Saint Thomas

St Thomas History

Saint Thomas Day, also known as Feast of Saint Thomas, is one of the important Christian festivals celebrated in India. The day is observed to commemorate the martyrdom of Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Saint Thomas is believed to have come to India in 52 AD, where he preached and established churches in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. According to legend, Saint Thomas was martyred by being speared to death in the eastern state of Tamil Nadu, where he had built a church in Mylapore. The church, now known as the Santhome Basilica Cathedral, is a revered pilgrimage site for Christians in India.

The day is celebrated with great zeal and religious fervor, particularly by the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Activities such as prayer meetings, processions, and special church services are organized on this day. It is a day of remembrance and devotion, and it is also an opportunity for Christians in India to reflect on the life and teachings of Saint Thomas.

Saint Thomas Day is a reminder of the rich Christian heritage of India and the contributions of Saint Thomas towards its growth and development. The occasion also provides a platform for interfaith dialogue and encourages people of different faiths to come together and celebrate the diversity and unity of India. Saint Thomas Day is observed annually on July 3rd.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Saint Thomas in India

• As part of a decade-long initiative running from 2021 to 2030, this year's observances continue to honor the 2000th anniversary of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ and the deep-rooted history of Christianity in India.
• Many participants increasingly observe this day under the title of Indian Christian Day, or Yeshu Bhakti Divas, a movement designed to celebrate the nearly 2,000-year-old indigenous Christian heritage of the nation.
• The commemorations emphasize that Christianity is a foundational part of India’s cultural and social fabric, rather than a foreign import, highlighting the contributions of Indian Christians to national development and identity.
• Traditions associated with the day, often referred to as Dukhrana—a Syriac word meaning 'remembrance' or 'commemoration'—are particularly vibrant within the Syrian Christian communities of Kerala.
• St. Thomas the Apostle is widely revered as the founder of Christianity in India, with historical traditions holding that he arrived on the Malabar Coast in 52 AD to begin his missionary work.
• The San Thome Basilica in Mylapore, Chennai, serves as a central focal point for the day, as it is traditionally believed to house the tomb of St. Thomas, who was martyred in the region in 72 AD.
• Beyond his role as an apostle, St. Thomas is celebrated as the patron saint of architects and builders, a recognition stemming from traditional accounts of his skilled construction work during his time in India.
• Historical narratives and traditional writings, such as the Acts of Thomas, provide the basis for many of the stories and legends regarding his travels, miracles, and missionary efforts across the subcontinent.
• Regional customs often include special church services, communal feasts featuring traditional Indian cuisine, and cultural events that reflect the unique synthesis of Christian and local Indian traditions.
• The saint is famously known as 'Doubting Thomas' due to his initial skepticism regarding the resurrection of Jesus, a journey from doubt to firm belief that remains a significant theme for personal reflection during the observance.

In the News and Trending in India for Saint Thomas

Top things to do in India for Saint Thomas Day

• Read writings by St. Thomas. Several early church documents bearing Thomas' name are popular, including the Gospel of Thomas, which is a collection of Jesus' sayings. Other texts include the Acts of Thomas and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas. None of these texts were included in the Bible.
• Thousands of Indians claim to be descendants of the Christians that Thomas helped to convert. Join them on a pilgrimage in Paylador to the traditional spot of Thomas' tomb, Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral of the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Trichur (Kerala, India).
• Watch St. Thomas (India) (2008), a documentary that explores the life and legacy of Saint Thomas in India.
• Visit St. Thomas Mount. This is a historical shrine located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, believed to be the place where Saint Thomas was martyred. On Saint Thomas Day, the shrine attracts many Christian devotees.