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St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

San Thome Church, officially known as St Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a minor basilica of the Catholic Church in India, at the Santhome neighbourhood of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. The present structure dates to 1523 AD, when it was rebuilt by the Portuguese, over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle, one of the Twelve commissioned by Jesus Christ.[3] 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. 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. In antiquity, there was a basilica built over the tomb of the Apostle Philip in Hierapolis of Phrygia, present-day Pamukkale.

Santhome Church
National Shrine of Saint Thomas Basilica
Santhome Basilica
Santhome Church
Location within Chennai
Santhome Church
Santhome Church (India)
13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778Coordinates: 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778
Location38 Santhome High Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Language(s)Tamil and English
DenominationCatholic Church
TraditionLatin Church
Websitesanthomechurch.com
History
Authorising papal bull16 March 1956
StatusMinor basilica[1]
Founded1523 (500 years ago).
Founder(s)Portuguese explorers.
DedicationSt. Thomas the Apostle
Relics heldThomas the Apostle (claimed)
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationNational Shrine[2]
Architect(s)Captain J.A. Power (current structure)
StyleNeo-Gothic
Groundbreaking1500
Completed1523 (Current building 1896)
Specifications
Length64 metres (210 ft)
Width12.2 metres (40 ft)
Nave width10 metres (33 ft)
Height41 metres (135 ft)
Spire height47.2 metres (155 ft)
Administration
ProvinceChennai
DioceseMadras and Mylapore
Clergy
ArchbishopArchbishop George Antonysamy (2012–present)
Priest(s)Rev. Fr. M. Arulraj
Assistant priest(s)Rev. Fr. A. Ritchie Vincent

History of St. Thomas the Apostle

According to the Bible, Saint Thomas was born in the Roman province of Judea. He was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He was one of the brothers of Jesus, and was named Judah, called the Twin, aka Didymus. He was the one who touched the wound of Jesus after he rose from his death. Later on in AD 52 he came to Kerala, India, to preach about Jesus and later on he moved to present-day Chennai. In AD 72 he was killed in St. Thomas Mount and he was buried in Mylapore (presently Santhome) by his disciples, and a small structural building (church) was built to mark his tomb.[citation needed]

Later on the tomb of St. Thomas was respected and maintained by Muslims and they called the tomb as "Bothuma" (House of Thomas). Centuries later, it became an abandoned structure although many pilgrims came to visit the tomb from East and Kerala.[citation needed]

Portuguese era

 
Santhome Church built by Portuguese in 1523

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 was maintained nominally by Muslims, and they decided to rebuild the shrine over the tomb of the apostle. With the order and funding of King John III of Portugal they started building the church. In 1523, the structure was consecrated as a church, and Portuguese Padroado priests resumed the daily celebration of Liturgy (Holy Mass) at the site.

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. 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.

British era

 
Santhome Cathedral, rebuilt by the British in 1896

The church was made a cathedral in 1606 by Pope Paul V with the creation of the Diocese of Saint Thomas of Mylapore. Later the church was rebuilt with a status of cathedral in 1896 by the British in the late 19th-century style of Gothic Revival architecture. The exact place where St. Thomas was buried is marked by the second small tower in the centre of the cathedral. Pope Pius XII honoured this cathedral church, elevating it to the dignity and rank of a minor basilica in March 1956. Pope John Paul II is the only pope to have visited the church, in the year 1986. This church was declared as a National Shrine in 2004 by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. This church is also called the "National Shrine of Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica", or as "Santhome Church". It is a very important church for worldwide Christians as it is the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle.

Architecture

Santhome Church was built in the Gothic revival architecture style of the late 19th century. The church has a rib vault ceiling made of teak wood. It was built with 16 windows and 34 stained glass with a main stained glass in altar represent "Saint Thomas Touching the Wound of Jesus Christ". 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. In addition, there are 14 Stations of the Cross attached at the side wall of the cathedral. The cathedral was built with the materials teak wood, marble and granite.

There are two spire in this church :

  • First spire : acts as bell tower in the left side of church it is 147 feet tall and it can also be seen from distance.
  • Second spire : was built in the center of the cathedral to indicate the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle.

A 200 years old British pipe organ is kept at upstairs of the church. visitors can see the pipe organ by climbing the stairs located at the Narthex of the church.

 
Santhome Cathedral pipe organ.

Our Lady of Mylapore

The Portuguese statue of Mother Mary was brought from Lisbon to Santhome Church in 1523 and now it is kept at the left side of the church altar is now called as Our Lady of Mylapore.

Our Lady of Mylapore, locally known as Mylai Matha, feast is celebrated in the month of December with great devotion. Second Saturday is devoted to Mylai Matha devotion. Special prayers, procession, rosary and benediction in the evening.

The wooden statue of Our Lady of Mylapore is painted in gold and placed on a special altar. 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.


Pole of St. Thomas

It is believed that Apostle Saint Thomas erected this pole made out of the wood washed ashore. Faithful believe that the presence of this pole saved their life and cathedral during the devastation of Tsunami on 26 December 2004.

 
Santhome Cathedral—Interior.

Timeline

 
Santhome Cathedral—Side view from back side

Relic held in Santhome Church

 
The reliquaire of the spear which is said to have killed Saint Thomas kept in Santhome Church.

Burials in Santhome Church

Santhome Museum

Santhome Church has an attached museum contains lot of historical things belongs to Saint Thomas the Apostle and Santhome Church and the tomb. It has oldest Cross of 7th–8th centuries and Inscription. It is located at the backside of Santhome Church. And that is the way to enter the tomb of St. Thomas erected under Santhome Church. The museum has an information center about Saint Thomas the Apostle, Tomb of St. Thomas and about Santhome Church and more.

Currently there are two new structures one being the Tomb Chapel below the basilica and the other a museum-cum-theatre. Exclusive films on the patron saint Thomas and the church are screened twice daily for local and foreign pilgrims. 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. Eucharistic celebrations happen every day at the fully air-conditioned tomb chapel.

 
Santhome museum interior

Holy Eucharist Chapel

An adoration chapel adjoining the main church provides perfectly for those soulful, silent moments before the Blessed Sacrament. This chapel can be approached from the left wing of the church apart from an exclusive entrance from the outside. The day does not begin for scores of local public without a short or prolonged visit to this chapel.

Gallery

 
Santhome high altar—Jesus statue.
 
Statue of Ou lady of Mylapore.
 
Santhome Cathedral—St. Thomas and Jesus.
 
Santhome Cathedral during evening mass
 
Chair of Santhome Church
 
Santhome church bell tower.
 
Santhome church second spire.
 
Santhome church aerial side view.
 
Santhome church eagle pulpit.
 
Saint Thomas Tomb.
 
Santhome Main Altar

Stained glass

 
Santhome church stained glass—Left Wing.
 
Santhome church stained glass—Main Altar.
 
Santhome Church lower window.
 
Santhome Church Main Door.
 
Santhome upper window—Main Altar.
 
Santhome church stained glass—Upper floor.
 
Santhome church stained window.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas". SanThomeChurch.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  2. ^ National Shrine Status 27 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Santhome Basilica in Chennai — A historical pilgrimage indiastudychannel.com. Retrieved 30 August 2021

External links

  • Official website of San Thome Church
  • San Thome Church Youth Group

thomas, cathedral, basilica, chennai, thome, church, officially, known, thomas, cathedral, basilica, national, shrine, saint, thomas, minor, basilica, catholic, church, india, santhome, neighbourhood, chennai, tamil, nadu, present, structure, dates, 1523, when. San Thome Church officially known as St Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas is a minor basilica of the Catholic Church in India at the Santhome neighbourhood of Chennai in Tamil Nadu The present structure dates to 1523 AD when it was rebuilt by the Portuguese over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle one of the Twelve commissioned by Jesus Christ 3 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 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 In antiquity there was a basilica built over the tomb of the Apostle Philip in Hierapolis of Phrygia present day Pamukkale Santhome ChurchNational Shrine of Saint Thomas BasilicaSanthome BasilicaSanthome ChurchLocation within ChennaiShow map of ChennaiSanthome ChurchSanthome Church India Show map of India13 2 1 N 80 16 40 E 13 03361 N 80 27778 E 13 03361 80 27778 Coordinates 13 2 1 N 80 16 40 E 13 03361 N 80 27778 E 13 03361 80 27778Location38 Santhome High Road Chennai Tamil NaduCountryIndiaLanguage s Tamil and EnglishDenominationCatholic ChurchTraditionLatin ChurchWebsitesanthomechurch wbr comHistoryAuthorising papal bull16 March 1956StatusMinor basilica 1 Founded1523 500 years ago Founder s Portuguese explorers DedicationSt Thomas the ApostleRelics heldThomas the Apostle claimed ArchitectureFunctional statusActiveHeritage designationNational Shrine 2 Architect s Captain J A Power current structure StyleNeo GothicGroundbreaking1500Completed1523 Current building 1896 SpecificationsLength64 metres 210 ft Width12 2 metres 40 ft Nave width10 metres 33 ft Height41 metres 135 ft Spire height47 2 metres 155 ft AdministrationProvinceChennaiDioceseMadras and MylaporeClergyArchbishopArchbishop George Antonysamy 2012 present Priest s Rev Fr M ArulrajAssistant priest s Rev Fr A Ritchie VincentThis article may require copy editing for grammar style cohesion tone or spelling You can assist by editing it October 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message Contents 1 History of St Thomas the Apostle 2 Portuguese era 3 British era 4 Architecture 4 1 Our Lady of Mylapore 4 2 Pole of St Thomas 5 Timeline 6 Relic held in Santhome Church 6 1 Burials in Santhome Church 7 Santhome Museum 7 1 Holy Eucharist Chapel 8 Gallery 9 Stained glass 10 See also 11 References 12 External linksHistory of St Thomas the Apostle EditAccording to the Bible Saint Thomas was born in the Roman province of Judea He was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus He was one of the brothers of Jesus and was named Judah called the Twin aka Didymus He was the one who touched the wound of Jesus after he rose from his death Later on in AD 52 he came to Kerala India to preach about Jesus and later on he moved to present day Chennai In AD 72 he was killed in St Thomas Mount and he was buried in Mylapore presently Santhome by his disciples and a small structural building church was built to mark his tomb citation needed Later on the tomb of St Thomas was respected and maintained by Muslims and they called the tomb as Bothuma House of Thomas Centuries later it became an abandoned structure although many pilgrims came to visit the tomb from East and Kerala citation needed Portuguese era Edit Santhome Church built by Portuguese in 1523 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 was maintained nominally by Muslims and they decided to rebuild the shrine over the tomb of the apostle With the order and funding of King John III of Portugal they started building the church In 1523 the structure was consecrated as a church and Portuguese Padroado priests resumed the daily celebration of Liturgy Holy Mass at the site 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 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 British era Edit Santhome Cathedral rebuilt by the British in 1896 The church was made a cathedral in 1606 by Pope Paul V with the creation of the Diocese of Saint Thomas of Mylapore Later the church was rebuilt with a status of cathedral in 1896 by the British in the late 19th century style of Gothic Revival architecture The exact place where St Thomas was buried is marked by the second small tower in the centre of the cathedral Pope Pius XII honoured this cathedral church elevating it to the dignity and rank of a minor basilica in March 1956 Pope John Paul II is the only pope to have visited the church in the year 1986 This church was declared as a National Shrine in 2004 by the Catholic Bishops Conference of India This church is also called the National Shrine of Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica or as Santhome Church It is a very important church for worldwide Christians as it is the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle Architecture EditSanthome Church was built in the Gothic revival architecture style of the late 19th century The church has a rib vault ceiling made of teak wood It was built with 16 windows and 34 stained glass with a main stained glass in altar represent Saint Thomas Touching the Wound of Jesus Christ 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 In addition there are 14 Stations of the Cross attached at the side wall of the cathedral The cathedral was built with the materials teak wood marble and granite There are two spire in this church First spire acts as bell tower in the left side of church it is 147 feet tall and it can also be seen from distance Second spire was built in the center of the cathedral to indicate the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle A 200 years old British pipe organ is kept at upstairs of the church visitors can see the pipe organ by climbing the stairs located at the Narthex of the church Santhome Cathedral pipe organ Our Lady of Mylapore Edit The Portuguese statue of Mother Mary was brought from Lisbon to Santhome Church in 1523 and now it is kept at the left side of the church altar is now called as Our Lady of Mylapore Our Lady of Mylapore locally known as Mylai Matha feast is celebrated in the month of December with great devotion Second Saturday is devoted to Mylai Matha devotion Special prayers procession rosary and benediction in the evening The wooden statue of Our Lady of Mylapore is painted in gold and placed on a special altar 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 Pole of St Thomas Edit It is believed that Apostle Saint Thomas erected this pole made out of the wood washed ashore Faithful believe that the presence of this pole saved their life and cathedral during the devastation of Tsunami on 26 December 2004 Santhome Cathedral Interior Timeline EditAD 72 Saint Thomas the Apostle died in St Thomas Mount and buried in Mylapore presently Santhome 1291 John of Montecorvino visited the tomb in Mylapore 1292 Marco Polo visited the tomb 14th century Franciscan missionaries visited the tomb 1517 Portuguese missionaries arrived to Mylapore 1522 They started building Santhome Church 1523 Santhome Church was opened 1545 Saint Francis Xavier visited Santhome Church 1606 Santhome Church was raised to Cathedral by Pope Paul V 1893 British rebuilt the Portuguese structure cathedral 1896 Santhome Church was opened by British with the status of cathedral 1927 Santhome Church was raised to minor basilica by Pope Pius XI 1986 Pope John Paul II visited Santhome Church 1996 Century of British structure church was celebrated 2004 The church undergone renovation 2006 Santhome Church was declared as National Shrine of India by CCBI Santhome Cathedral Side view from back sideRelic held in Santhome Church EditBones of Saint Thomas the Apostle Spearhead that used to kill Saint Thomas in AD 72 at St Thomas Mount Holy relic of Saint Francis Xavier Holy relic of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Holy relic of Saint Philomena The reliquaire of the spear which is said to have killed Saint Thomas kept in Santhome Church Burials in Santhome Church Edit Saint Thomas the Apostle Bishop Louis Mathias Bishop Antony Devotta Archbishop Casimir Gnanadickam Archbishop Anthony Rayappa Arulappa Archbishop Aruldas Bishop Francis Arthur CarvalhoSanthome Museum EditSanthome Church has an attached museum contains lot of historical things belongs to Saint Thomas the Apostle and Santhome Church and the tomb It has oldest Cross of 7th 8th centuries and Inscription It is located at the backside of Santhome Church And that is the way to enter the tomb of St Thomas erected under Santhome Church The museum has an information center about Saint Thomas the Apostle Tomb of St Thomas and about Santhome Church and more Currently there are two new structures one being the Tomb Chapel below the basilica and the other a museum cum theatre Exclusive films on the patron saint Thomas and the church are screened twice daily for local and foreign pilgrims 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 Eucharistic celebrations happen every day at the fully air conditioned tomb chapel Santhome museum interior Holy Eucharist Chapel Edit An adoration chapel adjoining the main church provides perfectly for those soulful silent moments before the Blessed Sacrament This chapel can be approached from the left wing of the church apart from an exclusive entrance from the outside The day does not begin for scores of local public without a short or prolonged visit to this chapel Gallery Edit Santhome high altar Jesus statue Statue of Ou lady of Mylapore Santhome Cathedral St Thomas and Jesus Santhome Cathedral during evening mass Chair of Santhome Church Santhome church bell tower Santhome church second spire Santhome church aerial side view Santhome church eagle pulpit Saint Thomas Tomb Santhome Main AltarStained glass Edit Santhome church stained glass Left Wing Santhome church stained glass Main Altar Santhome Church lower window Santhome Church Main Door Santhome upper window Main Altar Santhome church stained glass Upper floor Santhome church stained window See also Edit India portal Christianity portalRoman Catholicism in India Saint Thomas of Mylapur Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health Poondi Matha Basilica Our Lady of Snows Basilica Christianity in India Christianity in Tamil Nadu List of churches in Chennai St Thomas Mount SanthomeReferences Edit Basilica of the National Shrine of St Thomas SanThomeChurch com Retrieved 20 February 2010 National Shrine Status Archived 27 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine Santhome Basilica in Chennai A historical pilgrimage indiastudychannel com Retrieved 30 August 2021External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Thome Basilica Chennai Official website of San Thome Church San Thome Church Youth Group Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St Thomas Cathedral Basilica Chennai amp oldid 1131326215, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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