By Leon Bent –
This is a hotly debated issue, but tradition insists, Christianity in Kerala was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle, who landed on the Malabar Coast, at Maliankara, near Cranganore (Kodungallur).
The St. Thomas Christians cling on to their unbroken belief, going back to their patron’s arrival in the year 52 A.D. The church here has remained faithful to the tradition of St Thomas’s journey from Palestine, via Syria, to India. It is a story long forgotten in the West, which has come to regard itself as the true home of the faith, forgetting that, Christianity is, quintessentially, an eastern religion.
Eight days after Jesus met his disciples following the Resurrection, he encountered St. Thomas. Since then, St. Thomas the Apostle has been better known as “Doubting” Thomas. His least-used title is “Apostle of India.” In the Subcontinent, the situation is very different. Here, even the vast non-Christian majority of 1.7 billion are aware of his role as missionary extraordinaire.
In the indigenous church of Kerala State, India has a tradition that St. Thomas sailed there to spread the Christian faith. He is said to have landed at a small port village, named Palayoor, near Guruvayoor, which was a priestly community at that time. Here he conversed with the community. Four prominent rich, priestly Hindu families accepted the Christian faith, and are said to have been baptized by St. Thomas himself.
St. Thomas had preached to the Hindus and the Jews of southern India, and had won thousands of converts. For the St. Thomas Christians, there is still no doubt that, their Christian heritage goes back to their patron’s arrival in 52.
Relics of St. Thomas are less common than his tombs, of which there are purportedly, six. A fascinating reliquary exists in Mylapore. Originally housing some of the saint’s bones, it is now empty. The decoration tells a heartening story of coexistence in India. With decoration in Hindu style, probably crafted by Muslims, on a Christian theme, it is a testament to Indian multiculturalism. The only thing missing is a Jewish element; it is known that the earliest converts to Christianity in southern India were, like Thomas himself, Jews. This is part of the diaspora that tends to be as forgotten by the Jewish community, as St. Thomas of India is, by Christians around the world.
Now, This gold nugget! Little is recorded of St. Thomas, the Apostle, in the Gospels. But, in the Gospel of John he plays a particularly distinctive part. Thomas is often condemned for his lack of belief, but Thomas was equally courageous, willing to stand by Jesus in dangerous times. He also relentlessly sought the Truth. He uttered those famous words regarding the resurrected Lord: “Unless I put my finger into his wounded side, I will not believe.” Like an inquisitive child, he constantly asked questions. And, his wonderful profession of faith, “My Lord and my God,” is the clearest declaration of Jesus’ divinity in Holy Scripture. You and I can use this mantra, when, at the Consecration, during Mass, the priest raises the Host (Body) and Chalice (Blood) of Jesus, in awe, adoration and worship of his Real Presence!
To this day, Saint Thomas is venerated as the Apostle of India. In fact, there exists a population of Christians along the Malabar Coast, on the western coast of India, who lay claim to conversion by St. Thomas. Their tradition holds that he built seven churches, was martyred during prayer on the “Big Hill” near Madras, and was buried in Mylapore, on the east coast of India. Ultimately, St. Thomas’ remains were transported to Ortona, Italy, where they reside today.
Now, this final flourish! “A Hindu lady was once asked, why do you come to a Christian church?” “Why not go to the temple?” “Because I have faith,” she reiterated simply. “When I have difficulties, St. Thomas solves them for me. Of course, I go to the temple, too. But, when a situation is too difficult to handle, I come here and pray, and my prayers are invariably answered. For me, St Thomas is definitely alive.”
The last word! In Kerala, almost every village has its local Saint-Thomas-tradition, full of miraculous elements. Just to collect them would be a very important task of anthropological research.
This last fling! I am quite certain Kerala-Christians, cherish their faith in Jesus Christ, more than any other Community, on the face of the earth!