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San Thome, Chennai
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

San Thome, Chennai

Thomas, apostle to India · India

Thomas, the apostle who doubted until he could touch Jesus' wounds, is said to have taken the gospel as far as India. Indian Christians have long told that he founded churches in Kerala and died as a martyr near Chennai in 72 AD. The Christians of Kerala still call themselves Saint Thomas Christians. Today the white neo-Gothic San Thome Basilica, rebuilt in 1896, stands over the tomb honoured as his.

Did you know?

San Thome is one of only a few churches in the world built over the grave of an apostle.

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An inspiring story

More than a doubter

Do you only know Thomas as the doubter?

When Jesus decided to go back to Judea, where people wanted to stone him, it was Thomas who said: 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.' After the resurrection he wanted to see for himself, and said he would not believe unless he could touch the wounds. A week later Jesus stood before him, and Thomas spoke the strongest confession in the Gospels: 'My Lord and my God!' Why remember him only for his doubt? Because honest questions and deep faith can live in the same person.

Christians in India have honoured Thomas for centuries as their apostle, and this church in Chennai stands over his grave. The doubter went further than almost anyone.

My Lord and my God!John 20:28

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