St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

Santhome Church
Santhome Church
National Shrine of Saint Thomas Basilica
	Santhome Basilica
	Santhome Church Location within Chennai
	13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°ECoordinates: 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E
Location	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Country	India
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Tradition	Roman Rite
Website	www.santhomechurch.com
History
Authorising papal bull	16 March 1956
Status	Minor Basilica
Founded	1523; 498 years ago.
Founder(s)	Portuguese explorers.
Dedication	St. Thomas the Apostle
Events	Holy Eucharist celebrated the everyday.
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	National Shrine
Architect(s)	Captain J.A. Power (current structure)
Style	Neo-Gothic
Groundbreaking	1500
Completed	1523 (Current building 1896)
Specifications
Length	64 metres (210 ft)
Width	12.2 metres (40 ft)
Nave width	10 metres (33 ft)
Height	41 metres (135 ft)
Spire height	47.2 metres (155 ft)
Administration
Diocese	Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore
Province	Chennai
Clergy
Archbishop	Archbishop George Antonysamy (2012- present)
Priest(s)	Rev. Fr. M. Arulraj
Assistant priest(s)	Rev. Fr. A. Ritchie Vincent

San Thome Church, is 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. It was built in 1523 by Portuguese explorers, over the tomb of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.^[3] In 1896, it was rebuilt by the British. The British style church still stands today. It was designed as Neo-Gothic style, favoured by British architects in the late 19th century. 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 being St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia, Spain.

History of St. Thomas the Apostle[]

According to Bible Saint Thomas was born in Judea the Roman province. He was one of the twelve disciple of Jesus. He was the one that touched the wound of Jesus after he was risen from his death. Later on in AD 52 he came to Kerala, India to preach about Jesus 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 they built a small structural building (church) to mark his tomb.

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. In 1327 Marco Polo visited this church and confirmed the tomb of St. Thomas.

Portuguese Structure[]

Santhome Church built by Portuguese in 1523

In 1521 Portuguese missionaries came to Chennai and saw the tomb of Apostle which has become abandoned as well as maintained by Muslims and they decided to build a tomb church of Thomas the Apostle. With the order of King John III of Portugal they started building the church. In 1523 the church was opened, the Portuguese priest celebrated Holy Eucharist Mass every day in that church.

In 1545 St. Francis Xavier visited this church and lived for about one year in Santhome Church Presbytery before he left Santhome for his Apostolic trip to China. When he lived in Santhome Church he prayed Infront of a Portuguese Mary statue and celebrated Holy Eucharist Mass in the Church and often prayed in the Tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle.

British structure[]

Santhome Cathedral rebuilt by British in 1896

This church became cathedral on 1606 by Pope Paul V with erecting the Diocese of Saint Thomas of Mylapore. Later this church was rebuilt with a status of cathedral in 1896 by British in late 19th century style as Gothic Revival architecture. The exact place where St. Thomas was buried is marked by the second small tower in the center of the cathedral. Pope Pius XII honoured this cathedral church, elevating it to the dignity and rank of minor basilica in March 1956. Pope John Paul II the only pope visited Santhome Church in the year of 1986. This church was extended as National Shrine in 2004 by Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. This church is called "National Shrine of Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica", Shortly known 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 style of Gothic revival architecture the late 19th century architecture style. The church has 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 main altar indicates "Jesus Christ as Priest and Jesus Christ as King", with both sides the statue of Saint Thomas the Apostle and Saint Peter the Apostle. And there are 14 Stations of the Cross attached at the side wall of Cathedral. The Cathedral was built with 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. The 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 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[]

AD 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 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 side

Relic held in Santhome Church[]

Bones 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

Spearhead that used to kill Saint Thomas in AD 72

Burials in Santhome Church[]

Saint Thomas the Apostle
Bishop Louis Mathias
Archbishop Casimir Gnanadickam
Archbishop Anthony Rayappa Arulappa
Archbishop Aruldas James

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[]

A meditation chapel adjoining the main church provides perfectly for those soulful, silent moments with the Eucharistic God. 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 Holy Eucharistic chapel.

Gallery[]

Santhome high altar—Jesus statue.

Statue of Mylapore Matha.

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.

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 stained window.

References[]

^ "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 2021

External links[]

[santhomebasilica-1] "Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas". SanThomeChurch.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.

[2] National Shrine Status Archived 27 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine

[3] Santhome Basilica in Chennai — A historical pilgrimage indiastudychannel.com. Retrieved 30 August 2021

[1]

[2]

[3]

show v t Places of worship in Chennai
Temples	Anantha Padmanabhaswami Temple Royapuram Angala Parameswari Temple Alamelumangapuram Anjaneya Temple Nanganallur Anjaneya Temple Bhaktavatsala Perumal Temple Luz Anjaneya Temple Apparswami Temple Ashtalakshmi Kovil Choolaimedu Angalamman Temple Anna Nagar Ayyappan Koil Muthialpet Bairagimadam Temple Chennakesava Perumal Temple Chennai Om Sri Skandhashramam Chintadri Pillaiyar Kovil Dhenupureeswarar Temple Ekambareswarar Temple Ettampadai Temple ISKCON Temple Puri Jagannath Temple Kachchaleswarar Temple Kalikambal Temple Saidapet Kamakshi Amman Temple Kamaleswarar Temple Kandaswami Temple Kapaleeshwarar Temple Mylapore Karaneeswarar Temple Saidapet Karaneeswarar Temple Ayanavaram Kasi Viswanatha Temple Mambalam Kasi Viswanatha Temple Mambalam Kothandaramar Temple Nandambakkam Kothandaramaswami Temple Muthialpet Krishnaswami Temple Kumaran Kundram Kurungaleeswarar Temple Madhya Kailash Madras Kali Bari Mallikesvarar Temple Marundeeswarar Temple Melatirupati Mylapore Mundaka Kanni Amman Temple Nandeeswarar Temple Neelagandeeswarar Temple Parasuramalingeswarar Temple Thiruvallikeni Parthasarathy Temple Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple R.A. Puram Ayyappan Koil Thiruneermalai Ranganatha Temple Ravishwarar Temple Sethu Kshetram Mylapore Shirdi Sai Baba Temple T. Nagar Sri Balaji Temple Thiruvalluvar Temple Thyagaraja Temple Tiruvalithayam Vadapalani Andavar Temple Varasiddhi Vinayaka Temple Velleeswarar Temple Velveeswarar Temple Vengeeswarar Temple
Churches	Santhome Basilica Armenian Church Church of Our Lady of Light Descanco Church Queenship of Mary Church St Andrew's Church St. George's Cathedral St. Mary's Church Saint Patrick's Cathedral Saint Theresa Church St. Lazarus' Church St. Mark's Church St. Matthias' Church St.Mary's Co-Cathedral Wesley Church
Mosques	Thousand Lights Mosque Bahram Jung Mosque Casa Verona's Mosque Dharma Kidangu Mosque Hafiz Ahmad Khan Mosque Makkah Masjid Masjid Mamoor Masjid-o-Anwari Periamet Mosque Triplicane Labbai Jamaath Masjid
Jain temples	Shantinath temple
Buddhist temples	Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Centre
Gurudwaras	Sri Guru Nanak Sat Sangh Sabha Gurudwara
Parsi temples	Royapuram Fire Temple

show v t Basilicas in India
Goa	Bom Jesus
Jharkhand	Divine Motherhood of Our Lady
Karnataka	St. Mary St. Lawrence Our Lady of Health St Antony of Padua
Kerala	St. Mary's Cathedral Santa Cruz Our Lady of Dolours Our Lady of Ransom St. Mary, Queen of Peace St. George St. Andrew's Our Lady of Snow St. Mary, Champakulam Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St Joseph
Maharashtra	Our Lady of the Mount
Puducherry	Sacred Heart of Jesus
Tamil Nadu	San Thome Our Lady of Good Health Our Lady of Snows Our Lady of Lourdes Holy Redeemer Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
Telangana	Our Lady of the Assumption
Uttar Pradesh	Our Lady of Graces
West Bengal	Our Lady of the Rosary
Catholicism portal Category