St. Thomas the Apostle

St. Thomas the Apostle, called Didymus ("the Twin"), was one of the Twelve chosen by Jesus. The Gospel of John gives him his most memorable moments: his readiness to die with Jesus on the way to Bethany, his question at the Last Supper that drew forth the words "I am the way, the truth, and the life," and above all his absence at the first appearance of the Risen Christ and his refusal to believe without seeing the wounds. Meeting the Lord a week later, he made the great confession of faith, "My Lord and my God."

Strong and ancient tradition, preserved by the Christians of the Malabar coast who call themselves "St. Thomas Christians," holds that he carried the Gospel eastward as far as India, founding churches and finally being martyred near Mylapore, in present-day Chennai. His relics were later venerated at Edessa and Ortona. Once doubting, then wholeheartedly believing, he stands as patron of those who struggle toward faith, and of architects and builders.