The Holy Apostle Thomas was born in the Galilean city of Pansada and was a fisherman. Hearing the good tidings of the Jesus Christ, he left all and followed Him.

The totality of the consequences of the Cross and Resurrection are usually expressed by the Holy Apostles, and therefore in theological terminology also, by the single concept of "redemption" which literally signifies a "ransom," an offering of payment. This conception is sufficiently vivid and lively that it has been accessible to the understanding of people even of the lowest rank of society. But this vividness in itself has inspired attempts to ask further questions which do not relate to the essence of salvation, inasmuch as this term has only a symbolical, allegorical significance. Therefore, Saint Gregory the Theologian puts off these further questions and establishes the essence of the present expression in the following reflections:

Without intrinsic substance or being, evil materialized into an active agent of destruction when it was 'hypostasized', that is, when it became a reality in the form of the devil and the demons. Father Georges Florovsky (Russian Orthodox theologian) speaks of evil as 'nothingness,' as 'a pure negation, a privation or a mutilation'. Evil is primarily a lack, an absence of goodness. Compared with the Divine Being, the operation of evil is illusory and imagined: the devil has no power where God does not allow him to operate.

At the dawn of creation, before God made the visible world, but after the creation of the Angels, there was a great catastrophe, of which we have knowledge only by its consequences. A group of angels opposed itself to God and fell away from Him, thereby becoming enemies of all that was good and holy. At the head of this rebellion stood Lucifer, whose very name (literally meaning 'light-bearing') indicates that originally he was good. By his own will he changed from his natural state into one which was unnatural; he opposed himself to God and fell away from good into evil. Lucifer, also called the devil (Greek diavolos - 'divider', 'separator', 'slanderer'), belonged to one of the highest ranks in the Angelic hierarchy.

"Parents should be careful as to what books they have at home, because they might fall into the hands of their children and they may suffer harm. Have only Christian books at home. [There are, of course, books that are of great value that are not Christian. Just be sure that you know what your children are reading.] When young children read the Lives of the Saints they are greatly benefited. As a result of their simplicity, they have a lot of faith. In this way they cultivate good habits. When one begins the spiritual life from a young age, even from elementary school, he has the most joyous life. This is because, while young, he is free of worldly cares. He also develops good habits and continues in them."

Our Lord expects faith from us. Faith, and nothing more. Faith in the spirit of God. Faith in Him, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.