San Domenico Church

"The Basilica of St. Thomas the Apostle in Ortona, Italy, is a sacred and historical treasure that preserves the relics of St. Thomas the Apostle. This basilica not only serves as a center of devotion but also as a monument to the apostle’s enduring legacy through its remarkable art and architecture.

After his martyrdom in India, St. Thomas was buried in Mylapore, in present-day Tamil Nadu, India. His remains were later transferred to Edessa (modern-day Şanlıurfa, Turkey), a significant early center of Christianity. Finally, on 6 September 1258, the relics arrived in Ortona, brought by Ortonese sailors. This momentous event is commemorated as a major milestone in the basilica’s history.

Today, the relics of St. Thomas are made accessible to the faithful on three significant occasions each year:

July 3 – the Feast of the Dukrana, commemorating the martyrdom of St. Thomas,

September 6 – marking the anniversary of the relics' arrival in Ortona,

The first Sunday of May – a local day of pilgrimage and veneration.

Within the dome of the basilica are seven bas-relief panels dating to 1572, depicting scenes from the life of St. Thomas, along with stucco high-reliefs of the Four Evangelists, from an earlier period. These artworks were carefully restored in 1830 by Fulgenzio Lavalle, a native of Ortona.

The main altar holds a case with bronze doors created in 1958 by the Ortona sculptor Stefano Durante, which protects the silver Bust of St. Thomas—crafted by the Pani Foundry of Naples in 1800.

The paintings by Tommaso Cascella (1968) add depth to the spiritual narrative: behind the altar is The Incredulity of St. Thomas, and to the right, The Martyrdom of the Apostle. In the antechapel, ceramic panels depict key moments in Ortona’s history with the saint’s relics: The Departure of the Ortona Galleys from Chios (11 August 1258) and The Arrival in Ortona (6 September 1258).

The vault frescoes, also by Cascella, portray scenes from the Old and New Testaments, along with representations of the Four Cardinal Virtues: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance. A stained glass window illustrates Jesus revealing to Saint Bridget that the relics of St. Thomas are in Ortona, further affirming the basilica’s divine connection.

Completing the artistic ensemble, a painting on the left wall by Pasquale Bellonio (1762) represents The Crucifixion, enriching the basilica’s message of faith, martyrdom, and hope.

The Basilica of St. Thomas in Ortona stands today not only as a beacon of devotion but also as a vivid witness to the journey and enduring witness of the Apostle who brought the Gospel to India and whose remains found a lasting home in Ortona."

Aakash Joseph Keeranchira

"St. Thomas's body, originally interred in Mylapore, India, was eventually moved to Ortona, Italy. Around 230 AD, his remains were taken to Edessa. Later, they were relocated to Chios for safekeeping, and in 1258, were stolen by sailors from Ortona during a military expedition. The relics arrived in Ortona on September 6, 1258, and were later confirmed as authentic through a document in Bari in 1259.

Here's a more detailed timeline:

72 AD: St. Thomas is martyred in Mylapore, India.

Around 230 AD: His body is moved to Edessa.

1144-1146: The body is moved to Chios due to the fall of Edessa under Turkish rule.

August 10, 1258: The body is stolen from Chios by sailors from Ortona.

September 6, 1258: The relics arrive in Ortona.

September 22, 1259: A notarial act is issued in Bari, confirming the authenticity of the relics through statements from Greeks from Chios who were held in prison there."

Soji Thomas Kannalil

"Visited Cathedral of San Tomasso Apostolo Ortona with our LOAF Families Group as Pilgrims of Hope in the Jubilee Year! Felt proud as a SyroMalabar Catholic and St. Thomas Christian from Kerala India, to seee the relics of our Father in Faith, Mar Thoma Sleeha! Praise the Lord!"

Dr. Tony Joseph