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Antipascha - Saint Thomas Sunday
This day is called
Antipascha (meaning “in the stead of Pascha,” not “in opposition
to Pascha) because from this day, the first Sunday after Pascha, the Church consecrates every Sunday of the year to the commemoration
of Pascha, that is, the Resurrection.
More commonly known as Thomas Sunday, we recall today Thomas’ absence when the Risen Lord first appeared to
his disciples on the day of his Resurrection, and his refusal to believe their testimony.
After eight days, that is, on this day, the Lord Jesus comes while
the doors are shut, as he did formerly, and bids Thomas to come forward and
probe his wounds and “be not unbelieving but believing” as recorded in the Gospel reading for today.
Today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles evokes vividly the atmosphere of miracles and fervor in Jerusalem
in the early days of the Church’s existence.
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The readings below are Sunday, April 27, 2025
Today's Epistle reading: [Acts 5.12-20]
Now many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in
Solomon's Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers
were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid
them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from
the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
But the high priest rose up and all who
were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the
common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, "Go and stand
in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.
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Today's Gospel reading: [John 20.19-31]
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of
the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed
them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be
with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to
them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they
are retained.”
Now Thomas, one of
the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord."
But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails,
and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
Eight days later, his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus
came and stood among them, and said, "Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and
see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered him,
"My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who
have not seen and yet believe.”
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are
written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
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