Dukharana, the greatest Feast of the Syro-Malabar Christians, which is the commemoration of the martyrdom of St. Thomas the Great Apostle of Jesus Christ, is at hand. With great solemnity we celebrate this feast of our Patron, St Thomas the Apostle on 3rd July.

We are familiar with the Johannine passages referring to St Thomas the Apostle (Jn 11:16; 14:4-6; 20:24-29). After the resurrection of Jesus, Thomas insists upon a close encounter with Him at the end of which Thomas makes the perfect confession of faith in Jesus we ever have in the Bible; “My Lord and my God”. Through this insistence his personal relationship with Jesus was strengthened.

We the Chennai Syro Malabar Christians celebrated Dukrana on 1st July at San Thome Basilica were the relics of St. Thomas the Apostle rests. It was the faith proclamation day of Chennai Syro Malabar Christians to the Catholics and non Catholics of Chennai.

The celebrations of feasts commenced by the solemn mass by His Excellency Mar Paul Alappatt, the Bishop of Ramanathapuram, along with Msgr Jose Palatty the coordinator of Chennai Mission and the priests who serves in Chennai Mission. The participation and service of sisters from various congregations made the feasts celebrations more pious and holy.

Dukrana Feast Gallery

The procession continued by the Holy Mass from Basilica to the CSI Deaf School paved the way for the devotees to share the Martyrdom of St. Thomas the Apostle. Reaching the CSI School His Excellency Most Rev. Dr. A.M. Chinnappa, SDB joined the feast celebration welcoming the His Excellency Mar Paul Alappatt and lead the song as usual Daiva Sneham Varnnichidan Vakkukal Pora………His Excellencies blessed the agape (Sneha Virunnu)

Dukrana one of the common celebrations of Chennai Syro Malabar Christians helped to meet each other share the joys convey the church and social activates. We are very much privileged to celebrate Dukrana where St Thomas foot imprinted and relic rests. Let us strengthen our relationship with Jesus and fellow being thus spread the message of agape through our words and deeds

Wish you all the Feast of Dukrana

Aneesh Chandy
Little Mount Parish