Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 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

115 years since the first airplane flight in Bulgaria

On November 15, 1910, Russian pilot Boris Maslenikov carried out the first airplane flight in Bulgaria. He took off in a Farman-type aircraft from an improvised airfield near Sofia. In the days that followed, several more demonstration flights were..

published on 11/15/25 6:45 AM

Attending the Plenary: The dedication and patriotism of the first MPs

On 16 April 1879, the deputies of the Constituent Assembly debated, approved and signed Bulgaria’s first constitution, the Tarnovo Constitution. This document established the legal basis for the establishment of the new Bulgarian state following the..

published on 11/10/25 5:56 PM

Saint Michael the Archangel who leads the army of angels against the forces of darkness

8 November is celebrated as the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel. According to church legend, Archangel Michael commands the whole army of angels in the fight against the forces of darkness, and during the second coming of the Son of God, he will..

published on 11/8/25 9:00 AM