Old Silk Routes by Land and Sea  –  time of Christ  [i]
 

[i]  Illustration: Old Silk Routes by Land and Sea, adapted to show possible route of St. Thomas, with Details used later for Maps marking Section beginnings:  Mark, Joshua J. "Silk Road”. World History Encyclopedia.   Last modified May 01, 2018.  {https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk_Road/}  Public Domain.

                                                                          Design for the Nasrani Cross taught by St. Thomas  [i]        

[i]  Illustration:  Design of Syrian Nasrani Cross – (Govindsharma. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons).   “MarThomaSleeva.png”.   {https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MarThomaSleeva.png} (accessed December 1, 2021). with Details used later as Themes for Section endings: (Steps,  Menorah,  Flower,  Branches,  Buds,  Dove).
      Also, the following article clearly explains the “teaching” elements of the Nasrani Cross design adopted by St. Thomas:  “Nasrani Cross”. Seiyaku.com.  {https://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/nasrani.html} (accessed December 1, 2021). 

Jerusalem, the Holy Land 
 
 
Master  –  with Jesus  
 
In the Gospel this disciple 
is not often seen or named, 
but clearly three times Thomas speaks in John  
words that all have learned 
 
The first, an impulse at the time,
defines Disciple Thomas and his spirit:
“Let us go with him and die”  [i]
– as Apostle later, this he did  
 
When he could not see the Kingdom
he asked his Teacher in frank speech,
“How shall we know the way?”  [ii]
to Jesus’ famous answer: “I am the Way.”   
 
And finally, this Doubter told his friends,
“Unless I see the wounds and touch with hands, 
his Rising I cannot believe.”  [iii]
But when he saw and touched: “My Lord and God !” 
 
“You have believed because you have seen,” 
said Jesus, supplying Thomas’ theme
for all his life and travels  [iv] 
where hallowed hands spread blessings far.


 
[i]  John 11:16  –  “So Thomas, called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go to die with him.’  ”  

[ii]  John 14:5-6  –  “Thomas said to him, ‘Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?’  Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’  ”

[iii]  John 14:25-28  –
“So the other disciples said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’
Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 
Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.’  Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’  ” 

[iv]  The main source for this poem, difficult to obtain at this time:  D’Souza, Rt. Rev. Herman. In the Steps of St. Thomas. Madras 7, India: Diocesan Press, Fourth Edition, 1983.  This useful guide was prepared for tourists and pilgrims visiting shrines in Madras. Each edition from 1952 increased the scholarly references, especially the Second Edition (done for the 19th Centenary of the Apostle in 1972), the major revision.
         Also, see:  Ainy. “Índia on St Thomas”.   iStampGallery.com. {https://istampgallery.com/st-thomas-19th-death-centenary/} (accessed December 1, 2021).  This is an example of a short, clear summary for the history of St. Thomas in India, found among many confirming sources, including topical websites and articles in Wikipedia. 
                                           

His Cross stands upon a Trinity of Steps

The Jewish Exile Diaspora to earlier Syrian Lands
 
  
Mission – Thomas, to India  
 
As Jesus sent disciples out he taught,
“Go first to the Lost Sheep of Israel,”  [i]
including ten-plus-two tribes spread outland 
at time of Exile – in Syria and Persia. 
 
Tradition says the Twelve drew lots   
for the known World 
and Thomas drew the Lot for India  
not pleasing, so they say, but clear 
 
And how, to India, should he go ? 
The Old Silk Road had most Lost Sheep,  
and Syria, above the Gallilean Sea, sent caravans 
where Thomas still could teach in Aramaic   
 
The trip for Thomas took some years, 
always East and South, step by step, 
learning and teaching, new methods from his path, 
Parthia, Medea, Persia, and more – to India   
 
From Syria came his Cross, design Nasrani,   
teaching with this tool he left a trail
of stone-carved Crosses at each stay,
with Christ revealed to crowds and kings along the way 
 

His Cross is supported by a Menorah

Malabar Coast on west tip of India,  with seven churches of St. Thomas  [i]   
 
 
Malabar Coast – The Song     
 
Christ said, “Go to the ends of the Earth,” [ii] 
so Thomas Eastward went
from Indus’ mouth, bound to Socotra isle,   
Year 52 arrived in merchant ship at Malabar....  
 
That western coast of India 
still had its Jews and Synagogue 
and, as each place before,  
after the Lost Sheep, then natives had their turn 
 
The Syrian Church at Malabar 
still has a Song of Thomas  [iii]
chanted in churches there for centuries, 
1060 written down by Priest named Thomas   
 
A sample from this Song:  
“He built a church surmounted by a cross, 
first priest ordained was Rajah’s son-in-law 
next stop they plant a cross, baptize 2000, even more .” 
 
Departure was his Method, says the Song,  
“He started for another Tamil land, expecting no return.
Impossible to tell his works at Malabar by Sign of Cross
from Hand that touched the Wounds….” 
 
 
[i]  Illustration:  Map Showing the Seven Churches at Malabar :  
    In the Steps of St. Thomas, main source for this poem. (Page number varies by edition. See Endnote 4 above). 

[ii]  Acts 1:8-9, Jesus says  – “  ‘But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’  When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.” 

[iii]  In the Steps of St. Thomas, main source for this poem. (See Endnote 4 above),  pp 17-19.


His Cross rests in the Chalice of a Flower

 Stone Cross of St. Thomas  at Chennai, Large Mount Altar
 
 
Martyrdom – Madras      
 
Eastward, deathward, still he goes
with Jesus  “till the end of the Age”  [i]
here earlier he had explored, now stays more years, 
this was his final Step and stop....    
 
Mylapore – the city where he knew the King
who welcomed him and preaching.  
He built a church and house of prayer and teaching,
in Syrian called “Madrasth… Madrasa…”  [ii]
 
Small Mount – held his solitary Cave of Prayer  
with miracle Spring to quench the thirsting crowds, 
in later years, when Brahmins of the King made threat 
he hid for safety in this wilderness of brush and stone 
 
Large Mount – still forced to flee, nearby he climbed, 
Nature’s crude, rough Calvary, where Steps now aid. 
Again he knelt before his teaching Cross of stone,
where thrust by spear, like Nature’s deer, he fell
 
A sharp lance pierced his side,
on his beloved Cross blood ran down.... 
His faithful, seeking, found his body 
and walked it home to his “Madras.”   
 
 

[i]  Matt. 28:20,  Jesus says,  –  “…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”  

[ii]  In the Steps of St. Thomas, main source for this poem (See Endnote 4 above),  p. 35.

[iii]  Of the Twelve Apostles to hold the title after Matthias' selection, Christian tradition has generally passed down that all except one were martyred, with only John surviving into old age. “Apostles in Christianity”. Wikipedia.org.  {https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles_in_Christianity#Deaths}  (accessed December 1, 2021). 


His Cross has Arms for nearly equal Deaths  [iii]  

 Roman Basilica Minor, St. Thomas Cathedral, Madras,
                  planned 1606 and finished 1896   [i]
 
Mylapore – the Tomb

“Blessed they who have not seen”:  [ii]   
from early years his Relics were enshrined 
Tip of Spear, some Bones, and Jar of Blooded Earth, 
sixteen feet deep, five layers each of sand and stone  
 
His Body was “translated” back to Syria, 
carried, they say, by Merchant Habban,
whose trade ship brought him first to Malabar,
Edessa’s churches sang him praise in Ephrem’s hymns.   
 
Year 1500 – Indians, Christians still, greet new ships
as Portuguese arrive, and later famous Xavier,
who stays four months at “old Madrassa house,” 
in order to “consult St. Thomas” for future paths.   
 
The new arrivals excavate, explore, and build: 
Small Mount,  Large Mount,  Mylapore,
new churches fill, with miracles recorded
– two hundred fifty years, the Bleeding Cross …. 
 
Then follow centuries more of pilgrims, feasts.
communities build houses near Large Mount
small Mylapore absorbed in modern, large “Madras.” 
all these around the altars and his Tomb.
 


[i]  Illustration:  Basilica Minor, St. Thomas Cathedral, Madras, planned 1606 and finished 1896:   (w:user:PlaneMad, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons).   “Santhome Basilica.jpg”.   {https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Santhome_Basilica.jpg}   (accessed December 1, 2021).     

[ii]  John, 20:29 – “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.’  ” 



His Cross tips bud as Syrian pomegranates    

Old Silk Routes for North, West and East India,  Malabar Coast shadowed on left side


 Mandate  –  Apostolic

“On Peter’s Rock I build my Church”  [i]
this Thomas heard, carried in his heart that center’s gifts,
the Mass and sacraments, the Cross, the Church
as did all Twelve: Convert, Baptize, Confirm, Ordain
 
The Song of Malabar says from Thomas came 
seven priests, two bishops, with churches built,
and baptized over twenty thousand, 
confirmed for strength “Catholic” and “Apostolic.”  [ii]
 
From synagogue ruins at Palayur, through Malabar,
and Virgin’s blessing shrine at Malleatur mount,  [iii]
formed old, strong links with Rome,  
the “Thomas Christians” of “Syro-Malankara Rite” 

Another branch grew strong in Mylapore-Madras
where Portuguese brought Latin Rite –
that Diocese, Year 1600, cathedral planned,
two hundred years a-building, done 1896  [iv]
 
Today the Indian Christians of Catholic faith,
though fraction small, count high in millions  [v]
and India, who honors them with Stamps and studies, 
also named St Thomas’ Feast as India Christian Day. 
 
 
[i]  Matt. 16:18, Jesus said  –   “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”  

[ii]  In the Steps of St. Thomas, (See Endnote 4 above),  p. 19.

[iii]  “St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Malayattoor”. Wikipedia.org.  {https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Syro-Malabar_Church,_Malayattoor}  (Accessed December 1, 2021).  – shrine in Malabar  –  “The church here has been designated by the Vatican as one among the eight International shrines in the world.” 

[iv]   In the Steps of St. Thomas, (See Endnote 4 above),  pp. 41-42.

[v]   “Christianity in India”.   Wikipedia.org. {https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_India} (accessed December 1, 2021). “Christianity is India's third-largest religion after Hinduism and Islam,  … with about 27.8 million adherents, constituting 2.3 percent of India's population.


A Dove descends upon his Cross 

A sharp lance pierced his side,
on his beloved Cross blood ran down 
  
Thomas, True Apostle 

                                                                        (2020s)     

                                                          Indian stamp, St. Thomas 19th Centenary  [i]  
 
India Christian Day proclaimed in 2021

July 3, the Feast Day of St. Thomas  [ii]

[i]  Illustration:  Indian stamp, St. Thomas 19th Centenary :  (Post of India, GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons).   “Stamp of India - 1973 - Colnect 372300 - 19th Death Centenary St Thomas - Stone Cross.jpeg”.   Wikimedia.org.  {https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stamp_of_India_-_1973_-_Colnect_372300_-_19th_Death_Centenary_St_Thomas_-_Stone_Cross.jpeg}  (accessed December 1, 2021). 

[ii]   “First India Christian Day”.  asianews.it. PIME AsiaNews, 06/29/2021.   {https://www.asianews.it/news-en/First-Indian-Christian-Day-on-3-July-53526.html}  (accessed December 1, 2021).