MAR THOMMA SLIBA (ST THOMAS CROSS)
Mar Thomma sliba is the emblem of Mar Thomma Margam (the way of St. Thomas). Ancient documents testify that this typical cross was venerated in all the churches and chapels of the St. Thomas Christians. The original model of it we come across in the chapel on Periyamala, Madras [Chennai]. It is the cross carved on granite stone. When I celebrated the feast of St. Thomas Cross on 18th of this month, I thought of writing a few things about St. Thomas Cross. Being a St. Thomas Christian it is my great pleasure to introduce this Miraculous Cross of our tradition.
TRADITION
According to an ancient local tradition, St. Thomas the apostle fell dead as a martyr on this particular granite stone. The faithful kept it sacred and at a later stage the typical cross was engraved on it. Modern scholars fix the date of engraving somewhere around 650 A.D.
FINDING THE TREASURE
In the 16th century, as the western missionaries were digging the ground to reconstruct the chapel on Periyamala they happened to come across this special Cross. When the construction of the chapel was over, they fixed it to the rear wall of the main altar. It remains there today.
MIRACLE
On the 18th of December 1558 during the Gospel reading at the Holy Qurbana (Holy Mass), this Cross sweated blood. According to the testimony of the missionaries, the miracle was repeated for many years on the same date and in the same manner. They informed the Pope, of this miracle and obtained permission from him to celebrate December 18th as the feast of Mylapore Cross’ Apparition
December 18th is a big feast day for the Mar Thomma Nazranees (St. Thomas Christians). It is the feast of Mar Thomma Margam (the way of St. Thomas), their special Christian lifestyle. They ought to celebrate this feast most solemnly wherever they are.
SYMBOLISM
Mar Thomma Sliba (St. Thomas Cross) is the dynamic symbol of the death and resurrection of Jesus in the Indian context. It proclaims the Theological, Christological, Pneumatologica and Ecclesiologica specifications of Christian faith.
EMPTY CROSS
Mar Thomma Sliba is an empty cross, namely a cross without the dying figure of Jesus Christ. In imitation of the empty tomb, the empty cross symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus.
BLOOMING BUDS
The four tips of the Mar Thomma Sliba are designed like blooming buds. Bud is a symbol of new life. New life is restored to man in Jesus’ resurrection. Thus the shape of this cross itself proclaims the resurrection of Jesus.
DESCENDING DOVE
The Holy Spirit that descends upon the Mar Thomma Sliba is yet another symbol of resurrection. As St. Paul teaches, Holy Spirit transforms Jesus’ flesh-body into Spirit-body and thus vivifies the dead Jesus Christ (Rom 8, 11).
LOTUS SYMBOLISM
According to several scholars this particular Cross is erected upon lotus. Although it is not proved beyond doubt, a Chinese cross, erected on a lotus flower, coming from the same era, is a very good substantiation for the assumption to the scholars. Lotus is India’s own symbol because of the influence of Buddhism in India during and immediately after the reign of the great Emperor Asoka. Thus the Sliba erected on lotus, is a living symbol of faith in the risen Jesus, established in India.
THREE STEPS
The lotus in the Mar Thomma Sliba remains over three steps. The symbolism of steps is evolved in connection with liturgical tradition. The three steps signify either heaven or Calvary. In our case the stress is on Calvary and thus they signify the death of Jesus.
Thus Mar Thomma Sliba remains a unique symbol that proclaims the acceptance of Jesus Christ, who accomplished the human salvation through his death and resurrection, in India
ANCIENT MODELS
Ancient models of Mar Thomma Sliba are also found in the Jacobite churches of Kottayam and Kadamattam, and adjacent to the Syro-Malabar churches of Muttuchira and Alangad, all in Kerala. According to the famous western historian Antonio de Gouvea, this typical cross was venerated in all the Thomas Christians churches and chapels before the arrival of European missionaries in India.
Source
Kochappilly, Paulachan. editor. The Folly of the Cross: a Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Dr. Varghese Pathikulangara, CMI. Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2000.
Mar Thomma sliba is the emblem of Mar Thomma Margam (the way of St. Thomas). Ancient documents testify that this typical cross was venerated in all the churches and chapels of the St. Thomas Christians. The original model of it we come across in the chapel on Periyamala, Madras [Chennai]. It is the cross carved on granite stone. When I celebrated the feast of St. Thomas Cross on 18th of this month, I thought of writing a few things about St. Thomas Cross. Being a St. Thomas Christian it is my great pleasure to introduce this Miraculous Cross of our tradition.
TRADITION
According to an ancient local tradition, St. Thomas the apostle fell dead as a martyr on this particular granite stone. The faithful kept it sacred and at a later stage the typical cross was engraved on it. Modern scholars fix the date of engraving somewhere around 650 A.D.
FINDING THE TREASURE
In the 16th century, as the western missionaries were digging the ground to reconstruct the chapel on Periyamala they happened to come across this special Cross. When the construction of the chapel was over, they fixed it to the rear wall of the main altar. It remains there today.
MIRACLE
On the 18th of December 1558 during the Gospel reading at the Holy Qurbana (Holy Mass), this Cross sweated blood. According to the testimony of the missionaries, the miracle was repeated for many years on the same date and in the same manner. They informed the Pope, of this miracle and obtained permission from him to celebrate December 18th as the feast of Mylapore Cross’ Apparition
December 18th is a big feast day for the Mar Thomma Nazranees (St. Thomas Christians). It is the feast of Mar Thomma Margam (the way of St. Thomas), their special Christian lifestyle. They ought to celebrate this feast most solemnly wherever they are.
SYMBOLISM
Mar Thomma Sliba (St. Thomas Cross) is the dynamic symbol of the death and resurrection of Jesus in the Indian context. It proclaims the Theological, Christological, Pneumatologica and Ecclesiologica specifications of Christian faith.
EMPTY CROSS
Mar Thomma Sliba is an empty cross, namely a cross without the dying figure of Jesus Christ. In imitation of the empty tomb, the empty cross symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus.
BLOOMING BUDS
The four tips of the Mar Thomma Sliba are designed like blooming buds. Bud is a symbol of new life. New life is restored to man in Jesus’ resurrection. Thus the shape of this cross itself proclaims the resurrection of Jesus.
DESCENDING DOVE
The Holy Spirit that descends upon the Mar Thomma Sliba is yet another symbol of resurrection. As St. Paul teaches, Holy Spirit transforms Jesus’ flesh-body into Spirit-body and thus vivifies the dead Jesus Christ (Rom 8, 11).
LOTUS SYMBOLISM
According to several scholars this particular Cross is erected upon lotus. Although it is not proved beyond doubt, a Chinese cross, erected on a lotus flower, coming from the same era, is a very good substantiation for the assumption to the scholars. Lotus is India’s own symbol because of the influence of Buddhism in India during and immediately after the reign of the great Emperor Asoka. Thus the Sliba erected on lotus, is a living symbol of faith in the risen Jesus, established in India.
THREE STEPS
The lotus in the Mar Thomma Sliba remains over three steps. The symbolism of steps is evolved in connection with liturgical tradition. The three steps signify either heaven or Calvary. In our case the stress is on Calvary and thus they signify the death of Jesus.
Thus Mar Thomma Sliba remains a unique symbol that proclaims the acceptance of Jesus Christ, who accomplished the human salvation through his death and resurrection, in India
ANCIENT MODELS
Ancient models of Mar Thomma Sliba are also found in the Jacobite churches of Kottayam and Kadamattam, and adjacent to the Syro-Malabar churches of Muttuchira and Alangad, all in Kerala. According to the famous western historian Antonio de Gouvea, this typical cross was venerated in all the Thomas Christians churches and chapels before the arrival of European missionaries in India.
Source
Kochappilly, Paulachan. editor. The Folly of the Cross: a Festschrift in Honour of Prof. Dr. Varghese Pathikulangara, CMI. Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2000.
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