St. Thomas the Apostle

The Story

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St. Thomas, called Didymus, which means the Twin, was one of the Twelve whom the Lord chose (Matthew 10:3 (Matthew 10:3)). The Holy Gospel remembers his courage when Christ resolved to go toward Lazarus into the land where the Jews had sought to stone Him; while the others were afraid, Thomas said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him" (John 11:16 (John 11:16)). It also remembers his question at the Last Supper, when the Lord spoke of the place He was going to prepare; Thomas said, "Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?" and from his question the Lord drew forth the words of life, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:5-6 (John 14:5-6)).

Content

After the Resurrection, Thomas was not with the disciples when the Lord first appeared to them in the upper room, and when they told him, "We have seen the Lord," he would not believe unless he should see in His hands the print of the nails and put his hand into His side. Eight days later, the doors being shut, Christ came again and stood in the midst and said, "Peace be unto you," and He turned to Thomas and invited him to reach forth his finger and touch the wounds, and to be not faithless but believing. Then Thomas, beholding his Lord, answered with that great confession of faith, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:24-29 (John 20:24-29)). And the Lord said, "Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

The Coptic Synaxarium relates that after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4 (Acts 2:1-4)), when the Apostles divided the regions of the earth among themselves, the land of India fell to the lot of Thomas. He went forth preaching the Gospel of Christ in the households and in the palaces of kings. He spoke to the people of their souls as palaces that ought to be built for the King of Glory, not with stones and timber but with mercy, purity, and good works. By the power of the Lord he healed the sick and raised the dead through prayer, and many believed and were baptized. He built a church, ordained for the people priests and deacons, and established the faithful in the teaching of the Lord, turning a great multitude from the worship of idols to the worship of the living God.

After he had labored long and brought many to the faith, the enemies of the Gospel rose against him. He endured many tortures and imprisonments for the name of Christ, yet he did not cease from preaching. At last, at Mylapore in India, the soldiers fell upon him and pierced him through with their spears, and he gave up his spirit and received the crown of martyrdom, finishing his course in the service of the Lord whom he had confessed as his God.

May his prayers be with us. Amen.

Titles

Apostle of Christ

Preacher of the Gospel

Witness of the Resurrection

Servant of the Word

Herald of the Kingdom

Feasts

Principal commemoration26 Bashons

Madeeh · salutations to the Apostle

The Hymn

A best-effort translation for meaning — not the original poetic text.

Peace to you, St. Thomas the Apostle, apostle of the Lord of hosts.

You witnessed to the living Christ and preached the salvation of life.

You cried, My Lord and my God, and the wound became a doorway of faith.

Pray for us before the Lord, that He may forgive our failings.

With the holy apostles and all the disciples of the Savior,

establish us in the faith and keep our love from growing cold.