During the Orthodox Christian celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, the Church is adorned with flowers and greenery to symbolize new life and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The clergy and faithful wear red vestments to signify the tongues of fire that descended upon the Apostles. The hymns and prayers of the services focus on the sending of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church.
One of the central hymns of the Feast is the Kontakion of Pentecost, which proclaims:
“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!”
After the Divine Liturgy, it is common for Orthodox Christians to participate in a procession around the church while carrying an icon of the Feast and singing hymns of praise to the Holy Spirit. This procession symbolizes the spreading of the Gospel message to all nations.
Orthodox Christians also customarily enjoy a festive meal with family and friends on the Feast of Pentecost, as a way of celebrating the unity and fellowship of the Church. Traditional foods for the Feast may include dairy products, such as cheese and milk, as well as honey and fruits.
Overall, the Feast of Pentecost is a joyous celebration in the Orthodox Christian tradition, commemorating the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. It is a time for prayer, worship, fellowship, and thanksgiving for the continued presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and its members.
These prayers mark the beginning of the practice of kneeling during the Liturgy at the time when the holy gifts of bread and wine are consecrated as the body and blood of Christ. The practice of kneeling has been suspended during the Paschal season. On the Monday following the Feast, the Divine Liturgy is conducted in commemoration of the All-holy and Life-creating and All-powerful Spirit, Who is God, and One of the Trinity, and of one honor and one essence and one glory with the Father and the Son (From the Synaxarion of the Feast).
Scripture readings for the Feast are the following: At the Saturday Vespers: Numbers 11:16-17, 24-29; Joel 2:23-32; Ezekiel 36:24-28. At the Orthros (Matins): John 20:19-23. At the Pentecost Sunday Divine Liturgy: Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12. At the Divine Liturgy on the Monday of the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 5:8-19; Matthew 18:10-20.
Prayer of the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us from every impurity and save our souls, O Good One.
Hymns of the Feast
Apolytikion (Plagal Tone Four)
Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fisherman all-wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them, drawing all the world into Your net. O Loving One, glory be to You.
Kontakion (Plagal Tone Four)
When the Most High came down and confounded tongues of men at 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.
Source: GOARCH
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