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

Dr. Filip Petrunov

New discoveries revive the legends of Kaliakra – the glamorous capital of Dobrotitsa

This summer, archaeologists once again breathed life into the legends woven into the rocks of Kaliakra . Among the ruins of the once majestic fortress above the Black Sea, over 400 artefacts were discovered, shedding new light on..

published on 10/4/25 5:45 AM

85 years since return of Southern Dobrudzha to Bulgaria celebrated in Silistra

The 85 th anniversary since Southern Dobrudzha returned within the bounds of Bulgaria will be celebrated with an official ceremony on 1 October in Silistra, the Bulgarian news agency BTA reports. Representatives of the local and central..

published on 10/1/25 7:30 AM

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil meets with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Thessaloniki

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Thessaloniki, the Bulgarian Patriarchate announced.  The two discussed the centuries-old spiritual ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Orthodox..

published on 9/29/25 1:32 PM