San Thome Basilica (Tomb of St. Thomas)
The burial place of St. Thomas.
St. Thomas → Plan a trip hereThe Story
San Thome Cathedral Basilica in the Mylapore district of Chennai, India, rises over the tomb traditionally identified as that of St. Thomas the Apostle. It is one of only three churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus, alongside St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. According to the ancient tradition of the St. Thomas Christians of India, the apostle — who confessed the risen Christ with the words 'My Lord and my God' (John 20:28) — landed on the Malabar coast in AD 52, preached the Gospel and founded Christian communities, and was martyred around AD 72 at what is now St. Thomas Mount, near Chennai. His body, tradition holds, was buried at Mylapore, and his tomb was venerated by generations of Christians and travelers, including Marco Polo. The Portuguese built a church over the tomb in 1523. The present neo-Gothic cathedral was raised in its place between 1893 and 1896, its white spire becoming a landmark of the city. Pope Pius XII raised the church to the rank of minor basilica in 1956, and St. John Paul II prayed at the tomb during his visit in 1986. Today the basilica serves as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore and a national shrine of India. Pilgrims descend to the underground tomb chapel, visit the museum, and venerate the apostle whose feast is celebrated on July 3, giving thanks for a Christian presence in India that tradition traces to the apostolic age itself.
Church Recognition
San Thome is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, raised to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Pius XII in 1956 and honored as a national shrine; the Church venerates it as the traditional tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle.
Catholic Teaching
The basilica bears witness to the apostolicity of the Church, founded on the apostles and their witness to the risen Christ (CCC 857–865); St. Thomas' confession, 'My Lord and my God,' remains a model act of faith in the divinity of Jesus.
Plan Your Visit
Practical
Additional Information
Pilgrims visit the underground tomb chapel beneath the basilica, the museum of St. Thomas relics and history, and the venerated image of Our Lady of Mylapore; celebrations peak on the feast of St. Thomas, July 3, and the site is commonly joined with visits to nearby St. Thomas Mount, the traditional place of his martyrdom.
Go Deeper
The basilica's official website is https://santhomechurch.org. See the Catechism on the apostolic foundation of the Church (CCC 857–865), and studies of the St. Thomas Christians of India for the early traditions of the apostle's mission and martyrdom.
Location
Visit the official website ↗ See it on the interactive map →Pilgrim Photos
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In the Area
Other sacred sites within 40 miles.