St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

Santhome Church
Santhome Church
National Shrine of Saint Thomas Basilica
	Santhome Basilica
Location	38 Santhome High Road,Chennai,Tamil Nadu
Country	India
Language(s)	Tamiland English
Denomination	Catholic Church
Tradition	Latin Church
Website	santhomechurch
History
Authorisingpapal bull	16 March 1956
Status	Minor basilica
Founded	1523 (501 years ago)
Founder(s)	Portuguese explorers
Dedication	St. Thomas the Apostle
Relicsheld	Thomas the Apostle (claimed)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	National Shrine
Architect(s)	Captain J. A. Power (current structure)
Style	Neo-Gothic
Groundbreaking	1500
Completed	1523 (Current building 1896)
Specifications
Length	64 metres (210 ft)
Width	12.2 metres (40 ft)
Navewidth	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	ArchbishopGeorge Antonysamy(2012–present)
Priest(s)	Rev. Fr. M. Arulraj
Assistant priest(s)	Fr. Antony Anand
Assistant	Fr. Dyson Raja Rathinam

San Thome Church,officially known asSt Thomas Cathedral BasilicaandNational Shrine of Saint Thomas,is aminor basilicaof theCatholic Church in India,at theSanthomeneighbourhood ofChennai,inTamil Nadu.The present structure dates back to 1523 AD, when it was built by thePortugueseover the tomb ofThomas the Apostle.^[1]In 1896, it wasrenovatedin theMadras provinceaccording toneo-Gothic designs,as was favoured byBritish architectsin the late 19th century. 13°2′1″N80°16′40″E/ 13.03361°N 80.27778°E/13.03361; 80.27778

History

Portuguese Era

Santhome Church, as built by the Portuguese in 1523

In 1521, thePortuguese in Goa and Bombay-Basseinsent missionaries toMadras(now Chennai) in search of the tomb ofThomas the Apostle,who by local tradition had come to South Asia to preach the Gospel and spread the teachings of Jesus Christ. The site they found was neglected and the Portuguese decided to rebuild theshrineover the tomb. With the support and authority of KingJohn III of Portugalthey started building the church, which was consecrated in 1523. PortuguesePadroadopriests resumed the daily celebration ofliturgy(Holy Mass) at the site.

In 1545,Francis Xaviervisited the shrine and lived for about one year in thepresbyteryof the Santhome Church before he left for his mission in Ilha Formosa (Taiwan). When he lived in the church, he regularlyprayedin front of a statue of theVirgin Mother Maryand celebrated Holy Mass; he also prayed regularly at the tomb. The church was made a cathedral in 1606 byPope Paul Vwith the creation of theDiocese of Saint Thomas of Mylapore.

British Era

Santhome Cathedral, as rebuilt by the British in 1896

The church was rebuilt in 1896 by theBritishin the style ofGothic Revival architecture.The place where Thomas is believed to be buried is marked by the second small tower in the centre of the cathedral.Pope Pius XIIhonoured this cathedral church, elevating it to the dignity and rank of aminor basilicain 1956.Pope John Paul IIis the only pope to have visited the church, in 1986. The church was declared aNational Shrinein 2004 by theCatholic 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 arib vaultceiling made ofteak wood,with marble and granite used in other parts of the construction. It was built with 16 windows and 34stained glasspanels, 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 14Stations of the Crossattached at the side wall of the cathedral.

The church has twospires.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 Britishpipe organis installed in the church's gallery, reached by stairs at the entrance.

Anadoration chapeladjoining the main church provides for silent moments before theBlessed 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 ofMother Marywas brought fromLisbontoSanthome Churchin 1523. It is installed at the left side of the church altar and is referred to as Our Lady ofMylaporeor, locally, Mylai Matha.

The feast of Mylai Matha is celebrated inDecember.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 withFrancis Xavier.

Pole of St. Thomas

A wooden pole at the church is believed by worshippers to have been washed ashore and erected byThomas the Apostle.These worshippers believe the presence of the pole saved the church from the2004 tsunami.

Timeline

AD 72 –Saint Thomas the Apostlebelieved to have died inSt. Thomas Mountand buried inMylapore(presentlySanthome).
1291 –John of Montecorvinovisited the believed tomb.
1292 –Marco Polovisited.
14th century –Franciscanmissionaries visited.
1425–1430 –Nicolo Contivisited.
1517 – Portuguese missionaries arrived in Mylapore.
1522 – Construction begun.
1523 – Santhome Church was opened.
1545 –Francis Xaviervisited.
1606 – Santhome Church raised to cathedral byPope 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 byPope Pius XI.
1986 –Pope John Paul IIvisited.
2004 – The church undergoes renovation.
2006 – Santhome Church was declared aNational Shrine.