Why didn’t Thomas the Apostle believe before; what does his example teach us; how can a modern man witness about God? The metropolitan Anthony (Packanich) answers on the Low Week’s eve.

— For centuries, many christian writers tried to consider the episode of disbelief of Thomas from all angles, to understand his doubts, to realize the Christ’s condescension to him, to see the moral lessons for each of us. Why Thomas the Apostle didn’t believe right away?

— Thomas was different from other Apostles with his utter zeal and hot temper: when on the Easter Sufferings eve Christ told apostles about his wish to visit dead Lazarus, all apostles were silent, maybe fighting with doubts — jews had just tried to kill Him (John 10:31). Thomas talked to apostles impulsively: «Let us also go, so that we may die with Him» (John 11:16).

Also in the Zion chamber, with all the apostles being silent, Thomas asks Christ a question which shows how seriously he realizes what’s happening: «Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?» (John 14:5). In other words, he wanted to know exactly about the salvation because his finished temper demanded the total efficiency in the most important thing in life, and he was still clarifying to be sure in his choice. That’s why exactly Thomas was absent in the moment of appearing of resurrected Christ to the Apostles (John 20:24). After all, if he was sure that he wanted to give his life for Christ, he should personally make sure that Jesus had risen and that’s why He is Lord and God (John 20:28).

People don’t take the Thomas way, the way of making sure in your faith, when they’re not just going to give their life for it, but not even going to change it.

— Our nonreligious countrymen, by their own admission, didn’t meet Christ, and they can’t see Him in the life of those who talk about Him and insist on His resurrection. How can they meet Jesus today?

— For a person there’s only one possibility to meet Christ — to start his way to Him, and He definitely will come to life of this person, assist during difficult periods, give a cue for those who need help. People who say that now there’re no miracles, just didn’t try to meet Christ in their life. Those, who tried, can remember numerous wonderful instances from their life and from the life of their loved ones. But it’s needed to try to discern Christ in their own, but not in others lives, keeping in mind the patristic word: «Know yourself, and that’s enough».

— How can a modern person witness about God?  

— Just like in other times: by his life. Athos elders have an adage: «Don’t start talking about God to other people by yourself — just live in such a way so that they ask you about Him». It’s a very simple, exact explanation of Savior’s words: «Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven» (Matthew 5:16). And the witness by deeds should always be supported by witness by word as Saint Peter said: «…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.» (1 Peter 3:15-16).

Interviewed by Natalia Goroshkova