St.Thomas the Apostle of India
Thomas was one of the twelve disciples of Lord Jesus Christ.Thomas in Hebrew means
"The Twin". So he was also known as "Didymus" which meant 'The Twin' in Greek.
The Malankara Orthodox Syriac Church is one of the oldest Churhes in Christendom
and the most ancient in India was established by St.Thomas,one of the Apostles of
our Lord God Jesus Christ,in 52.A.D. Christanity came to India much before it went
to Rome or Western Europe.The syrian christians of Kerala constitute the most ancient
Christian community of India.Their form of christanity is apostolic and derived
directly from Apostle St.Thomas.
Some Biblical evidence
John 11:16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let
us also go, that we may die with him."
Thomas was the first disciple who confessed, Jesus as "My God and My Lord"
- Romans. 10:10.
Thomas may be considered as the first Christian.
John 20:24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the
disciples when Jesus came.
John 20:25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But
he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where
the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
John 20:26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas
was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and
said, "Peace be with you!"
John 20:27,28 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands.
Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas
said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed;
blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Even though the references to Thomas are few, they are sufficient to give
us insight into this gret rationalist scientist. One committed he was willing to
die for the cause.
So when Jesus was planning to return to Jerusalem where people waiting to
kill him, Thomas volunteered and encouraged his fellow brothren to dare to accompany
Jesus even to death.
John 11:16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples,
"Let us also go, that we may die with him."
When Jesus began to speak of a heavenly abode, Thomas wanted a clearer explanation
of where, when and how?
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would
have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take
you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:4 You know the way to the place where I am going."
John 14:5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so
how can we know the way?"
John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me.
Tradition of Kerala
The tradition of Kerala Syrian Christians is that in 52.A.D..St.Thomas the Apostle
landed in the port of Muziris in the island of Maliankara,near cranganore in the
state of kerala,in South India.From a small nucleus,the fruit of the missionary
work of st.Thomas,the Church has grown in to a magnificent and impressive edifice
and rightly claims a position of respect and equality in Orthodox christendom as
well as among the Commenwealth of Churches.
Acts of Thomas
Acts of Thomas is an apocryphal book,written in syriac,in the 3rd century. It is
the most ancient document on the missionary activities of St. Thomas in India although
the discription of the Aposle's activities are limited in outlook and nature.The
book is also,considered as one of the "oldest and most idiomatic monuments of Syriac
literature". The original manuscripts are found in the British Museum .This book
gives a detailed account of Apostle Thomas' labors in nine parts.
After the ascension of Jesus Christ, the Apostles met in Jerusalem and portioned
all the countries of the world among themselves. India which at that time included
all Middle East to the present India fell to the lot of St. Thomas.
A certain merchant by name Habban - the Raja Vaidehika of Indian King Gundnaphor
came to Jerusalem looking for a carpenter to take home to the King. Christ appeared
to Habban and asked him whether he was there for a carpenter. He said 'yes'. Jesus
introduced himself as Jesus the Carpenter from Nazareth and sold his slave Thomas
to Habban for twenty pieces of silver and pointed Thomas to him. Habban asked Thomas
whether Jesus was his master. Thomas answered 'Yes, he is my Lord.' Habban told
Thomas, 'He has sold you to me outright.' Thomas was dumb founded. In the morning,
Thomas prayed, 'Lord, Let thy will be done' and went with Habban. He took with him
nothing except the twenty pieces of silver which Jesus gave him.
They took the sea route to India and landed in a port called Sandruk Mahosa . Here
Habban was received by the local King. They attended the wedding of the King's daughter
and St. Thomas demonstrated his ability of miracle healing on the troubled daughter
of the King by the laying on of hands. There after they continued their journey
in India. They reached the Kingdom of Gundaphorus and Thomas was commissioned to
build a palace for the King in the shores of the River. However St. Thomas out of
his pity gave away the money to the poor and could not build the palace. He was
put in the prison. However that night the King's brother Gad died and he was told
the beautiful palace beside the river in the heavens was his brothers. He came back
from the dead and told the story to the King. They were later converted to the Christian
way. After ordaining one Xantippus (Xenophon) as deacon to the churches in North
India St. Thomas traveled throughout India and converted many to Christianity .
Among them are the names of: King of Mazdai, a noble lady by name Mygdonia, Tertia
the queen of Mazdai.
St. Thomas came to India,preached the gospel and established churches at eight places;
Crangannore, Palur,Paraur,Gokkamangalam, Niranam, Chayal,Kollam andThiruvithamcode
(called the 1/2 church - probably because of its small size), and appointed prelates
and priests.In due course,the Apostle returned to the Coromandal coast and continued
his gospal work in Madras.One day he had an encounter with Brahmin pujaries outside
the city.An altercation ensued,which ended in the consumation of the shrine of the
'Goddess Kali' by fire at the Apostle's behest.The enraged pujaries fell upon him;and
one of them thrust his lance at the Apostle. The malankara Orthodox Church Calender
indicates that the Apostles was speared on December 19 (72 A.D.)For three days St.Thomas
languished before he succumbed on December 21 at Mylapur, Madras,India.The Church
observes December 21,as the Apostle's Matryrdom Day