thomas Evangelical), and Rev. Dr. D. Mohan (Assemblies of God), among many others. Greetings were received from the Chief Ministers of Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Mizoram.
Decade of Celebration
2021
Celebrating Jesus through India's historic Christian traditions — uniting denominations and diaspora worldwide.
2022
Honouring the 1,950th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Thomas the Apostle in India (AD 72–2022)
2023-29
Annual themes celebrating the contributions that followers of Christ made to India's development.
2030
A global celebration marking 2,000 years of the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus Christ.
MOVEMENT DECLARATION
Declaration of 3 July 2021
This declaration of 3 July 2021 as Indian Christian Day (Yeshu Bhakti Divas*) as an annual day of remembrance, is for followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, of Indian origin, to celebrate the person and message of JESUS CHRIST which was brought to India in 52 AD by one of His twelve disciples, St. Thomas the Apostle.
This day, historically observed as St. Thomas Day, commemorates the martyrdom of the Apostle in 72 AD near Chennai. In marking it in 2021 and every year henceforth, we as followers of the Lord Jesus, also preserve our identity within the Indian cultural heritage, while uniting with all who wish to celebrate, irrespective of language, custom, creed, region or religion.
The celebration of Indian Christian Day (Yeshu Bhakti Divas*) on 3 July 2021, will launch the Decade of Celebration (2021-2030) to honour the 2000th anniversary of the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ whose teaching and life principles have helped to shape and transform India and the world.
*with corresponding regional names
Ambassador Guidelines
ELIGIBILITY: YOU can be an Ambassador, if you are a follower of Jesus the Lord, believe in the Vision of the Movement and would like to volunteer as an Ambassador.
GUIDELINES: Please read the Movement Guidelines. Additionally, videos of ICD/YBD Vision Events that were held are available for viewing.
AUTHORIZATION: Being a Movement, Ambassadors DO NOT need authorization or endorsement from anyone. Each Ambassador can take their own initiative to speak on behalf of the Movement and spread the word to the millions of followers of Lord Jesus in India, and around the world.
ACCOUNTABILITY: ICD/YBD is a Movement, and not an Organization. Since there is no hierarchy or supervisory structure, Ambassadors hold themselves and one another accountable to the Vision and Movement Guidelines. Since there is no supervision over the Movement, Ambassadors and other celebrants are to ensure that all activities follow the legal guidelines in their region.
FINANCES: Ambassadors are volunteers and finance themselves and pursues their ambassadorial work with their own time & resources. No funds are raised or dispersed in this regard.
SUPPORT: Being part of a global people’s movement, Ambassadors are part of a larger community of followers of Jesus. Above all, the Lord’s almighty and supernatural support is provided to those who are willing to be guided and enabled by Him.
APPRECIATION: The Movement conveys sincere appreciation to every Ambassador who sacrifices time, talent & treasure for this important endeavour to uphold the TRUTH about Lord Jesus in India. India appreciates you, the people appreciate you and most importantly the Lord Jesus, whose Name we worship and exalt, appreciates you.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Ambassadors are the face of the Movement to ensure that the ICD/YBD Vision is propagated without contamination. Ambassadors are passionate about celebrating the TRUTH about Jesus in India, and are committed to spreading the word in their areas of influence.
EVENTS: Ambassadors can organize celebration events in their community through acts of love & kindness. Videos and photos of local celebrations can be directly shared online for the global audience to view. Songs & dances with Indian music and other cultural programs highlighting the rich Indian culture, can be arranged as part of the annual celebration.
RESOURCES: Numerous content-related and other non-financial resources are available from this website and possible other sources, individuals or organisations. The Declaration is available in 20+ languages, and so are the ICD/YBD logo files and other documents. Ambassadors are welcome to use the resources provided here or elsewhere.
PARTNERSHIP: Ambassadors are welcome to setup their own network or partner with any group. Ambassadors are invited to partner with this website indianchristianday.com and the Social Media accounts connected with us. Please like, share & subscribe:
FACEBOOK: fb.com/indianchristianday
YOUTUBE: youtube.com/indianchristianday
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/indianchristianday
LOVE, SERVE & CELEBRATE LORD JESUS IN INDIA
To volunteer contact indianchristianday@gmail.com