St. Thomas, also called "Didymus" which means "the twin," was one of the Twelve. His most famous appearance in the New Testament occurred after the Resurrection. Thomas was not present with the other disciples for Jesus' first post-Resurrection appearance. Consequently, he did not believe them when he was told about it, stating that he would not believe it unless he could put his fingers in the nail holes in his hands and feet and put his hand into his sign. A week later, Jesus again appeared to the disciples, this time with Thomas present. Jesus asked Thomas to put his fingers in the nail marks and his hand in his side. It is at this point that Thomas makes his great profession of faith, "My Lord and my God." This incident is how Thomas earned his other nickname, "Doubting Thomas."
There are many traditions about Thomas's activities following Pentecost. Some traditions claim Thomas was the only witness to the Assumption of Mary and that, in a reversal of the resurrection story, it was Thomas who had to convince the other Apostles that the Assumption had actually happened. It is also told that Thomas sailed to India in AD 52. Tradition holds he landed at Muziris and established seven and a half churches in Kerala. This story is bolstered by reports of an early Christian community in India. Indian tradition holds that he was martyred in Mylapore, India in AD 72 and that his relics were transported back to Edessa where they have been revered ever since.