On the 50th day after Easter, we
celebrate Pentecost (May 27/
June 3), commemorating the
Holy Spirit’s descent onto the
Apostles.
Jesus remained on Earth with
His disciples for 40 days after
His Resurrection then ascended
to heaven. The Bible’s Book of
Acts tells us that 10 days after
Jesus’ Ascension, the Holy Spirit,
came onto the apostles in the
form of tongues of fire, accompanied by a rush of wind, empowering them to speak in foreign languages and enabling
them to preach the Gospel in
different lands.
A large crowd witnessed this
amazing event. The Apostle Peter urged them to turn to Christ.
Many did so. Therefore, on Pentecost Christians celebrate both
the feast of the Holy Spirit and
the Church’s birth.
Pentecost is colloquially referred
to in the Ukrainian Catholic
Church (UCC) as Zeleni Sviata
(Green Holidays). Symbolically,
green is the colour of life, so on
Pentecost churches (and homes)
are traditionally decorated with
green foliage and priests wear
green vestments. It is a custom
for families to gather at the
graves of their loved ones on this
day to pray for those who
have passed on to eternal life.
On Pentecost, we do not
simply celebrate a past event,
but also that which happens
to us in the Church today.
We, as baptised members of
the Church, have received in
the Sacrament of Chrismation, “the seal of the gift of
the Holy Spirit”. Pentecost
happened to us! That means
that we, like the apostles, are
called to preach the Gospel.
One way that we can do that
is to live our daily lives according to Christ’s teachings.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The joy of Easter continues in Bright Week and beyond
Church services during Bright Week reflect the joy of the Risen Christ in a distinctive way. All the doors of the iconastas are left open symbolizing Jesus’ open and empty tomb. If any funerals take place, the Paschal Canon replaces the usual funeral text and “Chrystos Voskres” (Christ Has Risen) replaces Vichnaya Pamiat’ (Memory Eternal).
On Bright Monday, after Divine Liturgy, the clergy lead the faithful around the church in procession (Khrestnyj Khod), stopping at its four sides to proclaim the Resurrection Gospel, blessing the faithful with Holy Water, as a reminder of the Lord’s command to "Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…" (Matthew 28:18-20). On this day, young people playfully douse each other with water. This tradition, which likely originated in pre-Christian times as a rite of purification, is now symbolic of the new life that Jesus’ Resurrection and baptism bestow.
On Bright Tuesday, the faithful in parts of Ukraine observe the custom of sharing a celebratory picnic of blessed Paschal food at the graves of their loved ones, remembering them with joy in the knowledge that all who live the life of Christ will be reunited in the eternal life made possible through Christ’s Resurrection.
As Christians we’re encouraged to live joyfully not only in the Paschal season but through the year, bringing joy into our personal, professional and social relationships. Our joy in living the life of Christ, can awaken in others a desire to seek the same for themselves. In this way, we become true disciples of Christ.
"He departed from our sight that we might return to our heart and there find Him." – St. Augustine
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