Pentecost

Date: 19 June 2005 04:40:20

Today we celebrate Pentecost, the great celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

[Icon from OCA]

[Ingeborg Psalter (pre 1210); from Web Gallery of Art]

Blessed are You O Christ Our God
Who has revealed the fishermen as most wise
By sending down upon them the Holy Spirit
Through them You did draw the world into Your net
O Lover of Man, Glory to You!

Troparion

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!

Kontakion

A wonderful service today, with the addition of the Kneeling Prayers and the Baptism of one of the newly arrived infants in our church. It was the first time I had heard either the kneeling prayers or attended an Orthodox service of Baptism.

The kneeling prayers are grand in their image and scope, and there are three sets of them. The first is a prayer of great repentance; the second prayer is a call to the Holy Spirit to help us follow the right path during our life; and the third prayer we remember those who have gone before us.

The service of Baptism, Chrismation and First Communion was beautiful. The major differences I noted from Anglican and Catholic baptisms were: the great many prayers (entitled "Prayers of Exorcism"!) denying Satan and confirming union with Christ; the anointing of the infant with oil on all parts of the body; and the fact the infant was plunged entirely into the baptismal font three times [for the Father; the Son; and the Holy Spirit]. Baptism and Chrismation are performed at the same time in Orthodoxy, unlike the separation of Baptism and Confirmation in the Anglican and Catholic churches.

A wonderful morning. Thanks be to God.