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The Sunday after Easter, called the Second Sunday, is the eighth day of the paschal celebration and the last day of Bright Week. It is also called the Anti-pascha. On this Sunday, stress is on the Apostle Thomas’ vision of Christ and the significance of the day comes to us in the words of the gospel: 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.” (John 20:27-29) Thomas, upon Jesus’ invitation, does not actually touch Jesus for proof. His magnificent confession, My Lord and my God, testifies both to the lordship and deity of Christ.

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian

John was one of the apostles closest to Jesus. He preached throughout Asia Minor, especially in Ephesus. When the second persecution against the Christians began in the year 96 AD during the reign of Domitian, he was taken in bonds to Rome. After several unsuccessful attempts at putting him to death, he was exiled to Patmos. There, in a mountain, after three days of prayer, John dictated his gospel, one of the four books of the New Testament, to his disciple Prochoros. Later, also on Patmos, he dictated the Book of Revelations. The feast today commemorates the miracle taking place in Ephesus, in which a certain dust or powder, suddenly poured forth from his tomb. The powder was used by the faithful for deliverance from maladies of both soul and body.

Kontakion
Thomas touched Thy life-giving side with an eager hand, O Christ God, when Thou didst come to Thy apostles through closed doors. He cried out with all: Thou art my Lord and my God!

O Apostle, beloved of Christ our God, hasten to deliver a defenseless people. He that allowed thee to recline on His breast, receiveth thee bowing in intercession. Implore Him, O Theologian, to dispel the persistent cloud of the heathen, and ask for us His peace and great mercy.