On Sunday, May 27th, the Church celebrates the Holy Feast of Pentecost.
"The Holy Spirit that Christ had promised to his disciples came on the day of Pentecost (Jn 14:26, 15:26; Lk 24:49; Acts 1:5). The apostles received "the power from on high," and they began to preach and bear witness to Jesus as the risen Christ, the King and the Lord. This moment has traditionally been called the birthday of the Church.
"In the liturgical services of the feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit is celebrated together with the full revelation of the divine Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The fulness of the Godhead is manifested with the Spirit's coming to man, and the Church hymns celebrate this manifestation as the final act of God's self-disclosure and self-donation to the world of His creation. For this reason Pentecost Sunday is also called Trinity Day in the Orthodox tradition." (www.oca.org)
It is traditional on Pentecost to decorate the church with flowers and greenery, symbolizing the new life brought by the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, May 26th: Vigil, 5PM
Sunday, May 27th: Divine Liturgy, 10AM, followed by Vespers with the "Kneeling Prayers"
After the Divine Liturgy on Pentecost, we hold a special Vespers service, with the reading of several special prayers – during which we bow to the floor – asking for the Grace of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Everybody should make a special effort to attend these services!
On the Saturday before Pentecost, the church remembers those who have departed before us. We will have either a general pannykhida or a Divine Liturgy for the departed – more information will be sent later.