The article "Doubting Thomas" in Madras Musings (Vol. XXVII, No. 16, December 1-15, 2017) by Simeon Mascarenhas explores the historical and traditional accounts of Apostle Thomas, also known as "Doubting Thomas," and his mission to India. The piece details the legend of the relics, noting that a Christian merchant from Edessa reportedly removed Thomas's relics from Mylapore in 165 or 166 CE and brought them to Edessa, though the authenticity of relics in the São Tomé Basilica remains unproven.
Key historical points covered in the article include:
Martyrdom Location: All Syriac sources and traditions agree that Thomas was martyred in the Pandyan country (Mylapore), not Kerala, and was buried in the 'Little Mount of Mylapore'.
Portuguese Excavation: In 1523, Portuguese excavations at the site of a half-ruined church in Mailapur uncovered human remains, including a skull and ribs, along with a preserved lance tip, which led to the conclusion that the grave belonged to Thomas based on local tradition and the age of the bones.
Early Christian Presence: The article highlights that a small but significant community of Eastern Rite Christians existed in Mylapore for centuries before the arrival of the Portuguese, with trading links to Persia and the Levant, and that the site was a pilgrimage center for Muslims, Hindus, and Christians alike.
Historical Evidence: While there is no written account in India from Thomas's time, the oral tradition is strong, and early travelers like Marco Polo (1293) and Franciscan priests confirmed the universal belief in Thomas's presence and martyrdom in Mylapore.
The article concludes that while hard historical evidence for the exact location of the apostle's remains is lacking, the oral traditions of the East and the consistent reports from early travelers and explorers provide a compelling case for Thomas's ministry and death in Mylapore