Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

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.



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

Exhibition in Sozopol showcases monuments from ancient cities around the Black Sea

A trilingual exhibition titled “Egyptian Cults around the Black Sea” opens today at 6 PM at the Archaeological Museum in Sozopol , according to BNR – Burgas. Part of an international research project, the exhibition is organized by the Institute of..

published on 8/7/25 5:55 PM
The building of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox church

Bulgarian Orthodox Church calls for vigilance against self-proclaimed spiritual leaders

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has issued an official statement on “pagan neo-Hindu propaganda with pseudo-Christian elements”. The bishops of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church call for greater vigilance against “touring gurus, self-proclaimed “spiritual..

published on 8/7/25 10:14 AM

The restored second male statue from ancient city of Heraclea Sintica officially presented

Our lands are the cradle of ancient civilizations. Thanks to Bulgarian archaeologists, they are becoming known to the general public, said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at the presentation in Sofia of the restored statue of a man from the ancient..

published on 8/6/25 9:07 AM