It towers stark white against the Chennai skyline, sandwiched between the backdrop of a cobalt blue sky and the azure waters of the ocean. In contrast to the blaring horns and bustle of frenzied activity on the street on which it stands, calm and peace are all-pervasive inside the Cathedral of Santhome Basilica. The church, which derives its name from San Thome or Saint Thomas, stands distinct, with several slender spires, its tallest one rising to an imposing height, 155 ft. from ground level. This lends a sense of strong verticality to the monument, making the cathedral appear taller than it actually is.
The Gothic-style church is one among only three churches in the world that is erected over the tomb of an Apostle. The other two shrines are St. Peter’s Basilica, built over the tomb of St. Peter in Rome, and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela built over the tomb of St. James in Spain. The basilica has an impressive sanctuary with decorative and intricate tracery on the pointed windows which illuminate its interiors. The elaborate and ornate stained glass windows depict St. Thomas and the other Apostles. They also capture in words the divine moment of St. Thomas’s meeting with the resurrected Christ.
Curved arches
The 40-ft.-high, polished coffee brown ceiling of the nave is flanked by white, curved arches for support, on either side. It is further bedecked with elegant chandeliers, yet again an iconic feature of Gothic constructions.
A seated figurine of St. Thomas is placed inside the sanctuary. The basilica is also home to an ancient statue of Our Blessed Mother Mary , in front of which St. Francis Xavier, another great apostle of Jesus is believed to have prayed during his visit here in 1545.
The tomb chapel below the basilica and the museum-cum-theatre are newer additions to the church building. The chapel has a separate access from the outside which enables church activities to function without being interrupted by tourists visiting the cathedral. Over the tomb, a statue of St. Thomas in resting state is placed in a covered glass case, over which is erected a marble altar.
Memorabilia
The museum contains memorabilia of St. Thomas and also displays a spear that killed him. Stories on stone narrate the deeds of the saint and also exhibit engravings of stamps that were released in his honour.
A short film on the life of St. Thomas is screened in the mini-theatre. The church as it stands today was rebuilt several times over the centuries – first by the Portuguese in 1523 and finally by the British in 1896 who favoured the Gothic architectural style. On March 16, 1956, the church was declared a Minor Basilica by Pope Pius XII.
