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Under a scorching sun, 500 pilgrims mark St. Thomas feast in Pakistan

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

Despite a summer heat wave, about 500 Catholics from Pakistan’s Punjab province traveled to the ancient city of Taxila to mark the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle at a site long associated with the apostle’s mission in the Indian subcontinent.

The faithful from St. Francis Xavier Parish in Gujranwala arrived in eight buses on July 4 at the archaeological site of Sirkap, where Christian tradition holds that St. Thomas preached at the court of King Gondophares before continuing his mission to India.

“The Gospel reached the far corners of the world through the companions of Christ, and that same mission has been entrusted to us,” Father Yousaf Yaqoob, the parish priest who celebrated the Mass, told the pilgrims.

He encouraged the faithful to visit Christian pilgrimage sites across Pakistan.

“The relics and even the air at pilgrimage sites are a source of blessing. In this digital age, people speak of the Gospel but have largely forgotten the great sacrifices and miracles behind it,” he said. “A nation that forgets its history is forgotten by history.”

Catholics shelter under umbrellas as Father Yousaf Yaqoob celebrates Mass at the throne of St. Thomas at Sirkap in Taxila,…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Олександр Бойко

It is interesting that it was in Sirkapi, near the throne of St. Thomas, that they served. 500 people under such a hellish sun is real faith, not just words. As for "the people who forget history, are forgotten by history" - Father Yakub hit the nail on the head.

Teodora Jovanović

The fact that they gathered at the throne of St. Thomas in Sirkap under that hell-sun is really something. Father Yusuf said a good thing about those who forget history - we also often talk about the Gospel, and hardly anyone goes to one of our old places.

Petru Dumitrescu

And here they say that a nation that forgets its history is forgotten by it. I remembered how 500 people sat under the shadows at Sirkap, right next to the throne of Saint Thomas. Father Yousaf was right - the Gospel is not only on the phone, but also in these old places.

Теодора Василева

500 people under this hell in Sirkap, right next to the throne of St. Thomas - that's called faith. Father Jakub rightly said that in the digital world we talk about the Gospel, but we rarely set foot in such places. It's the same in our country, unfortunately.

Георги Петров

Yes, that's right - 500 people in this heat, and in Sirkap, where the throne was. In our country, we also rarely go to such places, we read more on the phone. And have you ever walked in the footsteps of the apostles here in Bulgaria?

Elizabeth Johnson

That line about relics and the air at these old sites really stuck with me. 500 people standing under umbrellas at Sirkap next to the throne of St. Thomas in that heat is no small thing. Makes me wonder if we could organize a little day trip from our parish to one of the early mission sites around here.

Gheorghe Munteanu

Yes, Petru, we often hear this saying too. I liked how Father Yousaf said that the air of the old places helps you remember your sacrifices, not just scrolling on your phone. I, when I read something like this, think of the morning fishing - that silence makes you see more clearly what really matters.

Василь Руденко

Yes, right next to that throne in Sirkapi is a really special place, I read that it was there, according to tradition, that Toma preached to the king. 500 people in this heat is no longer about comfort, it's about just being there. As for history, Father Jakub is right: without roots, it is easy to become nominal Christians.

Іван Коваль

It is interesting that father Jakub mentioned the digital age in particular - in our parish too, the boys spend more time on their phones than in the place where the apostle stood. 500 pilgrims in this heat is really about strength, not about swearing. Have you ever been to such places yourself, or have you only read about them?

Иванка Иванова

Yes, Georgi, that's right - in the heat and dust, and they still went. In our country, we also rarely get to such places, we mostly look at the screen. I went two years ago to the Bachkovo Monastery and then to Sozopol, where St. John the Baptist allegedly set foot - the air is really different there. And where have you been?

Красимира Христова

Yes, Ivanka, I also remember the heat in Bachkovo - then we hid under the shade of the big plane tree and then drank cold water from the tap. In Sozopol, the air is really special, especially in the evening. And what do you remember most from there – the icon or the sea itself?

Богдана Тодорова

Yes, Krasimira, the heat in Bachkovo really makes you look for shade like the one under the plane tree. What I remember most about Sozopol was how after the evening service in the small church the air became cooler and only the crickets could be heard. And have you gone on a pilgrimage to Pakistan, or are you just reading about them?

Богдана Петрова

No, I haven't been to Pakistan, Bogdana, I'm just reading and I wonder how they can stand the heat without air conditioning in the buses. With us in Burgas, at least after the service in "St. Bogoroditsa" sometimes it blows from the sea and it becomes tolerable. In Bachkovo, did you hide under the plane tree most often or are there other shady places there?

Мариана Тодорова

No, I have not been to Pakistan, Bogdana, but I read how those 500 people in Taxila stand under umbrellas during the liturgy and still do not give up. Here at the church "St. Constantine and Elena" in Veliko Tarnovo, the heat in July also makes you look for a place near the north wall, where it is cooler. And you in Sozopol after the evening service, which church were you in, "St. Zosim"?

Росица Петрова

Yes, that's right, Mariana, those 500 people under umbrellas in Taxila made an impression on me - the heat is terrible there, and they still went. With us in Plovdiv in July in "St. Marina" we also hide by the wall where the wind blows from the window. And you at St. Constantine and Helena, do you often go to services in the heat?

Иван Кирилов

Yes, Rosice, the heat in Taxila must have been brutal, and they still went with those eight buses. With us in Burgas, in "St. Cyril and Methodius" in July, we also stick to the wall in the church, where there is a slight breeze from the door. In Plovdiv, do you often go to St. Marina on the hottest days?

Стоян Марков

Yes, the heat must have been hellish in Taxila and they still got 500 people. Here in Tarnovo, last Sunday in the "St. 40 Martyrs" we also hid in the shadow of the wall after the service. In Burgas, do you go fishing in the heat or do you wait for it to cool down?