Tomindan: Orthodox Christians celebrate Saint Thomas

The Serbian Orthodox Church and its believers are celebrating Tomindan, the feast day of Saint Apostle Thomas. Known in folk tradition as “Doubting Thomas,” the saint is celebrated for his journey from skepticism regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ to a profound confession of faith.

According to Christian tradition, Thomas was one of the twelve apostles who preached the Gospel in distant lands, including Persia and India, where he eventually became a martyr. He is also associated with the Dormition of the Mother of God, as tradition holds he arrived late to her funeral only to find her tomb empty.

In regional folk customs, Tomindan is observed as both a patronal feast (slava) for many families and a guild feast (esnafska slava) for various craftsmen, including carpenters, blacksmiths, and masons. Popular traditions include the saying “Saint Thomas, sit at home,” advising people to avoid unnecessary travel and work on this day. In some areas, prayers are offered to him for rain during droughts, while in others, he is believed to protect households from wolves.