India marks first Christian Day

Christians from all Churches in India celebrate  ‘Indian Christian Day’ (Yeshu Bhakti Divas) for the first time, on July 3.

The event, which is the brainchild of members of the country’s various churches, is meant to highlight the fact that Christianity is not a foreign religion in India.

July 3 was chosen “because it is traditionally observed as St Thomas Day, the day celebrating Saint Thomas the Apostle – the country’s first evangelist – who came to India in 52 AD and brought the message of Jesus. It is historically accepted that Saint Thomas was martyred near Chennai in 72 AD.

A declaration has been prepared by a group representing various churches states:

“This declaration of July 3, 2021 as Indian  Christian Day (Yeshu Bhakti Divas) as an annual day of remembrance, is for followers of  the Lord Jesus Christ of Indian origin to celebrate the person and message of JESUS  CHRIST which was brought to India in 52 AD  by one of His twelve disciples, St Thomas the  Apostle. This day, historically observed as St Thomas Day commemorates the martyrdom of the  Apostle in 72AD near Chennai. In marking it in  2021 and every year henceforth, we as followers of the Lord Jesus also preserve our identity  within the Indian cultural heritage, while uniting with all who wish to celebrate, irrespective  of language, custom, creed, region or religion. The celebration of Indian Christian  Day (Yeshu Bhakti Divas) on July 3, 2021, launched the Decade of Celebration (2021- 2030) to honour the 2000th anniversary of  the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ  whose teaching and life principles have helped  to shape and transform India and the world.”

Verbite Father Babu Joseph, a former spokesman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), is in favour of the initiative, welcoming it since it is the work of “a group of members belonging to different Christian denominations.”

In his view, choosing the feast day of Saint Thomas “signals a positive move towards overcoming the apparent differing opinions on the history of the Saint Thomas’s arrival in India.”

To further the project, Fr Joseph would like to see UNESCO recognise some of India’s ancient churches, and have some publications highlight Christian contributions in the history of India.

“This would be an important step in making Christianity as part of Indian history and ethos,” he said. In fact, “In light of attempts by some right-wing organisation to create the impression that Christianity is foreign to India, it is necessary to highlight its antiquity in the country.

“Christianity is part and parcel of Indian history for the last 2,000 years and has given birth to many indigenised forms of Christian life. Any effort to undo this great civilisational contribution is tantamount to negating the very foundation of India itself.”

“Christianity has introduced new social teachings which worked as catalyst in several social reform movements” and “has been instrumental in introducing modern education”

(With inputs from Asia News)