Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The Sunday after Easter is named after Thomas the Apostle

Икона на Св. апостол Тома
Photo: БТА-архив

The first Sunday after Easter is associated with one of the twelve disciples of Christ, St. Thomas the Apostle. The day is also called the Sunday of St. Thomas (Tomina Nedelya). The saint, commonly known as "Doubting Thomas", initially did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and sought proof. Then Christ appeared miraculously among his disciples and told Thomas: "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."

The Gospel account of how the apostle Thomas did not believe in the Resurrection is not the only thing he is known for. Thomas was one of Christ's most devoted disciples.

Sunday of St. Thomas Thomas Sunday marks the end of the Easter holiday cycle, it is also the end of Bright Week, also called empty pew week, because of the prohibition to do any work. On this day, women dye eggs again and give them away for the souls of their departed loved ones.

People named Toma, Tomislav, Tomislava celebrate their name day on Saint Thomas Sunday.


Text: Gergana Mancheva

English version: Elizabeth Radkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil holds the festive liturgy at the Rila Monastery

On the feast of the Dormition of Saint Ivan Rilski, the Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil led the Divine Liturgy at the Rila Monastery. On the eve of the feast, he bowed before the relics of the patron saint of the Bulgarian people..

published on 8/18/25 12:40 PM

St. John of Rila and St. John of Kronstadt – two great saints united in love for people

Today, August 18, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks the Dormition of St. John of Rila – the heavenly patron of Bulgaria. He is the most beloved saint in Bulgaria and is revered even beyond the borders of this country. We associate..

published on 8/18/25 9:30 AM

Bulgaria's largest church from the National Revival Period celebrates its feast on the Assumption of the Theotokos

The history of the largest Bulgarian church in Bulgaria from the National Revival period "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" in the town of Pazardzhik is long and interesting. It is assumed that the first church there was built in the 17th century. It..

published on 8/15/25 7:25 AM