Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, Amen!
I’ve noticed over the years, that on Pentecost, and the following day (Holy Spirit Day), it seems breezier than usual outside. The trees, flowers and grasses sway and dance in the gentle winds. The Breath of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, tangibly encircles all. At Pentecost, the sun shines brighter. More golden. Today the birds sing sweeter, and a wordless song of gratitude bubbles up from within, like a silver fountain of shining joy.
Blessed art Thou, Christ our God, Who hast shown forth the fishermen as supremely wise, by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them, didst draw the world into Thy net. O Lover of mankind, glory be to Thee. ~ Troparion of Pentecost
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things, and Giver of life: come and take up Thine abode in us, and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One! ~ Trisagion Prayers
…The Lord grant thee according to thy heart, and all thy purposes fulfill.~From 2nd Antiphon at Pentecost
Greeting you with resplendent joy! Happy Feast Day!
Today is the Church’s Birthday… and we also celebrate that at our own baptisms, we received the Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spiritin theSacrament of Chrismation, and have become participants in the Church’s Life of Grace!
Pentecost – Also known as Whitsun means literally “White Sunday” from the fact that many were baptized on this feast and thus dressed in white baptismal gowns, but perhaps also from the white light of the Holy Spirit. In Somerset, “God’s Land”, it was customary for women to wear white ribbons in their shoes, or at least carry a white flower, perhaps a daisy. It was a great feast and bells which were rung on this day were decorated with red ribbons to remind the faithful of the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit. The main dish this day was veal, in other words, the Biblical “fatted calf”, with gooseberry pie… Indeed an old rhyme says: “For gooseberry tart at Whitsuntide, trim old wood out ‘ere Christmastide”. ~ Old English Pentecost Traditions
A little chapel at Pentecost 2004
The Earth’s Name’s Day ~ Vasily Nikiforov-Volgin (1900-1941) The birch trees under our window murmured of the coming of the Holy Trinity. Sitting under their canopy, merging with the waves of their glittering leaves, I close my eyes tightly and imagined a path of shimmering light, just like on a river at sunrise; and along this path, in the form of three angels in white raiment, walks the Holy Trinity. On the eve of the holiday my mother said, “Tomorrow is the earth’s name’s day!” “How is that?” I asked. “Because tomorrow, my son, is Holy Trinity Day. Tomorrow, the Holy Spirit walks upon the earth, and decorates the earth with the most beautiful field flowers and thick green grass. That is why on Trinity Day the earth always looks so bedecked and merry, like a name’s day celebrant!” “The earth’s name’s day!” These extraordinary words sounded so wonderful, that my whole heart was illumined… In the early morning, the arrival of the Holy Trinity at our village came in the form of the rising sun’s rays, which filled our little room with a delicate radiance. Mother lit the lampada in front of the icons murmuring, “O most Holy Trinity, save us….” Over the earth, which was celebrating its name’s day, the sun spilled its rays in thick and fragrant waves. The church crowned the earth’s name’s day with wondrous words, hymns and long mysterious prayers, during which we stood on our knees, and the floor was covered with flowers and fresh grass. I picked up blades of grass from the floor, rubbed them between my palms and, breathing in their fragrant smell, I sensed with all my heart: how wonderful it is to be alive on the earth’s name’s day!
…The Lord grant thee according to thy heart, and all thy purposes fulfill. ~ From 2nd Antiphon at Pentecost
Over the years I’ve noticed thatTrinity Sunday may seem breezier than usual! The trees, flowers and grasses sway and dance in the gentle winds. The Breath of the Holy Spirit encompasses all. Today the sun shines brighter. More golden. Birdsong is sweeter. Beauty is everywhere, rejoicing vibrantly.
Pentecost Traditions Today green vestments are worn by the clergy. Parishioners also wear a bit of white or green if they wish. Churches are decorated with greenery and flowers reflecting the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life. People bring small floral bouquets to church with them and hold them during the Divine Liturgy, to be later placed in their icon corners, or on a loved one’s grave.
Long grasses strewn on the floor may be collected after Liturgy, taken home and braided into a Grass Cross for one’s icon corner. (Loosely form two individual braided pieces and wrap/tie them together with a long grass blade.) Kids love to do this.
How to Make a Simple Floral Pentecost Bouquet (to bring and hold at church) Materials Needed: Tin Foil, Plastic Wrap, Paper Towel, Elastic Band
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To make a small floral bouquet that won’t wilt, have at least 3 flowers with some greenery (herbs or leaves).
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Remove extra leaves from bottom of stems. Tie a thin elastic band up towards the top of the bouquet. Cut the bottom of stems so they are even at bottom, and they can be held easily in your hand.
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Lightly dampen (shouldn’t drip) 1 or 2 squares of paper towel and wrap around the bottom, and up the stems.
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Next, wrap the paper towel and stems tightly in an approximate 11 x 14 inch piece of plastic wrap. It can go up as high as you wish, but make sure it’s enclosed securely under the stems, so as not to leak.
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Now tear an approximately 11 x 14 inch piece of tin foil and lay the paper-towelled/plastic wrapped bouquet on top of it. Doesn’t matter if it’s on the shiny or dull side of the foil.
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Fold up the foiled bottom, making sure to enclose the the stems.
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Roll the foil tightly over and over, keeping the bottom sealed. Once completely closed, scrunch the foil to tighten more if needed.
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My husband holds this finished garden bouquet of foxglove, nepeta catmint, valerian, hosta leaf, lemon balm, and maiden’s hair fern. The foil looks too loose for my liking, and will be scrunched and gently twisted more tightly.
Now you have a fresh Pentecost Bouquet for church. If you make two bouquets, you can share one with someone who may not have access to garden flowers.
