05/31/2026
Blessed Feast of ! ☦️ In the Church’s annual liturgical cycle, Pentecost is “the last and great day.” It is the celebration by the Church of the coming of the Holy Spirit as the end—the achievement and fulfillment—of the entire history of salvation. For the same reason, however, it is also the celebration of the beginning: it is the “birthday” of the Church as the presence among us of the Holy Spirit, of the new life in Christ, of grace, knowledge, adoption to God and holiness.
"Every Sunday now will be called 'after Pentecost'—and this means that it is from the power and light of these fifty days that we shall receive our own power, the Divine help in our daily struggle. At Pentecost, we decorate our churches with flowers and green branches—for the Church 'never grows old, but is always young.' It is an evergreen, ever-living Tree of grace and life, of joy and comfort. For the Holy Spirit—'the Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life—comes and abides in us, and cleanses us from all impurity,' and fills our life with meaning, love, faith and hope." – Father Alexander Schmemann (oca.org)
🎵 “Blessed are You O Christ Our God, You have revealed the fishermen as most wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, through them You drew the world into Your net, O Lover of Man, Glory to You!" Troparion — Tone 8
