In
the whole world, there are only three churches
built over the tomb of an Apostle of Jesus Christ
- the Basilica of Saint Peter built over the tomb
of St.Peter in Rome, Cathedral of Santiago de
Compostela built over the tomb of St.James in
Spain and Basilica of the National Shrine of
St.Thomas built over the tomb of St.Thomas.
Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas is
in Chennai, India.
According to
tradition catholics believe that Christianity was
first introduced into India by St. Thomas, one of
the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.
After the Death and
Resurrection of Christ, Thomas became acquainted
with Habban, a merchant from India. Habban used
to visit Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria and other
countries in the Middle East on his master, King
Gondophare''s business. It was in the company of
this merchant that Thomas made the trip from
Palestine, via the Island of Socotra, and, in 52
A.D., landed at Cranganore on the
Malabar Coast of
present-day Kerala. After building seven churches
on this coast, under the benign patronage of the
Hindu Kings of the time, Thomas crossed the
Coromandel Coast of India's eastern seaboard.
Vincent Smith, the historian, has stated that
there was nothing incredible in the traditional
belief that St. Thomas did come to South India.
Madras and its
suburbs are closely associated with St. Thomas.
At Little Mount (Chinnamlai in Tamil) he is
believed to have lived for some years in a cave
which can still be seen. At St. Thomas Mount he
was pierced to death with a lance in 72 A.D. At
San Thome in Mylapore, a magnificent Cathedral
stands over the place where he was buried. This
Church, which is dedicated to him and is
popularly known as San Thome Cathedral, overlooks
the Bay of Bengal, being situated on the
sea-front of the historic city of Madras.
