Dear beloved in Lord Jesus Christ,

July is a month of commemoration of some of our Church fathers, beginning with the feast of remembering the founder of our Church St. Thomas, one of the Apostle of Lord Jesus. This is one of the three feasts commemorating Apostle St. Thomas in a year. It is on 3rd July --- commemorating the shifting of St. Thomas mortal remains from Uraha to Edessa. The other two falls on December 21st – the day of his martyrdom (at Mylapoor, Chennai) and on 1st Sunday after Easter celebrates his declaration of “Faith” in our Lord Jesus after touching the risen Jesus. In the St. John’s Gospel, we find three references to St. Thomas. These references give certain insight into the character of St. Thomas. He was a passionate follower of Jesus, his Master, even ready to risk his own life for Jesus ,saying “Let us also go and die with him” (John 11:16).

While others hesitant, Thomas was very open and bold, clearing his doubts with Jesus  about the lesson  on ‘His Father’ (John 14:5). It shows his earnest and honest discipleship. This character is more clear by his refusal to accept the words of the other disciples that they had seen the risen Christ saying – “I will never believe, without touching his wounds...”. Thus on the eight day Jesus appeared to him were Thomas cried out in total submission, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:25).

St. Thomas the apostle of India was a man of true faith, curiosity and a great lover of his Master. As we remember the Patron St. Thomas, may his life be an inspiration. May God Almighty bless all by his intercessory prayers.

May God bless you all,                                                     

Yours in the service of the Lord,        

Thomas Achen.