St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

Coordinates: 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
(Redirected from
Santhome Church
)

San Thome Church, officially known as St Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a

British architects
in the late 19th century. 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778

Santhome Church
National Shrine of Saint Thomas Basilica
Neo-Gothic
Groundbreaking1500
Completed1523 (Current building 1896)
Specifications
Length64 metres (210 ft)
Width12.2 metres (40 ft)
Nave width10 metres (33 ft)
Height41 metres (135 ft)
Spire height47.2 metres (155 ft)
Administration
ProvinceChennai
DioceseMadras and Mylapore
Clergy
ArchbishopArchbishop George Antonysamy (2012–present)
Priest(s)Rev. Fr. M. Arulraj
Assistant priest(s)Fr. Antony Anand
AssistantFr. Dyson Raja Rathinam

History

Portuguese Era

Santhome Church, as built by the Portuguese in 1523

In 1521, the

Holy Mass
) at the site.

In 1545,

Diocese of Saint Thomas of Mylapore
.

British Era

Santhome Cathedral, as rebuilt by the British in 1896

The church was rebuilt in 1896 by the

National Shrine in 2004 by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
, and became known as the National Shrine of Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica.

Architecture

Santhome Church exhibits the Gothic revival architecture style of the late 19th century. It has a

teak wood, with marble and granite used in other parts of the construction. It was built with 16 windows and 34 stained glass panels, with a main stained glass over the altar representing Thomas the Apostle touching the wound of Christ. The statue in the main altar represents "Thomas the Apostle as priest and Jesus Christ as king". In addition, there are 14 Stations of the Cross
attached at the side wall of the cathedral.

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.

Pipe organ in Santhome Church

A 200-year-old British pipe organ is installed in the church's gallery, reached by stairs at the entrance.

An

Blessed Sacrament
. This chapel can be approached from the left wing of the church apart from an exclusive entrance from the outside.

Observances

Mylai Matha

A gold-painted wooden statue of

Santhome Church in 1523. It is installed at the left side of the church altar and is referred to as Our Lady of Mylapore
or, locally, Mylai Matha.

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 –
    St. Thomas Mount and buried in Mylapore (presently Santhome
    ).
  • 1291 – John of Montecorvino visited the believed tomb.
  • 1292 – Marco Polo visited.
  • 14th century –
    Franciscan
    missionaries 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

Spearhead said to have killed Saint Thomas

Relics claimed to be held at the church include:

Burials

Gallery

  • Aerial side view
    Aerial side view
  • Side view from behind
    Side view from behind
  • First spire (bell tower)
    First spire (bell tower)
  • Second Spire
    Second Spire
  • Cathedral interior
    Cathedral interior
  • Evening mass
    Evening mass
  • Main altar
    Main altar
  • Chairs
    Chairs
  • Eagle pulpit
    Eagle pulpit
  • High altar statue of Jesus
    High altar statue of Jesus
  • Statue of Our Lady of Mylapore
    Statue of Our Lady of Mylapore
  • Thomas and Jesus
    Thomas and Jesus
  • Tomb of Thomas the Apostle
    Tomb of Thomas the Apostle

Stained glass

  • Left wing
    Left wing
  • Main altar
    Main altar
  • Lower window
    Lower window
  • Main entrance
    Main entrance
  • Upper window, main altar
    Upper window, main altar
  • Upper floor
    Upper floor

See also

References

  1. ^ Santhome Basilica in Chennai — A historical pilgrimage indiastudychannel.com. Retrieved 30 August 2021
  2. ^ "Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas". SanThomeChurch.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  3. ^ National Shrine Status Archived 27 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine

External links