Liturgical Texts
Here you will find the links to texts for various liturgical services.
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
& Third Sunday of Luke
The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas
Innocent, Apostle to the Americas; Venerable Kendeas of Cyprus
SYNAXARION
On October 6 in the Holy Orthodox Church, we commemorate the holy Apostle Thomas.
Verses
Thomas, who sought to thrust his hand in Thy side,
Is now pierced in his side for Thy sake, O Word.
On the sixth with long spears they undid Didymus.
Thomas was also called “The Twin,” one of the original Twelve Apostles. Through his doubt in the Resurrection of Christ the Lord, a new proof was given of that wonderful and saving event. The Lord said to 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. And Thomas replied: My Lord and my God (John 20:27-28). After the descent of the Holy Spirit, when the apostles cast lots to see where they would each go to preach, the lot fell to Thomas to go to India. Thomas converted many to the Christian Faith, and established the Church there, appointing priests and bishops. Before his martyric death, he and the other apostles were miraculously brought to Jerusalem for the burial of the Most-holy Theotokos. Arriving too late, he wept bitterly, and the tomb of the Holy Most-pure One was opened at his request. The Theotokos’ body was not found in the tomb: the Lord had taken His Mother to His heavenly habitation. Thus, in his tardiness Thomas revealed to us the wondrous glorification of the Mother of God, just as he had once confirmed faith in the Resurrection of the Lord by his unbelief. On this day, we also commemorate our father among the saints Innocent, Apostle to the Americas; and Venerable Kendeas of Cyprus. By the intercessions of Thy saints, O Christ God, have mercy upon us. Amen.
Please visit the Antiochian Archdiocese Website for Up-To-Date Texts of Services, and Choose the Specific Date on the Calendar.
