Pentecostarion

Sunday of Thomas

Great Vespers

After the priest giveth the blessing, we chant, Christ is risen (thrice), the Proemial Psalm, and the First Kathisma of the Psalter. For Lord, I have cried, we allow for ten verses and chant the following Stichera, repeating the first four:

A Composition of John the Monk

First Tone

While the disciples were gathered, while the doors were shut, Thou didst enter of a sudden, O Almighty Jesus, our God. And standing in their midst, Thou didst grant them peace, and didst fill them with the Holy Spirit. Thou didst command them to tarry, and in no wise depart from Jerusalem until they be vested with power from on high. Wherefore, we cry to Thee: O our Enlightenment and Resurrection and Peace, glory be to Thee. (Twice)

Eight days after Thine arising, O Lord, Thou didst appear unto Thy disciples in the place where they were gathered, and Thou didst cry unto them: Peace be unto you. And Thou didst show Thy hands and immaculate side unto the doubting disciple. Wherefore, convinced, he cried unto Thee: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee. (Twice)

When Thou didst enter, O Christ, while the doors were shut, Thomas, who was called the Twin, was not with them. Wherefore, he doubted what was told him, thus by unbelief confirming his belief. And Thou, O Good One, didst not disdain to show him Thine immaculate side and the wounds of Thy hands and feet. Wherefore, having felt and beheld, he confessed that Thou art neither naked God nor mere man, and he cried: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee. (Twice)

As the disciples were in doubt, the Saviour came on the eighth day to where they were gathered and granted them peace, and cried unto Thomas: Come, O Apostle, and feel the palms in which they fastened the nails. O good unbelief of Thomas, which hath led the hearts of the faithful to knowledge! Hence, he cried out with fear: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee. (Twice)

Second Tone

After Thine arising, O Lord, Thou didst stand in the midst of Thy disciples when they were gathered together, while the doors were shut, and Thou didst grant them peace. And as for Thomas, convinced at beholding Thy hands and side, he confessed that Thou art the Lord and God, Who dost save them that hope in Thee, O Friend of man.

Jesus came unto the disciples while the doors were shut, and granted them peace and fearlessness. Then He saith unto Thomas: Why believest thou not that I have arisen from the dead? Bring hither thy hand and place it in My side, and see; because thou hast disbelieved, all have learned of My Passion and Resurrection, and they shall all cry out with thee: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee.

Glory; Both now.

Sixth Tone

Thou didst come to Thy disciples, O Christ, while the doors were shut. Then, by dispensation, Thomas was not to be found among them; for he said: I will not believe unless I also behold the Master, and see the side whence there issued the blood, the water, the baptism, and observe the wound through which man, the great wound, was healed, and see that He is not a spirit, but flesh and bones. O Thou Who didst trample down death and didst instruct Thomas, O Lord, glory be to Thee.

Then the Entrance, O Gentle Light, the Prokeimenon of the day, The Lord is King…

For the Entreaty, the following Stichera:

Fourth Tone

O Lord, by the unendurable brilliance of Thy Divinity, Thou didst come while the doors were shut; and standing in the midst of the disciples, Thou didst lay bare Thy side and didst show unto them the wounds of Thy hands and feet, thereby dispelling the despondency that came from their faintheartedness, and Thou didst cry out clearly: Even as ye behold in Me the assumption of the flesh, O friends, so in like manner I bear not the nature of a spirit. And Thou didst incite the doubting disciple to touch with fear, saying unto him: Now that thou hast examined all, come, therefore, do not doubt. And when with his hand he perceived Thy twofold nature, he, drawn by faith, cried out in faith and fear: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee.

Eighth Tone

O Thomas, touch My side with thy hand, saith Christ, and come, feel the prints of the nails. Examine them in faith; believe thou in Me, and be not unbelieving. And when Thomas touched the Master with his finger, he cried out with a great voice: Thou art my God and Lord; O Compassionate One, glory be to Thee.

Glory; Both now.

Eighth Tone. By Anatolius

While the doors were shut and the disciples were assembled, the Saviour came where they were gathered. And standing in their midst, He saith unto Thomas: Come, feel and behold the prints of the nails. Stretch forth thy hand and touch My side, and be not unbelieving, but with faith proclaim My Resurrection from the dead.

Aposticha

For the Aposticha, the following Stichera:

Fourth Tone

O strange wonder, unbelief hath given birth unto steadfast faith! For Thomas said: unless I see, I shall not believe. And when he touched the side of Christ, he spake with divine authority concerning the Incarnate One Who is the very Son of God, and recognized Him as the One Who suffered in the flesh. He proclaimed the Risen God, and cried with a radiant voice: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee.

Verse: Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Sion.

O strange wonder, that grass should touch fire and be safe! For Thomas cast his hand into the fiery side of Jesus Christ our God, and was not burned by touching Him. For with fervour he changed the obstinacy of his soul into fervent faith, and he cried out from the depths of his soul: Thou art my Master and God, Who didst arise from the dead. Glory be to Thee.

Verse: For He hath strengthened the bars of thy gates, He hath blessed thy sons within thee.

O strange wonder! John leaned on the bosom of the Word, and Thomas was counted worthy to feel His side. The first, in a dread manner, drew therefrom a depth of theology, even God’s economy; and this one was counted worthy to initiate us; for he openly presented the proofs of His arising, as he cried out: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee.

Glory; Both now.

Fifth Tone

O friend of man, great and unsearchable is the multitude of Thy compassions! for in Thy longsuffering, Thou wast struck by the Jews, wast examined by an Apostle, and wast disputed over by them that rejected Thee. How didst Thou become incarnate ? How wast Thou, the Sinless One, crucified? But grant us understanding, that, like Thomas, we may cry out to Thee: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee.

Dismissal Hymn

Seventh Tone

Whilst the tomb was sealed, Thou, O Life, didst shine forth from the grave, O Christ God; and whilst the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Resurrection of all, renewing through them an upright Spirit in us according to Thy great mercy. (Thrice)

Then the blessing of the loaves, after which we have the reading on the Acts and the remainder of the service of the Vigil.

Note

It should be noted that from this present Sunday, if it happen to be the month of May, there doth not take place the breaking and distribution of the loaves after the blessing thereof because of the shortness of the night, in that insufficient hours intervene between Vespers and the Divine Liturgy.

Matins

The Six Psalms, then, God is the Lord; the usual readings from the Psalter, and the Polyeleos instead of Psalm 118, since it is a Feast of the Master.

After the First Reading from the Psalter, the following Sessional Hymn:

First Tone

Although The Stone Was Sealed

When they had come together, assembling upon Sion, the disciples hid themselves, fearing the malice of the Hebrews. And though the doors had been fastened shut,

Good One, Thou didst enter, bringing joy. Thou didst show to them the wounds in Thy most pure side and in Thy most holy hands./ Thou didst say unto Thomas in his doubt:/ Stretch thy hand forth and examine Me./ See thou that I Myself am He that suffered on thine account. (Twice)

After the Second Reading from the Psalter, the following Sessional Hymn:

Same Tone

The soldiers standing guard

O Christ, Who art our Life, with the doors shut, Thou camest to Thy disciples and Thou didst show Thy side to them, as well as Thy hands and Thy feet, and didst thereby confirm Thy blest Rising from the grave. But Thomas was not there with them; wherefore he did say: Unless I see Him with mine eyes, I will not believe your words. (Twice)

After the Polyeleos, the following Sessional Hymn.

Same Melody

Since thou seest My side and the nails’ prints, O Thomas,/ why dost thou disbelieve Mine arising, said the Lord God, when He had risen from the tomb and appeared then ineffably unto the divine Apostles. Hence, now persuaded, the Twin cried aloud and said unto the Creator: Thou art my God and my Lord. (Twice)

Then, for the Hymns of Ascent, the First Antiphon in Fourth Tone.

Prokeimenon. Fourth Tone

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Sion.

Verse: For He hath strengthened the bars of thy gates, He hath blessed thy sons within thee.

Then Let every breath, and the reading of the First Matinal Gospel, At that time, the eleven disciples… (Matthew 28:16–29). Then Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, and the Fiftieth Psalm.

Then the Canon; the Irmos is chanted twice, and the Troparia are so repeated as to make fourteen in each Ode.

The Canon

A Composition of John The Monk, First Tone

Ode One

Irmos

Let us all sing a song of victory, O ye people, unto Him that freed Israel from bitter slavery to Pharaoh and led them in the depth of the sea dry-shod, for He hath been glorified.

Troparia

Today is the springtime of our souls; for Christ, Who on the third day shone forth from the grave like the sun, hath dispelled the dark winter of our sin. Let us praise Him, for He hath been glorified.

With splendour, the queen of seasons doth openly minister unto this radiant day, the queen of days, and doth gladden the notable people of the Church, as she unceasingly praiseth the risen Christ.

Neither the gates of death, O Christ, nor the seals of the grave, nor the bars of the doors withstood Thee; but when Thou didst arise, Thou didst come unto Thy friends, O Master, and didst grant them that peace that surpasseth every mind.

Katavasia: It is the day of Resurrection…

Ode Three

Irmos

Establish me, O Christ, upon the rock of Thy commandments, and enlighten me with the light of Thy countenance; for there is none holy, save Thee, O Friend of man.

Troparia

By Thy Cross Thou didst render us new instead of old, and incorruptible instead of corruptible, O Christ; and Thou didst command us to live worthily in newness of life.

Though enclosed within a grave in Thy circumscribable flesh, Thou didst arise, O Christ, Who art uncircumscribable; and while the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Almighty One.

Having preserved intact Thy wounds, which Thou didst endure willingly for us, Thou didst show them unto Thy disciples, O Christ, as a witness of Thy glorious Resurrection. E inviolable treasury of Thy divine

Katavasia: Come, let us drink a new drink…

Hypakoë

Sixth Tone

Even as Thou camest in the midst of Thy disciples, O Saviour, and gayest them peace, come also amongst us and save us.

And a reading from the Theologian, beginning with the words, It is an ancient and excellent law to honour the festival of renewal.

Ode Four

Irmos

Great is the mystery of Thy dispensation, O Christ! For when Abbacum foresaw it from on high in a divine vision, he cried unto Thee: Thou didst come forth for the salvation of Thy people, O Friend of man.

Troparia

Christ tasted of gall, thereby healing that tasting of the fruit of old; and now, together with the honeycomb, He hath granted that our forefather may partake of His enlightenment and sweetness.

Thou didst rejoice when Thou wast examined. Wherefore, O Friend of man, Thou didst encourage Thomas in this, and didst show Thy side unto the disbelieving one, thereby assuring the world of Thine arising on the third day, O Christ.

Drawing forth wealth from the inviolable treasury of Thy divine side which had been pierced by a lance, O Benefactor, the Twin doth fill the world with wisdom and knowledge.

Thine all-blessed tongue is praised, O Twin; for it was the first to proclaim piously that Jesus, the Giver of life, is both God and Lord; for when thou didst touch Him, it was filled with grace.

Katavasia: Let the Prophet Abbacum, the proclaimer of divine things…

Ode Five

Irmos

Out of the night we wake at dawn and praise Thee, O Christ, Who art cobeginningless with the Father, and art the Saviour of our souls; grant peace unto the world, O Friend of man.

Troparia

Having come unto His disheartened friends, the Saviour doth dispel all their sorrow by His presence; and He caused them to leap for joy because of His Resurrection.

O how praiseworthy and truly awesome is Thomas’ undertaking! For daringly he touched the side that doth flash forth with the lightning of the divine fire.

Thou hast proved the disbelief of Thomas to be the mother of belief for us; for by Thy wisdom, Thou dost provide for all things that are to our profit, O Christ, since Thou art the Friend of man.

Katavasia: Let us arise in the deep dawn…

Ode Six

Irmos

Thou didst save the Prophet from the sea monster, O Friend of man; lead me up also out of the depth of offences, I pray.

Troparia

Thou didst not leave Thomas immersed in the depth of unbelief, O Master, when he stretched forth his hands to examine Thee.

Our Saviour said: When ye touch Me, see that I have bones and flesh; I am not subject to change.

Thomas felt Thy side; and believing, he recognized Thee, though he was not present when Thou didst first come, O our Saviour.

Katavasia: Thou didst descend…

Kontakion

Eighth Tone

With his searching right hand, Thomas did probe Thy life-bestowing side, O Christ God; for when Thou didst enter whilst the doors were shut, he cried out unto Thee with the rest of the Apostles: Thou art my Lord and my God.

Ikos

Who preserved the disciple’s hand unconsumed when he drew nigh unto the fiery side of the Lord? Who gave it the daring and strength to feel the bone that was flaming? Surely, it was that which was touched. For if that side had not bestowed might unto that earthen right hand, how could it have touched those wounds which caused both things above and below to quake? This grace was given to Thomas, that he might touch and cry out to Christ: Thou art my Lord and my God.

Ode Seven

Irmos

When the harmonious music called the peoples together to offer adoration to the image, the Children of David, singing a hymn from the odes of Sion like their father, destroyed the discordant doctrine of the tyrant and changed the flame into dew as they sang: O our supremely exalted God, the God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Troparia

Since this radiant day is the first and sovereign lady of days, it is meet that the new and divine people should rejoice therein; for, as the eighth day, it doth awesomely present the prefiguring of that age which is to come. O our supremely exalted God, the God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Thomas the Twin, who alone was bold, and who by his unbelieving belief hath brought us benefactions, doth by his believing unbelief dispel gloomy ignorance from all the ends of the earth. And he doth clearly plait a crown for himself by saying: Thou art Lord. O our supremely exalted God, the God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Not in vain did Thomas doubt Thine arising, nor did he keep it hidden for himself, but free of doubt, he hastened to show it forth unto all the nations, O Christ. Wherefore, convinced through his unbelief, he taught all to say: Thou art Lord. O our supremely exalted God, the God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

With fear, Thomas placed his hand in Thy life-bearing side, O Christ, and trembling, he felt the two-fold power of the two natures united unmingled in Thee, O Saviour, and he cried with faith, saying: Thou art Lord. O supremely exalted God of our Fathers, blessed art Thou.

Katavasia: The only blest…

Ode Eight

Irmos

Praise the Lord Who preserved the Children in the flame of fire in the fiery furnace, and Who in the form of an Angel came down unto them in His compassion, and supremely exalt Him unto all the ages.

Troparia

Yearning for the joyous sight of Thee, Thomas disbelieved at first; but when he was deemed worthy thereof, he called Thee God and Lord, O Master, Whom we supremely exalt unto all the ages.

Praise the Lord Who tolerated Thomas’ unbelief and showed His side, and was examined closely by the hand of the disciple, and supremely exalt Him unto all the ages.

Thine inquisitiveness hath opened for us a hidden treasure, O Thomas; for with thy God-inspired tongue thou didst speak of things divine and didst say: Praise ye Christ, and supremely exalt Him unto the ages.

Katavasia: This chosen and holy day…

Ode Nine

Irmos

O Thou shining lamp, O Mother of God, thou most manifest glory, who art more exalted than all creation, thee do we magnify with hymns.

Troparia

Thy radiant and most resplendent day, and Thy light-filled grace, wherein Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Christ, as One comely in beauty, do we magnify.

Thee, Whose side was touched with an earthen hand, and yet did not burn it with the fire of Thine immaterial Divine essence, do we magnify with hymns.

Thee, Who didst arise from the grave as God, O Christ, though we have not beheld Thee with our eyes, yet with our hearts have believed in Thee with love, do we magnify with hymns.

Katavasia: Shine, shine…

Then Holy is the Lord our God (thrice), and the following Exapostilaria:

Third Tone

Thou Who, As God, Adornest

With thy hand thou hast searched out My wounds, hence do not disbelieve in Me, Who have been thus wounded for thee, O Thomas, but believe/ with the disciples, and preach Me,/ the living God, to all mankind. (Twice)

On this day Spring is fragrant; the new creation danceth now; today the bars have been taken off of the doors of disbelief, as the friend Thomas doth cry out: Thou art my Lord and God truly.

The Lauds (the Praises)

For the Praises we allow for four verses and chant the following Stichera, repeating the first one:

First Tone. O All-Lauded Martyrs

As Thou didst not violate the seals of the tomb after Thine awesome Resurrection, O Christ our God, so also in this wise, though the doors were shut fast, Thou, O lifebestowing Lord,/ didst enter in amidst Thine all-famed Apostles, filling them with joy. And Thy Spirit, yea, the Comforter, was vouchsafed them,/ in Thy boundless mercy, Lord. (Twice)

When Thou didst appear unto Thy most blest disciples, O our Lord, Thomas, who was also called the Twin, was absent from their midst. Wherefore, he believed not in Thy Resurrection, and he cried out unto them that had seen Thee: I will not believe that He hath arisen, save that I put my finger into His side and the prints of the nails.

To Thomas did Christ the Lord exclaim: As thou willest, put thy hand forth; touch and handle Me. Know that, like thyself, I, too, have bones and an earthen body. Do not harbour further doubts; but rather, like the others, believe in Me. Then Thomas cried to Him: Thou, O Jesus, art my Lord and God/ and my Saviour: Glory to Thy Rising, Lord!

Glory; Both now.

Sixth Tone

Eight days after Thine arising, O Jesus our King, Only-begotten Word of the Father, Thou didst appear unto Thy disciples while the doors were shut, and didst bestow Thy peace upon them. And to the disciple who believed not didst Thou show the prints and say: Come, feel my hands arid feet and undefiled side. And he, being convinced, cried unto Thee: O my Lord and my God, glory be to Thee.

The Great Doxology and the dismissal.

The Matinal Doxastica are chanted after the dismissal of Matins, before the Entreaty. The Entreaties begin again on this day and take place in the narthex, before the First Hour. The Catechetical Homilies of our righteous Father Theodore the Studite are also read in the narthex after the First Hour.

Matinal Doxasticon

First Tone

As the disciples were going to the mountain, the Lord came to them that He might ascend on high from lowly things, and they worshipped Him and learned from Him of the power given to Him in every place. And they were sent to every land under heaven to preach the Resurrection from the dead, and the translation to Heaven; He promised them, not lying, that He would be with them forever; for He is Christ God, the Saviour of our souls.

It should be noted that the services of the Saints which are omitted on all the Sundays of the season of the Holy Pentecostarion are chanted during the Sunday Complines.

The Liturgy is celebrated more quickly by reason of the labour of the Vigil. The Third, Sixth, and Ninth Hours are each read with the usual psalms, according to the prescribed order, in the narthex. The customary psalm is also said, as we go into the refectory, as well as when we arise from the table.

Divine Liturgy

The Typica, and for the Beatitudes, the hymns from the third and sixth Ode of the Canon of the Feast.

By Thy Cross Thou didst render us new instead of old, and incorruptible instead of corruptible, O Christ; and Thou didst command us to live worthily in newness of life. (Twice)

Though enclosed within a grave in Thy circumscribable flesh, Thou didst arise, O Christ, Who art uncircumscribable; and while the doors were shut, Thou didst come unto Thy disciples, O Almighty One.

Having preserved intact Thy wounds, which Thou didst endure willingly for us, Thou didst show them unto Thy disciples, O Christ, as a witness of Thy glorious Resurrection.

Thou didst not leave Thomas immersed in the depth of unbelief, O Master, when he stretched forth his hands to examine Thee. (Twice)

Our Saviour said: When ye touch Me, see that I have bones and flesh; I am not subject to change.

Thomas felt Thy side; and believing, he recognized Thee, though he was not present when Thou didst first come, O our Saviour.

The Prokeimenon of the Epistle. Third Tone

Great is our Lord, and great is His strength, and of His understanding there is no measure.

Verse: Praise ye the Lord, for a psalm is a good thing; let praise be sweet unto our God.

The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5: 12–20)

In those days, by the hands of the Apostles…

Alleluia. Eighth Tone

Come let us rejoice in the Lord, let us shout with jubilation unto God our Savior.

Verse: For the Lord is a great God and a Great king over all the earth.

The Holy Gospel according to Saint John (John 20: 19–31)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week…

The Communion Hymn

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Sion. Alleluia.