|
 On
the 50th Day after Pascha, the Holy Church celebrates the Feast of the
Descent of the Holy Spirit (Holy Pentecost). When the Day of Pentecost
had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came
from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled
with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit
gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).
In His farewell discourses to His disciples, the Lord told them, I will
pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, to be with you
for ever, even the Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because
it neither sees Him nor knows Him; you know Him, for He dwells with You,
and will be in you.... [The] Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father
will send in My name. He will teach you all things... (John 14:16-17,
26). These words of the Lord were accomplished on the 50th Day after the
Passover (Pascha), for the Seal of the Holy Spirit was seen on the Apostles
in the form of fiery tongues, just as, in Holy Chrismation, we receive
the Seal of the Holy Spirit in the form of the Holy Chrism.
The people who were present were greatly amazed at the sight, and especially
that each one of them, no matter what nationality, heard the Apostles
speaking to them in their own'language. But others mocking said, "They
are filled with new wine" (Acts 2:13).
Then Peter got up and spoke to them: Men of Judea and all who dwell in
Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these
men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of
the day; but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: "And in
the last days it shall be. Cod declares, that I will pour out My Spirit
upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your
young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; yea,
and on My menservants and My maidservants in those days I will pour out
My Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heaven
above and signs on the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
the sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before
the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day. And it shall be
that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts
2:14-21).
Peter went on to speak of the Risen Christ and His redemptive acts, reminding
them that this Jesus Cod raised up, and of that...all [of the Apostles
were] witnesses (Acts 2:32). He continued: Being therefore exalted at
the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise
of the Holy spirit. He has poured out this which you see and hear (Acts
2:33).
Many of those hearing were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the
rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" And Peter
said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name
of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit...." So those who received his word were
baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls (Acts
2:37-38, 41).
A special characteristic of this day is the singing of the Troparion to
the Holy Spirit: "0 Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,
Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of Blessings
and Giver of Life: Come and abide in us and cleanse us from every impurity,
and save our souls, 0 Good One!" In addition, seven Kneeling Prayers
are read by the Priest during the Vespers which immediately follows the
Divine Liturgy of that day, while everyone are on bended knees, this being
the first time kneeling is permitted since Holy Pascha.
Troparion of the Feast (Tone 8)
Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast revealed the fishermen as
most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit; through them thou
didst draw the world into Thy net. O Lover of Man, Glory to Thee!
Kontakion of the Feast (Tone 8)
When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the
nations; but when He distributed the tongues of fire. He called all to
unity. Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the All-Holy Spirit! |
