Welcome Speech 23.04.2022

 

We are in Jubilee Meet: it is a twin Jubilee celebration. 1950^th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of St. Thomas the Apostle and Silver Jubilee of the Episcopal Ordination of Mar Thomas Elavanal.

 

In Christianity, the Great Commission of the resurrected Jesus Christ is the mandate (mandatum) to His disciples to spread the gospel to all the nations of the world. With this mandate, Thomas came to India and toiled till his last breath.

It was thought previously that the Apostle landed at Kodungallur in AD 52 and died at Mylapore in AD 72. However, as per recent research, St. Thomas first evangelized North India and then the South on two separate visits to India - the first between AD 42 to 50, and the second journey to South India in AD 52.

Different historical documents state that we have had Christians in Maharashtra especially in Kalyan, Thane and Nalasopara in the early centuries.

I am sure that Mar Thomas Elavanal will enlighten more on the historical elements during his speech.

 

In this St. Thomas Cathedral Church where venerate the relic of St. Thomas, we can take a solemn commitment.

 

We praise Jesus Christ for showing the way and the truth and giving this mandate of preaching of the Gospel to the ends of the earth as part of our very being as Christians.

 

We remember God, our Father, full of gratitude for enabling this unique coming together.  This Jubilee and gathering in unity remind ourselves about the need of recommitting ourselves in the evangelizing mission by our Churches with added vigour.

Christ’s Church grows by attraction. Let our walking, praying, working together; listening to each other and the fragrance of our love attract many more to follow Christ.

 

We are not only proud to have Thomas as the founder of Christianity in India but also ready to courageously proclaim our faith at the cost of our lives. The statement of Thomas “Let us also go, that we may die with him” moves us to decisions and actions.

Apostle Thomas was the first Christian migrant to come to India. Most of us are migrants in this metropolitan city of Mumbai. This meeting can open a new horizon and vast vision.

 

We are not just migrants for a better life here but rather we are missionaries of Christ, to take the word of God to all the people of Maharashtra especially in Mumbai.

We are called to be a people that experiences and shares the joy of the Gospel, praises the Lord and serves our brethren with burning hearts.

Today, on the Eve of Puthunjayar, i.e. Sunday of Neophytes and declaration of faith “Mar Valah” - “My Lord and My God” by Apostle Thomas, we proclaim the same faith on our Indian soil, which was made wet by the blood of the apostle, who accepted martyrdom 1950 years ago.

 

The present crisis of war between Russia and Ukraine cannot be justified. For that matter there has not taken place any war that could be justified.

 

In this context, ‘Fraternity, and Social Friendship’, proposed by Pope Francis is very significant. Respecting the dignity of others, fostering justice, love, and cooperation, let us partake in the process of peace and harmony of the world family.

 

Our Lord reminds us, "Blessed are those who make peace, for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God".

 

His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias

 

And now, may I be permitted to welcome the Chief Guest of the day. It is our joy to have His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias in our midst.

He is presently the President of CBCI and member of the Council of Cardinal Advisors, established by Pope Francis. He was former president of CCBI and FABC.

Ever since the inception, the Cardinal had been a close collaborator and mentor of our Eparchy in the capacities of Chancellor, Auxiliary Bishop and now as Archbishop of Bombay.

I have heard the Cardinal several times exclaiming about the beautiful and harmonious relation between the Latin and Syro-malabar Churches in Maharashtra.

His readiness to find time for this meeting shows his love for the Eparchy of Kalyan, for Bishop Thomas Elavanal and for all of us.

 

A very cordial and warm welcome to your Eminence to be the Chief Guest of this meeting.

(Rev. Fr. Shibu Pulikkal, the Rector of the Cathedral and the Forane Vicar of Kalyan Forane does the honours to the Chief guest).

 

 

Mar Thomas Elavanal

The cause of coming together is sweetened and perfected by our Silver Jubilarian, the second Thomas in our midst, Mar Thomas Elavanal who too came to Mumbai after a mandatum began in 1997, 25 years ago.

 

We can clearly see the divine providence and plan of God when we see the following connections. Bishop Thomas was born in 1950 and this year we celebrate the 1950^th anniversary of St. Thomas. Apostle Thomas was martyred in AD 72 and this year Bishop is completing his 72 years. In this Jubilee year of St. Thomas, we also celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Thomas.

 

Let all these deepen our faith and make us more committed to the divine call. He is the maker of the Eparchy into this beautiful and graceful shape that we all enjoy and cherish in our daily life. In short, the past 25 years he was with us or we were with him, and they were 25 glorious years!!!

 

I quote some of the reactions of Bishops after seeing the invitation.

“Bp Thomas Elavanal is really a great bishop, a sound spiritual leader, an outstanding liturgist and a great humanist. We always enjoy his wits and humours. He has a leading role in the synod. It is mainly to his credit that we have in use the current Malayalam Holy Qurbana text implemented in November 2021. Being a liturgist-bishop, he is always vigilant to preserve the proper liturgical traditions of the church. Kalyan Diocese has its complexities being comprised of modern, urban, semi-urban and rural areas. The Bishop has organized several programs, manifesting his enthusiasm and spirit of initiative and dynamism. His has been a fruitful Episcopal ministry. He is “vir ecclesiasticus” means ecclesiastical man.”

 

By now we have placed him in the centre of our life, and he is the president of our Meeting today. He need not be welcomed but be honoured on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee. We wish you healthy, cheerful, and peaceful life in our midst for many more years to come dear loving Bishop Thomas Elavanal. 

 

(While Adv. Samji Joseph, the Joint Secretary of the Pastoral council honours him with a shawl and Mrs. Joffy Anil, the secretary of the Pastoral Council with a bouquet, I request you all to extend him a standing ovation).

 

His Grace Geevarghese Mar Coorilos is the Metropolitan of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Mumbai Diocese.

He was ordained a Bishop in 1991 and since then, he has been in Mumbai.

In the recent past, he caught the media attention as “papabile” of the Catholic understanding in the Orthodox Church.

His Grace has held many positions in the church. He is the senior-most reigning Bishop in Mumbai and a great friend of the Eparchy of Kalyan and of Bishop Thomas Elavanal. 

We extend a very warm and hearty welcome to Your Grace Mar Coorilos.

(Mr. James Abraham, the first Trustee of the Cathedral Church does the honours to the Bishop).

 

 

Bishop Thomas Mar Anthonios Valiyavilayil, OIC is the Bishop of Eparchy of Khadki in Pune of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, which was established in 2015, which extends over the entire southern part of India namely, the entire states of Maharashtra, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, together with parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

He served also as the Curia Bishop of the Syro-Malankara Church.

I have a personal connection to him: though he is an oriental canonist, he directed my thesis in Syro-Malabar liturgy during my Theology studies in Papal Seminary, Pune.

Hearty welcome to such an enthusiastic and zealous migrant missionary Bishop to this Jubilee Meet.

(Mrs.  Maria Tony, the Mathrusangam president of the Cathedral Church does the honours to the Bishop).

 

Rt. Rev. Dr. Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, (Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of Bombay), a winner of several awards, a bishop from January 2017, is now the Chairperson of Prison Ministry of India, Chairperson of CCBI Commission of Ecology, Member of the CBCI Executive Committee of Justice and Peace Commission. He is truly socially committed. Ecology is close to his heart.

 

Burning hearts is a post Easter experience. Our hearts were burning while you spoke during the Ecumenical prayer meeting. On 20^th April he just celebrated his birthday. We welcome your lordship to our midst. (Sr. Moly DSHJ, Superior of Kalyan West convent does the honours to him)

 

 

His Grace Thomas Mor Alexandrios, Bishop of Mumbai Diocese of Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church had consented to be present for today’s meeting but could not be here due to some inconveniences.

Representing him, we are extremely happy to have Very Rev. Wilson Philip Cor Episcopa, Diocesan secretary of Mumbai Jacobite Syrian Church with us.

While appreciating his readiness to make it in the last moment, we would like to welcome Rev. Wilson Cor Episcopa to this Ecumenical meeting.

(Mr. Ajay Thomas Pithruvedi president of the Cathedral does the honours)

 

 

Our meeting adds its richness with the presence of the Ecumenical representatives who have come here.

I am sure that we have representatives of the Latin Church, Syro-Malankara Church, Orthodox Church, Jacobite Church and Marthoma Church.

 

We extend a hearty welcome to all the Priests and other lay representatives of these Churches.

Representing all the four Missions of the Eparchy of Kalyan including 10 districts of Maharashtra, Rev. Fr. Jerry Vallomkunnel MCBS Superior and Syncellus of the MCBS are present on the stage. (Mrs. Sajitha Joseph, a Pastoral council executive member does the honors). 

Representing all the priests ministering in the Eparchy of Kalyan, Rev. Fr. Davis Tharakan, secretary to the presbyterium is on the dais. (Mr. Pius VM, trustee of Ambernath does the honors). 

Representing all the men and women religious in the Eparchy of Kalyan, Rev. Sr. Shimi Joseph MSMI the vice-president of Catholic Religious of India of Kalyan unit also with us. (Mr. Joju CK Trustee from Badalpur does the honours).

Representing all the lay persons and various councils of the Eparchy of Kalyan, Mrs. Joffy Anil, the Eparchial Pastoral council secretary is present here. (Mr. Jose, Trustee from Ulhas Nagar does the honors).

Representing all the associations in the Eparchy of Kalyan, we have Mr. Rajeev, President of Kalyan Laity Movement and president of Pithruvedi is among us, (Mr. Joy, Trustee from Bhiwandi does the honors)

Representing all the mothers of our Eparchy, Mrs Joycee Thomas, President of Mathrusangam is present here. (Mrs. Lini Bijoy from Mathrusangam Kalyan unit does the honors

Representing all the youth of Kalyan Eparchy Youth, we have Mr Nelson Wilson. (Mr. Frinto from Mumbra does the honors)

Representing all the nurses we have Ms. Geethu Sunny, the President of JNF here. Mr. M S Baby from from Nasik Forance does the does the honors)

 

I am extremely happy to welcome all the specially invited guests off the dais.

 

Warm welcome to all my dear priests and religious who have shed their sweat and blood, working hard in the past 33 years in this eparchy and all the priests, religious and seminarians who are now part of the spiritual and material development of the Eparchy,

 

Former Superior General of Holy Family Rev. Sr. Udaya, Rev. Sr. Maris Stella, provincial of Holy Family, regional superiors, volunteers of our Social wing: Karunya Trust, representatives of the different churches and seminaries.

 

A special welcome to the members of Pastoral, Forane, parish councils, Pithruvedi, Mathrusangam, youth, catechism, JNF and all other associations, departments, movements, etc.

 

A Cordial welcome to all the faithful who are the real strength and power of the Eparchy of Kalyan. We are very grateful to you all for accepting our invitation, having come together in pilgrimage to this Cathedral seeking intercession from the Apostle Thomas and to jubilate with Bishop Thomas. A Hearty welcome to one and all.

 

Easter is behind us, the Pentecost is ahead of us. Pentecost is not an event ended but it is a never-ending reality. May the Holy Spirit guide the Christians in Mumbai and Maharashtra.

 

Jai Yesu, Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra

 

 

Fr. Francis Eluvathingal

Proto-Syncellus, Eparchy of Kalyan

Thomas the Apostle

1.      Name

Thomas, Masculine gender, Te’oma (in Aramaic) also called Didymus (in Greek) mean “Twin”. Early church traditions state that he had a twin sister Lydia, which is how he received his name. But in Syriac tradition he is called Judas Thomas as the twin brother of Jesus. He is called Judas Thomas (i.e., Judas the Twin) by the Syrians. Some have gone to great lengths to determine who his twin was. Because his name is paired with that of Matthew, there are those who suggest that they may have been twins. It is best to say that we don't know who Thomas' twin was.

2.      Birth and Childhood of Thomas

Sacred Scripture has not passed down any information concerning the origin, parents, or early life of Thomas. Thomas probably was born in Galilee, city of Pansada. Scripture, nonetheless, suggests that he was a fisherman, not a full-fledged owner of a business, as were Peter and Andrew and the sons of Zebedee, but a helper. This supposition coincides with other statements that Thomas came from a poor family of the tribe of Juda or Issachar. The Acts of Thomas suggests that Thomas was a carpenter and a member of Jesus' immediate family. Legend places that Thomas was an architect.  Since the thirteenth century, artists have associated the carpenter's square with this apostle, who has been made the patron of builders. In any case, hearing the good tidings of Jesus, he left all and followed him.

3.      Thomas, as one of the 12 Apostles

He was the first one of the Twelve to enter the Gospels practically unnoticed. The first seven apostles had been mentioned before their calling, but Thomas' name appears for the first time in the lists of the apostles. The Synoptic Gospels (Mathew, Mark and Luke) give the list of the 12 Apostles. In all the three, we can find the name of Thomas. In the Gospel of Matthew 10:3, Thomas is in the seventh place between Bartholomew and Matthew whereas in Mark 3:18 and Luke 6:15, Thomas is in 8^th place between Matthew and James. Thomas plays a distinctive part in the gospel of St. John, though it does not give the list of 12 apostles. John identifies him as “Thomas called Didymus (11:16).” In Acts 1:13, there is again a list of Apostles who witnessed Christ’s ascension and was gathered in the upper room. Thomas was there with the other Apostles. Here he is placed in the 6^th between Philip and Bartholomew. St. Thomas is also mentioned as being present at another Resurrection appearance of Jesus - at Lake Tiberias when a miraculous catch of fish occurred (Jn: 21: 2). This is all that we know about St. Thomas from the New Testament. In the Canon of the Mass and in the Litany of the Saints, and also in the Acts of the Apostles, he is portrayed as an especially important witness of the Resurrection; he is placed before Philip and Bartholomew and Matthew, not after them, as he was in the Gospels. In Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper" St. Thomas-the second on the left of Christ-was portrayed fervently assuring the Lord of his faithfulness.

4.      Thomas in the Gospel of John

St. John recorded a few very significant words about Thomas in three passages. Despite their brevity these words reveal the whole nature of this man. First, when Jesus announced His intention of returning to Judea to visit Lazarus, "Thomas" who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples: "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (Jn 11:16). Again it was St. Thomas who during the discourse before the Last Supper raised an objection: Thomas said to him: "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" And Jesus answered Thomas: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (Jn 14:5).

But more especially St. Thomas is remembered for his doubt when the other Apostles announced Christ's Resurrection to him: "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe."  (Jn 20:25). A week later Jesus appeared to the disciples and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus 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 makes that historical confession as, "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:27-28). His sudden realization of truth made Thomas the first person to explicitly acknowledge Jesus’ divinity.

5.      Thomas and His Early Ministry

Tradition strongly favors the East, the land of the rising sun, as the place of his apostolic labors. In Syrian and Armenian legends he appears as the leading apostle in the Orient. The apostle Thomas, after our Lord’s ascension, continued to preach the gospel in various parts of Judaea; till at length, being interrupted by the dispersion of the Christian church in Jerusalem, he repaired into Parthia, the province assigned him for his ministry. Origen (d. 253) holds this view. He afterward preached the gospel to the Medes, Persians, Carmans, Hyrcanians, and the neighboring nations. Today this comprises the districts of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Baluchistan. During his preaching in Persia, he is said to have met with the magi or wise men that he baptized, and took with him, as his companions and assistants in propagating the gospel. Leaving Persia, he traveled into Ethiopia, preaching the glad tidings of the gospel, healing the sick, and working other miracles, to prove he had his commission from on high.

6.     "Acta Thomae", Acts of St. Thomas

·        The Acts of Judas Thomas (Full name) is an apocryphal literature with certain historical data. It has a value as the first and the earliest of the written document about the apostolate and martyrdom of St. Thomas in India

·        It was written in Syriac between 180- 230 AD hence it is not written by Apostle Thomas.

·        The place of its origin is probably Edessa.

·        This document has some variations both in Greek and in Syriac.

The story itself runs briefly as follows: At the division of the Apostles, India fell to the lot of Thomas, but he declared his inability to go, whereupon his Master Jesus appeared in a supernatural way to Habban, the envoy of Gundafor, an Indian king, and sold Thomas to him to be his slave and serve Gundafor as a carpenter. Then Abban and Thomas sailed away until they came to Andrapolis, where they landed and attended the marriage feast of the ruler's daughter. Strange occurrences followed and Christ under the appearance of Thomas exhorted the bride to remain a Virgin. Coming to India Thomas undertook to build a palace for Gundafor, but spend the money entrusted to him on the poor. Gundafor imprisoned him; but the Apostle escaped miraculously and Gundafor was converted. After a long residence in the court at Taxila he ordained leaders for the Church, and left in a chariot for the kingdom of Mazdei. Going about the country to preach, Thomas met with strange adventures from dragons and wild asses. Then he came to the city of King Misdai (Syriac Mazdai). The king Misdeus was infuriated when St. Thomas converted the Queen Tertia, son Juzanes, sister-in-law princess Mygdonia (a province of Mesopotamia) and her friend Markia. After this he was condemned to death, led out of city to a hill, and pierced through with spears by four soldiers. He was buried in the tomb of the ancient kings. Syphorus was elected the first presbyter by the brethren after the death of St. Thomas while Juzanes the prince became the deacon.

These are generally rejected by various Christian religions as either apocryphal or heretical. “Let none read the gospel according to Thomas, for it is the work, not of one of the twelve apostles, but of one of Mani's three wicked disciples.” Cyril of Jerusalem.

7.     Other Books

Besides the Acts of Thomas there was a widely circulated Infancy Gospel of Thomas probably written in the later 2nd century and probably also in Syria, which relates the miraculous events and prodigies of Jesus' boyhood. Because of the complexities of the manuscript tradition, however, there is no certainty as to when the stories of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas began to be written down."

The best known in modern times of these documents is the "sayings" document that is being called the Gospel of Thomas, a non-canonical work whose date is disputed. The opening line claims it is the work of "Didymos Judas Thomas" – whose identity is unknown. This work was discovered in a Coptic translation in 1945 at the Egyptian village of Nag Hammadi, near the site of the monastery of Chenoboskion. Once the Coptic text was published, scholars recognized that an earlier Greek translation had been published from fragments of papyrus found at Oxyrhynchus in the 1890s.

8.      Thomas, A Reluctant Missionary to India

According to one of the legends in the Acts, the apostles divided up the world for their missionary labors, and India fell to Thomas. However, Thomas claimed that he was not healthy enough and that a Hebrew could not teach Indians. The Lord appeared to him in a night vision and said, “Fear not, Thomas. Go away to India and proclaim the Word, for my grace shall be with you.” But the Apostle still demurred, so the Lord overruled the stubborn disciple by ordering circumstances so compelling that he was forced to accompany an Indian merchant, Abbanes, to his native place in northwest India.

9.      First Missionary Journey of St. Thomas

According to the Acts of Judas Thomas, the Apostle Thomas came from Jerusalem with Habban, the merchant of King Gundaphor to Alexandria, Aden and Sokotra and from there to Barygaza (Bharukaccha), Gujarat, India in 44 - 48 AD. Emperor Gundaphor ruled from AD 20 to 51 the Indo-Parthian Empire which comprised Persia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Punjab Sind, Northwest parts of India. The Capital was Taxila. It is possible that St. Thomas touched Madhyapradesh. As there were Christians in Thane, Nallasopara, Kalyana it is possible St. Thomas had connections with Maharashtra. St. Thomas must have returned to Jerusalem for Council AD 50 (Acts 15: 1 ff).

This we know both from the discovery of coins, some of the Parthian type with Greek legends, others of the Indian types with the legends in an Indian dialect in Kharoshthi characters. We have the evidence of the Takht-i-Bahi inscription, which is dated and which the best specialists accept as establishing the King Gunduphara probably began to reign about A.D. 20 and was still reigning in 46. Again there are excellent reasons for believing that Misdai or Mazdai may well be transformation of a Hindu name made on the Iranian soil. In this case it will probably represent a certain King Vasudeva of Mathura, a successor of Kanishka.

10. Second Missionary Journey of St. Thomas

After the Jerusalem council Thomas decides to come back to India for continuing his missionary works. But in 51 AD the Parthian King Gundaphoras died; and the Kushans attacked his Kingdom. So St. Thomas took the sea route through Alexandria, Aden, Sokotra to Muziris (Kodungallur) and in the year 52 AD St. Thomas arrived in Muziris (Kodungalloor) which was then called Maliankara. He must have come to the South India as the Jewish diaspora present in Kerala at that time. The ancient port of Muziris was destroyed in 1341 AD due to a massive flood which realigned the coasts.

11. Evangelization in India

Thomas has preached the gospel throughout India especially the Malabar coast, though the various churches he founded were located mainly on the Periyar River and its tributaries and along the coast, where there were Jewish colonies. He reputedly preached to all classes of people and had about seventeen thousand converts, including members of the four principal castes. Later, stone crosses were erected at the places where churches were founded, and they became pilgrimage centres. In accordance with apostolic custom, Thomas ordained teachers and leaders or elders, who were reported to be the earliest ministry of the Malabar church.

12.                        The Route Map of St. Thomas’ Journeys

13.                        7 ½  Communities or Churches in India

From Kodungalloor Thomas then went to Palayoor (near present-day Guruvayoor), which was a Hindu priestly community at that time. He left Palayoor in AD 52 for the southern part of what is now Kerala State, where he established the Ezharappallikal, or "Seven and Half Churches". These churches are at Crangganore/Kodungallur/Maliankara, Quilon/Kollam, Niranam, Nilackal/Chayal, Kokkamangalam, Kottakkayal/Paravoor/Parur, Palur/Palayoor and Thiruvithancode (arappally – the half church).

1.      Kodungallur

At Kodungallur the Apostle is said to have made converts from Jews who were living there as well from natives of the place. The local king also became a Christian and was given the name of Andrew and his newphe Keppa was ordained a priest. Keppa was a constant companion of Thomas in his further travels. Later the apostle appointed this Keppa as his successor and entrusted him the folk of believers prior to his departure.

2.      Palayur

In the case of Palayur, the conversion of Brahmins was preceded by a spectacular miracle. According to the folklore, at Thaliakulam, the Apostle sprinkled water upwards and made the drops remain suspended in mid-air challenging the Brahmins changing Vedic incantations and splashing water upwards by their palm. The story goes that most of the Brahmins accepted Christ as their savior. This traditional story seems to be supported by historical facts.  

3.      Niranam

St. Thomas could have come to Niranam because of its accessibility to the river-port. Anyway, local tradition is very strong that he preached to the Brahmins and that a formidable number of them became Christians.

4.      Nilackal

After the missionary activity at Nilackal, the Apostle crossed over the Western Ghat to Tamilnadu finally reaching Madras.

5.      Kokkamangalam

St. Thomas sailed to Kokkamangalam where he preached the gospel for about a year. 1600 people converted to Christianity through him according to the narration in "Rampan Pattu", an ancient form of Christian folk-song prevalent in Kerala. He formed a Christian community there and enshrined a Cross for the faithful. This cross was later cut off by saboteurs, and thrown into the Lake Vembanad, through which it floated up to Pallippuram, where it is enshrined.

6.      Kollam

According to tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle established a Church along the southern part of west coast of India at Quilon, pronounced Koy-lon and now known as Kollam.

7.      Paravur

As regards Paravur, the traditional story is that St. Thomas reached Paravur on a festival day of the local temple and he began preaching the Gospel of Christ.

14. Fathers of the Church on Apostle Thomas

Clement of Alexandria, a Greek Theologian of 3rd century (c. 235) makes a passing reference to St. Thomas’ Apostolate in Parthia. This agrees with the testimony which Eusebius records about Pantaenus' visit to India. In the Doctrine of the Apostles of 3rd century, there are several references on the apostleship of St. Thomas in India.

Origen in 3rd century (185–254?) taught with great acclaim in Alexandria and then in Caesarea. He is the first known writer to record the casting of lots by the Apostles. Origen original work has been lost; but his statement about Parthia falling to Thomas has been preserved by Eusebius. “Origen, in the third chapter of his Commentary on Genesis, says that, according to tradition, Thomas’s allotted field of labour was Parthia”.

St. Ephrem of 4th century bear witness to the Edessan Church’s strong conviction concerning St. Thomas’s Indian Apostolate. "It was to a land of dark people he was sent, to clothe them by Baptism in white robes. His grateful dawn dispelled India's painful darkness. It was his mission to espouse India to the One-Begotten. The merchant is blessed for having so great a treasure. Edessa thus became the blessed city by possessing the greatest pearl India could yield. Thomas works miracles in India, and at Edessa Thomas is destined to baptize peoples perverse and steeped in darkness, and that in the land of India." – Hymns of St. Ephraem, edited by Lamy.

Gregory of Nazianzus of 4th century (died 389) states that “… Peter indeed may have belonged to Judea; but what had Paul in common with the gentiles, Luke with Achaia, Andrew with Epirus, John with Ephesus, Thomas with India, Mark with Italy?”

Ambrose of Milan of 4th century had a good deal of information on India and Indians. “… Even those Kingdoms which were shut out by rugged mountains became accessible to them, as India to Thomas, Persia to Matthew…”

St. Jerome (342- 420) testifies “He (Christ) dwelt in all places: with Thomas in India, Peter at Rome, ….”

St. Gaudentius, Bishop of Brescia (5^th Century AD) In a sermon speaks about the relics of his Church viz. those of St. Thomas, John the Baptist, Andrew and Luke and says: “We possess here the relics …. Thomas among the Indians…”

St. Paulinus of Nola (5^th Centuary) writes: “So God bestowing his holy gifts on all lands, sent his aposltes to the great cities of the world… Parthia receives Mathew, India receives Thomas….”

St. Gregory of Tours (died 594) testifies “Thomas the Apostle, according to the narrative of his martyrdom is stated to have suffered in India. His holy remains (corpus), after a long interval of time, were removed to the city of Edessa in Syria and there interred.”

St. Isidore of Seville in Spain (d. c. 630 states “This Thomas preached the Gospel of Christ to the Parthians, the Medes, the Persians, the Hyrcanians and the Bactrians, and to the Indians of the Oriental region and penetrating the innermost regions and sealing his preaching by his passion he died transfixed with a lance at Calamina (present Mylapore),a city of India, and there was buried with honour”.

St. Bede the Venerable (c. 673–735) states “Peter receives Rome, Andrew Achaia; James Spain; Thomas India; John Asia"

15.                        Other Written and Oral Traditions

A number of early Christian writings written during centuries immediately following the first Ecumenical Council of 325 mention Thomas' mission.

A Syrian ecclesiastical calendar of an early date confirms that "3 July, St. Thomas who was pierced with a lance in India. … A great festival." There is also a legend that Thomas had met the Biblical Magi on his way to India.

The Didascalia (dating from the end of the 3rd century) states, “India and all countries considering it, even to the farthest seas... received the apostolic ordinances from Judas Thomas, who was a guide and ruler in the church which he built.

Bar-Daisan (154–223) reports that in his time there were Christian tribes in North India which claimed to have been converted by Thomas and to have books and relics to prove it. But at least by the year of the establishment of the Second Persian Empire (226), there were bishops of the Church of the East in northwest India, Afghanistan and Baluchistan, with laymen and clergy alike engaging in missionary activity.

Historian Vincent A. Smith says, “It must be admitted that a personal visit of the Apostle Thomas to South India was easily feasible in the traditional belief that he came by way of Socotra, where an ancient Christian settlement undoubtedly existed. I am now satisfied that the Christian church of South India is extremely ancient... ”.

Another document attributed to the third century writer, Hippolytus, also talks of Thomas preaching in Iran and India.

Eusebius, a Christian historian says that Thomas traveled all the way to India preaching the Gospel of Jesus and lived there preaching until he was martyred.

When the Portuguese arrived in southern India in the 16th century, they found a flourishing Christian community who maintained that their church had been founded by St Thomas in the 1st century AD. In 1533 the Portuguese monarch directed all his missionaries to record the oral history of this community and it was soon discovered that there was a substantial body of tradition about Thomas in India.

The ancient Syriac document, the Doctrines of the Apostles recounts that “India and all its own countries and those bordering even to the farthest sea, received the Apostles' hand of priesthood from Judas Thomas, who was guide and ruler in the Church which he built there and ministered there.”

St John Chrysostom says, Thomas "toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations."

In AD 522, Cosmas Indicopleustes (called the Alexandrian) visited the Malabar Coast. He is the first traveller who mentions Syrian Christians in Malabar, in his book Christian Topography. He mentions that in the town of "Kalliana", there is a bishop consecrated in Persia. Metropolitan Mar Aprem writes, "Most church historians, who doubt the tradition of the doubting Thomas in India, will admit there was a church in India in the middle of the sixth century when Cosmas Indicopleustes visited India."

There is a copper plate grant given to Iravi Korttan, a Christian of Kodungallur (Cranganore), by King Vira Raghava. The date is estimated to be around AD 744. In AD 822, two Nestorian Persian Bishops Mar Sapor and Mar Peroz came to Malabar, to occupy their seats in Kollam and Kodungallur, to look after the local Syrian Christians.

Marco Polo, the Venetian traveller and author of Description of the World, popularly known as Il Milione, is reputed to have visited South India in 1288 and 1292. He is believed to have stopped in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) where he documented the tomb of Adam, and Quilon (Kollam) on the western Malabar coast of India, where he met Syrian Christians and recorded their tradition of St. Thomas and his tomb on the eastern Coromandel coast of the country.

Near Chennai (Madras) stands a small hillock called St. Thomas Mount, where the Apostle is said to have been killed in AD 72. Also to be found in Chennai is the Dioceses of Saint Thomas of Mylapore to which his mortal remains were supposedly transferred.

South Indian legends indicate that Thomas arrived on the Malabar coast around AD49 and in the Rabban Song, which has been handed down orally by Indian Christians over the generations, we learn more details about Thomas' work in India. The song indicates that, after arriving in South India, he went to preach in China (probably Burma and Malaysia) and on his return in AD52 he began to build churches and convert the local population.

From AD59 onward he began to travel through South India and conduct missionary tours founding Christian colonies in cities throughout the region. Between AD62-69 the Rabban Song records him baptizing over 17,000 Hindus, including king Choran of Lola and 700 of his subjects. The song also talks of the miracles he performed including the healing of lepers and restoring the sight of blind men. It is said that even the Hindus considered him a holy man.

16.                        Martyrdom of St. Thomas

A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Saint Thomas became a martyr in 72 AD. There are different traditions regarding his death. Thomas died a martyr for his faith when an Indian king, whose wife had become a Christian, angry that he couldn't get Thomas to worship an idol, ordered his high priest to stab Thomas with a spear. Another tradition states that after Thomas had performed several miracles, Sagamo, prince of the country and great numbers of his friends and subjects embraced the Christian faith. This remarkable success alarmed the Brahmins, who perceived that their religion would be soon extirpated unless some method could be found of putting a stop to the progress of Christianity; they resolved to put the apostle to death. At a small distance from the city was a tomb, where St. Thomas often retired for private devotion, the Brahmins and their armed followers pursued him; and while he was at prayer they first threw at him a shower of darts, after which one of the priests ran him through with a lance. His corpse was taken up by his disciples, and buried in the church he had erected. According to an account noted by Marco Polo, Thomas prayed before his death, "Lord, I thank Thee for all Thy mercies. Into Thy hands I commend my spirit," and entered into rest.

17. Tomb and Relic of St. Thomas

The traditions of Malabar, Coromandel and the Persian Church held that Thomas the Apostle died near the ancient town of Mylapore. In A.D. 232 the greater part of relics of the Apostle Thomas are brought from India to the city of Edessa, Mesopotamia. When the relics were taken to Edessa, few relics were kept in church at Mylapore. A Syrian ecclesiastical calendar of an early date confirms that his body is at Urhai (Edessa) having been brought there by the merchant Khabin. They were kept in a shrine just outside the city, but in August 394, they were transferred in the city, inside the church dedicated to the saint. In 441, the Anatolius donated to the church a silver coffin to host the relics. In 1144 the city was conquered by the Zengids and the shrine destroyed. But in 1141, the relics were taken to Chios, a Greek island, and on 1258, the relics were transported to the West by crusaders, and now rest in Ortona, Italy.

In the year 2002 AD our bishop Mar Thomas Elavanal was privileged to receive a particle of the bones of St. Thomas for the Diocese of Kalyan which was solemnly installed at the then Cathedral Church in Kalyan West by the then Major Archbishop Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil. In the context of the Silver Jubilee celebration and the Year of St. Thomas, the relic was taken for veneration to all the parishes and mission centres of the diocese and solemnly re-installed at the St. Thomas Cathedral Church at Kalyan West on 1^st May 2013 by Mar Thomas Elavanal. In 1953, particles from the relics were brought from Orthona by Cardinal Eugene Tissarant Kerala and portions of the same were installed in Pala Cathedral, Kodungallur and Mylapore. In the same way, later in  Kokkamangalam (November 1999) to Palayoor (16th April 2000) Changanassery (Jun 27, 2005).

18.                        Saint Thomas Cross

In the sixteenth century work Jornada, Antonio Gouvea writes of decorative cross “known as Saint Thomas Cross or Mar Thoma Sliba". This cross dates from the 6th century and is found in a number of churches in Kerala, Mylapore and Goa. The original term used is “Cruz de San Thome” which literally translates as Cross of St. Thomas. Gouvea also writes about the veneration of the Cross at Cranganore, referring to the cross as "Cross of Christians”.

This miraculous cross, located on the spot of martyrdom of Thomas is a stone engraved with a cross that was seen to ooze blood on December 18, 1558, and to have continued on that day each year with various interruptions until the year 1704. This phenomenon first took place during the offering of Holy Mass and lasted four hours. Diocesan officials certified that at the end of the bleedings the stone turned a glistening white before returning to its original black.

According to the traditions of the "St Thomas Christians" of Malabar: "Thomas forbade any sort of pictures or images, but decorated his houses of worship with the symbol of the cross. This is interesting in light of the fact that the cross did not emerge as a religious symbol in the Roman Empire until the fourth century, after the Emperor Constantine abolished it as a means of execution."

19. Feast Day of Saint Thomas

The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven. Now, feast day of St. Thomas in Roman and Syrian Catholic churches is on 3^rd July. When the feast of Saint Thomas was inserted in the Roman calendar in the 9th century, it was assigned to 21 December, although the Martyrology of St. Jerome had a mention of the Apostle on 3 July, the date to which the Roman celebration was transferred in 1969, so that it would no longer interfere with the major ferial days of Advent. But many Anglicans including members of the Episcopal Church as well as members of the Church of England still celebrate his feast day on 21 December.

The Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches celebrate his feast day on October 6.  In addition the next Sunday of the Easter (Pascha) is celebrated as Sunday of Thomas, in commemoration of Thomas' question to Jesus which led him to proclaim, ‘My Lord and My God’ and the day in Kerala is known as Puthunjayar. Thomas is also commemorated in common with all of the other apostles on June 30, in a feast called the Synaxis of the Holy Apostles.

20.                        Saint Thomas represented in Christian Art

The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated.  St. Thomas is portrayed in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. He is represented in Christian Art with a builder's square.

21. Civil World accepting Thomas

The Indian Post Department issued a special postage stamp in commemoration of Saint Thomas, on the 2nd December 1964, which coincided with the arrival of Pope Paul VI in India. The stamp was issued in the denomination of 15 Paise and carries a picture of his silver bust which is in the Ortona Cathedral in Italy.

Stamp of St. Thomas by India Post (http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Alpha/ST.%20THOMAS)

22. Patronage

Thomas is considered to be the patron saint for people against doubt, against blindness, architects, builders, carpenters, construction workers, geometricians, masons, stone masons, stone cutters, surveyors, theologians; and places such as Certaldo, Italy, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, East Indies, Ceylon and Sri Lanka.

23. Names of Christian Community after St. Thomas

The existence of a Christian community in the south India in the name of the Apostle from the very first century itself designated St. Thomas Christians … is almost incontrovertible proof of the Apostolate of St. Thomas in South India. The names were ‘Christians of St. Thomas’ or ‘Thoma christians’ or ‘St. Thomas Christians’ or ‘Marthomaschristianikal’ could turn out to be significant as recognition of the historical truth of Christian origins in India from the Apostle Thomas.

24. Thomas and the Assumption of Mary

According to The Passing of Mary, a text attributed to Joseph of Arimathaea, Thomas was the only witness of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. The other apostles were miraculously transported to Jerusalem to witness her death. Thomas was left in India, but after her first burial he was transported to her tomb, where he witnessed her bodily assumption into heaven, from which she dropped her girdle. In an inversion of the story of Thomas' doubts, the other apostles are skeptical of Thomas' story until they see the empty tomb and the girdle.

25. Courageous Thomas and not Doubting Thomas

Unfortunately Thomas is known with the nickname “Doubting Thomas”. In fact, among the disciples, Thomas was not the first one to have doubt. Remember Peter sinking into the water after walking upon it toward Jesus when he doubted. Nathanael doubted that the Messiah could ever come from such an insignificant town as Nazareth. From another perspective, for strengthening of all who believe, whether they see or not, Thomas was called to be an apostle-he who believed only because he had seen. It was the Divine Providence, not mere chance, that this one apostle was not present with the others on that first Easter evening. He persisted in his unhappy doubt so that we might be happy in our grace of belief. So we are obliged to thank the unbelieving Thomas.

If at all a fair nickname was to be given to Thomas, it should have been “Courageous Thomas” for his “Let us go with him, so that we may die with him” statement.  He was not only courageous but also sincere, open, strait forward, loyal follower and true man.

Fr. Francis Eluvathingal