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Why we celebrate St. Thomas Day on July 3?

July 3 is celebrated as St. Thomas Day in the Indian (Syrian) orthodox tradition. This day is significant because it was on this day that the relics of this holy saint was shifted from India to Edessa, Mesopotamia.

Indian Christians actually remember St. Thomas on three days – December 18 (the day he was lanced with spears), December 21 (the day he died) and July 3 (the date of the shifting of his relics). These feasts are very important for Christians in Kerala as it reminds us about our rich tradition and faith.

St. Thomas the Apostle is one of the 12 Apostles of Christ. He was known as ‘Didymus’ which means ‘twin’. Traditions say it was because two fingers on the hand of St. Thomas were joined that he received this name. Another tradition claims that it was because he was born as the twin brother of Adai. But we do not have much historical records about the life and work of St. Thomas.

Since he doubted Jesus’ resurrection, he’s often known as “Doubting Thomas”. But we should remember that this period of doubt was so short and later he boldly confessed his faith in Christ saying, “My Lord and my God,” on seeing Jesus’ crucifixion wounds.

The tradition of St. Thomas

After the resurrection of our Lord, St. Thomas evangelized around Palestine. After this he was sent to India in around AD 52. He arrived as the architect of the palace of King Gondaphorus. A merchant by the name of Abannis also accompanied St. Thomas. We see evidence for all this in the ancient document of Acts of Judas Thomas. Evidence is available in the present day which demonstrate that Gondaphorus was a historical figure. Coins bearing the name of this king has been found in Punjab during the 19th century. Scholars argue that Gondaphorus is the Parthian king who governed the territories of present day Afghanistan, Beluistan, and Punjab. If we accept this we would need to assume that St. Thomas did his mission work in the Northern parts of India. However the ancient Christian churches are not present there.

After that St. Thomas travelled south and laid the foundation for the church in Kerala. Then it is said that he traveled as far as Malacca, and China to spread the gospel. He returned to India and established one small and seven big churches in Kerala before becoming a martyr at Mylapore. Today, there are many who doubt the St. Thomas tradition, but we should remember that the presence of the historical church in Kerala even today is sufficient proof for the credibility of this tradition.

According to tradition, Thomas was martyred with a spear from unbelievers in Mylapore in the year 72 AD at Chinnamalai (little mount). Following his death, some of his relics were taken to Edessa on July 3, 232 AD, while the rest were kept in at the San Thome Basilica in Chennai, Mylapore, India. The basilica is built over the tomb of the saint which is said to contain a small bone from the saint’s hand and the weapon that killed him. The relics taken to Edessa were moved in 1258 to Italy, where they can be found in the Cathedral of St. Thomas the Apostle in Ortona, Italy.

How St. Thomas inspires us:

Boldness: St. Thomas was a brave apostle. When the other disciples were afraid to go with Jesus to Galilee when Lazarus had died, it was St. Thomas who said “Let us also go that we might die with Him!”. And in the days following the resurrection of our Lord, when the other apostles hid themselves in the upper room, St. Thomas was brave enough to be outside.

From doubt to faith: St. Thomas represents many on the road of discipleship who need the reality of Jesus’ presence to be “hands-on.”  Of course, though he initially doubted Christ’s resurrection, he later made the great declaration of Christ’s divinity - “My Lord and my God!” St. Thomas reminds us that we have to be patient with those believers whose faith is weak, and that they could one day be strong members of the Church.

Call to continue St. Thomas’ mission: Orthodox Christians from India can be proud that they are the heirs of the great St. Thomas Tradition. But the rest of India and the world still need to know the Gospel. St. Thomas’ work is not over. We, the Christians of Kerala must take up the torch handed to them by the great Apostle St. Thomas. The St. Thomas community has to act as a beacon of hope in the world just as St. Thomas courageously served with his life two thousand years ago.


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