St. Gregory Tatevatsi’s homily on New Sunday
It’s called Second Easter for three reasons: freedom, resurrection, and salvation. Which signify the second coming and end of days.
First for freedom. For Zatik (Easter) is translated freedom and this day is called Second Freedom. This is the mystery, for although Christ freed us from sins by Hs first coming, the body is still in need. That is, hunger and thirst, cold, fear and sorrow. As the apostle says. "we ourselves, who have tasted the spirit, groan within ourselves, looking for the salvation of our body." Romans 8:23 And this will be when God makes everything new and frees us from all wants, then will be called Second Zatik (Easter), of which today is a symbol.
Second, called Second Easter for our second resurrection. For on the first Sunday He raised us up with Him in spirit and power. As the apostle says: “raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6 And on the second Sunday he raises us up in the body, in which we rise from the dead and become immortal. As he says to the Corinthians: “when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” 1Co 15:54 Therefore this day is called Second Easter, as a symbol of our second resurrection.
Third, it’s called second Easter for our salvation. For on the previous Sunday He appeared to the other disciples, in which He saved them and confirmed them in the faith of the resurrection. And on the second Sunday He appeared again and saved Thomas from his doubt, and confirmed him in the faith. According to what he said: “‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ And he testified my Lord and my God.”John20:27-28 And these are examples of those who believed again. That is, the other disciples of the present believers, who, by the fullness of the preachers and by seeing only through eyes of faith, were established in Christ, as those who had believed on the previous Sunday.
And Thomas gives an example of those who believe in Christ at the second coming because of miracles and fear. "When every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and on earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philippians 2:10. Just as Thomas on this day confessed Lord and God by touching Him, perhaps those who believed the Christians of today without seeing are even more blessed. These are the different reasons why it is called a New Sunday or Second Easter.
What is the meaning of the Lord showing His hands and feet to the other disciples, as Luke says, and to Thomas hands and side, as John says? It can be said that the disciples to whom He showed His hands and feet, showcases three things. First, the hands signify the highest work of Christ and the feet the servile. He said to the disciples, “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.” Luke 24:39 That is, not another one who did the divine, and not another one who did the human, but one and the same.
Second, He showed in admonition to the disciples, saying, “See the hand that multiplied the loaves, and opened the eyes of the blind. And see the feet that walked on the sea. And traveled in the air. These suffered such wounds and sores. Likewise, when you go about preaching in the world and perform miracles, if the sufferings of death come upon you, do not be proud of great deeds. But accept them with humility, as you saw Me do.”
Third, another beautiful mystery is revealed by both hands and both feet. That is, our bitterness that we have towards him. For we confess Him on the right and on the right hand of God the Father. And he appeared on the left side of the world, endured tribulation, torments and death. This is the meaning of the two hands that He showed them. And the feet, one [tells] of His Ascension to the Father and sitting at the right hand of the Father, and the other of His second coming, when He will come in the glory of the Father to judge the world. For that reason He said: “See the hands and the feet.”
And Thomas with his finger touched His hands, and with his hand touched His side. This is a remarkable vision.This means that the wound from the nails was big enough to fit his finger. And his hand that is four fingers were able to touch the wound from the lance, because His side was opened enough for four finger to be able to touch. Again there is a mystery. For one finger signifies faith. For one faith says the apostle (Ephesians 4:5). And four fingers the four virtues. This signifies that for those who behold Christ only with their eyes, that is, at the time of the Liturgy, faith alone is sufficient for them. And those who touch the body, that is, offer Christ, the four virtues must be added to be worthy. Again, according to a simple theory, the Lord did this for admonition of leaders, that is, hieromonks, bishops, or priests. That those who are perfect in word and deed like the other apostles, in few things it is enough for them to learn from admonition. And the imperfect like Thomas, must put more effort, four times more than the others, to bring them to righteousness.
But the teachers say that when he put his hand into Christ's side and withdrew it, fire appeared to shine on Thomas' hands. For this reason all the disciples bowed their heads and crossed themselves and kissed his right hand. And this mystery, all Christians now take [the sign of the] cross from each other. Therefore, when the priest offers the sacrifice, it is obligatory to take the [sign of the] cross only from him and not from others. As the other apostles took the [sign of the] cross only from Thomas. Similarly, the one who offers the sacrifice should not take the [the sign of the] cross from others. As neither did Thomas take the [sign of the] cross from the other apostles. And he is obliged to give the [sign of the] cross with his right hand. Because Thomas' with his right hand touched the side of Christ.
Therefore it is clear that Thomas stood opposite the face of Christ, and the wound was on the left side of Christ, as some say. The reason for this is that the woman was [created from the left rib of Adam]. Therefore our Lord received the wound on the left side to heal him. And whence is it known that he took the left rib from Adam? Because a rib is missing on the left side of the man. But the general doctrine is that the right side was wounded. Hence the blood and water flowed in the baptismal font. Therefore the baptismal font is on the right side of the church, that it may give birth to us the sons of God, and not on the left side. Likewise the Sacramental Niche is on the right side of the church, that they may present at the altar, and offer the sacrifice for the reconciliation of the whole world, and for the atonement and forgiveness of all sinners, living and dead.
Again a New Sunday and a Second Easter. Because we celebrate the vigil of salvation of our souls with spiritual joy and celebration, and not as in the old days, for their vigil was only according to bodily joy. And again let us sing a new blessing to the new bridegroom, raised from the new tomb. And according to the new vigil and new song, likewise is Easter new joy and spiritual exultation.
Again a New Sunday and a Second Easter because the readings of the Gospels is repeated. For in these eight days after the resurrection until today, the remarkable Gospels are read, which are faithful witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. And each Gospel was read four times: three on one day and one on the second. For it is written in the law, “By the testimony of two or three witnesses shall every matter be established.” Deuteronomy 19:15 Now, since Christ is God and also man, three are witnesses of humanity, and one of divinity, as are the four evangelists: three were witnesses of the humanity of Christ, for that reason they began with the incarnation, and one testified of divinity, for John began with divinity.
