Sacred relic of St. Thomas transported to Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram – The sacred relic of St. Thomas the Apostle, believed to have arrived in India in 52 A.D. and martyred 72A.D., has been brought from Ortona in Italy and is being taken to various churches and pilgrim centres across Kerala.

Changanassery Archbishop Joseph Powathil and Niranam Pilgrim Centre Rector Fr .Philip Nelpuraparambil organized bringing the holy relic from Italy.

The relic was taken in a procession to Athirampuzha Forane Church on the way to Kottayam Forane Church.The relic was installed at the Marthoma Pilgrim Centre in Niranam on July 3, the St Thomas Day.

Hundreds of devotees and dignitaries, including Chenganassery Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perrumthottam, Kerala Minister C.F. Thomas, legislator P.C.George and senior priests were among those who received the holy relics at the airport.

According to the Church officials in the Changanassery archdiocese, the holy relic was taken to the Forane churches in Kurumbanad, Nedumkunnam and Manimala on Monday and Tuesday, before it was installed at the Marthoma Pilgrim Centre in Niranam.

Indian Christians believe St. Thomas the Apostle founded the Church in India. In India, St. Thomas undertook to build a palace for Gundafor, but spent the money on the poor. Gundafor imprisoned the Apostle, but he escaped miraculously and converted Gundafor. The saint also converted several rulers and others in the region.

However, he was condemned to death. Soldiers pierced him with spears when he was praying on a hilltop near what is now known as Chennai. He was buried at Mylapore, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

His remains were later removed to the city of Edessa, in Mesopotamia. People in Edessa, just like Indian Christians, celebrate St. Thomas' feast on July 3 following the Roman Catholic calendar.

After eight hundred years, the relics were transported to the West, and now rest in Ortona, Italy.