Stories from my father Mr. Maria Packiam: A oral tradition

Stories from my father Mr. Maria Packiam: A oral tradition

Stories about St. Thomas the Apostle who brought the good news to India

St. Thomas went to India as a worker. He was placed among the workers in king's palace at Kerala. Kerala is a south Indian state, where natural beauty is plentiful. The king who ruled Kerala at that time had a younger brother, whom he was very fond of. The king will do anything at the brother's request.In this background, the king was planning to build a new palace for his brother. While he was planning he came to know that St. Thomas was an expert in buildings.So he commanded St. Thomas to build the palace and gave him the access to the treasury. St. Thomas received the order but did he build the palace? Instead, He spent his time in preaching gospel to all the workers and the people. So the king's brother was very angry and got St. Thomas arrested and that resulted in imprisonment of St. Thomas. There St. Thomas was continuing his preaching to the prisoners. Many had conversions in secret. After a while the Kings' brother was terminally ill and at his sick bed he had a vision. In the vision, he saw a glorious kingdom shining within his reign and in the middle of his kingdom he saw a brilliant palace adorned with precious gems shining in radiance. He asked his brother for that kingdom and the palace. The king was confused at the brother's request, as he did not own such a palace or kingdom. He send out for St. Thomas in prison. St. Thomas explained about the heavenly kingdom which he was after. In his explanation, the king heart received the conversion. From that moment on the king gave him access to all of his states and allowed him to preach gospel freely where ever he travel. Apostle Thomas stationed in Kerala and traveled all over India in preaching the gospel. The king was a great support to him including provision of financial support for spreading the gospel spread. St. Thomas lived in Kerala for 12 years. He evangelized all the Christians in kerala. This story is a oral tradition handed to me by my father Mr. Maria Packiam.

More stories to come.........

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