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St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

Coordinates: 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778
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San Thome Basilica
San Thome Basilica
Map
13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778
LocationChennai, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitewww.santhomebasilica.com
History
Former name(s)San Thome Church
StatusMinor Basilica[1]
DedicationSt. Thomas
Relics heldBone of St. Thomas
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationNational Shrine[2]
Designated7 February, 2006
StyleGothic
Completed1523
Specifications
Length64 metres (210 ft)
Width12.2 metres (40 ft)
Nave width10 metres (33 ft)
Spire height47.2 metres (155 ft)
Clergy
ArchbishopAbp. Malayappan Chinnappa

San Thome Basilica is a Roman Catholic (Latin Rite) minor basilica in Santhome, in the city of Chennai (Madras), India. It was built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers, and rebuilt again with the status of a cathedral by the British in 1893. The British version still stands today. It was designed in Neo-Gothic style, favoured by British architects in the late 19th century.

History

Christian tradition holds that St Thomas one of the twelve disciples of Jesus arrived in Kerala from Israel in 52 A.D. preached between 52 A.D. and 72 A.D., when he was martyred on St. Thomas Mount.[citation needed]

San Thome Basilica is the principal church of the Madras-Mylapore Catholic Archdiocese. In 1956, Pope Pius XII raised the church to the status of a Minor Basilica, and on February 11, 2006, it was declared a national shrine by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. The San Thome Basilica is a pilgrimage centre for Christians in India. The church also has an attached museum. [3]

  • Marian grotto at San Thome Basilica
    Marian grotto at San Thome Basilica
  • Evening view of the basilica
    Evening view of the basilica
  • San Thome Basilica, c. 1905
    San Thome Basilica, c. 1905
  • Interior view of the basilica (before renovation)
    Interior view of the basilica (before renovation)
  • The nave of the basilica
    The nave of the basilica
  • Interior from Main Entrance
    Interior from Main Entrance
  • Lily pond at San Thome Basilica
    Lily pond at San Thome Basilica

See also

References

  1. ^ About San Thome Basilica
  2. ^ National Shrine Status
  3. ^ "Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas". SanThomeChurch.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
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