On the Sunday after Holy Pascha, called Sunday of Apostle Thomas, or Antipascha (in stead o of Pascha), with the blessing of H.E. Metropolitan Vladimir of Chisinau and all Moldova, the Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Lord Metropolitan Cathedral was celebrated by Vicar Bishop Siluan of Orhei.
Bishop Siluan was assisted at the divine Service by archpriest Vadim Cheibas, secretary of the Metropolis of Moldova and Dean of the Cathedral, and the synaxis of priests and deacons of the Cathedral.
The Sunday after Holy Pascha commemorates Holy Apostle Thomas for his doubt and further belief in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 20, 19-31). He who doubted about the story of Jesus’ Resurrection, was also the one who acknowledged Jesus Christ as true Lord and God. He was also the one who, a week before the Crucification of our Lord Jesus Christ was the only one who showed utter devotion to the Lord, with his firm intention to go and die together with Jesus.
Thomas’ confession and acknowledgement of Christ as true God expresses the foundation of our belief that Jesus is truly Son of God and God Himself, Who became human, in order to rise the humanity form the realm of death to the Life Eternal.
Traditionally, the Sunday of St. Thomas and the Monday coming after it are celebrated in Moldova as days of commemoration of the reposed.
In their pastoral message, Archpriest Vadim Cheibas, the Dean of the Cathedral, called the church-goers to preserve sobriety and commemorate our reposed fore-fathers and brothers in the light of Christian virtues, exhibiting mercy and care to those in need, and avoiding any excesses in cemeteries.
Synodal Sector of Institutional Communication and Mass-Media Relations