Santhome Church is a historically and architecturally a very important church in India. Located in the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, the church sports a classic Neo-Gothic style of architecture. It is also the place where the remains of St. Thomas are said to have been kept. St. Thomas English Church (STEC), once known as ‘St. Thomas-by-the-sea’ by the British is the most beautiful church on the shores of the sea in Chennai.
San Thome was a Portuguese colony and gave its name to Chennai’s basilica, which is also called St. Thomas. Basilica is built on the tomb of the mortal remains of one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Saint Thomas had come to India in A.D.52, was martyred in A.D.72 and buried in this very site then known as Mylapore. “San Thome” assumes its name from Saint Thomas. There are only two other churches in the world that can boast that honor: St. Peter’s in the Vatican and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.
History
Santhome Church in Chennai also known as Santhome Cathedral Basilica and International Shrine of Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica, The church was first built by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century, became a cathedral in 1606, and was later rebuilt by the British in the 19th century. Pope Pius XII honored this cathedral church, elevating it to the dignity and rank of minor basilica in March 1956. The exact place where St. Thomas was buried is marked by the second small tower in the center of the cathedral.
Travel diaries of Marco Polo the great Venetian traveller who has visited the tomb in 1292 have recorded thus about the miraculous healing power of the saint: “The Christians who go thither in pilgrimage take of the earth from the place where the saint was killed (or buried), and give a portion thereof to anyone who is sick of a quartan or a tertian fever; and by the power of God and of St. Thomas the sick man is incontinently cured.”–Travels of Marco Polo Vol.II by Yule Edited by Cordier.
It is a belief that St.Thomas came to India in 52 AD, after working for some time on the west coast he traveled up to Madras. It was at the St. Thomas Mount where he suffered martyrdom; his disciples buried him where the current Santhome Church stands. In the year 1517 when the Portuguese arrived in India, they found the ruins of a shrine, which they then took upon themselves to rebuild in the year 1523. The church was then taken over by the British in the year 1740; it was rebuilt by the year 1893. And the British version is what remains standing today.
It is possible to access the tomb of the saint within the church, and hence pilgrims from across the world have come to worship here. 1n 1956 the church was declared a Basilica
There is an underground tomb chapel below the Basilica. Registers mention that St. Francis Xavier lived in the presbytery of the old church in 1545. It is noteworthy to mention His Holiness Pope John Paul II visited and prayed at this tomb on 5th February 1986. St. Thomas is hailed as the Father of Indian Christianity since he is largely considered to have brought Christianity to India.
Thomas the Apostle
This church near the shore is dedicated to one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. He is often called the Patron Saint of India, for spreading Christianity in the country. St. Thomas landed in 52CE and baptized several Indians. He spent a few years in what is now called St. Thomas Mount in Chennai, performing miracles for believers. After his death in Chennai, he was laid to rest at the cathedral’s present site. The presence of his tomb makes this church a holy shrine.
Architecture
The church is spotless white from outside, with a cool dark coffee brown ceiling and supporting arches on the inside. Typical of the Neo – Gothic architectural style, it sweeps over you with a feeling of calmness, once you enter the church. The church has been constructed keeping in mind the Neo-Gothic style of architecture, this style was particularly favored by the British architects of the 19th century. Decorative tracery with pointed windows is an essential feature of this style of architecture. Neo Gothic architecture is inspired from old Victorian cathedrals. The elaborate and ornate stained glass window is another feature, which allows for greater illumination within the interiors of the church.
The central area of the church is colossal, measuring about 112 feet by 33 feet it is known as the nave. The polished brown ceiling of the nave is about 40 feet high and supported by white, curved arches on both sides. The nave has a cool, dark, coffee brown ceiling which is covered with elegant chandeliers, this is iconic of Gothic architecture. The Stained glass windows behind the main altar of the church depict the lives of St. Thomas and the other apostles of Jesus Christ. There is intricate tracery and details within the windows that also illuminate the church. Cutout niches allow one to look into the church from the outer rooms, also allowing light to enter the otherwise darker interiors. Geometrical design and pinnacles are also archetypal of Neo Gothic architecture, as seen in the exteriors of Santhome Basilica.
The place was renovated and restored in December 2004.
Museum and antiquities
St. Thomas’ also has a museum attached to it. The museum has the great apostle’s fingerprint and there are wall paintings depicting the saint’s life and death. It also holds the lance head that killed him, an episcopal chair, a rare piece of his precious bone, and a stone receptacle. A sun dial from the old site is placed in the rear of the basilica.
Events
The Feast of Our Lady of Mylapore, locally called Mylai Matha, is celebrated every December with great fervor. Second Saturdays are devoted her as well with special prayers,a a procession, rosary and benediction in the evening. The Feast of St. Thomas is celebrated on July 3rd annually.
The 2004 tsunami struck right behind the altar, but the church was left miraculously intact. It was yet another opportunity to reach out, and the congregation turned out in full measure to help those affected get back on their feet.
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