Apostle Thomas (Koufos) Icon 4x5 in

St. Thomas, like many of the other Apostles, was a fisherman before he followed Jesus. Thomas is involved in one important point in scripture, just after the Resurrection.

Thomas was not with the other disciples when the risen Christ first came to them, and refused to believe the news without proof. While Jesus did give Thomas the proof he demanded, He gently rebuked the Apostle for his unwillingness to believe. St. Thomas is a reminder to keep faith even when we cannot see a reason for it.

The icon of St. Thomas shows the same message. When he heard that Jesus had risen, Thomas replied that “Unless I” “put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 10:25). In the icon, Thomas is holding out his hand to touch the wound in Jesus’ side, and to have his faith restored.

This icon was painted by Fr. Theodore Koufos of blessed memory. Offered by permission.