2024

On Sunday | May 12

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The Readings from the Regular Cycle

The Epistle

Sunday after Pascha

The reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.

Acts 5:12 – 20

In those days, many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high honor. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed. But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is, the party of the Sadducees, and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the common prison. But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” [RSV]

The Gospel

Sunday after Pascha i.e. of the Holy Apostle Thomas

The reading is from the holy Gospel according to John.

Jn. 20:19 – 31

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them: “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him: “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, I will not believe.” Eight days later, His disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. The doors were shut, but Jesus came and stood among them, and said: “Peace be with you.” Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.” Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to Him: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. [RSV]

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Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.

Synaxarion

From the Menaion.

On May 12 we commemorate our Father among the Saints Epiphanios, Bishop of Constantia in Cyprus.

On this day we also commemorate our Father among the Saints Germanus, Archbishop of Constantinople.

Our devout Father Theodore of Kythera (919-948) reposed in peace .

On this day the holy Neo-martyr John Vlachos, who witnessed in Constantinople, died by hanging.

From the Pentecostarion.

On this day, the second Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate the dedication of Christ’s Resurrection, and St. Thomas’ handling of the Lord’s body.

Verses

Locks of neither womb nor tomb impede You.

So how should door locks impede Your entry, O Savior?

By the intercessions of Thomas Your Apostle, O Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.

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Fasting Rule

Fast Free: All foods allowed.