If you have not done so already, please update your mailing address. You can do so by clicking the button.

Sunday, June 23, 2024

8th Sunday of Pascha

Holy Pentecost – Feast of the Holy Trinity

Holy Pentecost

Commemorated on June 23

Introduction

(GOARCH) The Feast of Holy Pentecost is celebrated each year on the fiftieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter) and ten days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. The Feast is always celebrated on a Sunday.

The Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, a feast of the Jewish tradition. It also celebrates the establishment of the Church through the preaching of the Apostles and the baptism of the thousands who on that day believed in the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Feast is also seen as the culmination of the revelation of the Holy Trinity.

Historical Background

The story of Pentecost is found in the book of The Acts of the Apostles. In Chapter two we are told that the Apostles of our Lord were gathered together in one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a rushing wind, filling the entire house where they were sitting. Then, tongues of fire appeared, and one sat upon each one of Apostles. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as directed by the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4).

This miraculous event occurred on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, celebrated by the Jews on the fiftieth day after the Passover as the culmination of the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10). The Feast of Weeks began on the third day after the Passover with the presentation of the first harvest sheaves to God, and it concluded on Pentecost with the offering of two loaves of unleavened bread, representing the first products of the harvest (Leviticus 23:17-20; Deuteronomy 16:9-10).

Since the Jewish Feast of Pentecost was a great pilgrimage feast, many people from throughout the Roman Empire were gathered in Jerusalem on this day. When the people in Jerusalem heard the sound, they came together and heard their own languages being spoken by the Apostles (Acts 2:5-6). The people were amazed, knowing that some of those speaking were Galileans, and not men who would normally speak many different languages. They wondered what this meant, and some even thought the Apostles were drunk (Acts 2:7-13).

Peter, hearing these remarks, stood up and addressed the crowd. He preached to the people regarding the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Holy Spirit. He spoke about Jesus Christ and His death and glorious Resurrection. Great conviction fell upon the people, and they asked the Apostles, "What shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38-39).

The Bible records that on that day about three thousand were baptized. Following, the book of Acts states that the newly baptized continued daily to hear the teaching of the Apostles, as the early Christians met together for fellowship, the breaking of bread, and for prayer. Many wonderful signs and miracles were done through the Apostles, and the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).

Icon of the Feast

The icon of the Feast of Pentecost is known as "The Descent of the Holy Spirit". It is an icon of bold colors of red and gold signifying that this is a great event. The movement of the icon is from the top to the bottom. At the top of the icon is a semicircle with rays coming from it. The rays are pointing toward the Apostles, and the tongues of fire are seen descending upon each one of them signifying the descent of the Holy Spirit.

The building in the background of the icon represents the upper room where the Disciples of Christ gathered after the Ascension. The Apostles are shown seated in a semicircle which shows the unity of the Church. Included in the group of the Apostles is Saint Paul, who, though not present with the others on the day of Pentecost, became an Apostle of the Church and the greatest missionary. Also included are the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, holding books of the Gospel, while the other Apostles are holding scrolls that represent the teaching authority given to them by Christ.

In the center of the icon below the Apostles, a royal figure is seen against a dark background. This is a symbolic figure, Cosmos, representing the people of the world living in darkness and sin, and involved in pagan worship. However, the figure carries in his hands a cloth containing scrolls which represent the teaching of the Apostles. The tradition of the Church holds that the Apostles carried the message of the Gospel to all parts of the world.

In the icon of Pentecost we see the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, sent down upon the Apostles who will teach the nations and baptize them in the name of the Holy Trinity. Here we see that the Church is brought together and sustained in unity through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit, that the Spirit guides the Church in the missionary endeavor throughout the world, and that the Spirit nurtures the Body of Christ, the Church, in truth and love.

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Fr. Christopher and I are both deeply grateful for you remembering us on Father's Day. We are humbled by your love and kindness for us both! Thank you!

There is a choir rehearsal this Saturday at 4 pm.

I will be gone on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Christ,

Fr Gregory

This Week at Ss Cyril & Methodius

Wednesday, June 19

• 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions [canceled]

Thursday, June 20

• 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions 

Saturday, June 22

• 3:00 PM: Catechumen/Inquirers Class
• 4:00 PM: Choir Rehearsal 
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers 
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, June 23: Pentecost

• 9:00 AM: Hours
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy & Kneeling Vespers

Looking Ahead to Next Week

Wednesday, June 26

• 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM: Office Hours/Confessions [canceled]

Friday, June 28

• 6:00 PM: Great Vespers 

Saturday, June 29 (Ss. Peter & Paul)

• 9:00 AM: Hours
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy
• 3:00 PM: Catechumen/Inquirers Class [canceled]
• 5:00 PM: Great Vespers 
• 6:00 PM: Confessions

Sunday, June 23: All Saints

• 9:00 AM: Hours
• 9:30 AM: Divine Liturgy

The First Antiphon 

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork. (Ps. 18:1)

Refrain: Through the prayers of the Theotokos, O Savior, save us!

Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. (Ps. 18:2)(Refrain)

Their proclamation has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the universe. (Ps. 18:4) (Refrain) 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. (Refrain)

The Second Antiphon 

The Lord answer thee in the day of trouble; the Name of the God of Jacob protect thee! (Ps. 19:1) 

Refrain: O Gracious Comforter, save us who sing to Thee: Alleluia! 

May He send thee help from the sanctuary and give thee support from Zion! (Ps. 19:2) (Refrain) 

May He remember all thine offerings, and fulfill all thy plans! (Ps. 19:3) (Refrain) 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. 

(“Only-begotten Son and immortal Word of God… “)

The Third Antiphon 

In Thy strength the king rejoices, O Lord, and exults greatly in Thy salvation. (Ps. 20:1) 

Tone 8 Troparion 

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net.//O Lover of Man, glory to Thee! 

Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withheld the request of his lips. (Ps. 20:2)

Troparion of the Feast 

For Thou dost meet him with goodly blessings; Thou dost set a crown of fine gold upon his head. (Ps. 20:3)

Troparion of the Feast

Entrance Verse

Be Thou exalted, O Lord, in Thy strength! We will sing and praise Thy power! (Ps. 20:13)

Hymns After the Small Entrance

Tone 8 Troparion

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, Who hast revealed the fishermen as most wise by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them Thou didst draw the world into Thy net.//O Lover of Man, glory to Thee!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Tone 8 Kontakion

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.

(Instead of the Trisagion, we sing:)

As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia.

Epistle: Acts 2:1-11

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

Gospel:  John 7:37-52; 8:12

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.”

But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him. Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.

Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?”

The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!”

Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”

Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?”

They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

By the age of 25, about 60% of those baptized as infants will no longer consider themselves members of the Orthodox Church. A parish on a university campus is an important witness not only to the surrounding community but also to high school age and younger parishioner. Establishing a parish on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison helps remind young people that graduating high school doesn't mean "graduating" from the Church. Please consider joining those who have committed their time, treasure and talent in establishing an Orthodox community on the Isthmus.

Please help us reach your children and grandchildren with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by clicking the gofundme link.