Saint Thomas is the patron saint of India and the namesake of two of its major metropolitan areas, Thiruvananthapuram (formerly known as Trivandrum) and Chennai (formerly Madras). He is noted as one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and is credited as the first person to take the gospel to India.
Born around the year AD 52 in either Judea or Galilee (accounts vary), Thomas was a member of the Twelve Apostles, and had a reputation for being a skeptic and asking difficult questions. He often questioned the truth of Jesus, asking for physical proof of his divinity. After Jesus’ Resurrection, Thomas asked to place his finger in the nailprints, showing his faith and forgiveness. This ultimately led Thomas to become one of the most devoted apostles of Jesus.
Legend has it that following Jesus’ Ascension, Thomas ventured eastward, preaching the Gospels and ultimately making his way to South India. There, he focused on evangelizing the higher castes, getting along well with the local Hindu rulers, and setting up Christian churches. He was highly successful in his mission and was appreciated for his good work and open-mindedness.
Over time, St. Thomas’ ministry in India has had a great impact on the spread of the Christian faith and a lasting presence on the nation. In Thiruvananthapuram, a gorgeous Church of Our Lady at Thiruvankulam stands as a reminder of St. Thomas’ journey there. The St. Thomas Mount in Chennai is also a holy site, where a chapel was built to commemorate Thomas’s martyrdom in AD 72.
In modern India, St. Thomas is still revered as the Apostle of India and is considered a benevolent saint figure. He’s the patron saint of mariners and seafarers, as well as of the state of Kerala. Many churches, schools and other institutions across India are named after him, and an annual feast day is celebrated in his honor on July 3.
His lasting legacy, both in India and around the world, is a testament to his unwavering faith and commitment to spreading the Gospel. He has certainly left an indelible mark in India over the centuries and his unwavering devotion continues to be remembered and honored to this day.