The Great Feast of Pentecost 50 Days Post Pascha

 The Feast of Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost, also known as the Feast of the Holy Trinity or simply Pentecost, is one of the Great Feasts in the Orthodox Christian liturgical calendar. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament. This event marks the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to the world. Here is a comprehensive overview of the Feast of Pentecost from the Orthodox Christian perspective:

Date of Celebration

Pentecost is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Pascha (Easter), which corresponds to the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Shavuot). It always falls on a Sunday.

Theological Significance

1. Fulfillment of Christ's Promise: Pentecost fulfills Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples (John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15). The Holy Spirit's descent empowers the apostles to preach the Gospel and perform miracles, signifying the beginning of their public ministry.

  

2. Birth of the Church: Pentecost is considered the "birthday" of the Church, as it marks the moment when the apostles received the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit to begin their mission of spreading Christianity throughout the world.

3. Trinitarian Revelation: The feast underscores the revelation of the Holy Trinity. With the Father sending the Son, and the Son sending the Holy Spirit, the fullness of the Trinity is revealed to the world.

4. Universal Mission: The gift of tongues at Pentecost (Acts 2:4-12) signifies the universal mission of the Church, breaking down barriers of language and ethnicity, and indicating that the Gospel is for all nations.

Biblical References

Old Testament Prefigurement

1. Feast of Weeks (Shavuot): Pentecost coincides with the Jewish Feast of Weeks, which was celebrated 50 days after Passover and involved offering the first fruits of the wheat harvest (Leviticus 23:15-21). This feast prefigures the Christian Pentecost, where the "first fruits" are the apostles and the first converts.

2. Tower of Babel: The story of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) contrasts with Pentecost. At Babel, human pride led to the confusion of languages and division. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit unites people through the gift of tongues, reversing the division caused at Babel.

3. According to Joel 2:28-32, God was going to pour out His Spirit on all mankind and their sons and daughters would prophesy, old men would dream dreams, young men would see visions, and even male and female servants would have the Holy Spirit poured out on them.

New Testament Citations

1. Acts 2:1-41: The primary account of Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends on the apostles, they speak in tongues, Peter preaches, and about 3,000 people are baptized.

2. John 14:16-17, 26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15: Jesus' promises about the coming of the Holy Spirit.

3. Luke 24:49: Jesus instructs the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they are "clothed with power from on high."

4. Acts 1:4-8: Jesus' final instructions before His Ascension, promising the Holy Spirit.

Commentaries from Eastern Patristic Fathers

1. St. Gregory of Nazianzus

St. Gregory of Nazianzus, in his Oration on Pentecost, emphasizes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the unity of the Church brought about by the Holy Spirit. He explains that Pentecost reveals the full divinity of the Holy Spirit and His role in the life of the Church.

2. St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on Acts, highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. He notes how the apostles, who were previously fearful and hesitant, became bold and eloquent preachers of the Gospel. Chrysostom also underscores the universality of the Church's mission, symbolized by the gift of tongues.

3. St. Basil the Great

St. Basil the Great, in his work "On the Holy Spirit," provides a detailed theological exposition on the Holy Spirit’s role. He explains that Pentecost is the moment when the Holy Spirit begins His direct and active role in the Church, guiding, sanctifying, and empowering the believers.

Catechetical Poems  (Stichera) from the Pentecostarion

The hymnography of the Feast of Pentecost, like all hymnography, elucidates the theological themes of the Feast such as the Personhood of the Holy Spirit and His Divine Energies. Let's explore some of the Stichera here below:

Tone 4     Idiomela  

 

Today in the city of David

all the nations beheld glorious wonders,

when the Disciples of Christ had gathered together,

and the Holy Spirit came down in tongues of fire,

as Luke, inspired of God, records:

“A sound came like the rushing of a mighty wind;

it filled all the house where they were sitting,

and they all began to proclaim strange words, strange doctrines,//

strange teachings of the Holy Trinity.”

 

 

The Holy Spirit was, and is, and ever shall be,

without beginning, without ending,

always ranked and numbered with the Father and the Son;

He is Life and the Giver of life;

He is Light and the Giver of light;

all-good and the Fountain of goodness,

through Him the Father is known, the Son is glorified;

through Him all people proclaim one power, one ranking,//

one worship of the Holy Trinity.

 

The Holy Spirit is Light and Life,

a living Fountain of spiritual gifts,

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

all-knowing, upright and good:

He leads us and washes away our sins.

He is God, and He makes us gods;

He is Fire proceeding from Fire,

speaking and acting and distributing gifts.

Through Him all the Prophets, Martyrs and Apostles of God are crowned.

Strange account, strange and wonderful sight://

fire is divided for distributing gifts.

The Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost

The Kneeling Vespers of Pentecost features three profound prayers known as the Kneeling Prayers, marking the first time the faithful kneel since Pascha. These prayers express the central themes of renewal by the Holy Spirit, intercession for both the living and the dead, and the desire for strength to live a Christian life. The first prayer focuses on the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit, asking for purification and eternal life. The second offers intercessions for the Church, society, and all souls, seeking God’s mercy and guidance. The third prayer petitions for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, and the fruits of the Spirit to flourish in believers.

These prayers carry deep theological meaning, reintroducing penitential posture after the joy of Easter and symbolizing humility and readiness to receive divine grace. They affirm the descent and continuous work of the Holy Spirit in the Church, echoing the events of the first Pentecost. Emphasizing the Church’s intercessory role and communal unity, the prayers also carry eschatological hope—anticipating the final fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. Altogether, the Kneeling Vespers encapsulate Pentecost's message: the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in renewing lives, guiding the Church, and preparing the faithful for eternal communion with God.

 

Tone 6     (from the Pentecostarion)

O heavenly King,

the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,

Who are everywhere and fill all things;

Treasury of blessings

and Giver of life,

come and abide in us,

and cleanse us from every impurity,//

and save our souls, O Good One!