Thomas the Apostle

== Historical references ==
[[File:By the command of an Indian King he was thrust through with Lances.jpg|thumb|upright|"By the command of an Indian King he was thrust through with lances", 1739 engraving]]
A number of early Christian writings written during the centuries immediately following the first Ecumenical Council of 325 mention Thomas' mission.

The ''Transitus Mariae'' describes each of the apostles purportedly being temporarily transported to heaven during the [[Assumption of Mary]].

=== Acts of Thomas ===
The main source is the [[New Testament apocrypha|apocryphal]] [[Acts of Thomas]], sometimes called by its full name ''The Acts of Judas Thomas'', written circa 180–230 AD.<ref name="Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles" /><ref name="constom" /> These are generally regarded by various Christian religions as [[apocryphal]], or even heretical. The two centuries that lapsed between the life of the apostle and the recording of this work cast doubt on their authenticity.

The king, Misdeus (or Mizdeos), was infuriated when Thomas converted the queen Tertia, the king's son Juzanes, sister-in-law princess Mygdonia and her friend Markia. Misdeus led Thomas outside the city and ordered four soldiers to take him to the nearby hill, where the soldiers speared Thomas, killing him. After Thomas' death, Syphorus was elected the first [[presbyter]] of Mazdai by the surviving converts, while Juzanes was the first [[deacon]]. (The names Misdeus, Tertia, Juzanes, Syphorus, Markia and Mygdonia (c.f. [[Mygdonia]], a province of [[Mesopotamia]]) may suggest Greek descent or cultural influences.<ref name="constom" /> Greek traders had long visited Muziris. Greek kingdoms in northern India and Bactria, founded by [[Alexander the Great]], were vassals{{Dubious|date=July 2019}} of the Indo-Parthians.{{sfn|Mookerji|1966|p=28}}
[[File:The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio.jpg|thumb|''The Incredulity of Saint Thomas'' by [[Caravaggio]]]]