Dating back to 68 A.D., this sacred hillock is one of the oldest Christian sites in the world, not because of its stone and mortar, but because an Apostle of Christ walked, prayed, and preached here. Little Mount stands as a testimony to the courage and compassion of a man who, filled with the Holy Spirit, journeyed far from his homeland to proclaim the Good News to the people of Tamil Nadu.

St. Thomas lived a life of deep prayer and simplicity, often retreating to the summit of the hill to spend time in solitary communion with God. It is traditionally believed that he celebrated the Eucharist at the very top of the hill, now known as the Altar of St. Thomas. This altar holds a deeply revered cross, believed to have been carved by St. Thomas himself. According to historical accounts, this sacred cross miraculously sweated blood between the years 1554 and 1704, especially on December 18th, the day commemorated as the martyrdom of the Apostle, who was pierced with a lance for his faith.

In the heart of the rocky ground lies another sign of divine providence—a 6-foot-long crevice that holds a spring, said to have miraculously gushed forth when St. Thomas struck the rock with his staff. This spring quenched the thirst of the many who flocked to hear the Word of God and remains, to this day, a place of miraculous healing and comfort for pilgrims who come with faith. Built in 1551 A.D. by Portuguese missionaries, a small yet beautiful chapel now stands above the very cave where the Apostle lived. This holy cave, preserved in reverence, invites devotees into the stillness and depth of the Apostle's prayer life. Inside, there lies a modest altar and a statue of St. Thomas, surrounded by silence that speaks volumes. Here too, the faithful can see a small window, believed to have been miraculously created by the Apostle to escape his persecutors. Beside it, a handprint on the rock bears witness to his presence—the very hand that once touched the Risen Lord and cried out, “My Lord and my God!”