05/31/2026
We wish you a blessed Pentecost!
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am.
Welcome!
Holy Trinity – Pentecost: Prayer and Weaving of Wreaths
On the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the tenth day after His Ascension into Heaven, the Church celebrates the great feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, known as Holy Trinity Sunday or Pentecost.
On that day, the holy Apostles were gathered together in one place. Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Then there appeared tongues as of fire, which rested upon each of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the Apostles began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance. A multitude of people gathered and marveled, for each one heard the Apostles speaking in his own native tongue.
In this way, the Lord empowered the Apostles to preach the Gospel to all nations and fulfilled the promise He had made to them before His Ascension. The power of the Holy Spirit immediately began to work, as the Apostle Peter, through his inspired preaching, brought about three thousand people to Christ on that very day.
With the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, the founding of Christ’s Church on earth was brought to completion. From that moment, the Church began to live its full life and to grow continually by receiving new souls into its fold. For this reason, Pentecost is rightly regarded as the birthday of the Christian Church.
In remembrance of this great event, and in honor of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost, so called because it is observed on the fiftieth day after Pascha (Easter). Accordingly, this feast is known by several names: Holy Trinity, Pentecost, and the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
The services of Pentecost are especially solemn and uplifting. Following the Divine Liturgy, the Church serves Vespers with the Kneeling Prayers, during which the faithful pray that the grace of the Holy Spirit, bestowed upon the Apostles, may also renew and strengthen us in our Christian life.
It is an ancient custom on this feast to adorn churches and homes with green grass, branches, and flowers. The greenery symbolizes the renewal of nature, while the Holy Spirit renews and gives life to our souls. During the Kneeling Prayers, the faithful weave small wreaths from grass and flowers. These wreaths are then taken home and placed near icons and vigil lamps as a blessed remembrance of this great feast.
The Feast of the Holy Trinity is always celebrated on a Sunday.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One. Amen.
