Today is St. Thomas’ Day! Thomas, one of Jesus’ original apostles, was historically celebrated in England, and had some very fun traditions.
Thomas was known for evangelising India (he converted the Magi) where he was martyred. His claim to fame is doubting the Assumption of the Virgin- apparently it worked out okay for him because he was celebrated for centuries.
In England, the 21st of December “was traditionally a day for poor women to be permitted to go door-to-door and beg for alms. This [was]…called ‘Thomasing,’ ‘mumping,’ or ‘a-gooding,’ [and] was considered an opportunity to do one’s soul some good by showing charity.” (222) They would bang on the door and sing songs, and their neighbours would give them money or food for their Christmas meal. The custom did not survive into the 20th century- it was then that charity became fairly institutionalised in Britain. For more info, visit this blog!
In central Europe, people would drive out demons on St. Thomas’ Day, with scary masks, loud noises and whips, bells, and even fire arms. Or you could take the traditional route and burn incense/say the Rosary (222), but that’s not as fun, is it? Apparently St Thomas would ride through the graveyard to meet with all of the spirits named Thomas and bless them, before riding away. (This seems like a scam. If you weren’t named after a saint, you were pretty much out of luck.)
For other parts of Europe, St. Thomas’ Day is when schools close. “In some parts of Germany, the wone who is last to wake up or comes late to work is the ‘Thomas Donkey’.” (222) I fully support this, given that people being late is my pet peeve (PLAN AHEAD.).
Do you celebrate St. Thomas’ Day?? Do you have any traditions related to it??
Until tomorrow,
The Historian!
Once again, all information is from The World Encyclopedia of Christmas, by Gerry Bowler.
Bowler, Gerry. The World Encyclopedia of Christmas. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Ltd., 2000.
