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Orthodox Christians mark Sunday of Holy Apostle Thomas

Photo: www.bogonosci.bg

At the end of the Holy Week after Easter, Orthodox Christians revere the memory of one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, St. Thomas the Apostle. This is the first Sunday after the Resurrection of Christ called in Bulgaria the Sunday of Saint Thomas (Tomina Nedelya). The saint is commonly known as "Doubting Thomas" because initially he did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and sought proof. Then Christ appeared miraculously among his disciples and showed Thomas His crucifixion wounds in order to save him from the disbelief in his Master's divine mission. 

In terms of mundane practices, believers are now allowed to visit the graves of their ancestors, which is not done during the 40-day Easter Lent and the Holy Week. The tradition goes that people should bring painted Easter eggs and lay them on the graves of their deceased relatives.

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



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