San Thome Cathedral, Chennai - Tomb of St Thomas

San Thome Cathedral Basilica in Chennai is one of the holiest Christian sites in the world. It stands upon the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve close followers of Jesus Christ.

Saint Thomas and His Mission in India

St. Thomas initially refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. In the Bible, in the Gospel of John (John 20:24–29), Thomas said, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks, I will not believe.” When Jesus later appeared to him, Thomas touched his wounds and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”

This moment of transformation from doubt to faith earned him both the nickname Doubting Thomas and the honour of being remembered as a symbol of honest faith. His journey from doubt to belief continues to inspire millions around the world.

St Thomas, also known as Didymus (meaning “the Twin”), came to India in 52 A.D. to preach the message of Christ. According to early Christian writings such as The Acts of Thomas and The Teaching of the Apostles, he first landed at Kodungallur (Cranganore), an ancient port on the Malabar Coast in present-day Kerala, where he began his mission of evangelisation.

Tradition says that St Thomas established seven and a half churches in Kerala — at Kodungallur (Cranganore), Palayur, Paravur, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Nilackal (Chayal), Kollam (Quilon), and a “half church” at Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari district. These early communities came to be known as the Syrian Christians or St Thomas Christians of Kerala, who proudly trace their faith back to the Apostle himself.

After many years of preaching in the west, St Thomas travelled across the eastern regions of India, spreading the Gospel as far as Chennai (then Mylapore). It was here, near the Little Mount cave in Saidapet, that he prayed and taught in secret. It is also said that from this cave, he went out to the people and preached the Gospel. He stayed in this cave and prayed earnestly, and inside the cave there is a stone bearing the marks of his hands, believed to have been imprinted while he knelt in prayer.

Later, he was martyred by spearing on St Thomas Mount in 72 A.D., and his followers buried him at Mylapore, the sacred site where San Thome Cathedral now stands.

According to the Acts of Thomas (3rd century), St Thomas was martyred in India, and his remains were later moved to Edessa. In A.D. 232, Syrian Christians transferred his relics to Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey). Later, some relics were relocated to Chios, Greece, and eventually to Ortona, Italy, where they are enshrined today in the Basilica of St Thomas the Apostle.

The Holy Ground – The Tomb of St Thomas

This Cathedral stands upon holy ground, for it contains the tomb of one of Christ’s twelve Apostles. The smaller of its two towers is built exactly above the tomb. Within the underground chapel, the relics of St Thomas are enshrined. A statue of the Apostle in a reclining posture lies above the tomb, covered by glass, and a marble altar is erected over it. Nearby is a well of holy water, believed to have been blessed and used by St Thomas himself.

According to Santhome Church's website, historical records mention that the tomb was opened four times:

1. The first time, as noted by St Gregory of Tours, was to heal the son of a certain King Raja Mahadevan.

2. The second opening occurred between 1222 and 1225, when most of the relics were taken to Ortona, Italy, where they remain to this day.

3. The third took place in 1523, when the Portuguese rebuilt the ruined church.

4. The fourth was in 1729, when Bishop Dom José Pinharno opened the tomb to distribute blessed sand to pilgrims. On that occasion, a brilliant light was said to have emanated from the tomb.

Thanksgiving Prayer....

The Church that Became a Basilica

By the 6th century, a European traveller named Theodore described the San Thome church as “a church of striking dimensions, elaborately adorned and designed.” In 883 A.D., King Alfred of England sent a group of pilgrims to this shrine, and by the 13th century, explorers such as Marco Polo wrote of its grandeur.

When the Portuguese arrived at Mylapore in 1517, they found the ancient church mostly in ruins, except for the small tomb chapel. They rebuilt it in 1523, and it became a parish the following year. The great missionary St Francis Xavier, whose body is enshrined in Goa, stayed here in 1545 for four months, praying before the statue of Our Lady of Mylapore before leaving for his mission to Japan.

After centuries of wear, the Portuguese structure was replaced by the British-built cathedral in 1893, under Bishop Henrique José Reed da Silva. The present church, designed in Neo-Gothic style, was constructed carefully so that the smaller tower stands directly over the tomb of the Apostle.

In 1956, Pope Pius XII elevated San Thome to the status of a Minor Basilica, recognising it as one of only three churches in the world built directly over the tomb of an Apostle of Christ — the others being St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St James’ in Compostela, Spain (Santiago de Compostela).

Maylai Madha and the Underground Museum

Within the Basilica complex, there is a beautiful shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Mylapore (Maylai Madha). The statue, venerated by devotees from all faiths, is believed to have been brought by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Blessed Virgin is honoured as the Patroness of Mylapore, and the annual feast in her honour draws large crowds of pilgrims and visitors.

At the ground level, beneath the cathedral, lies a small underground museum that preserves priceless artefacts linked to St Thomas and the early history of San Thome. The museum displays the lance head that pierced St Thomas, a rare fragment of his bone, his stone receptacle, and a wooden chair said to have been used by the Apostle. Also displayed are ancient monograms, Persian medallions, multilingual inscriptions, St Thomas coins, and paintings on canvas. Each exhibit is accompanied by a detailed explanatory plaque. Above the museum, there is a mini theatre where visitors can watch a short video on the life of St Thomas and the history of the Basilica.

Don’t forget to visit these two – the shrine of Maylai Madha and the underground museum – to experience the spiritual and historical depth of San Thome Cathedral.

A Place of Pilgrimage and Faith

For nearly two millennia, countless pilgrims have visited this holy site — from kings and explorers to ordinary men and women of faith. Pope John Paul II, during his historic visit to India in 1986, came to this Basilica and prayed at the Apostle’s tomb — the first ever papal visit to India.

Every year, on 3rd July, special Masses are celebrated in honour of St Thomas, drawing devotees from all parts of India and abroad.

Other Sacred Sites in Chennai

Two other places in Chennai are closely linked with the Apostle:

St Thomas Mount, where he was martyred.

Little Mount or Thomas Cave, near Saidapet, where he prayed, stayed, and from where he preached the Gospel.

Conclusion

San Thome Cathedral Basilica is not merely a historical monument; it is a living witness to the Apostle’s faith, courage, and mission. It stands as a timeless reminder that Christianity in India is not imported from the West, but germinated from Indian soil, through the life, work, and martyrdom of St Thomas the Apostle.

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THOMAS CAVE

THOMAS MOUNT

Date of visit: 25.02.2023

Bruce K. Thangkhal

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St Thomas Cave, Chennai | Photo

Thomas Cave, also known as Little Mount or Chinna Malai, is one of the most sacred Christian sites in Chennai. It is believed to be the place where St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, lived, prayed, and preached during his stay in India nearly 2,000 years ago. Located in Saidapet, about 9 kilometres from Mylapore, this cave holds deep religious and historical significance for Christians and visitors alike.

Journey to India

According to ancient Christian tradition, after the resurrection of Jesus, the apostles spread out to different parts of the world to share the Gospel. St. Thomas is believed to have come to India in 52 A.D., landing at the port of Muziris (near modern-day Kodungallur in Kerala). He preached in Kerala and then travelled eastward to Tamil Nadu, where he continued to spread the message of Christ.

St. Thomas established seven and half churches along the Malabar Coast and later reached Mylapore (Chennai), where he spent his final years.  The cave on this small rocky hill is believed to have been his place of prayer, meditation, and refuge during times of persecution. Many believe that it was here St. Thomas lived for a short period before he was martyred at St. Thomas Mount (now known as Parangimalai) in 72 A.D. and his body was buried in Mylapore, where the St. Thomas Basilica now stands.

Who Was St. Thomas?

St. Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas” because, after the resurrection of Jesus, he refused to believe that Christ had risen until he could see and touch His wounds. The Bible (John 20:24–29, NRSV) says:

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe.”

Later, when Jesus appeared to him and invited him to touch His wounds, Thomas responded,

“My Lord and my God!”

This powerful moment shows his journey from doubt to deep faith. St. Thomas is also called Didymus, meaning “the Twin” (John 11:16, NRSV). The name “Thomas” itself comes from the Aramaic word Toma, which also means “twin.” While the Bible does not name his twin, some early Christian writings describe him as one of Jesus’ closest brothers in faith and spirit.

What Is Inside the Cave

The Thomas Cave is small, calm, and filled with a sense of holiness. Inside, visitors can see:

• A small altar where St. Thomas is said to have prayed. Many pilgrims come here to light candles and offer prayers.

• A natural spring that still flows from the rock. It is believed that St. Thomas struck the rock with his hand, and water miraculously began to flow. Many people consider this water to have healing powers.

• A handprint mark on the rock wall that is believed to be of St. Thomas himself. Pilgrims often touch it reverently.

• Ancient carvings and inscriptions that tell stories of early Christian presence in the region.

• 

The cave is now enclosed within the Our Lady of Health Church (Chinna Malai Church), built by the Portuguese in 1551. Above the cave is a small chapel with a statue of the Virgin Mary. The surroundings are peaceful and offer a beautiful view of Chennai city.

Who Found the Cave

The Portuguese missionaries rediscovered and preserved the Thomas Cave when they arrived in India in the early 1500s. They were moved by stories of St. Thomas’s ministry in India and began searching for places connected to his life. When they found the cave at Little Mount, they believed it was where the apostle had once prayed and lived. To honour him, they built the present church to protect the site.

Since then, the cave has become a major Christian pilgrimage centre, especially during the Feast of St. Thomas on July 3rd. People of different faiths also visit the cave, drawn by its peaceful atmosphere and the stories of healing associated with it.

A Place of Faith and Reflection

Visitors often describe Thomas Cave as a place where one can feel the presence of faith and history. The gentle light, the cool air, and the echoes of prayer make it a spiritual refuge.

St. Thomas’s story reminds us that faith often begins with honest doubt. The same apostle who once questioned the resurrection later proclaimed the strongest confession of faith: “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28, NRSV). 

For those visiting Chennai, Thomas Cave is more than a historical site—it is a sacred space that connects believers to the roots of Christianity in India and to the humble yet powerful faith of the Apostle Thomas, the “Twin” who found truth in the risen Christ.

Footprint of St Thomas

The National Shrine of St Thomas Basilica is built over his tomb. The sand taken from the tomb of St Thomas is believed to have miraculous healing powers.

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Saint Thomas Mount Chennai

San Thome Cathedral

SAINT THOMAS - TOMB

Date of Visit: 25.02.2023

Bruce K. Thangkhal

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