NEW SUNDAY
OCTAVE OF EASTER
The Sundays following Easter in the Armenian Church begins with New Sunday, the first Sunday after the celebration of the Holy Resurrection.
In the Western Church, this day is often called “White Sunday,” symbolizing the spiritual purification received through Baptism and Holy Communion. In Orthodox and Catholic traditions, it is also known as “Thomas Sunday,” commemorating the Apostle Thomas.
The familiar phrase “seeing is believing” finds its origin in the story of the Apostle Thomas. When Christ first appeared to His disciples after the Resurrection, Thomas—also called the Twin—was not present. When the other apostles testified that they had seen the risen Lord, Thomas doubted, saying, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands… I will not believe.”
Eight days later, Christ appeared again, this time with Thomas present. The Lord invited him to touch His wounds and believe. Overcome with faith, Thomas proclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Christ then said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” These words mark the beginning of a new life of faith—one rooted not in sight, but in trust.
The Meaning of New Sunday
This first Sunday after Easter is also called “Second Easter” (Kiraki or Krknazatik), because it renews the joy and spiritual atmosphere of the Resurrection feast. According to St. Gregory of Tatev, it is celebrated “for freedom, for resurrection, and for salvation.”
The word “Sunday” itself comes from the Greek meaning “the Lord’s Day.” It is the day of Christ’s Resurrection and the foundation of Christian worship.
A Call to Spiritual Renewal
New Sunday carries a profound message of renewal. Just as nature is renewed in the spring—after the stillness of winter—so too must the human soul be renewed.
If trees and flowers come to life through sunlight and rain, then our inner life—our faith, love, thoughts, and convictions—also requires renewal through the grace of God.
Christ is the ultimate source of this renewal. He fulfilled the Old Covenant and established the New Covenant, giving us the commandment of love. Those who heard Him marveled, asking, “What is this new teaching?” (Mark 1:27).
The apostles, transformed by Christ, carried this message of renewal to the entire world. As St. Paul teaches, becoming a “new creation” is essential to Christian life (Galatians 6:15).
He urges us: “Put off your old self… be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)
And again: “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16)
Living the New Life in Christ
New Sunday reminds us that the Resurrection is not only an event to celebrate but a life to live. It calls each of us to continual renewal—to leave behind the old ways and embrace a new life in Christ.
As we journey through the season following Easter, may we renew our faith, strengthen our love, and grow daily in the light of the Risen Lord.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
~ Book of Acts 5:34-6:7 ~
But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be put outside for a short time. Then he said to them, "Fellow Israelites, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him; but he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and disappeared. After him Judas the Galilean rose up at the time of the census and got people to follow him; he also perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!" They were convinced by him, and when they had called in the apostles, they had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah.
Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. And the twelve called together the whole community of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word." What they said pleased the whole community, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, together with Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. They had these men stand before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
~ James 3:1-12 ~
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
~ The Holy Gospel of St. John 1:1-17 ~
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.