On October 19, October 6, Old Style, the Russian Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve closest disciples of Jesus Christ. His name is familiar even to people far from church life: the expression "Thomas the unbeliever" has become a designation for a person who is difficult to convince of anything. However, behind the usual words there is a story of love for the Savior, gaining firm faith and fidelity to Him until His martyrdom.
The gospel has preserved only a few episodes related to Thomas, but each of them helps to see the character of the apostle. When Christ decided to go to Judea to resurrect the dead Lazarus, the disciples reminded the Teacher of the danger: Most recently, they wanted to stone Him there. It was Thomas who then said to the others, "Let us go and die with Him" (John 11:16). In these words, one can hear the willingness to share the fate of a beloved Teacher, even if death lies ahead.
At the Last Supper, Thomas turns to Christ again with a question. He admits that he does not understand where the Lord is going and how to find the way to Him. In response, the words of the Savior are heard: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Thomas decides to ask about something that remains incomprehensible to him, and his question becomes the reason for a revelation addressed to all people.
The most famous episode occurred after the Resurrection of Christ. Thomas was not among the disciples when the Lord appeared to them. After hearing their testimony, the apostle said that he would not believe it until he saw the nail wounds on the Savior's hands and touched them.
On the eighth day after Easter, Christ appeared to the disciples again. This time Thomas was with them. The Lord turned to him, offered to verify the authenticity of His wounds, and urged him: "Do not be an unbeliever, but a believer." The apostle's answer became a confession of the Divinity of Jesus Christ: "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:27-28).
In this gospel event, God's mercy is revealed to a person experiencing doubt. The Lord comes to His disciple and helps him to gain faith. At the same time, Christ's words are addressed to future generations of Christians: "Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed" (John 20:29). Through the testimony of the apostles, the joy of the Risen Savior becomes the property of the entire Church.
Thomas' later life reveals the power of the change that happened to him. According to church tradition, after the descent of the Holy Spirit, he went to preach the Gospel to distant lands. His ministry is associated with the emergence of Christian communities in Mesopotamia, Parthia and India. The life tells us that in India, for the conversion of the relatives of the local ruler to Christ, the apostle was imprisoned, suffered torment and died, pierced by spears. He testified his faithfulness to the Lord with his whole life and martyrdom.
The memory of the Apostle Thomas is especially close to those who are experiencing difficulties on the path of faith. His story gives hope: doubts can be overcome, and human infirmity can be healed by the grace of God. It is important to continue to turn to Christ, to seek the answer in the Gospel, prayer and the life of the Church, to learn to trust God and fulfill His commandments.
On the feast day of the Holy Apostle, we ask for his prayerful help in order to strengthen our faith, remain faithful to the Savior through trials, and bear witness to Him through our actions.
Holy Apostle Thomas, pray to God for us!