MAY 24: CONFESSION – 8:30 AM – 8:55 AM, DIVINE LITURGY – 9:00 AM (LIVE-STREAMED); PANACHIDA (FOR 5TH ALL SOULS SATURDAY) – 10:12 AM; DIVINE LITURGY – 11:00, KNEELING VESPERS – 12:15 PM; MAY 25: DIVINE LITURGY – 10:00 AM.
NOTE: The 5th All Souls Saturday is May 23rd and our Parish will celebrate the Panachida today for our deceased loved ones after 09:00 AM Divine Liturgy.
The Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh explains the symbolism for why the Priest’s vestments are green (see complete publication below):
“Since Pentecost was originally a feast of harvest, as was mentioned above, the Jews used to decorate their homes with the fruits of the harvest-flowers, green foliage, garlands etc.-in order to add more pomp and solemnity to their celebrations. This same custom was also adopted by the Christians. To them, however, the green branches and flowers took on a symbolical meaning-the divine life and gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
Furthermore, “The green color of the foliage was accepted by our people as a symbol of divine life brought to us by the Holy Spirit. For this reason also, the clergy wear green vestments for the liturgical services on Pentecost and its postfestive period.”
Feast of Pentecost occurs 50 days after Pascha and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles of Christ after His Resurrection. Traditionally, in the Byzantine Rite, green is the color associated with Pentecost. Green emphasises the Holy Spirit bringing new life to all. Churches and homes may decorate with green boughs and branches to advocate the life-giving Spirit. In the Slav tradition, Pentecost is often called Rusalija. Also, a special Vespers is celebrated, called the Kneeling Prayer. This Vespers service has an additional three sets of long poetical prayers, composed by Saint Basil the Great, during which everyone makes a full prostration. Eastern Christians do not kneel for prayers from Pascha until Pentecost, so this Vespers service is the first time we kneel! (Of course we don’t on Sundays throughout the year also.)
Pentecost Monday (May 20) is also known as “Feast of the Holy Trinity,” and is the first day of the after feast of Pentecost, being dedicated specifically to the honor of God the Holy Spirit and to His descent on the holy apostles on Pentecost. The third day, Tuesday, is called the “Third Day of the Trinity. The After-feast of Pentecost lasts for one week and is festive, during which fasting is not permitted. Then we return to “ordinary time” of the Church year.
The final day for the Feast of Pentecost is Saturday, May 30th.
NOTE REGARDING KNEELING (from St. Cyril and Methodius Church): “Throughout the Paschal Season, we have not been kneeling or making prostrations in Church or in our private prayers at home from Pascha through Pentecost (this year, May 25th). Kneeling and prostrating are postures of repentance and sorrow for our sins. The brilliant solemnity of the events that we are celebrating takes precedence over such external manifestations of penitence. For our Lord’s death and resurrection “blot[ted] out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us … nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2:14, 15) Accordingly, “[t]here is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus …” (Rom. 8:1) For these same reasons, we generally do not kneel on any Sunday of the year as each Sunday is a “mini-Pascha,” commemorating our Lord’s resurrection. We resume kneeling at appropriate times during the “Kneeling Vespers” celebrated after the Divine Liturgy for Holy Pentecost.”
SUNDAY PROPERS: Pentecost_DL
Moleben (Prayer Service) Invoking the Help of the Holy Spirit: Moleben_Holy_Spirit
PENTECOST AFTERNOON (KNEELING) VESPERS PROPERS: Pentecost_afternoon_Vespers
The Gospel Reading for Sunday is John 7:37-52 & 8:12, The Promise of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel reading for Pentecost includes: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink” and “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” We must learn to thirst for the Holy Spirit and for light. How do we learn to thirst? We must search for knowledge about our weaknesses, and with faith learn to walk in the “light.” This does not just happen as we go through life. In order to have the Holy Spirit dwell in us, we must live according to the truth.
Parishes live-streaming in the Diocese can be found here: https://www.eparchyofpassaic.com/directory
God With Us On-Line Prayer and Study Guide – The Sunday of Pentecost (from May 23, 2021): https://godwithusonline.org/reflections/the-sunday-of-pentecost-ruthenian/
Byzantine Catholics and the Feast Of Pentecost: “Your good Spirit shall lead me into the land of righteousness. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!” (from the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh): https://archpitt.org/byzantine-catholics-and-the-feast-of-pentecost-your-good-spirit-shall-lead-me-into-the-land-of-righteousness-alleluia-alleluia-alleluia/
