The Santhome church in Chennai.
Here is a picture of Jesus, with two peacocks, in San Thome Basilica.
The word Santhome or San Thome is derived from Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. South Indian Christian belief is that the apostle came to India in A.D.52, was martyred in A.D.72 at St.Thomas Mount in the City and was interred in Mylapore. A church was built over his tomb and this is known as the San Thome Basilica.
It is believed that it was St. Thomas who first brought Christianity to India. Certainly south India saw the establishment of the religion long before the European traders after Vasco da Gama began their proselytising activities in the subcontinent. There are only three basilicas in the world that are built over the tomb of an apostle, the other two are St. Peter's in Rome and St. Jame's in Spain.
Here is a picture of Jesus, with two peacocks, in San Thome Basilica.
This kind of Indian Christian iconography is quite common, especially in south Indian states. Garlands and peacocks will adorn statues, and Mary may appear in a Sari.
ACTS OF THOMAS
ReplyDeleteOnly ancient literature describing the mission of St.Thomas was written by Jewish author Bardaishan Acts of Thomas in the second century AD.
JOURNEY OF ST.THOMAS
1. Andropolis Kherbeta, Egypt.
2. Babylon, Iraq
3. Maishan (Meson Mesene) Iran
4. Sarbug Sarbak Baloochistan Iran.
5. Warkan Baloochistan, Pakistan.
6. Taxila Pakistan
7. Kingdom of Misdeus ? Ghazni Afghanistan
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ANDROPOLIS
St. Thomas visited Andropolis (Kherbeta) in Egypt first. The merchant Abbanes accompanied him. When he visited Egypt the kings daughter was getting married. The King had announced that all his subjects were required to participate in the wedding banquet.
St.Thomas attended the wedding but not eating. They were recling at the floor in the Arab style. Unguent was given to the guests which St.Thomas smeared to his head.
SMITTEN BY CUP-BEARER
One of the cup bearers smote him and St.Thomas cursed him that his hand will be eaten by Dogs. One jewish maid had heard this. When the Cup- Bearer went out he was killed by a Lion. A dog brought a half eaten hand to the banquet site.
When the king heard about this he wanted the saint to bless his daughter. St. Thomas or Jesus in the form of his twin brother advised the newly married couple to abstain from consummation.
Next day the queen was shocked to see her daughter without Veil sitting with her husband. She considered it shameless. King angered by this called searched for St.Thomas but St.Thomas had already set sail for India.
PTOLEMY - CLEOPATRA
Egypt had been ruled by a Greek kingdom from 305 BC to 30 BC. But after the defeat of Cleopatra and Mark antony, Egypt was ruled by Roman empire. But the king St.Thomas met could be an Arab Sheikh.
JOURNEY THROUGH BABYLON AND PERSIA
St.Thomas travelled south of Babylon to Maishan, then to Sarbug in Iran, and from there to Warkan in Ballochistan to Taxila in Pakistan.
GONDOPHARES OF
IND0-PARTHIAN KINGDOM
According to Acts of Thomas St.Thomas visited next King Gondaphares (20 to 46 AD)(Gundaphorus) belonging to Indo-Parthian dynasty who ruled from Taxasila, in Pakistan.
PALACE FOR GONDOPHORUS
St.Thomas, a trained carpenter and Architect was assigned to build a palace for King Gondophorus which he started in the Macedonian month Dios (October) and promised to complete it by Xanthikos (March). But St.Thomas spent the money for te welfare of poor. After six months when the king visited the site he found no palace. When the king enquired about the palace St.Thomas said the palace has been completed but not in this world. When the king was told that St.Thomas had built the palace in Heaven he realised that he had been cheated by St.Thomas.
IMPRISONMENT OF ST.THOMAS
St.Thomas alongwith Habban was imprisoned by King Gondaphares.
GAD
That night the kings long ailing brother Gad after making Gondophorus the guardian of his children died. Gad was taken by the Angels to heaven where he saw a beautiful palace. When Gad tried to enter the house the Angels stopped him saying that it had been kept ready for King Gondophares. Then the Angels sent him back to earth. Gad came to life and explained his brother the happenings.
BAPTISM OF GONDOPHARES
Gondophares released the Apostle from the prison. Perhaps Abbanes was also released. Gondaphares and Gad were baptized as Christians by St.Thomas.
YOUTH BITTEN BY SNAKE
St.Thomas brought to life an youngman back to life by commanding the snake which had bitten him to suck back the venom.
WOMAN SLAIN BY BOYFRIEND
St.Thomas brought back to life a woman slain by her boyfriend who was a follower of the Apostle.