Today is (in the Episcopal Church calendar) the Feast of St. Thomas.
When I was received into the Episcopal Church, I took a saint’s name. And that name was Thomas.
Why take a saint’s name, you ask? The idea is to help confirm our identity as a Christian, and identify a saint as an aspirational figure.
“Little is recorded of St. Thomas the Apostle. Thomas was probably born in Galilee to a humble family, but there is no indication that he was a fisherman. He was a Jew, but there is no account of how he became an apostle to Christ. Nevertheless, thanks to the fourth Gospel his personality is clearer to us than some of the other Twelve. Thomas’ name occurs in Matthew (10:3), Mark (3:18), Luke (6) and Acts of the Apostles (1:13), but in the Gospel of John he plays a particularly distinctive part. Thomas is often condemned for his lack of belief, but Thomas was equally courageous, willing to stand by Jesus in dangerous times. He also relentlessly sought the Truth. Like an inquisitive child, he constantly asked questions. And, his wonderful profession, “My Lord and my God,” is the clearest declaration of Jesus’ divinity in Holy Scripture.” (https://www.stapostle.org/st-thomas-church-parish-history/saint-thomas-biography/)
Everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with firm and certain faith in your Son’s resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Happy feast day, a bit late! We Catholics do that too — usually, of course, we’re usually baptized with the name of a saint to begin with, but we choose an extra patron on our own at confirmation. St. Thomas is a pretty awesome saint — his part of the “go ye and teach all nations” was to go all the way to India, where his converts kept the Faith for years and years after his martyrdom and became known as the “St Thomas Christians.” I think they still hold the title, actually! The icon is beautiful, too… my grandmother used to paint (or, as they say, write) icons.
Happy feast day, a bit late! We Catholics do that too — of course, we’re usually baptized with the name of a saint to begin with, but we choose an extra patron on our own at confirmation. St. Thomas is a pretty awesome saint — his part of the “go ye and teach all nations” was to go all the way to India, where his converts kept the Faith for years and years after his martyrdom and became known as the “St Thomas Christians.” I think they still hold the title, actually! The icon is beautiful, too… my grandmother used to paint (or, as they say, write) icons.