Dhukarana: Remembering the Apostle to India
As we enter the month of July, our hearts and prayers turn to one of the most cherished feasts in our Syro-Malabar Catholic tradition—the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, celebrated on July 3rd and lovingly known among us as ‘Dhukarana’.
For the Thoma Nazrani community of Kerala, St. Thomas is not merely a distant figure from Scripture. He is our Apostle, our spiritual father who brought the light of Christ to our land, laying the foundations of our ancient and living faith.
✝️ “My Lord and My God” – A Faith Born from Encounter
The powerful words of St. Thomas; “My Lord and My God” (John 20:28)
resound across generations as one of the most profound declarations of faith in the Scripture.
Though often remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” his journey from doubt to belief mirrors our own spiritual path: questioning, seeking and finally surrendering in trust to the Risen Christ. His confession is not just his, but the cry of every believer who truly encounters Jesus.
🚢 Apostle to Our Land
St. Thomas is more than just a biblical figure to us; he is often regarded as the patron saint of India. According to sacred traditions, he landed on the shores of Kerala in 52AD, courageously proclaiming the Gospel, baptizing new believers and establishing vibrant Christian communities.
He founded the Ezhara Pallikal—the Seven and a Half Churches—which stand as testimony to his apostolic mission:
- Kodungalloor
- Palayoor
- Kottakkavu
- Kokkamangalam
- Niranam
- Nilakkal
- Kollam
- Thiruvithamcode (½ Church)
His mission extended to the Coromandel Coast in Tamil Nadu, where he ultimately gave his life for the Gospel in 72AD, martyred at St. Thomas Mount near Chennai.
📝 What is Dhukarana?
The word Dhukarana (from Syriac Dukhrana) means “remembrance” or “memorial.” For us, it is not a day of mourning but a joyful remembrance; a sacred time to honour his faith, mission, and martyrdom. It reminds us that our faith is apostolic, rooted in the witness of one who walked with Jesus Himself and brought that saving Good News to our soil.
🩸 His Mortal Journey
After his martyrdom, St. Thomas’s relics have journeyed across the Christian world, reflecting the deep devotion of the universal Church.
- 72AD: Buried in Mylapore after martyrdom
- 232AD: Relics transferred to Edessa (modern-day Turkey)
- Later centuries: Moved to Chios and eventually to Ortona, Italy (1258 AD), where they are venerated to this day
🌈 Living the Legacy
Today, we, the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church—heirs to the ancient Thoma Nazrani tradition, honour St. Thomas not merely in word but through our vibrant liturgical life, commitment to service and enduring missionary spirit. As Eastern Catholics, we cherish this unique spiritual heritage entrusted to us by the Apostle himself.
May this Dhukarana be a call to each of us to renew our faith, strengthen our witness, and like Thomas, boldly proclaim in word and deed, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:28)
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