Santhome basilica is a religious monument located in South Chennai. Santhome Cathedral is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in Santhome, at Mylapore. Santhome basilica is one of the three churches in the world which holds the tomb of Apostles of Jesus Christ. St. Thomas is the apostle of Jesus after whom the church stands today in the name Santhome.
Santhome built during 16th century by Portuguese explorers. The present National Shrine of St. Thomas is built over the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle, who came to India in the year 52 AD.A valuable work of art kept in the Basilica is an ancient painting of Our Blessed Mother, in front of which the other great apostle of India, St. Francis Xavier, used to pray.
There are two new structures today: The Tomb Chapel below the Basilica and Museum cum Theatre. The new underground chapel with a separate access outside the church structure, allows pilgrims to pray at the tomb and tourists to visit it, without disturbing the sacred functions in the church.
Visiting time: 10:00am to 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: No
Camera Fee: Free for both Video and Still camera
Holidays: No
Monday to Saturday
05.45 A.M. Adoration, Rosary and Mass in English
11.00 A.M. Mass in Tamil ( Underground Tomb Chapel)
05.30 P.M. Benediction
05.45 P.M. Rosary, Mass in Tamil
Sundays
06.00 A.M. Mass in Tamil
07.15 A.M. Mass in English
08.15 A.M. Mass in Tamil
09.30 A.M. Mass in English
10.30 A.M. Mass in Malayalam ( Syro Malabar Rite )
12.00 P.M. Noon Mass in English
06.00 P.M. Mass in Tamil