Eastern Churches
Antipascha is the name given to the eighth day of Pascha (Easter) in the Eastern Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and certain Eastern Catholic churches.
According to the Synaxarion, "On this Sunday, the second Sunday of Pascha, we celebrate the Antipascha, that is to say the re-dedication of the Resurrection of Christ, and also commemorate the event of the Holy Apostle Thomas' touching the wounds of Christ."
Thomas Sunday and Renewal Sunday are other names by which this Sunday is known. The former name refers to the event commemorated that day, described in the Gospel passage read that day at the Divine Liturgy, (John 20:19-31), which recounts the story of Christ appearing to the Apostle Thomas in order to dispel the latter's doubt about the Resurrection. Among Eastern Christians Thomas is not so much remembered as "doubting Thomas," but is rather remembered for his confession of faith: "My Lord and my God," thus being the first to publicly proclaim the two natures of Christ: human and divine. The latter name reflects that on that day the celebration of the Resurrection is repeated and renewed.
The entire week from Pascha to Thomas Sunday, known as Bright Week, is considered to be one continuous day.
Read more about this topic: Octave Of Easter
Famous quotes containing the words eastern and/or churches:
“The Eastern steamboat passed us with music and a cheer, as if they were going to a ball, when they might be going to—Davy’s locker.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“What after all are these churches now if they are not the tombs and sepulchers of God?”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)