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. 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. In 1893, it was rebuilt as a church with the status of acathedralby theBritish. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. All our content comes from Wikipedia and under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. These cookies do not store any personal information. Thomas confessed his faith My Lord and My God and lived to fulfill it to the last word by his martyrdom. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Santhome church stained glass, upper floor. Our visit to San Thome Basilica - Tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle Despite consensus among historians to the contrary, Catholic tradition states that Thomas arrived in Kerala from Judea in 52 CE and preached between 52 CE and 72 CE. The present structure dates to 1523 AD, when it was rebuilt by the Portuguese over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle. Winner will be selected at random on 07/01/2023. San Thome Basilica and the tomb of St Thomas, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pondicherry, The Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe, Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Tomb of St. Francis Xavier, Miracle Cures Everything began in 1658 when Louis Guimont, suffering, National Shrine of St. Jude Thaddeus - Chicago, Il, National Shrine of St. Jude Claretian Fr. In 1893 this church was also demolished and the present Gothic-style cathedral was built and consecrated in 1896. parishpriest@santhomechurch.in. Art and architectural features of st thomas basilica chennai Santhome Church | St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai The various shrines of Thomas that have stood on this spot have gone through many makeovers and reconstructions throughout the centuries. Thomas was one of the twelve Apostles that accompanied Jesus during his ministry in Galilee. The cave at the little mount is claimed to be his favourite preaching spot. Overview. No purchase necessary. Want to Visit? Pope Francis blesses palliums for 32 new archbishops, tells them to You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It does not store any personal data. The Santhome Basilica is built over the tomb of Saint Thomos. Faithful Catholic families.do we fight or flee? You take take an auto or public transport to commute to the region from Chennai city. A church atop St. Thomas mount was built by the Portuguese in 1547 to mark the spot. All versions agree that he did go east, spending some time in Eastern Syria and Persia before continuing on to India. According to tradition, the remains of the following apostles are buried in these cathedrals. Your email address will not be published. While his tomb is in the Cathedral, he actually lived outside of the city on Little St. Thomas Mount. Pope John Paul II is the only pope to have visited the church, in 1986. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is your sign to visit Gangaikonda Cholapuram! It was only in 1893 that his Excellency Dom Henrique Jos Reed da Silva, Bishop of Mylapore, resolved to build a new church with the tomb of the apostle in the centre. St.Thomas Basilica Chennai (Madras) India - bhagavadgitausa.com It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sightseeing places to visit in Chennai. The tomb containing Thomas relic, or at least part of it, was preserved within. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 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. Pope Pius XII honoured this cathedral church, elevating it to the dignity and rank of a minor basilica in March 1956. All things pass. [1]It is claimed that St Thomas' apostolic ministry in India took place specifically at Cranganore along the Malabar coast from AD 52 to AD 68. Below the chapel of the Basilica is an underground tomb chapel. St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica (also known as San Thome Church) is a minor Catholic basilica in India that according to tradition houses the remains of Thomas the Apostle. In 1893 the British re-built the church in Neo-Gothic style of architecture, resplendent in its white beauty as it stands tall in historical and religious importance on the shore of Marina beach. Santhome Cathedral Basilica Chennai The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". His mortal remains were buried in the location over which the present day Santhome Cathedral Basilica stands. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. Santhome has many Catholic institutions including 100 year old buildings, garden houses, convents and the pride of the place . Chennai also has many other tourist attractions that are not to be missed. Today the Basilica of St. Thomas is highly venerated as both the holiest Christian site in India as well as one of the worlds only surviving Apostolic burial sites. 2021 Pilgrim-info.com When he lived in Santhome Church he regularly prayed in front of a statue of the Virgin Mother Mary and celebrated Holy Mass; he also prayed regularly at the tomb bearing the relics of St Thomas. Howard has been writing about religious sites for the better part of the last decade, and The Complete Pilgrim is the culmination of years of his work and passion. In 1956 the church was elevated to the status of a Minor Basilica. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Later on the British reconstructed the church in 1893 and 1896. Click here for []. It was built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers, over the tomb of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai - Wikipedia Santhome Cathedral, 38, Santhome High Rd, Basha Garden, enaj, Tamil Nadu, Indija. There is a museum associated with the Basilica that has several artifacts as well as a video on the life of the Apostle. The cathedral was built with teak wood, marble and granite. The museum has an information center about Saint Thomas the Apostle, Tomb of St. Thomas and about Santhome Church and more. St. Thome Basilica in Chennai, India is the place where St. Thomas the Apostle was buried. 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. Rev. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. The museum here has several artefacts related to the apostle and the era. In 1893, it was rebuilt as a . He is passionate about traveling and opening up the world for other intrepid explorers. There is an underground tomb chapel below the Basilica. That was not all, what followed provided the much needed comfort to future believers when Jesus said How happy are those who believe without seeing me. The San Thome Basilica is a pilgrimage centre for Christians in India. Welcome to The Complete Pilgrim(TM)! The Basilica is built over the place where Thomas was said to be entombed after his martyrdom. The church, St. Thomas Garrison Church, is located at the base of the hill. Eucharistic celebrations happen every day in the (full air-conditioned) tomb chapel. In his homily at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on June 29, Pope Francis called on the 32 new archbishops present to follow the example of Sts. Later the church was rebuilt with the status of cathedral in 1896 by the British in the late 19th-century style of Gothic Revival architecture. This chapel can be approached from the left wing of the church apart from an exclusive entrance from the outside. It is a beautiful church built in neo-gothic architecture is a place of pilgrimage for people of the Catholic faith. This Roman catholic church is one among the three churches in the world that were built on the tomb of apostles. St.Thomas Basilica is located in Santhome High Road in Chennai Mylai Archdiocese in or near Chennai Town, Tamil Nadu, India. After his death in Chennai, he was laid to rest at the cathedral's present site. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The relics of dozens of martyrs are stored in a single chapel. Santhome church stained glass, left wing. He continued to live and preach among the Indians for almost a quarter of a century, probably outliving most of the other Apostles. It is located in the city of Madras (aka Chennai) in southern India. Santhome Cathedral and Basilica | Pilgrim Centres | Tamil Nadu Tourism He spent a few years in what is now called St. Thomas Mount in Chennai, performing miracles for believers. 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. This crumbling medieval basilica once attracted pilgrims by the thousands to collect a miraculous dust that formed above the saint's tomb. San Thome Basilica is a Roman Catholic (Latin Rite) minor basilica in Santhome, in the city of Chennai (Madras), India. 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. In 1896, it was renovated in the Madras province according to neo-Gothic designs, as was favoured by British architects in the late 19th century. Santhome has a few Catholic institutions built by the Portuguese, which take you to the historical times of the region. Must Do Routes, Go Green, Chennai Airport Is Working Entirely On Renewable Energy Sources, Travelers Rejoice as IndiGo Begins International Flights from New Terminal at Chennai Airport. Who knows what the real story is! 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 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. 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. The San Thome experience has not only left me with wonderment but also with serenity. Get best deals on travel, receive travel tips and travel stories instantly Subscribe to Nativeplanet. 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. The Santhome Basilica as it is popularly known derives its name from Saint Thomas, after whom the church has been named. Boasting a towering steeple and an ornate interior with magnificent stained-glass windows, San Thome Basilica is an impressive bright white structure that dates back to 1893. Chennai is easily accessible from all major cities of India. San Thome Church, also known asSt. Thomas Cathedral BasilicaandNational Shrine of Saint Thomasis aRoman CatholicminorbasilicainSanthome, in the city ofChennai(Madras),India. 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. It was on this St. Thomas Mount that the apostle was said to be killed by a lance which pierced through his back. In 1893, it was rebuilt as a church with the status of a cathedral by the British. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. San Thome Basilica is one of the historical churches in India, and a minor basilica in Chennai. From Australia there are several one-stop flights via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Santhome Church built by the Portuguese in 1523. The shrine chapel is located beneath the main church sanctuary, and is accessed by a separate entrance from the outside. In 1893, it was rebuilt as a church with the status of a cathedral by the British. 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 cave at the little mount is claimed to be his favourite preaching spot. 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. 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. Again a premise that can be chewed upon. It was built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers, over the tomb of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. The cave at little mount used to be his favourite preaching spot. Although it can be assumed that the rest of the Christian community also suffered persecution, virtually nothing is known with any certitude, even from Apocryphal documents. Photo Courtesy: Mathen Payyappilly Palakkappilly. Web: www.santhomechurch.com (official website). A 200 year old British pipe organ is kept at upstairs of the church. San Thome Basilica is an impressive bright white structureis built in neo-gothic style,with a towering steeple and an ornate interior with magnificent stained-glass big windows andand naturally lit interiors. 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. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This page was last updated at 2023-06-13 08:52 UTC. In 1522 the Portuguese moved the apostle's remains to a new tomb and church which attained the status of Cathedral in 1606. It was built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers, over the tomb of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Our visit to San Thome Basilica - Tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-thecatholictravelguide_com-large-billboard-2-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thecatholictravelguide_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_9',102,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thecatholictravelguide_com-large-billboard-2-0');report this ad, Click the image above to check out these great two-minute travel tip videos from Select International Tours, Join Fr. Click for the complete list of Chennai attractions. Architecture These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The presence of his tomb makes this church a holy shrine. 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. There are around 28 million adherents in India making up 2.3% of the population of the country. In all likelihood the body has long since been split up, as was common practice at the time. Peter and Paul, whose feast the church celebrates today. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The mount is about 300 feet (91 meters) high and it has 160 steps to reach the top of the hill. Its an example of an honorable group of churches- the minor basilica, and an extremely popular tourist destination that draws people from across the globe., Unlike the Neo-classical style, imitations from this period are rare to find. Sometime in the 10th century CE a group of Nestorian Christians from Persia founded the Christian village of San Thomes and proceeded to build a church over the burial site of St. Thomas. Chennai Massive followings and the immense devotion of people to a very ancient image of the Blessed Virgin also known as Our Lady of Mylapore were among the motives that prompted the Pope to bestow this honour. 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 cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". St. Thomas Basilica in St Thomas Mount - Techulator His journey through Kerala is said to have resulted in numerous conversions. Here are some pics I took: Have a comment, a great photo or a religious site you'd like to nominate for the weekly spotlight? A statue of Mother Mary was brought from Lisbon to Santhome Church in 1523. It also holds the lance head that killed him, an episcopal chair, a rare piece of his precious bone, and a stone receptacle. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Howard Kramer is the creator and author of The Complete Pilgrim. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Check out the great priests and group leaders that travel with Select International tours. Visit the Crypt of St Thomas at Santhome Basilica in Chennai Today the Basilica is the top tourist site in eastern India for visiting Christians. If mathematical, chemical, physical and other formulas are not displayed correctly on this page, please useFirefox or Safari. This structure fell to ruins between the 14th and 15th centuries. Thomas confessed his faith My Lord and My God and lived to fulfill it to the last word by his martyrdom. A small museum at the church possesses Christian and colonial antiquities, which date from the Portuguese period. It has oldest Cross of 7th8th centuries and Inscription. Nearly 2000 years have gone by and with it the several invasions, devastations caused by nature and humans reducing it to mere stone and mortar, this holy structure Santhome Basilica has seen it all. To my right stood the graphical representation of Christ appearing to St. Thomas after resurrection. Although little is known about his lineage, Thomas s presence in the Gospel is finely etched. 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. 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. 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. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. +91-044-2498 5455. There are only two other Basilicas in the world other than San Thome Basilica that have been built over the tomb of an apostle. However, even the cathedrals caretakers disagree as to what is actually contained within. 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. St. Thomas also has a museum attached to it. The Basilicas highlight, of course, is the Apostles Tomb. Certainly the first Christian to visit India, Saint Thomas arrived here around 52 AD. 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. Dummingkuppam, Mylapore 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. Though most of his remains were subsequently transported as far away as Mesopotamia and Italy, a modern chapel in the basement of the Basilicais said to contain a small bone from the saints hand, as well as the weapon that killed him. Required fields are marked *. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. After spending 10 years on the Malabar coast he is said to have travelled Eastwards across the Deccan Plateau, arriving in Mylapore in 68 CE. St.Thomas Basilica Contacts, Location, Mass Schedules - Leituras Catlicas Although little is known about his lineage, Thomas s presence in the Gospel is finely etched. The church complex consists of the church, a chapel, the apostle's tomb and a museum. The church atop St. Thomas mount was built by Portuguese in 1547 to mark the spot here. It was on this St. Thomas mount that the apostle was killed by a lance which pierced through his backside. There was 118 years of insecurity and uncertainty from the time the Golcondas occupied San Thome in 1662 to 1780. 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. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Thomas is mentioned as one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus himself in Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15.

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