St.

Thomas, Apostle Feast Day: July 3

Can you imagine an Apostle, the closest followers of Christ, having doubts about Jesus? St. Thomas did and his disbelief helps us to understand how important the gift of faith is. On the evening of Jesus Resurrection, Thomas was not with the other Apostles in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, so he was not present when Jesus appeared to them and showed them the wounds on his hands and his side. Later, the other Apostles told Thomas, We have see the Lord (John 20:25). Imagine how shocked they must have been when Thomas answered them by saying, Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe (John 20:25). A week later, Jesus again came to the Apostles. After wishing them peace, Jesus told Thomas to look at his hands and to touch his side. He invited Thomas to believe. Thomas was ashamed that he had doubted Jesus Resurrection. He said, My Lord and my God! (John 20:28). Then Jesus said, Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed (John 20:29). Thomas never doubted the Lord again and he dedicated his life to helping others to believe in Jesuseven though they never saw Christ face to face. Tradition tells us that Thomas went to India to spread the Gospel. Even today, the Catholics living on the Malabar Coast, the southwest part of India, call themselves Christians of St. Thomas because he founded their community and helped them to grow in faith. We honor St. Thomas as a saint. His life teaches us to trust in everything the Lord has promised us so that we, too, can rise to new life, as Jesus did.

St. Thomas Day

July 3rd we commommorate the memory of St Thomas, the apostle of India. Actually this is not his day of death or funeral but the the day his mortal remains were transferred to Eddesa centuries later. The intention behind such a transfer is highly questionable and we should not celebrate this day as memorial. On December 18 he was piercied and on 21 he left for his heavenly abode. December 18, 19, 20 and 21 should we not observe lent for our father suffered on these days? and these four days should be the St Thomas day, not the day of transfer. Of course I do agree that the transfer is a further testimony of St thomas' presence in India but more important is the day of suffering and death. Attached herewith is my article on St Thomas, Any thought? Fr. KK John

Feast Day of Saint Thomas

The Feast Day of Saint Thomas is 3rd July formally December 21st. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven. Dhukorono Of St. Thomas (July 3rd)

St. Thomas Day (July 3rd)

Some of the sayings attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you,'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and it is outside you.: Thomas, Saying 3 Jesus said, "Look to the living one as long as you live, otherwise you might die and then try to see the living one, and you will be unable to see." :Thomas, Saying 59 Jesus said, "Whoever is near me is near the fire, and whoever is far from me is far from the Father's kingdom.": Thomas, Saying 82 Jesus said, "Images are visible to people, but the light within them is hidden in the image of the Father's light. He will be disclosed, but his image is hidden by his light.": Thomas, Saying 83 Moderators's Note: ------------------------------------Also note some of the more relevant passages in the Bible regarding the witness of St. Thomas: John 11:16 :Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."John 20:28: Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" May the prayers of the beloved saint of our land and Holy Apostle Thomas be a strong fortress for us.

The Patron Saint Thomas

What is the definition and the meaning of the Patron Saints and why were these people chosen to become patrons of causes, professions and countries? The term 'Patron' is used in Christian religions, including the Roman Catholic religion, to describe holy and virtuous men and women who are considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a country. There is a patron for virtually every cause, country, profession or special interest. There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Thomas The following provides fast and concise facts and information: The patron of Architects, Builders and India Memorial Day / Feast Day: 3rd July formally December 21st One of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Date of Death: Saint Thomas died in c72 Cause of Death: Stabbed Who or what is Saint Thomas the patron saint of? Saint Thomas is the patron of Architects, Builders and India. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf. The Story and History of Saint Thomas The story and history of Saint Thomas. Thomas was also called the Twin (Didymus) was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He was a loyal follower of Jesus at the time of the crucifixion in Jerusalem. Like the rest of His followers Thomas was devastated at the death of his Master. When he heard the news of the resurrection from other disciples he was unable to believe this to be true. Jesus then appeared again and rebuked Thomas for being his lack of faith and being so unwilling to believe. Thomas received the proof of the resurrection seeing the points where the nails had penetrated Christ's hands and the wounds in His sides where the spear had penetrated. the point of the nails and putting his fingers in the place of the nails and his hand into His side. Thomas then put his fingers in the places where the wounds were inflicted. So came about the story of 'Doubting Thomas'. Thomas the Apostle, reluctantly at first, undertook to preach in Persia and India, where many people converted to Christianity. Thomas died in India, stabbed to death by opposes of the Christian teachings. Death of Saint Thomas There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Thomas died in A.D. c72. Cause of Death: Stabbed. Why is Saint Thomas the patron of Architects, Builders and India? Why is Saint Thomas is the patron of Architects, Builders and India? Due to the Golden Legend where he is said to have been sent as an architect to build a great palace for Gondoforus the King of the Indies. How Saint Thomas is represented in Christian Art It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Thomas in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Thomas is represented in Christian Art with a builder's square. Feast Day of Saint Thomas The Feast Day of Saint Thomas is 3rd July formally December 21st. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.