St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai
San Thome Church, officially known as St Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a
Santhome Church | |
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National Shrine of Saint Thomas Basilica | |
Neo-Gothic | |
Groundbreaking | 1500 |
Completed | 1523 (Current building 1896) |
Specifications | |
Length | 64 metres (210 ft) |
Width | 12.2 metres (40 ft) |
Nave width | 10 metres (33 ft) |
Height | 41 metres (135 ft) |
Spire height | 47.2 metres (155 ft) |
Administration | |
Province | Chennai |
Diocese | Madras and Mylapore |
Clergy | |
Archbishop | Archbishop George Antonysamy (2012–present) |
Priest(s) | Rev. Fr. M. Arulraj |
Assistant priest(s) | Fr. Antony Anand |
Assistant | Fr. Dyson Raja Rathinam |
History
Portuguese Era
In 1521, the
In 1545,
British Era
The church was rebuilt in 1896 by the
Architecture
Santhome Church exhibits the Gothic revival architecture style of the late 19th century. It has a
The church has two spires. The primary spire, at the left side of the church's entrance, is 45 metres (147 ft) tall. It can be seen from a distance and serves as a bell tower. The second spire rises from the center of the church to indicate the position of the believed tomb of Thomas.
A 200-year-old British pipe organ is installed in the church's gallery, reached by stairs at the entrance.
An
Observances
Mylai Matha
A gold-painted wooden statue of
The feast of Mylai Matha is celebrated in December. Worshippers show devotion to Mylai Matha on the second Saturday of the month, with special prayers, procession, rosary and benediction in the evening. The tradition is held to have begun with Francis Xavier.
Pole of St. Thomas
A wooden pole at the church is believed by worshippers to have been washed ashore and erected by Thomas the Apostle. These worshippers believe the presence of the pole saved the church from the 2004 tsunami.
Timeline
- AD 72 – ).
- 1291 – John of Montecorvino visited the believed tomb.
- 1292 – Marco Polo visited.
- 14th century – Franciscanmissionaries visited.
- 1425–1430 – Nicolo Conti visited.
- 1517 – Portuguese missionaries arrived in Mylapore.
- 1522 – Construction begun.
- 1523 – Santhome Church was opened.
- 1545 – Francis Xavier visited.
- 1606 – Santhome Church raised to cathedral by Pope Paul V.
- 1893 – British rebuild the Portuguese cathedral.
- 1896 – Santhome Church opened by British with the status of cathedral.
- 1927 – Santhome Church raised to minor basilica by Pope Pius XI.
- 1986 – Pope John Paul II visited.
- 2004 – The church undergoes renovation.
- 2006 – Santhome Church was declared a National Shrine.
Relics
Relics claimed to be held at the church include:
- Bones of Thomas the Apostle
- Spearhead that was used to kill Saint Thomas at St. Thomas Mount
- Holy relic of Francis Xavier
- Holy relic of Bartholomew the Apostle
- Holy relic of Philomena
Burials
- Thomas the Apostle
- Bishop Louis Mathias
- Bishop Antony Devotta
- Archbishop Casimir Gnanadickam
- Archbishop Anthony Rayappa Arulappa
- Archbishop Aruldas
- Bishop Francis Arthur Carvalho
- Dominican Nicholas of Pistoia
- Governor A. J. John
Gallery
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Aerial side view
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Side view from behind
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First spire (bell tower)
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Second Spire
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Cathedral interior
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Evening mass
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Main altar
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Chairs
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Eagle pulpit
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High altar statue of Jesus
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Statue of Our Lady of Mylapore
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Thomas and Jesus
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Tomb of Thomas the Apostle
Stained glass
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Left wing
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Main altar
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Lower window
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Main entrance
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Upper window, main altar
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Upper floor
See also
- Roman Catholicism in India
- Saint Thomas of Mylapur
- Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
- Poondi Matha Basilica
- Our Lady of Snows Basilica
- Christianity in India
- Christianity in Tamil Nadu
- List of churches in Chennai
- St. Thomas Mount
- Santhome
References
- ^ Santhome Basilica in Chennai — A historical pilgrimage indiastudychannel.com. Retrieved 30 August 2021
- ^ "Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas". SanThomeChurch.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
- ^ National Shrine Status Archived 27 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine