The new underground chapel has a separate access from outside the church structure, allowing pilgrims and tourists to visit or pray at the tomb without disturbing the sacred proceedings in the church. After the end of colonial rule, the name was changed back to Chennai. Santhome Cathedral, also known as St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Chennai. In 1521, the Portuguese in Goa and Bombay-Bassein sent missionaries to Madras (Chennai) seeking the tomb of the famed Thomas the Apostle, which had become neglected or maintained nominally by Muslims, and they decided to rebuild the shrine over the tomb of the apostle. A blood stained cross which the apostle is said to have been clutching during his martyrdom would bleed annually on 18th day of December commencing 1551 through the years to 1704. Every day: from 6.00 to 8.00 pm. The magnificent stained-glass windows have coloredpanes.The calm and comforting interior of Saint Thomos Cathedralhas an aura of peace to it,which is best for those who seek peace and tranquility. Interestingly, and I must share this St. Thomas is a patron saint of architects and builders! His loyalty and steadfastness is portrayed in John 11:16 when he says Let us all go, that we may die with him his humility, clean hearted and straight forward approach is portrayed in John 14:5 when after failing to understand Jesuss teaching about his death and resurrection he raises a doubt We do not know wither though goest. They are screened twice daily for local and foreign pilgrims. As one enters the church, one can find the sanctuary and a statue of St. Thomas seated. See top 15 Catholic shrines in the world. Thomas Mount. His body was buried on the spot over which the present Basilica stands. In 1523, the structure was consecrated as a church, and Portuguese Padroado priests resumed the daily celebration of Liturgy (Holy Mass) at the site. It is a small hillock in Chennai not far from the cathedral. The Mylai Matha feast is celebrated in the month of December. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). In 1956, Pope Pius XII gave the church the status of a Basilica Minor. Faithful Catholic families.do we fight or flee? Although there are a few examples in the 20. century and later of the Carpenter Gothic buildings, which were relatively unadorned, retaining only the basic elements of pointed-arch windows and steep gables. It was on this St. Thomas Mount that the apostle was said to be killed by a lance which pierced through his back. Pope Pius XII honored the Cathedral Church of the Archdiocese of Madras- Mylapore raising her to the dignity and rank of Minor Basilica by apostolic brief dated 16th March 1956. Stop doubting and believe put to rest all speculations about his resurrection. The Santhome Basilica as it is popularly known derives its name from Saint Thomas, after whom the church has been named. The shrine chapel is located beneath the main church sanctuary, and is accessed by a separate entrance from the outside. Nearly 2000 years ago a reluctant apostle was sent to an unknown destination to spread the word of God and this particular apostle who plays a significant role in bringing to reality the resurrection of our Lord was none other than Thomas Didymus. The present structure dates to 1523 AD, when it was built by the Portuguese, over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle, one of the apostles of Jesus. Christianity is today the third largest religion in India after Hinduism and Islam. Sharing my musings with architect-friend Kanchana Ganeshan, I was enlightened that the basic aim of this style was to create awe and unlike the Indo-Saracenic etc styles, one can hardly draw any inspiration from this architectural form. James Tort founded, Basilica Cateriniana of San Domenico Siena - Open hours, Mass times, Things to see, Basilica Cateriniana or Basilica of San Domencio in Siena has, Basilica of Mary Magdalene. Filed Under: Apostles, Gravesite Saint, Roman Catholic Tagged With: India (South)/Sri Lanka. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. This Roman catholic church is one among the three churches in the world that were built on the tomb of apostles. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It is one of three churches in the world that was constructed on the tomb of an apostle. Nevertheless it is arguably the second most likely true apostolic tomb after that of Peter, though most of Thomas corpse was removed many years ago. The church also has an attached museum, This site is using cookies under cookie policy . This crumbling medieval basilica once attracted pilgrims by the thousands to collect a miraculous dust that formed above the saint's tomb. Website of the Sanctuary. Tamil Nadu, India. His loyalty and steadfastness is portrayed in John 11:16 when he says Let us all go, that we may die with him his humility, clean hearted and straight forward approach is portrayed in John 14:5 when after failing to understand Jesuss teaching about his death and resurrection he raises a doubt We do not know wither though goest. God does not change. Santhome church stained glass, left wing. Print. According to tradition, St. Thomas preached and was martyred in India. We would love to hear from you. Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. There are only two other Basilicas in the world other than Santhome Cathedral that have been built over the tomb of an apostle. parishpriest@santhomechurch.in. In 1956 the church was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica. Chennai: Where Tradition Meets Modernity in a Vibrant Cityscape, On the Ponniyan Selvan Trail. 136 Exterior, arches Aleksander Zykov (CC BY-SA 2.0) Boasting a towering steeple and an ornate interior with magnificent stained-glass windows, San Thome Basilica is an impressive. Next:Tourists Who Visit The Vatican Won't See These 12 Hidden Rooms, Aaron is a first-hand traveler who has visited more than 80 countries around the world. ( The purpose of this article is to give you a brief overview of what this decision means and why it matters. Stop doubting and believe put to rest all speculations about his resurrection. Santhome Church in Chennai also known as Santhome Cathedral Basilica and International Shrine of Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica, sits on the tomb built over the mortal remains of one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. San Thome Basilica and the tomb of St Thomas. Tamil Nadu, He who has God finds he lacks nothing: - St Teresa Of Avila. Phone Number or Mobile Number. The statue in the main altar indicates "Saint Thomas the apostle as Priest and Jesus Christ as King", with both sides the statue of Saint Thomas the Apostle and Saint Peter the Apostle. Want to Visit? The Basilica of St. Thomas in India is one of the most important churches in Asia and yet one of Christanitys least well-known major shrines. The present structure dates to 1523 AD, when it was rebuilt by the Portuguese over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle. Visitors can see the pipe organ by climbing the stairs located at the Narthex of the church. The Basilicas highlight, of course, is the Apostles Tomb. SIR,YOUR GUIDE WAS HELPFUL FOR ME .. San thome Basilica in Chennai also known as Santhome Cathedral Basilica and International Shrine of Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica, sits on the tomb built over the mortal remains of one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ Saint Thomas. Santhome Cathedral, 38, Santhome High Rd, Basha Garden, enaj, Tamil Nadu, Indija. Though he was called Thomas the twin there is no credible mention about whose twin he was. This site, created by Howard Kramer, is a combination travel blog and online guide to the world's greatest sites of religious interest (with some historic and recreational places thrown in for good measure). Saint Thomas had come to India in A.D.52, was martyred in A.D.72 and buried in this very site then known as Mylapore. A cave on the hillside has been identified as the Apostles home, and a cross and some handprints are attributed to him. Finally in being the only disciple who was absent when the risen Jesus appeared before his co-disciples, he became the chosen one by divine providence to ratify the resurrection of Jesus, by representing every common man in insisting with childish persistence that his belief lay in his touching the wounds of Christ. THOMAS June 1, 2014 By Howard Kramer 10 Comments Chennai, Tamil Nadu (photo from Wikipedia) The Basilica of St. Thomas in India is one of the most important churches in Asia and yet one of Christanity's least well-known major shrines. Come with me to all the iconic places of the grand movie, Beer Bus: Unlimited Beer From Chennai To Pondicherry, Know Costs, Inclusions, Etc, Welcome Summer With These Vacation Spots Near Chennai, Chennai Airport To Have Multiplex With Five Screens Soon, Know Details, Most Popular Churches to Visit On Christmas Eve 2022 In Your City, Chennai Music Season 2022: All You Need To Know. Being Catholic, I was totally drawn into the story of st. Thomas. The Apocryphal books of Thomas are among the most extensive, and because of this we have more clues concerning Thomas later life than almost any of the other Apostles except perhaps Peter. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Later on the British reconstructed the church in 1893 and 1896. In 1893 this church was also demolished and the present Gothic-style cathedral was built and consecrated in 1896. The church is located in the Mylapore region in Chennai. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". It is a beautiful church built in neo-gothic architecture is a place of pilgrimage for people of the Catholic faith. Offer subject to change without notice. According to tradition, the remains of the following apostles are buried in these cathedrals. I was also told his body lay right under the church many years ago, until it was sent to the Vatican for further DNA testing. Several airlines in the Middle East and Asia offer non-stop flights as well. 1522 They started building Santhome Church. The church has a rib vault ceiling made of teak wood. Massive following and immense devotion of people to a very ancient image of the Blessed Virgin also known as Our Lady of Mylapore was among the motives that prompted the Pope to bestow this honor. In 1893, it was rebuilt as a church with the status of a cathedral by the British. 1996 Century of British structure (church) was celebrated. The new bell was consecrated by the Bishop of Dacca and the architect of the cathedral Captain Power helped to ring the first merry chime. It is located at the backside of Santhome Church. For any events being held at the church see their website. The museum has the great apostles fingerprint and there are wall paintings depicting the saints life and death. The National Shrine of . The museum here has several artefacts related to the apostle and the era. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. See more Catholic Shrines and pilgrimagesinIndia, See more Catholic Shrines and pilgrimagesinAsia. In 1956 the church was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica. There is an underground tomb chapel below the Basilica. Though the Portuguese built on the ruins of St. Thomas church several times, the church was captured by the British and was rebuilt, giving it the status of a cathedral that it enjoys today. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. This is due in large part to geography, as it is strange to think that a small Christian enclave thousands of miles to the east of the Holy Land and Europe is in possession of one of only a handful of known apostolic tombs. According to this story, he spent the final years of his life preaching on a beach in what is now Chennai, and was ultimately martyred on nearby St. Thomas Mount. It was constructed by British colonial authorities to replace an older structure from the 16th century, built by Portuguese colonists atop what was claimed to be the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle. The sarcophagas where Thomas relic was interred is still within, and has not been opened for almost three hundred years. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. The [Read More], by Glory Ali The City of Brotherly Love offers tons to see and do and get this, its FREE. Today the Basilica is the top tourist site in eastern India for visiting Christians. San Thome Basilica is a Roman Catholic (Latin Rite) minor basilica in Santhome, in the city of Chennai (Madras), India. The cathedral was built by the early Portuguese in 1523 AD when they built the Church over the tomb of Thomas the Apostel. The museum has an information center about Saint Thomas the Apostle, Tomb of St. Thomas and about Santhome Church and more. Leo Patalinghug plus Gus & Michelle Lloyd on this Danube River Cruise. No considerable changes happened to the original structure of the church built in 1523. He was martyred on Parangi Malai (called in English St. Thomas Mount). Travel diaries of Marco Polo the great Venetian traveller who has visited the tomb in 1292 have recorded thus about the miraculous healing power of the saint: The Christians who go thither in pilgrimage take of the earth from the place where the saint was killed (or buried), and give a portion thereof to anyone who is sick of a quartan or a tertian fever; and by the power of God and of St. Thomas the sick man is incontinently cured.Travels of Marco Polo Vol.II by Yule Edited by Cordier. Features: Gothic style basilica housing relics of St Thomas, the Apostle Opening Times: 6am to 8pm, daily Best Time to Visit: Any day except Sunday Duration: 20 to 30 mins Travelled By: Train (Thirumayilai) Cost: Free Address: 38 Santhome High Road, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Type: Church I HAD WENT TO ST.THOMAS BASILICA,CHENNAI.. A 2000 year old never drying, a miraculous stream of water on a rock face are said to be examples of the apostles divine exploits. Tradition says it was St. Thomas who brought Christianity to India in the first century (making Christianity older in India than Sikhism or Islam). It was at the St. Thomas Mount where he suffered martyrdom; his disciples buried him where the current Santhome Church stands. Thanks to Chennais increased importance as one of Indias largest business centers, this long-forgotten shrine is now becoming a major destination for Christian tourists in India. The church is built using neo-gothic style of architecture, following the faith of Catholic Christians. Today the St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica is built over his tomb. Click the image above to join this great pilgrimage to some of the most famous shrines in Europe. This Roman catholic church is one among the three churches in the world that were built on the tomb of apostles. The cave at the little mount is claimed to be his favourite preaching spot. Inside is the highly venerated Bleeding Cross, which is said to turn red every year on the saints Indian feast day. Chennai is a fairly large city and is served by many airlines. Wittenberg, Germany After years of living in peace, anti-Christian elements of the local community finally decided that Thomas following had grown dangerously large. In the early days of Christendom, Christianity was being spread westwards by apostles like St. Paul, but it was also being spread as far east as India by St. Thomas. San Thome Church, also known as St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Santhome, in the city of Chennai (Madras), India. St.Thomas Basilica Location, Contacts, Daily Mass Schedules, Confession Hours, Physical Address, Telephone Number, Email, Website. This is your sign to visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram! Although this may seem geographically improbable, there is certainly evidence of a Christian community of Syriac origin in India dating possibly as far back as the 2nd century AD. Tall spires, pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses are all typical to the structures built during the early 19, Father Roche Chinnappa, Administrator San Thome was forthcoming, The shrine is close to 450 years old. 2000 years have passed by and even unto this day this infinite source of water is quenching the thirst and curing illness of millions of faithful pilgrims and devotees. See. It does not store any personal data. A 2000 years old never drying, miraculous stream of water on rock face is a shining example of the apostles divine (overtures) exploits. The current Basilica of St. Thomas was rebuilt at the end of the 19th century, and while it is a beautiful structure in and of itself, it somewhat lacks the venerable and majestic feel of other such basilicas. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In 1986 Pope John Paul II visited the tomb and prayed. The Basilica of St. Thomas is located in the Mylapore district of Chennai, about six miles south of downtown and close to the Bay of Bengal. Eucharistic celebrations happen every day in the (full air-conditioned) tomb chapel. This structure fell to ruins between the 14th and 15th centuries. 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Learn how your comment data is processed. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another resurrection appearance of Jesus at the miraculous catch of fish on lake Tiberias. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. St. Thomas is being hailed as the Father of Indian Christianity since he is largely considered to have brought christianity to india. Email us at hkramer@thecompletepilgrim.com. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. After spending 10 years on the Malabar coast he is said to have travelled Eastwards across the Deccan Plateau, arriving in Mylapore in AD 68. A 2000-year-old, never-drying, miraculous stream of water on a rock face are said to be examples of the apostle's divine exploits. Let us explore this historical pilgrimage centre in Tamil Nadu. 6 Stories of Aliens and the Unexplained That Are Just Out of This World, The Relic Crypt of St. Helena at glise Saint-Leu-Saint-Gilles, Lipsanothecae of the Chapel of Saint Francesco de Geronimo, http://www.chennai.org.uk/religious-places/churches/basilica-church.html, http://archdioceseofmadrasmylapore.in/santhome/, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Thome_Basilica. His journey through Kerala is said to have resulted in numerous conversions. Last month, I visited one of the most fascinating churches I have ever been to, the almost completely ignored Basilica of St. Denis in the northern suburbs of Paris. In his last days, when Thomas was attacked by a mob, he fled to the nearby Greater St. Thomas Mount. The second Saturday is devoted to Mylai Matha devotion, with special prayers, procession, rosary and benediction in the evening. With the order and funding of King John III of Portugal they started building the church. 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He spent a few years in what is now called St. Thomas Mount in Chennai, performing miracles for believers. Don't Miss! Is Monsoon The Best Time To Experience Railways In South India? Now I read that his body was split up and sent elsewhere. It is believed that Apostle Saint Thomas erected this pole made out of the wood washed ashore. There are only three churches in the worldbuilt over what are supposed to be the remains of the apostles. Jesuss response to this universal doubt addressed to all doubting Thomases in John 20: 27 Put your finger here and look at my hands, Then stretch out your hand and put it in my side. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Saint Francis Xavier used to spend long hours in front of this statue in prayer and deep contemplation, prayers, procession, rosary and benediction in the evening. Another tradition suggests that Thomas body may have been moved in whole or in part back to Edessa sometime in the 4th century, and thence to Ortona in Italy. The relics of dozens of martyrs are stored in a single chapel. It is one of the only three churches of the apostolic age of ancient Christianity, known for enshrining the tomb of an apostle and are still standing in the world today; the other two being the St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain. I entered the church to find the statue of St. Thomas to my left. Who knows what the real story is! A gray market run by Burmese Indians offers a portal to a forgotten period in history. Christian tradition holds that St. Thomas arrived in Kerala from Israel in 52 A.D. preached between 52 A.D. and 72 A.D., when he was martyred on St. Thomas Mount. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Photo Courtesy: Mathen Payyappilly Palakkappilly. According to the Bible, St Thomas was born in Judea (then a Roman province he was one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus. In addition, there are 14 Stations of the Cross attached at the side wall of the cathedral. Sometime in the 10th century AD a group of Nestorian Christians from Persia founded the Christian village of San Thome and proceeded to build a church over the burial site of St. Thomas. This church is one of the only three known churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus, the other two beingSt. Peter's BasilicainVatican CityandSantiago de Compostela CathedralinGalicia, Spain. A 2000-year-old, never-drying, miraculous stream of water on a rock face are said to be examples of the apostle's divine exploits. India, 38, Santhome High Rd How can we know the way? St. Thomas, who was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, was buried here. In the two decades since he has traveled to more than two dozen countries and almost every state, visiting and photographing hundreds of the worlds greatest churches, synagogues and other places of religious interest. Jesuss response to this universal doubt addressed to all doubting Thomases in John 20: 27 Put your finger here and look at my hands, Then stretch out your hand and put it in my side. The basilica is built over the site where he was believed originally to be interred. There are flights connecting from the U.S. and Great Britain through major European cities. Spearhead that was used to kill Saint Thomas in AD 72 at. 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This church was declared as a National Shrine in 2004 by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. And that is the way to enter the tomb of St. Thomas erected under Santhome Church. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In 1893, it was rebuilt as a church with the status of acathedralby theBritish. In 1545, St Francis Xavier visited the shrine and lived for about one year in the presbytery of the Santhome Church before he left for his mission in Ilha Formosa, the Portuguese name for the island of Taiwan. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The table below gives the fine details of this Parish. After spending 10 years on the Malabar coast he is said to have traveled Eastwards across the Deccan Plateau, Arriving in Mylapore in 68 A.D.