Feast of Pentecost
List of Major Feast Days
50 Days after Easter
10 Days after Ascension
The Icon of Pentecost shows the apostles in a state of complete unity. The theme of the image is the unity, which is impossible without the Holy Spirit. The apostles are shown in inverse perspective; those who are farther away are slightly bigger than those in the foreground. No figure is identical with any other. Through the variety of gestures and the range of colours, we are reminded that unity does not erase diversity.
At the top of the icon is a partially revealed circle, symbolic of heaven, from which extend rays or flames. In this particular icon, a star in the centre of the circle has an image of a dove in the middle, symbolic of the Holy Spirit.
The twelve apostles we see on the icon form the Apostolic College. The Apostolic College is the foundation of the Church, the twelve columns on which the building rests, built over the cornerstone, which is Christ. The icon of Pentecost is not the illustration of a historical event, but the symbol of the Church.
The twelve apostles sit in a semi-circle facing each other. Mary, the Mother of God, sits in the top space, in her role as Mother of the Church. In some icons, Mary is not present because the fullness of the Holy Spirit descended upon her at the Annunciation.
Each of the Apostles and Mary have a ray of fire in their numbus or halo. These represent the baptism of each person by the Holy Spirit.
The icon makes no effort to suggest the sound of a roaring wind but rather the deep inner silence of the apostles as they waited fulfillment of Christ’s promise. Perhaps more than any other, this is an icon showing the condition of prayer—attentive waiting on the Lord.
In some icons, there appears a mysterious figure in an arched black space beneath the Apostles. This is Cosmos, symbol of all people in darkness, awaiting illumination. Though crowned with power and wealth, he is imprisoned in a cave of night awaiting conversion. In the white cloth in his hands, he holds twelve identical scrolls, representing the life giving teaching of the Apostles.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The only time a priest wears green vestments in the Ukrainian Catholic Church is on Pentecost and the week following it. (“Pente” means 50 in Greek.)
- “Cosmos” means universe in Greek.
- The entire world receives the life giving and renewing Holy Spirit.
- In some icons of Pentecost, some Apostles hold books representing that they areEvangelists. Other Apostles hold scrolls showing that they taught the Good News.
- Chrismation is when we are sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
THE HISTORY
PENTECOST
The feast of Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after the Resurrection of Jesus. The Feast comes from the Hebrew Scriptures. It was celebrated to commemorate the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai to Moses. The Feast recalled God making a solemn Covenant with the Chosen People. The Descent of the Holy Spirit in the Christian Scriptures signals the making of the New Covenant by God with the Church.
In the Book of Genesis, the whole world spoke one language. The people became proud and wanted to build a tower to make a name for themselves. God saw that their motives were pride and arrogance, so God confused their tongues and people began to speak many different languages. This is why the tower was called Babel.
In the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Apostles while they were assembled in one place. A rush of wind came into the house and the Holy Spirit fills each of the apostles, giving them the power to speak in all languages and to be understood by all.
It is a tradition not to kneel from Resurrection Sunday until Pentecost to celebrate Christ’s triumph over death. On Pentecost Sunday, the faithful kneel for the kneeling prayers. These prayers are usually prayed during Vespers on Pentecost Sunday. During the week following Pentecost, the prayer “Heavenly King” is recited while kneeling at the beginning of every Divine Liturgy.
Traditionally, in the Byzantine Rite, Green is the colour associated with Pentecost. The emphasis is always on the life-giving, life-renewing aspect of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to all. Churches and homes are often decorated with green boughs and branches to herald the life-giving Spirit.
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Wisdom Love
Understanding Joy
Counsel Peace
Courage Patience
Knowledge Kindness
Piety Goodness
Fear of the Lord Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self Control
PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT