The Second Sunday of Pascha: St. Thomas Sunday
Gerald Largent
St. Thomas Sunday, celebrated on the second Sunday of Pascha, holds a profound and encouraging message for Orthodox Christians. Also known as Antipascha, this day commemorates the Risen Christ's appearance to the Apostle Thomas and the deepening of faith through encounter and revelation.
The Gospel reading for this day (John 20:19-31) recounts how the Apostle Thomas, absent during Christ's first appearance to the disciples, expressed doubt about the Resurrection. "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). Eight days later, Christ appears again, offering Thomas the evidence he sought. In response, Thomas proclaims with conviction: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). Through this encounter, Christ blesses not only Thomas but all who believe without seeing: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
This Sunday reminds us that faith is not a static condition but a dynamic relationship with the Risen Lord. Thomas's journey from doubt to belief mirrors the spiritual struggles many face. His honest questioning was met not with condemnation but with the compassionate invitation of Christ to "come and see." This encounter reveals that Christ meets us where we are, drawing us closer through His mercy and love.
In the life of the Church, St. Thomas Sunday also initiates the continuation of Paschal joy. The bright vestments, the chanting of "Christ is Risen," and the Paschal greeting continue to resound, reminding us that the Resurrection is not an isolated event but an enduring reality. This day is a call to experience the living Christ and to carry the light of Pascha into the world.
Moreover, St. Thomas is a model for those who seek truth. His doubt led to one of the clearest confessions of Christ's divinity in the Gospels. For us, his story encourages a sincere and open-hearted pursuit of faith, trusting that Christ will reveal Himself in our lives.
As we celebrate St. Thomas Sunday, let us embrace both the joy and the challenge of faith. May we echo Thomas's confession, proclaiming with our lives: "My Lord and my God!" and remain steadfast in the hope and promise of the Risen Christ.