Thomas, apostle - July 3rd
St Thomas (Relics: Rome, Italy; Ortona, Italy; Mylapore, India)
A tradition holds that in the 3rd century the bones of St Thomas the Apostle were taken from India and brought to Edessa, Turkey. In 1258 they were transferred to Ortona, Italy.
First Class Relics
Basilica di San Tommaso Apostolo
(Basilica of St Thomas the Apostle)
Corso Giacomo Matteotti 35
66026 Ortona, Italy
*The relics of St Thomas the Apostle rest within a golden casket placed within a white marble altar located in the crypt of this church.
San Thome Basilica
19/38, Santhome High Road
600004 Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
*Tradition holds that St Thomas the Apostle preached in this region and was martyred on St Thomas Mount.
*This church is built over the tomb of St Thomas. The tomb is empty; however, a few small relics are within the church.
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
(Holy Cross In Jerusalem)
Piazza di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme 12
Rome, Italy
*This church is east of the the Basilica of St John Lateran.
*A bone from the index finger of St Thomas the Apostle is located here. It is said that this is the same finger that he inserted into the side of the Risen Christ. Also the first chapel on the left side of the nave is dedicated to St Thomas.
*Also found here are relics of the True Cross brought to Rome by St Helena in 325. These relics include: the Titulus Crucis (This is the sign that hung over the head of Christ and that declared him to be the King of the Jews), a Crucifixion nail, a relic of the True Cross, two thorns from the Crown of Thorns, the greater part of the sponge used to give Christ vinegar, and a piece of the cross from the good thief (St Dismas).
*This chapel can be accessed by the staircase on the left side of the sanctuary.
Churches of Honor in Rome
San Tommaso in Parione
(Saint Thomas in Parione)
Via Parione 33
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza Navona. It is not open often.
*This is the national church of Ethiopia and is dedicated to St Thomas the Apostle.
