St. Thomas Basilica

One of the many things to do on my wish list has been to visit St. Thomas Basilica in Mylapore, Chennai. So with Mum and Dad for company we set off to see this important Christian Church.

It is said that St. Thomas, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, came to India in A.D.52, to preach the word of the Lord Jesus to this Hindu nation. He died as a martyr in A.D.72 when he was speared to death on St Thomas Mount in Chennai. The Church has been built over the tomb of St. Thomas. The present cathedral was constructed in 1896.

Thomas the Apostle, also called Doubting Thomas, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is best known for disbelieving Jesus' resurrection when first told of it. He declared that he would not believe until he himself put his finger in the wound mark of the Lord. Jesus appeared and said to him to put his finger in the wound, cease his doubting and believe. He then knelt and proclaimed "My Lord and my God".

He was perhaps the only Apostle who went outside the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel.

The Church is situated on a very busy road and backing onto the coastal fishing village that I have previously blogged about.

Many people believe that when the Tsunami struck on December 26th 2004, the area behind the church was protected because of the presence of The Pole of St. Thomas. Which is set into the ground just behind the church and quite possibly one of the most average looking wooden poles, that has so much historic significance. Legend has it that St. Thomas erected this pole as a mark to prevent the sea from encroaching the land, thus saving the lives of the people living near the shore.