St. Thomas Mount — Local services in St.Thomas Mount-Pallavaram Cantonment Board

The Church in St. Thomas Mount in Chennai was built in 1523 by the Portuguese at the summit where Saint Thomas was killed. The small hill about 300 ft high, with the eponymous name of St.Thomas was called as 'Parangi Malai' in Tamil. The local Tamil population named the hill as 'Parangi malai' meaning the mountain of a fair skinned man.

Brief History: St. Thomas, who was one of the 12 apostles of Christ, reached the western coast of India around 52 and 72 AD. Saint Thomas,also known as Doubting Thomas, traveled to the southern part of India to spread the teachings of Christianity. St. Thomas arrived in the Malabar Coast of India, which is now part of the state of Kerala, in the first century AD. He then traveled to Mylapore in Chennai as part of his mission. The Little Mount area or Chinnamalai is the area where he spent the last years of his life. St. Thomas faced opposition from local religious leaders due to his teachings.

The Bleeding Cross is an interesting relic here. This bleeding Cross, chiseled by the Saint, bears his blood as he was pierced with a spear used by the assailants. This Cross was discovered in 16th Century while they were digging to lay the foundation for the Church. This Cross used to sweat blood on 18th December every year from 1558 to 1704 AD. The stone cross engraved with ornamental decorations as a bas relief has this inscription: 'In punishment by the cross was the suffering of this one, Who is the true Christ, God above and Guide ever pure'

Now that we have covered the history of this Church at the top of the hill, we can see how important this Church is to Roman Catholics. This Church holds 124 relics of the Saints, including the 12 Apostles of Christ for veneration.

There is a narrow road leading to the Church at the top. The climb is steep. For light refreshments , head to the small cafeteria run by the Nuns. They also sell small catholic artifacts at throw away prices.

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A wonderful array of sacred art and great views of Chennai’s rooftops await at this hilltop church dedicated to a martyred saint.

Experience the spiritual tranquility of St. Thomas Mount National Shrine. Admire displays of religious art, see the shrine of a revered saint and enjoy panoramic views of Chennai city. St. Thomas Mount National Shrine is a church on top of a hill called St. Thomas Mount. First erected in the 16th century, the church stands on the site of where tradition states that St. Thomas the Apostle was killed.

Start your visit by walking up a pedestrian-only path and staircase leading from the base of St. Thomas Mount. Pause to study the portrayals of the 14 Stations of the Cross that line the route.

The church’s architecture resembles Armenian and Syrian ecclesiastical landmarks. Above the main doorway is an inscription that reads “My Lord My God.” Note bronze plaques depicting biblical scenes such as The Last Supper. See a statue of Pope John Paul II and a stone-carved cross, thought to have been chiseled by St. Thomas himself. The courtyard surrounding the church presents views of some of Chennai’s bustling commercial areas, tightly packed residential districts and green spaces.

Watch as people of all faiths, including Christians, Hindus and Muslims, arrive at the church. Step inside to discover ancient artworks and relics. A major highlight is a painting of Mary and Jesus by St. Luke the Apostle. See 115 relics of apostles and saints, including the toe bone of St. Thomas. The altar is located on the supposed spot of the death of St. Thomas.

Located west of the Guindy neighborhood, the church is about a 30-minute drive from Chennai’s city center. Get here by catching a train from Chennai Egmore station to Guindy station and take an auto-rickshaw from there.

St. Thomas Mount National Shrine is open daily and admission is free. Attend one of the services that take place in various languages up to three...

Thomas called the Twin was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. His attachment to his Master was so deep and so authentic that he dynamited his companions "Let us also go with him and die with him" Perhaps he envisaged to accompany his Master to the Mount of Calvary but his Master accompanied him to another Mount in Chennai, India to die for Him and to live for Him in the faith of the generations of this country!

He missed one of the first apparitions of the Risen Lord but he was privileged to have a rich faith experience and personal encounter at the feet of his Risen Master when he exclaimed the immortal profession of faith and surrender: My Lord and My God!

It is a well known historical fact that Christianity was first introduced into India by St Thomas. After the Death and Resurrection of Christ, Thomas became acquainted with Habban, a merchant of king Gondophare of India. It was in the company of this merchant that Thomas landed at Cranganore on the Malabar Coast of present day Kerala in 52 A.D.

After building seven churches on this coast, St Thomas crossed over to Coromandel Coast of India's eastern seaboard and enriched the southern part of India with the seeds of the Gospel in a land that had never known what this Gospel of salvation was. It was a hard fight which made him to go into hiding in the Little Mount. When at last he reached the Parangi Malai (present St Thomas Mount), perhaps he found that this place was better suited for his life of solitude and prayer. But that very spot and that very moment of prayer were sealed and sanctified when he became a libation for the Gospel in the year 72 A.D.

His mortal remains were shifted to Santhome where the huge Basilica of St Thomas was erected later to entomb the Apostle's body. Thus the three punctuations of his itinerary in the city of Chennai – Little Mount, St Thomas Mount and Santhome – became places of pilgrimage. I Copy from the website because I found...