St. Thomas and Taxila: A Symposium on Saint Thomas | Religious Historical Study

Product Information

• Product Type: Academic Publication/Symposium Proceedings 
• Genre: Religious/Historical Studies 
• Language: English 
• Format: Paperback 
• Pages: Approximately 60 pages 
• Publisher: Christian Study Centre, Rawalpindi, Pakistan 
• Publication Date: 1988 
• Series: Pakistan Christian History (PCH) Study No. 1

Overview

"St. Thomas and Taxila" is a scholarly publication documenting the proceedings of a symposium held on May 27, 1988, at the Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. This academic gathering brought together Christian and Muslim scholars to examine and evaluate evidence for the purported visit of St. Thomas the Apostle to Sirkap, Taxila (in modern-day Pakistan) around 47 A.D., and his reported meeting with King Gondulphares. Sponsored by the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, and the Pakistan Christian History Project, the symposium was conducted under the patronage of Bishop Simeon Pereira. The publication presents four scholarly papers delivered at the event, along with reactions and discussions that followed each presentation, offering a multidisciplinary assessment of historical, archaeological, and literary evidence related to this significant but contested chapter in early Christian history in South Asia.

Product Features

• Compilation of four scholarly presentations with accompanying discussions
• Multidisciplinary approach combining historical, archaeological, and literary perspectives
• Edited by Rev. Fr. John Rooney, M.H.M., Ph.D.
• First publication in the Pakistan Christian History Studies series
• Includes map of ancient trade routes relevant to St. Thomas's journey
• Cover features reproduction of the Takht-i-Bahi inscription with permission from The Lahore Museum
• Published by the Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Interesting Facts

The symposium explored one of the most intriguing questions in early Christian history – whether St. Thomas, one of Jesus's twelve apostles, traveled as far as the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent in the first century. This possibility represents a significant geographical expansion of early Christianity beyond the Mediterranean world, potentially preceding the formal establishment of Christianity in many parts of Europe. The archaeological site of Taxila holds particular importance as it was a major educational and trade center in the ancient world, situated at the junction of three major trade routes connecting the Mediterranean world with Central and South Asia.

The publication addresses the "Taxila Cross," a controversial archaeological find from 1935 discovered near the ruins of Sirkap. When found by a farmer tilling a field outside the ruins, it sparked significant interest among both local Christians and British colonial officials. The cross was later presented to the Anglican Bishop of Lahore and eventually adopted as the symbol of the Church of Pakistan. However, its authenticity and dating remain subjects of scholarly debate, with some researchers questioning its connection to early Christianity, suggesting it might be an unrelated symbol or even a hoax.

The symposium represents a unique interfaith scholarly collaboration between Christian and Muslim academics in Pakistan, a country where Christians form a small minority. This collaboration highlights the academic interest in shared historical heritage across religious boundaries and reflects efforts to explore Pakistan's diverse religious history. Such academic endeavors help establish connections between contemporary religious communities and ancient historical narratives that cross modern national and religious boundaries.

Content Description

The publication contains the following main sections:

1. Introduction - Background information about the symposium, its goals, and participants
2. East-West Trade & Commerce in the Time of St. Thomas - A paper exploring the historical trade routes that would have made St. Thomas's journey to Taxila possible
3. Taxila - An archaeological and historical assessment of Taxila during the first century A.D.
4. Gondulphares and Taxila - Analysis of numismatic and archaeological evidence relating to King Gondulphares, who according to tradition met St. Thomas
5. The Literary Evidence for St. Thomas in India - Examination of early texts including "The Acts of Thomas" and other historical documents
6. Commentary - Additional notes and observations by the editor
7. Reactions and Discussions - Summaries of scholarly responses and general discussions following each presentation

The work examines several key questions: Could St. Thomas have physically reached Taxila given the available transportation methods of the first century? What was the geopolitical and cultural context of Taxila during that period? Is there archaeological evidence supporting the existence of King Gondulphares, mentioned in the "Acts of Thomas"? How reliable are the literary traditions concerning St. Thomas's mission to India?

Publishers

Published by the Christian Study Centre, P.O. Box 520, 1208 Morrer Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. This is the first publication in the Pakistan Christian History (PCH) Studies series.

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