Santhome Church

The word Santhome or San Thome is derived from Saint Thomas, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that apostle St. Thomas came to India in A.D.52 and was martyred in A.D.72 and was buried in Mylapore. A church was built over the tomb of the Saint and the area near the church is known as Santhome Church. Santhome is a part of Mylapore in Chennai city (old Madras) in India. Santhome Cathedral Basilica is one among the three churches built over the tomb of an apostle. The other two churches built over the tomb of an apostle are St. Peter's Basilica at Rome, Italy and the Saint James the Great at Santiago, Spain Santiago de Compostela.