Saint Thomas the Apostle (born c. 1st century AD; died c. 72 AD in Mylapore, Madras (modern Chennai), India) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Known as "Doubting Thomas" from his initial refusal to believe in the Resurrection without physical evidence (John 20:24–29), he is also the founder of Christianity in India, having preached the Gospel on the Malabar and Coromandel coasts and been martyred near Madras. The Thomas Christians of Kerala (Saint Thomas Christians) trace their community to his mission c. 52 AD. His feast day is July 3.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas
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| Feast Day
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July 03
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| Profession
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Apostle; missionary to India and Parthia; martyr; founder of the Thomas Christian community of Kerala
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| Rel. Affiliation
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Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox; Thomas Christians (Nasrani); all Christian traditions; the twelve apostles; India; apostolic foundation of the Church
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| Patronage
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India; the Thomas Christians of Kerala; architects and builders (from the Acts of Thomas, in which he is sent to build a palace for an Indian king and builds a "heavenly palace" instead); doubters and seekers; those who require evidence before believing; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; theologians
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| Attributes
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Spear or lance (instrument of martyrdom); carpenter's square (builder patron); finger touching Christ's wounds (the Doubting Thomas scene); scroll or book (the Gospel); India in the background
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| Birthplace
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Galilee, Palestine (traditional)
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| Death Place
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Mylapore, Madras (modern Chennai), India
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| Cause of Death
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Martyrdom; traditionally killed by lance at Mylapore (near modern Chennai, India) c. 72 AD; he had preached in Parthia (Persia), India, and possibly southern Arabia; the Acts of Thomas (an early apocryphal text) and the traditions of the Thomas Christians of Kerala preserve consistent accounts of his Indian mission and martyrdom
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| Primary Shrine
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Santhome Basilica, Mylapore, Chennai — tomb; one of three world basilicas over an apostle's tomb; major pilgrimage site; Minor Basilica (John Paul II, 1986); Basilica of San Tommaso Apostolo, Ortona — principal Western relic shrine; finger relic
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| Liturgical Class
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Feast (Roman Rite); July 3
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| Historic Class
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Double of II Class (December 21 in 1962 calendar; moved to July 3 after Vatican II)
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Biography
Thomas (whose name means "twin" in Aramaic — hence his Greek name Didymus, also meaning twin) was one of the Twelve Apostles called by Jesus. The Gospels record his characteristic honesty and directness: he said "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16); he asked "Lord, we do not know where you are going" (John 14:5); and — after the Resurrection — he refused to believe on others' testimony alone, saying "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands... I will not believe" (John 20:25). Eight days later Jesus appeared to him specifically; Thomas confessed "My Lord and my God."
After Pentecost, Thomas is traditionally said to have preached in Parthia (Persia) and India. He arrived on the Malabar Coast (Kerala) c. 52 AD and founded seven churches. He continued to the Coromandel Coast (modern Tamil Nadu) and was martyred near Mylapore (Chennai) c. 72 AD by a lance.
The Saint Thomas Christians (Nasrani) of Kerala, numbering approximately 6–8 million, trace their foundation to his mission and have maintained a continuous Christian tradition from the 1st century.
His relics were translated to Edessa (Turkey) in 394 AD and to Ortona (Italy) in 1258 AD. The Portuguese rediscovered his tomb at Mylapore in 1523; the Santhome Basilica was built over it.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Galilee, Palestine (traditional)
Death location: Mylapore, Madras (modern Chennai), India
Notable location:
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Dynamic content
Parishes
| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
| Parish | Diocese | City | AdministrativeSubdivision | Country | ParishWebsite |
| Cathedral of St. Thomas More (Diocese of Arlington) | Diocese of Arlington | Arlington, VA | Virginia | United States | https://www.cathedralstm.org/ |
| Notre Dame-Visitation (Diocese of Albany) | Diocese of Albany | Albany, NY | New York | United States | https://www.notredamevisitation.org/ |
| Notre Dame-Visitation (Diocese of Albany) | Diocese of Albany | Schuylerville, NY | New York | United States | https://www.tinyurl.com/ndvschuyler |
| St. Thomas (Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown) | Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown | Bedford, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| St. Thomas (Diocese of Austin) | Diocese of Austin | Hamilton, TX | Texas | United States | |
| St. Thomas (Diocese of Baker, Plush) | Diocese of Baker | Redmond, OR | Oregon | United States | |
| St. Thomas (Diocese of Baker, Redmond) | Diocese of Baker | Redmond, OR | Oregon | United States | |
| St. Thomas a Becket (Diocese of Arlington) | Diocese of Arlington | Reston, VA | Virginia | United States | https://stbchurch.com/ |
| St. Thomas à Becket (Diocese of Arlington) | Diocese of Arlington | Reston, VA | Virginia | United States | |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Archdiocese of Atlanta) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta | Alpharetta, GA | Georgia | United States | |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Archdiocese of Baltimore) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | Maryland | United States | |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown) | Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown | Ashville, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Austin) | Diocese of Austin | College Station, TX | Texas | United States | |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Baker) | Diocese of Baker | Crane, OR | Oregon | United States | |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Bridgeport) | Diocese of Bridgeport | Fairfield, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://stthomasfairfield.com/ |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Bridgeport) | Diocese of Bridgeport | Stamford, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stthomasaquinas.org/ |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Charlotte) | Diocese of Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | North Carolina | United States | http://www.stacharlotte.com |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Charlotte) | Diocese of Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | North Carolina | United States | https://www.stthomascharlotte.org/ |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut) | Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut | Storrs, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stmary-stthomas.community.org |
| St. Thomas Aquinas (Diocese of Reno) | Diocese of Reno | Wells, NV | Nevada | United States | https://stjoech.org/st-thomas-aquinas-parish |
| St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center (Diocese of Biloxi) | Diocese of Biloxi | Hattiesburg, MS | Mississippi | United States | http://www.stthomas-usm.org/ |
| St. Thomas More (Archdiocese of Atlanta) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta | Decatur, GA | Georgia | United States | |
| St. Thomas More (Archdiocese of Baltimore) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | Maryland | United States | |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Allentown) | Diocese of Allentown | Allentown, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown) | Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown | Roaring Spring, PA | Pennsylvania | United States | |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Austin) | Diocese of Austin | Austin, TX | Texas | United States | |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Baton Rouge) | Diocese of Baton Rouge | Baton Rouge, LA | Louisiana | United States | http://www.stmbr.org |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Bridgeport) | Diocese of Bridgeport | Darien, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stmdarienct.org/ |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Bridgeport) | Diocese of Bridgeport | Fairfield, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stthomasmorefairfield.org/ |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut) | Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut | East Lyme, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stthomasmore.org/ |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut) | Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut | North Stonington, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stmichaelpawcatuck.com |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Norwich) | Diocese of Norwich | East Lyme, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stthomasmore.org/ |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Paterson) | Diocese of Paterson | Convent Station, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.stthomasmoremorristown.org/ |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Paterson) | Diocese of Paterson | Morristown, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.stthomasmoremorristown.org/ |
| St. Thomas More (Diocese of Rockville Centre) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Hauppauge, NY | New York | United States | http://www.stmli.org |
| St. Thomas of Aquin (Diocese of Paterson) | Diocese of Paterson | Ogdensburg, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://stthomasofaquin.org/ |
| St. Thomas of Aquin (Diocese of Paterson) | Diocese of Paterson | Paterson, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.stthomasofaquinas.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Archdiocese of Atlanta) | Diocese of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Atlanta | Smyrna, GA | Georgia | United States | |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Albany, Cherry Valley) | Diocese of Albany | Cherry Valley, NY | New York | United States | https://stthomascv.com/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Albany, Delmar) | Diocese of Albany | Delmar, NY | New York | United States | http://www.stthomas-church.org |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Amarillo) | Diocese of Amarillo | Amarillo, TX | Texas | United States | |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Baton Rouge) | Diocese of Baton Rouge | Louisiana, LA | Louisiana | United States | http://www.stmargaretstthomas.com |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Biloxi) | Diocese of Biloxi | Long Beach, MS | Mississippi | United States | http://www.saintthomaslb.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Birmingham) | Diocese of Birmingham | Montevallo, AL | Alabama | United States | https://stthomascatholic.com |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Bismarck, Gladstone) | Diocese of Bismarck | Gladstone, ND | North Dakota | United States | http://www.marychurch.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Bismarck, Tioga) | Diocese of Bismarck | Tioga, ND | North Dakota | United States | http://www.stthomastioga.com/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Bridgeport) | Diocese of Bridgeport | Norwalk, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://stthomasnorwalk.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Bridgeport) | Diocese of Bridgeport | Stamford, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stthomasct.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Lansing) | Diocese of Lansing | Ann Arbor, MI | Michigan | United States | https://sta2.org/church/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Metuchen) | Diocese of Metuchen | Old Bridge Township, NJ | New Jersey | United States | http://www.saintthomasob.com/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut) | Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut | Norwich, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stthomasnorwich.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut) | Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut | Voluntown, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stthomasnorwich.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Norwich) | Diocese of Norwich | Norwich, CT | Connecticut | United States | https://www.stthomasnorwich.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Paterson, Oak Ridge) | Diocese of Paterson | Oak Ridge, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://ststhomasjohn.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Paterson, Sandyston) | Diocese of Paterson | Sandyston, NJ | New Jersey | United States | https://www.stthomas-sandyston.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Paterson, Sandyston) | Diocese of Paterson | Sandyston, NJ | New Jersey | United States | http://www.saintjamesthomas.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Rockville Centre) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | Hicksville, NY | New York | United States | https://www.stthomasapostle.org/ |
| St. Thomas the Apostle (Diocese of Rockville Centre) | Diocese of Rockville Centre | West Hempstead, NY | New York | United States | http://www.stawh.church |
Media
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Santhome Basilica, Mylapore, Chennai — his tomb; Minor Basilica; one of three world basilicas over an apostle's tomb.
- Basilica of San Tommaso Apostolo, Ortona, Italy — principal Western relic shrine; finger relic.
- Seven churches of Kerala — traditional foundation sites of the Thomas Christians.
Feast day
July 3
Veneration
Saint Thomas the Apostle founded the Christian community of Kerala, India (c. 52 AD) and was martyred near Mylapore, Chennai, c. 72 AD. The Thomas Christians trace their apostolic community from him. His confession "My Lord and my God" is the highest expression of Easter faith in John's Gospel. Feast July 3.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
External links
References
