| Honorific Prefix: | The Reverend Sister |
| Virginia Rajakumari, SAB | |
| Honorific Suffix: | Congregation of Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore (SAB)[1] |
| Birth Name: | Virginia Rajakumari Sandiyagu |
| Birth Date: | 8 October 1965[2] |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Other Names: | V. R. Sandiyagu |
| Occupation: | Spiritual Formator |
| Period: | 21st century |
| Known For: | Scholarship in Biblical Studies |
| The Reverend Sister | |
| Boards: | |
| Relatives: | Fr. Ignatius Anthappa |
| Education: | |
| Alma Mater: |
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| Thesis Title: | Women as Eyewitnesses to the Christian Kerygma: The Galilean Women in the Redaction of Luke: An Exegetical Study of Luke 8:1-3 |
| Thesis Url: | https://kuleuven.limo.libis.be/discovery/delivery/32KUL_KUL:Lirias/12549996900001488 |
| Thesis Year: | 2008 |
| School Tradition: | Theology |
| Doctoral Advisor: | Dr. Reimund Bieringer |
| Academic Advisors: | Fr. Lucien Legrand, MEP, Fr. P. A. Sampath Kumar |
| Influences: | Feminism |
| Era: | 21st century |
| Discipline: | Biblical Studies |
| Sub Discipline: | New Testament |
| Workplaces: |
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| Main Interests: | Women's participation in the Church |
| Notable Ideas: | Women in Christianity |
| Influenced: | Biblical hermeneutics |
Virginia Rajakumari Sandiyagu (born 8 October 1965[2]) is a Biblical scholar belonging to Congregation of Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore (SAB). She teaches Sacred Scriptures at Kristu Jyoti College, Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore. Rajakumari is known for Biblical hermeneutics,[12] especially her research on re-reading[13] scriptures that hitherto relegated women to the background. Her re-interpretation has shed new light on importance[14] of women in Old Testament and New Testament.
Sandiyagu, V. R. professed as a Nun on 21 May 1985[2] with Sisters of St. Anne of Bangalore (SAB). She studied in Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore, graduating in 1995[1] with a B.Th. degree. She continued her studies in St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, enrolling in a postgraduate course leading to M.Th.. Her faculty included learned Scripture Scholars, comprising Lucien Legrand, MEP and P. A. Sampath Kumar. Sandiyagu graduated in 1997.[1]
In the 2000s, Sandiyagu enrolled with KU Leuven in Leuven, Belgium, where she was guided by Reimund Bieringer. In 2004,[6] she graduated with a M.A.[6] degree and continued her studies at KU Leuven, enrolling in a doctoral programme. She studied in Maria-Theresia College.[7] During her time at KU Leuven, Sandiyagu also took part in an International research project Mary Magdalene and the Touching of Jesus. An Intra- and Interdisciplinary Investigation of the Interpretation of John 20,17 in Exegesis, Iconography and Pastoral Care.[15] In 2008, Sandiyagu graduated with a Ph.D. degree. Her dissertation was listed in .[16]
Sandiyagu teaches Sacred Scriptures at Salesians of Don Bosco-run Kristu Jyoti College, Krishnarajapuram as a permanent faculty. She also teaches as a guest faculty at St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Malleswaram,[1] National Biblical, Catechetical & Liturgical Centre, Banaswadi[9] and Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bannerghatta Road[9]
As a scholar in Biblical Studies, Sandiyagu is engaged in scripture engagement as Secretary of Bible Commission, Karnataka Regional Catholic Bishops' Council[3] In November 2024, she got elected as President of Society for Biblical Studies in India for biennium 2024-2026, succeeding Old Testament Scholar, K. Jesurathnam, STBC.
She is on the Council of Congregation of Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore as General Councilor.[4] Sandiyagu is also Governing Councilor of St. Anne’s Educational Society, Bangalore that manages St. Anne's First Grade College for Women in Bangalore.[5]