Patron Saints

It is the custom of the Orthodox Church to name parishes in honor of either a Saint or a Feast Day. It is also custom that other ecclesiastical bodies adopt a Patron Saint. This is a practice foreign to many Protestants, so a word of explanation is in order. The practice finds its roots in a lively belief in the resurrection. Those who have rejected sin and put on Christ (Christians in this world and Saints in the next) and have now died are still alive and in the presence of Jesus Christ. Because they are alive and aware it is appropriate to ask that they pray for us in the same manner that we would ask a fellow Christian to pray for us. As a result there is a strong link between the whole Church (those living this life on earth and resurrected in heaven) as we all pray for one another and worship together in the Divine Liturgy. Patron Saints are an important symbol of this lively relationship between heaven and earth.

Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas

The Patron Saint of St. Thomas Orthodox Church is the Apostle Thomas. The Holy and Glorious Apostle Thomas was born in the Galileian city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of Jesus Christ, he left all and followed after Him. The Apostle Thomas is included in the number of the holy Twelve Apostles of the Savior.

According to Holy Scripture, the holy Apostle Thomas did not believe the reports of the other disciples about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ: "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe" (John 20:25).

On the eighth day after the Resurrection, the Lord appeared to the Apostle Thomas and showed him His wounds. "My Lord and my God," the Apostle cried out (John 20:28). "Thomas, being once weaker in faith than the other apostles," says St John Chrysostom, "toiled through the grace of God more bravely, more zealously and tirelessly than them all, so that he went preaching over nearly all the earth, not fearing to proclaim the Word of God to savage nations."

Some icons depicting this event are inscribed "The Doubting Thomas." This is incorrect. In Greek, the inscription reads, "The Touching of Thomas." In Slavonic, it says, "The Belief of Thomas." When St Thomas touched the Life-giving side of the Lord, he no longer had any doubts.

According to Church Tradition, the holy Apostle Thomas founded Christian churches in Palestine, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Ethiopia and India. Preaching the Gospel earned him a martyr's death. For having converted the wife and son of the prefect of the Indian city of Meliapur [Melipur], the holy apostle was locked up in prison, suffered torture, and finally, pierced with five spears, he departed to the Lord. Part of the relics of the holy Apostle Thomas are in India, in Hungary and on Mt. Athos. The name of the Apostle Thomas is associated with the Arabian (or Arapet) Icon of the Mother of God (September 6). [From The Lives of the Saints]

Troparion for St. Thomas - Tone 2

You were a disciple of Christ

And a member of the divine college of Apostles.

Having been weak in faith you doubted the Resurrection of Christ.

But by feeling the wounds you believed in His all-pure passion:

Pray now to Him, O all-praised Thomas to grant us peace and great mercy.

Kontakion for St. Thomas - Tone 4

Thomas, the faithful servant and disciple of Christ,

Filled with divine grace, cried out from the depth of his love:

You are my Lord and my God!

St. Thomas Orthodox Church in Sioux City is the only parish in the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America to have the Apostle Thomas as their patron.

The Hieromartyr Eleftherios of Illyria

St. Thomas Orthodox Church is part of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. The Antiochian Archdiocese of North America was only recently divided into dioceses. The Archdiocese has experienced remarkable growth since the 1980s and the administrative structure was becoming overwhelmed with the task. His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP had Auxiliary Bishops for many years to help with that task, but in the early 21st century a system of dioceses within the archdiocese was finally put in place in order to lessen the administrative burden on Metropolitan PHILIP. The Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America was formally established and His Grace Bishop BASIL enthroned on Dec. 15, 2004, which is the Feast Day of St. Eleftherios, the Patron Saint of the diocese.

St. Eleftherios had Rome as his homeland. Having been orphaned of his father from childhood, he was taken by his mother Anthia to Anicetus, the Bishop of Rome (some call him Anencletus or Anacletus), by whom he was instructed in the sacred letters (that is, the divine Scriptures). Though still very young in years he was made Bishop of Illyria by reason of his surpassing virtue, and by his teachings he converted many unbelievers to Christ. However, during a most harsh persecution that was raised against the Christians under Hadrian (reigned 117-138), the saint was arrested by tyrants. Enduring many torments for Christ, he was finally put to death by two soldiers about the year 126. As for his Christ-loving mother Anthia, while embracing the remains of her son and kissing them with maternal affection, she was also beheaded. [From The Lives of the Saints]

Troparion for St. Eleftherios - Tone 5

Adorned with the robe of priest

Stained with the streams of your blood,

O wise and blessed Eleutherius, over-thrower of Satan

You hastened to Christ your Master. Pray unceasingly for those who faithfully honor your contest!

Kontakion for St. Eleftherios - Tone 2

We all praise and entreat you, O Hieromartyr Eleutherius,

Adornment of priests and encouragement of martyrs:

Free from danger those who lovingly celebrate your memory,

And pray unceasingly for us all!

St. Thomas Orthodox Church

A parish of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Archdiocese of North America