Feast of the Miraculous Cross of Mylapore
Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Miraculous Cross of Mylapore, a symbol deeply rooted in Christian tradition and faith. According to tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle was martyred while praying before a granite stone, which later became sacred. It is believed that St. Thomas himself engraved the Mar Thoma Cross onto this stone, using it as a focus of prayer and strength. As the story goes, he was pierced from behind with a lance while in prayer before this Cross, which may have been stained with his blood.
In 1547, during excavations by the Portuguese to lay the foundation for a new church, this sacred Cross was accidentally discovered. Ancient records recount that on December 18, 1558, during Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Gasper Coelho, the Cross began to sweat blood—a miraculous phenomenon. This extraordinary event reportedly recurred annually for several years, then at longer intervals, with the last documented instance in 1704.
Popular devotion attributes countless miracles and cures to this Cross, and many unbelievers have embraced faith through its intercession. Even today, the Cross surprises devotees with its natural dampness, evoking reverence and wonder.
The Cross itself bears a unique image. In 1908, after much study, the inscription surrounding it was deciphered to read: “Through the Cross, the Messiah brought salvation to the world.”
This Mar Thoma Cross, discovered at the site of St. Thomas’ martyrdom in Mylapore, is now preserved in the church at Mount St. Thomas in Chennai. The Feast of the Miraculous Cross is celebrated every year on December 18, commemorating the miraculous sweating of blood first witnessed in 1558 and the enduring faith it continues to inspire.
Please pray for all those who have died recently:
Agnes Baby Varghese (80), Thomas Mani (87), George Kakkassery (75) Thomas Chummar (81) P V Varghese Punnackapadavil (88) Marykutty Mathew (76)
