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Tuesday of St Thomas Week
Christ is risen!Divine Liturgy, 10:00 a.m.
Day of Rejoicing
Commemorated this year on April 13
On Tuesday of St Thomas week we remember those Orthodox Christians
from all ages who have died in faith, and in the hope of resurrection.
There are indications of this commemoration in the sermons of the
Fathers of the Church. St John Chrysostom, for example, mentions it in
his homily "On the Cemetery and the Cross."
In pre-Revolutionary Russia bars remained closed and alcoholic
beverages were not sold until this Day of Rejoicing so that the joy
people felt would be because of the Resurrection, and not an
artificial joy brought on by alcohol.
Today the Church remembers its faithful members at Liturgy, and
kollyva is offered in remembrance of those who have fallen asleep.
Priests visit cemeteries to bless the graves of Orthodox Christians,
and to share the paschal joy with the departed. It is also customary
to give alms to the poor on this day.