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The Feast of Pentecost, which we celebrate this year on June 12, 2022, is one of the seven Great Feasts of the Lord observed during the liturgical year. Pentecost celebrates the Lord’s bestowal of the Holy Spirit upon His Church.

Pentecost was also one of the Major Feasts of the Jews, where it was known as the Feast of Weeks, falling 50 days after Passover, for the word Pentecost itself literally means 50. It was a Feast of Joy and Thanksgiving for God’s protection and His rich provisions.

The Feast of Pentecost also is a Feast of the Holy Trinity: One God in three persons, existing eternally and working together for the salvation of the world. It celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit to the world that we live and abide in, for it is the historical revelation of the Spirit. The day after Pentecost signifies this great theme for it is dedicated to the Holy Spirit.

We remember from scripture that when Christ rose from the dead, He charged His followers to remain in Jerusalem, “Wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised…In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit…You will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:4-5,8)

The Feast of Pentecost, with the special kneeling prayers, we glorify God by recounting His great acts of salvation in history. We entreat God’s visitation, protection, and renewal through fresh outpouring of the Spirit. For as the Great Prokeimenon sings, “Who is so great a God as our God? Thou art our God who does wonders”.

Holy Pentecost