Minor basilica of Chennai

 

St. Thomas Basilica has the distinction of being one of the three Basilicas in the World, which are built over the tomb of Jesus Christ’s disciples!   This is built over the tomb of St. Thomas who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. The other two are St.Peter's Basilica in Rome (built over the tomb of St.Peter) and Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain (built over the tomb of St.James). St. Thomas Church was elevated to a minor Basilica in the year 1956.In India there are sixteen minor basilicas. 

Today, the Shrine preserves a small bone of the Saint and the head of the lance with which the Saint was pierced. In 1954, his Eminence Cardinal Eugene Tasserant brought a piece of bone from the hand with which the Saint touched the side of Jesus after his resurrection, to the Shrine.

The Shrine is also proud of possessing a very ancient image of Our Lady of Mylapore. In 1545 St.Francis Xavier prayed before this statue before going to the Far East to preach the kingdom of God.

 

 

Pope John Paul II visited and prayed at this Holy place on February 5th, 1986.

This lovely Gothic Church is an architectural treasure. Rising 155 feet from the ground, with a nave of 112 feet by 33 feet, and an imposing sanctuary 62 feet long and 33 feet wide, it is adorned with stained glass windows depicting St. Thomas and the other Apostles. Inside the sanctuary is a statue of St. Thomas seated.

Santhome Basilica is at the end of Marina beach in South of Chennai.

Santhome – eponymous with Saint Thomas – one of the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ who was martyred in 72 AD – is the name of the location where this Cathedral was rebuilt in the year 1890. 

In Chennai, this is church is a must see destination.