St. Thomas

St. Thomas arrived in India north of the modern-day city of Cochin (Kerala) in about AD 52. He preached to the Jewish colony and established Christian communities at seven places, namely Maliankara (Kodungallore), Palayur, Paravur(Kottakavu), Gokamangalam (Kokamangalam), Niranam, Chayal (Nilackal) and Kollam(Quilon). There is also what is known as a “half-Church” at Thiruvithancode, which was a Church made on land donated by the local king. In almost all these places, there is a strong presence of St. Thomas Christian communities with ancient traditions.

From Kerala, St.Thomas proceeded to the eastern parts of south India where also he had converts and then preached as far as China. Later returning to India he was martyred at Mylapur (near Madras) in AD 72.

There is historical evidence of the representation of the churches in India at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicea. Records show that a Bishop named John attended the council and represented Persia and India. St. Ephrem attests to the missionary work of St. Thomas to India, and has composed hymns on St. Thomas on his mission in India, martyrdom and removal of bones to Edessa etc, in the 4th century. When the Portuguese reached India in 1498 A.D., they found Christians who were unanimous on the point that the apostle St. Thomas suffered martyrdom and was buried at Mylapur. Many non-Christian residents near Mylapur also witnessed to the Portuguese that St. Thomas had been buried there and that Christian settlements existed in the vicinity. St. Eusebius of Caesaria also wrote about St. Thomas in India.

The general consensus of opinion among scholars about the origin of Christianity in India is that the foundations of it in India were laid by St. Thomas, the apostle. Almost all serious historians do not subscribe to the view that Christianity in India had its origin out of the missionary works of the East Syrian church or of the Roman Catholic Church as neither church made any such unique claim.

The presence of the Jewish settlements in South India even before the Christian era is also proven without doubt, attesting to the presence of an active trade relation between Jews in Israel and South India. Cranganore, Palur, Paravoor etc where St Thomas established Christian Communities were also Jewish settlements and were great trading centers. The presence of the Jews at these places led Thomas to be invited to those places, where he as the result of his labors established Christianity.