Thomas, called Didymus (“the twin”) appears as an apostle in all the canonical gospels but is only a major figure in the Gospel of John. Here he is portrayed as something of a heroic fatalist as he is the only one to accept Jesus’ statements concerning his impending death as the disciples journeyed to Jerusalem. He says to the other apostles, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’ (John 11.16)

At the Last Supper, when Christ tells the apostles that He was going to prepare a place for them, Thomas pleaded that they did not understand and received the beautiful assurance that Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14.1-7)

However, Thomas is more famously known as “doubting Thomas” who demanded physical proof of the Resurrection. He was gently rebuked for his skepticism and given the evidence he demanded – seeing in Christ’s hands the point of the nails and putting his fingers in the place of the nails and his hand into His side. At this, Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and My God.”

Tradition says that at the dispersal of the apostles after Pentecost he was sent to evangelize the Parthians, Medes, and Persians. He ultimately reached India, carrying the Faith to the Malabar coast, which still boasts a large native population calling themselves “Christians of St. Thomas.” He finished his life in martyrdom, speared to death at a place called Calamine. His feast day is July 3rd and he is the patron saint of architects.