Feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle || JULY 3 / DUKRANA / Patron Saint Of India / Sr. Nirmala SCCG

INTRODUCTION St. Thomas was born as a Jew, probably a builder like St. Joseph, in Galilee and was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. His date of birth is unknown and his date of death is December 21, 72. His feast, formerly observed on December 21st, is now celebrated on July 3rd known as Dhukrana which means remembrance. St. John the Evangelist gives three interactions of Thomas with Jesus which are all communicative of the commitment of Thomas to Jesus and his ministry. Thomas was the only apostle who went outside Roman Empire to preach the gospel. Along with other countries, he also preached in India and was martyred there. Though he was buried in Mylapore, major parts of his remains were moved to Edessa and Italy. Name The original name of St. Thomas, according to tradition, is Judas Thomas or Judas the Twin. The literal meaning of Thomas is twin originated from Te’oma in Aramaic and Didymos in Greek(John 11:16). Probably St. Thomas had a twin brother or sister. According to the Syriac tradition, St. Thomas is also known as Mar Thoma Sleeha which means Lord Thomas the Apostle. In the Gospels The name of Thomas is listed along with the other apostles in the Synoptic gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13). However, the personality of St. Thomas is demonstrated at three occasions in the fourth gospel. Feast days of St. Thomas The feast of St. Thomas was celebrated on December 21st according to the Roman calendar of the 9th century believing that he died on that date. In 1969, this feast was transferred to July 3rd because that was the date mentioned by St. Jerome in his Martyr-ology. The remains of St. Thomas were transferred from Mylapore to Edessa on July 3, 232. So, the remembrance of St. Thomas was also associated with that date. Transferring the feast from December 21stto July 3rdwas advantageous for better observance of advent. Traditionalist Roman Catholics and many protestant churches still celebrate the feast of St. Thomas on December 21st. The Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches celebrate feast of St. Thomas on October 6th. The Sunday after Easter is also celebrated as the feast of St. Thomas in remembrance of St. Thomas proclaiming his faith in the Risen Lord by stating, “My Lord and my God.” The Malankara Orthodox church celebrates three feasts of St. Thomas: on July 3rd remembering the transfer of relics to Edessa, on December 18th the day St. Thomas was lanced and on December 21st when he died. Patron Saint St. Thomas is patron of people struggling with doubt, blind people, architects, builders, carpenters, construction workers, geometricians, stone masons, surveyors, theologians; and places such as Certaldo, Italy, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In art, Saint Thomas is commonly depicted as a young man holding a scroll, or as a young adult touching the resurrected Christ’s wounds. Message 1. While Jesus expressed his wish to visit the house of Lazarus at his death, Thomas encouraged other apostles to go with Jesus even if that would lead to their martyrdom. Though Thomas failed in this at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus, he boldly took up the martyrdom for Jesus. Let us also find the courage to continue the evangelization of Jesus even at the risk of losing our life. 2. Apostle Thomas was instrumental in the revelation of Jesus that he is the way to the Father. Thomas also taught this way to people of many nations. Let us also accept the way of Jesus as the only way to the Father and never get deviated from it. 3. Though St. Thomas missed the opportunity to witness the Risen Lord on the first day of Resurrection along with other apostles, He did not give up his faith. He remained praying with the group patiently. That gave him another opportunity to experience the Risen Lord. Thomas compensated his lack of faith through his expression of “My Lord and My God.” We also might have ups and downs in our spiritual journey. However, we should never give up our faith and hope in the Lord. 4. According to the Acts of Thomas, the apostle taught the Indo-Parthian king Gundaphorus the need for storing treasures in heaven with the available resources of this world. Thomas risked his life to teach that lesson. Let us also follow that teaching of Jesus promoted by Thomas in our life. 5. Though all the apostles witnessed the ascension of Jesus to heaven, only Thomas had the privilege to witness the assumption of the Blessed Mother. Like the post-resurrection experience, God compensated the missed opportunity of Thomas seeing the Blessed Mother at deathbed, by allowing him to witness the assumption of the mother of Jesus. So like Thomas added a proof for the resurrection of Jesus, Thomas became instrumental in the promotion of the belief in the assumption of the Blessed Mother. Let us also honor the Blessed Mother and seek her intercession in keeping up our faith. #StThomasapostle #july3dukrana #FeastDayStThomas