Pentecost
Categories: parish-life, feast-days
Date: 10 June 2006 13:45:04
Today is the Feast of Pentecost. That page, as well as explaining about the Feast, also explains a bit about the icon for the Feast: the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's website does truly have a wealth of information.
Troparion:
Blessed are You, O Christ our God, Who has revealed the fishermen as most wise, having sent upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them You have fished the universe, O Lover of mankind, glory to You.
As an aside, Saturday was the Orthodox feast of the Saturday of Souls, in which we especially remember those who have departed.
The rains in Sydney have certainly come: as our deacon made note, the second reading from the readings for Vespers was quite apt with its mention of the God giving early and latter rain. After Vespers we had a Bible Study giving an overview of the book of Tobit, which is one of my favourite books: not only for the wonderfully engaging story, but for the great wisdom found in it, such as that in Chapter 4.
But the most wondrous thing was to see a beloved parishioner return after over a year in Russia, Greece, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and probably many, many more places, visiting monasteries, taking pilgrimages and visiting holy sites. She has been missed, and it was wonderful to see her again. She also brought gifts: I received a beautiful clay carving of St Seraphim of Sarov: it is especially touching as she was the one who suggested I read his life and his work -- and I am grateful she did as I found them very profitable.
The Feast continues with Matins and Divine Liturgy on Sunday, and after the Divine Liturgy tomorrow, the Kneeling Prayers (which you can find about two-thirds of the way down this page (under At Vespers) will be said.
A Happy Feast Day to All!