The late Abp Duraigingh James graduated from South India Biblical Seminary, Bangarapet, Karnataka and began his ministry with India Youth For Christ (YFC) at Madurai.
He was consecrated as a Bishop on 19 April 1997 at the Holy Redeemer’s Cathedral, Oklahoma into the office of a Bishop for the CEEC with responsibility over India. Abp James always said that he saw it as a humbling moment of surrendering his life to the responsible office of the Bishop in His church.
In 2001 he established St. Thomas' S.P.G. Tamil Cathedral, which is his current seat.