Jump to content

St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

Coordinates: 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Rococo1700 (talk | contribs) at 06:52, 27 November 2016 (→‎External links). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

San Thome Basilica
Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas
San Thome Basilica
San Thome Basilica is located in Chennai
San Thome Basilica
San Thome Basilica
Location within Chennai
13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778
LocationChennai, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
DenominationRoman Catholic (Latin Rite)
Websitewww.santhomechurch.com
History
Former name(s)San Thome Church
Authorising papal bull16 March 1956
StatusMinor Basilica[1]
DedicationSt. Thomas
Relics heldBone of St. Thomas
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationNational Shrine[2]
Designated7 February 2006
StyleNeo-Gothic
Completed1523 (Current building 1896)
Specifications
Length64 metres (210 ft)
Width12.2 metres (40 ft)
Nave width10 metres (33 ft)
Spire height47.2 metres (155 ft)
Clergy
ArchbishopAbp. George Antonysamy

San Thome Basilica (Tamil: சாந்தோம் பசிலிக்கா, Cān-Tōm Pacilikkā; Portuguese: Basílica de São Tomé) 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, over the tomb of St Thomas, an apostle of Jesus. In 1893, it was rebuilt as a church with the status of a cathedral by the British. The British version still stands today. It was designed in Neo-Gothic style, favoured by British architects in the late 19th century.

San Thome Basilica - Front Side
San Thome Basilica - Front Side

History

St Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, arrived at Muziris in present-day Kerala state in India from Judea in A.D. 52 and preached between A.D. 52 and A.D 72, when he was martyred on St. Thomas Mount.[1]

San Thome Basilica is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore. In 1956, Pope Pius XII raised the church to the status of a Basilica Minor, and on 11 February 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.[1]

  • The tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle
    The tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle
  • Main altar at San Thome Church
    Main altar at San Thome Church
  • Mother Mary at San Thome Church
    Mother Mary at San Thome Church
  • Jesus Christ at main altar in San Thome Church
    Jesus Christ at main altar in San Thome Church
  • San Thome Church
    San Thome Church
  • 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
  • San Thome Basilica
    San Thome Basilica
  • Inside the basilica - Main Prayer Hall
    Inside the basilica - Main Prayer Hall
  • San Thome Basilica - Lateral View
    San Thome Basilica - Lateral View
  • Altair of San Thome Basilica , Chennai
    Altair of San Thome Basilica , Chennai

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas". SanThomeChurch.com. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  2. ^ National Shrine Status Archived 27 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine
Wikimedia Commons has media related to San Thome Basilica, Chennai.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=St._Thomas_Cathedral_Basilica,_Chennai&oldid=751682109"