Pentecost

You shall send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. - Psalm 103:30.

Fifty days after our Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, the eleven Apostles and the rest of approximately 120 of His disciples, including His Mother, the Most Holy Virgin Mary, returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem. Altogether they gathered into the upper room of the house and gave prayer and supplication, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit as their Divine Teacher had promised them. At this time, they also chose Matthias, who was elected to take the place of Judas among the Apostles.

At the third hour of the day from the rising of the sun, there suddenly came a sound from Heaven, as when a mighty wind blows, and it filled the whole house where the Apostles and the rest with them were gathered. Immediately after the sound, there appeared tongues of fire that divided and rested upon the head of each person. From this, all were filled with the Spirit and began being able to speak in other tongues and dialects, other than their native tongues. This was gifted to them by the Holy Spirit.

Then Peter stood up with the eleven, and raising his voice, spoke to all the people, proving that that which had taken place was not drunkenness, but the fulfilment of God's promise that had been spoken by the Prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that I shall pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28). He preached Jesus of Nazareth to them, proving in many ways that He is Christ the Lord, Whom the Jews crucified yet was resurrected on the third day. On hearing Peter's teaching, many believed in Christ and His teachings, and therefore about three thousand people were baptised that day!

This significant day marks the coming of the All- Holy Spirit into the world, and the fulfilment of our Lord Jesus Christ’s promise. Pentecost commemorates the beginning of the Apostles ministry, who were unlearned fisherman, and with the gift of the Holy Spirit were granted the wisdom and ability to preach the truth of Christ’s teachings throughout the world. This is known as Apostolic Succession, which is transmitted through the generations, carried by the head of the church, to the clergy which is then bestowed unto the faithful.

When the well-spring of the grace of the divine Spirit came down to those upon the earth and into fire-bearing streams parted noetically, it refreshed the Apostles and led them to the light. The fire became for them a dewy cloud and rainy flame illumining them. And we in turn through them received divine grace by means of fire and water. The holy light of the Holy Spirit has appeared and illumined the world.

Apolytikion of Pentecost

Plagal of the Fourth Tone

Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You.

Kontakion of Pentecost

Plagal of the Fourth Tone

When the Most High came down and confounded tongues of men (Babel), He divided the Nations. When He dispensed the Tongues of Fire, He called all to unity, and with one voice we glorify the Most Holy Spirit.