• Thomas is best known for doubting the resurrection of Jesus (John 20:24-29). When the other disciples told him they had seen the risen Christ, he famously declared, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." When Jesus later appeared and invited him to touch His wounds, Thomas responded with a powerful confession: "My Lord and my God!"
• He was also present at the Last Supper and questioned Jesus about the way to the Father (John 14:5).
• He was one of the witnesses of Christ's ascension and was later among the disciples in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost (Acts 1:13-14, Acts 2).
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Missionary Work (50 AD - 72 AD)
Early church tradition suggests that Thomas traveled far beyond the Roman Empire, preaching the Gospel in the East. His missionary work is primarily associated with Persia, Parthia, and India.
1. Mission in Persia and Parthia (50-60 AD)
• Several early Christian writings, including Eusebius of Caesarea (4th century), mention that Thomas preached the Gospel in Parthia (modern-day Iran and Iraq).
• The Acts of Thomas, an apocryphal text from the 3rd century, describes his missionary journeys and miracles.
2. Arrival in India (52 AD)
• Strong tradition holds that Thomas sailed to India around 52 AD, arriving at the Malabar Coast (modern-day Kerala).
• He is credited with founding the Seven Churches of Malabar, which later became known as the Saint Thomas Christians (or Nasrani).
• According to legend, he converted King Gondophares, a Parthian ruler of the Indo-Parthian kingdom (now parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan).
3. Later Years and Martyrdom (72 AD)
• Thomas eventually traveled eastward to Mylapore (modern-day Chennai, India), where he continued preaching and converting local people.
• He is said to have angered Hindu priests by converting many followers and was martyred around 72 AD.
• His death: Tradition states he was pierced with a spear on a hill near Chennai, now called St. Thomas Mount.
• His tomb is believed to be in Santhome Cathedral, Chennai, which is still a pilgrimage site today.
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Legacy
• The Saint Thomas Christians in India trace their origins directly to him.
• His influence reached as far as China, as Nestorian Christians in later centuries referred to his evangelistic work.
• He is the patron saint of India, architects, and doubters.