Santhome Church in Chennai
One of the prime locations of India and an emerging hub of Information Technology, Chennai is a gem of a city. The modern-day Chennai is an amalgamation of urban villages, towering high rise buildings, quirky cafes and diverse neighborhoods – but underneath the city is still rooted in its traditions and beliefs. The ancient landmarks reflect an aura of an era gone by when things used to run at its own pace. The Santhome Church in Chennai is an old landmark that echoes the same sentiments. Built-in the last part of the 16th century, this cathedral is also referred to as St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica by few.A beautiful basilica built by the Portuguese explorers contains the relics of St. Thomas – one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. This write-up is meant to help you discover this stunning monument.
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Santhome Church
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Address: 38, Santhome High Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600004
Phone: 044 2498 5455
Entry: Free
Opening hours: 6:00 am to 9:00 pm
Mass timings:
1. 05.45 am (English)
2. 11.00 am (Tamil, inside underground tomb chapel)
Apart from that Benediction and Rosary Mass are held during the evening.
On Sundays: Masses are organized throughout the day in both English and Tamil.
On the third of every month, St. Thomas Day is celebrated with a special mass. Apart from that, the second Saturday of every month is considered as the Day of the Lady of Mylapore.
Santhome Church – an Overview
The Santhome Church, Chennai is a beautiful Roman Catholic Minor Basilica that contains relics of the one of the Apostilles of Jesus Christ – St. Thomas. As a major religious sanctuary for the Syrian Christian of India, the church was constructed as a mausoleum in the memory of the saint. Built-in 1523, the cathedral has a neo-Gothic style of architecture that is quite attractive. It is believed that the tomb behind the church is the final resting place of ‘Doubting Thomas’, and is revered by many.Although most of the mortal remains of the saint have been transferred to Italy, an exhibit marked as 'Relic of St Thomas' is believed to be the fragment of the saint’s bone. Apart from that, a lance head and other related artifacts related to the revered saint are also in display. Interestingly, only two other cathedrals – St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia – houses the relics of Christ’s original disciples.
Legends Associated with the Church
According to many, St Thomas arrived at Muziris (near Kerala) during 52 A.D. He was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, who traveled east to spread the word of the Lord. After preaching Christianity along the Malabar Coast, he decided to progress towards the East coast of India. In the last leg of his life, he decided to settle near a hilltop (now referred to as St Thomas Mount) close to Mylapore.After his death, his mortal remains were buried and the Santhome Church in Chennai was built in the area. It is an important center for pilgrimage among Syrian Christians of India – the descendants of the early followers of the saint.
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Chennai Santhome Church
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The Architecture of the Church
The initial version of the Chennai Santhome Church was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. However, with time the church fell into ruins. The basilica, as we know of today, was rebuilt by the British in 1893 in the neo-gothic architecture. Some of the archetypical examples of this form of architecture, including the enormous window panel and tinted glasses could be seen here.Interiors of the church and the lined pews give the church a sense of serenity and peace. One of the stunning fixtures of the cathedral is the grand chandelier hanging near the chancel. The sparkling white exteriors and the plush lawn surrounding give the entire place a stunning grand appearance. Soft lighting fills the entire church with a peaceful aura.
Some of the Main Attractions of the Basilica
1. The tomb of Saint Thomas
One of the most sacred sites for the Syrian Christians of India, the tomb of St. Thomas is regarded as the final resting place of the Apostille. The second tower of the church marks the location of the crypt of the saint. A statue of the St. Thomas in his final resting position could be seen here. The enclosing area around the crypt is decorated with flowers and candles, where devotees can sit and pay their respect.2. Museum of antiquities
The Santhome Church, Chennai is home to several important memorabilia and artifacts of ‘Doubting Thomas’. Relics like a small bone, an Episcopal chair, and fingerprints are some of the popular exhibits of the museum. Apart from that, the supposed lance that killed the great saint is also on display. Walls of the institution are adorned with several paintings that retell the stories relating to the life and death of the Apostille.
Philanthropic Activities at the Church
During festive seasons, especially Easter and Christmas, the Church engages in philanthropic activities. The local community along with the Church helps the underprivileged by providing essential commodities including books, and clothes. Tourists coming to the church visiting the festive season can contribute towards this initiative - irrespective of their religion.
How to Reach the Church?
Santhome Church, Chennai is well-connected to most parts of the city through buses or trains. Visitors can hire an on-call cab or auto-rickshaw to reach the venue.