The Apostle Saint Thomas
St. Thomas
St. Thomas the Apostle is famously known as “Doubting Thomas” because he doubted that Christ had risen from the dead.
Before Jesus’ death, Thomas was a devoted disciple who was even willing to die with the Lord when he returned to Judea.
Saint Thomas, as an apostle, was tasked with disseminating Jesus’ teachings throughout the world.
While Saint Peter and Saint Paul are said to have brought the gospel to Greece and Rome, Saint Thomas is said to have brought it to India.
The churches of Malankara in India can be traced back to St. Thomas, who, according to local legend, arrived along the Malabar Coast in 52 C.E.
Saint Thomas is also linked to a group of ancient documents that bear his name. The Gospel of Thomas, the Acts of Thomas, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas are among these documents. It was common in the ancient world to attribute texts to an apostle or religious teacher even if they were not the true authors.
Jacques Callot | S. Thomas, apôtre (St. Thomas, Apostle), December 21st, from Les Images De Tous Les Saincts et Saintes de L'Année (Images of All of the Saints and Religious Events of the Year) | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)Saint Thomas Birth
The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was a fisherman who was born in 1st century AD Galilee, Roman Province of Judea, the Galileian city of Pansada.
Thomas With Jesus
All three synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us how, at the start of His earthly ministry, Jesus chose twelve disciples from among the multitudes who followed Him and named them Apostles. Thomas was one of the Twelve Apostles.
The gospels also tell how Jesus commanded them to go throughout all of Judea, Samaria, Galilee, and across the Jordan, preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God and how they received authority from Christ to cure the blind and to heal the sick, and to deliver those who were oppressed by from evil spirits just as He had done
Saint ThomasSaint Thomas Travels/Missionary
The first mention of Thomas’ missionary work comes from Eusebius of Caesarea, who quotes Origen (a mid-third-century scholar) as saying that Thomas was sent to Parthia (which is in modern-day Iran).
However, according to popular church tradition, Thomas traveled to India around 50 AD and evangelized the people there, possibly establishing up to seven churches. This tradition appears to have begun with the Acts of Thomas, and it is still extremely popular in some churches, particularly those claiming to be founded by him.
St. Thomas the Apostle w/ Gold FrameDoubting Thomas
Thomas was not present when the risen Jesus appeared to the disciples for the first time. When the others told Thomas,
“We have seen the Lord,”
he said he wouldn’t believe it unless he could touch Jesus’ wounds. Later, Jesus appeared to the apostles and invited Thomas to examine his wounds.
When Jesus appeared to the disciples again at the Sea of Galilee, Thomas was there with them.
Although it is not mentioned in the Bible, this disciple was given the nickname “Doubting Thomas” because he doubted the resurrection.
Skeptical people are sometimes referred to as “Doubting Thomases.”
St Thomas Life Facts
Can you imagine an apostle, Christ’s closest follower, having doubts about Jesus? St. Thomas did, and his disbelief teaches us the value of the gift of faith.
Thomas was not with the other apostles in the Upper Room in Jerusalem on the evening of Jesus’ Resurrection, so he was not present when Jesus appeared to them and showed them the wounds on his hands and side.
Domínikos Theotokópoulos, dit Le Greco 1541-1614 Tolède. Apostle Saint Thomas ca 1608 Toledo Museo del Greco.“We have seen the Lord,”
the other apostles later told Thomas (John 20:25). Imagine their surprise when Thomas responded,
“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe” (John 20:25).
A week later, Jesus appeared to the apostles once more. After wishing them peace, Jesus instructed Thomas to examine his hands and touch his side. He encouraged Thomas to believe. Thomas was embarrassed that he had questioned Jesus’ Resurrection.
“My Lord and my God!” he exclaimed. (Matthew 20:28)
Then Jesus declared,
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
Thomas never doubted the Lord again, and he dedicated his life to assisting others in believing in Jesus—even though they had never seen Him face to face. According to legend, Thomas traveled to India to spread the Gospel.
Even today, Catholics on India’s Malabar Coast refer to themselves as “Christians of Saint Thomas” because he founded their community and helped them grow in faith.
St. Thomas is revered as a saint by Catholics. His life teaches us to believe in everything the Lord has promised us so that, like Jesus, we can rise to new life.
Doubting ThomasThomas’ Accomplishments
Although little is known about Saint Thomas’s life, Christian tradition holds that he was the first missionary to India. He is widely regarded as the founder of the Church of the Syrian Malabar Christians, also known as the Thomas Christians.
For three years, the Apostle Thomas traveled with Jesus and learned from him. According to church tradition, after Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven, Thomas took the gospel message to the east and was eventually martyred for his faith.
We have these encouraging words from Jesus because of Thomas: “Because you have seen Me, Thomas, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen but believe ” (John 20:29). Thomas’ lack of faith has served to encourage all future Christians who have not seen Jesus and yet have believed in him and his resurrection.
Jacquard woven tapestry finished by hand and entirely made in Italy. Saint Thomas the Apostle 16×12″. 45% cotton, 45% polyester, and 10% lurex. Made in Italy.
Saint Thomas Feast Day
Now, the feast day of St. Thomas in Roman and Syrian catholic churches is on 3rd July. Also, the next Sunday of Easter (Pascha) is celebrated as the Sunday of Thomas in the communication of Thoma’s question to Jesus which led him to proclaim, My Lord and my God” and the day in Kerala is known as Puthunjayar.
Thomas is also commemorated in common with all the apostles on June 30th, in a feast known as the Synaxis of the holy apostles.
Saint Thomas Reflection
In his weakness and lack of understanding, Thomas shares the fate of Saint Peter the impatient, Saint James and Saint John, the “sons of thunder,” Saint Philip, and his foolish request to see the Father—indeed, all the apostles.
We must not exaggerate these facts because Christ did not choose worthless men. Their human frailty highlights the fact that holiness is a gift from God, not a human creation; it is given to ordinary men and women with flaws; and it is God who gradually transforms the flaws into the image of Christ, the courageous, trusting, and loving one.
Doubting ThomasHow did Saint Thomas die?
The legacy of St. Thomas lives on in the Christian tradition, a testament to his commitment and faith even unto death. Accounts vary as to exactly how it happened but most agree that he was killed with a spear while praying near Madras, India on July 3 or December 21 72 AD – either accidentally by jealous Hindu priests at Kali’s temple or through martyrdom for his beliefs. His burial place is now Ortona, Italy
Saint Thomas Key Takeaway
Thomas was given a bad rap. He had no more doubts than the rest of the disciples, and the only reason he did was that they had seen the resurrected Christ.
When the women returned from the empty tomb and saw the risen Christ, the disciples were skeptical as well. There is no doubt that Thomas was a devout Christian and a powerful missionary who was used by God for His glory.
Leendert van der Cooghen, incredulità di San TommasoSummary Saint Thomas
His Hebrew name was Thomas, and his Greek name was Didymus. He was sometimes referred to as Judas. Except for his name, Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us nothing about Thomas.
In his Gospel, however, Saint John defines him more precisely. Thomas appeared in the raising of Lazarus (John 11:2; John 11:3; John 11:4; John 11:5; John 11:6; John 11:7; John 11:8; John 11:9; John 11:10; John 11:11; John 11:12; John 11:13; John 11:14; John 11:15; John 11:16) and in the Upper Room (John 14:1; John 14:2; John 14:3; John 14:4; John 14:5; John 14:6) where he wanted to know how Jesus was going.
In John 20:25, he says he will not believe unless he sees the nail prints in Jesus’ hand and the spear gash in His side. That is how Thomas came to be known as Doubting Thomas.
Thomas was a pessimist by nature. He was a perplexed man. Nonetheless, he was a brave man. He was the type of man who couldn’t believe anything until he saw it for himself.
He was a man of faith and devotion. When Jesus arose, he invited Thomas to place his finger in the nail prints on his hands and side.
“My Lord and my God,”
says Thomas, the greatest confession of faith. Thomas’s skepticism was transformed into faith. Thomas’s faith grew strong, intense, and convincing as a result of this fact.
He was commissioned to build a palace for the king of India, and he was killed with a spear as a martyr for his Lord. His symbol consists of a slew of spears, stones, and arrows.
Finally, before you go, after reading the Story of Saint Thomas, you might have thought about a sacred haven in your garden. A statue of Saint Thomas will remind you of his life and teachings.
#1. Saint Thomas Sunday is usually a week after which festivity?
#2. When is apostle Thomas's feast day according to Indian Christian day?
#3. (John 11:1-16) Was Thomas?
#4. Who's wife and son did apostle Thomas convert in Syriac Mazda?
#5. Which other apostle was assigned to journey with Thomas to India?
#6. When were apostle Thomas's relics brought to Ortona in Abruzzo?
#7. Which village was the Gospel of Thomas discovered?
#8. This item is the apostle Thomas often depicted in medieval and early Renaissance art.
#9. According to tradition, when did apostle Thomas land in Kodungallur?
#10. When did apostle Thomas travel to Tamilekam?
Results
What is the significance of Saint Thomas the Apostle’s nickname, “Doubting Thomas”?
Saint Thomas, the Apostle is often referred to as “Doubting Thomas” because of his initial reluctance to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead, as recorded in the Bible in John 20:24; John 20:25; John 20:26; John 20:27; John 20:28; John 20:29. However, after seeing Jesus and putting his finger in the wounds, he declared his belief in Jesus as the Son of God.
Where is Saint Thomas the Apostle buried?
The tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle is believed to be located in the Indian city of Mylapore, Chennai, in the church of San Thome Basilica.
What is the connection between Saint Thomas the Apostle and India?
According to tradition, Saint Thomas the Apostle traveled to India and preached the gospel there, eventually being martyred in the city of Mylapore, Chennai. The Saint Thomas Christians, an ancient Christian community in India, trace their origins to the missionary activity of Saint Thomas the Apostle in India.
What are the miracles attributed to Saint Thomas the Apostle?
Many miracles are attributed to Saint Thomas the Apostle. One of the most famous is the healing of a man with leprosy who touched the relic of the Apostle’s hand. Others include the healing of a woman who was blind, the miraculous escape from the prison of a group of men who invoked his help, and the protection of ships from storms and shipwrecks by invoking his name.
