On the day after every Great Feast, the Orthodox Church honors the one through
whom the Feast is made possible. On the day following the Nativity of the Lord,
for example, we celebrate the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos (December 26).
On the day after Theophany, we commemorate St John the Baptist (January 7), and
so on.
Today we honor the all-Holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, Who descended upon
the Apostles at Pentecost in the form of fiery tongues in fulfillment of the
Lord's pro
mise to send the Comforter to His disciples (JN 14:16). That same
Holy Spirit remains within the Church throughout the ages, guiding it
"into all truth" (JN 16:13).
At Vespers on the day of Pentecost, we hear that the Holy Spirit is "the
Fountain of goodness, through Whom the Father is known, and the Son is
glorified." He is "the living Fountain of spiritual gifts" Who
"purifies us from our sins." It is by the Holy Spirit that "the
prophets, divine Apostles, and martyrs are crowned." He is the source of
life and of sanctification.
In the services of this day, we sing the same hymns as on Pentecost, except the
Canon of the Holy Spirit, which is sung at Compline. The Vigil is not
prescribed for the eve of today's feast. We sing the Great Doxology at Matins,
but not the Polyeleos. The Irmos of the Ninth Ode ("Hail, O Queen, glory
of mothers and virgins…") is sung in place of the Song of the Theotokos
("My soul magnifies the Lord...").
At the Liturgy, the priest or deacon chants the Entrance Verse ("Be
exalted in Thy strength, O Lord. We will sing and praise Thy power.") as
on the day of Pentecost. "Holy God" replaces "As many as have
been baptized…." The dismissal of Pentecost is also used.
This whole week is fast-free, and the Leave-taking of Pentecost occurs on
Saturday.
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth
Tone
Blessed are You, O Christ our God, who made fishermen all-wise, sending upon them the Holy Spirit and, through them, netting the world. O Loving One, glory to You.
Kontakion in the Plagal of the Fourth
Tone
When the Most High came down and confounded tongues of men, He divided the Nations. When He dispensed the Tongues of Fire, He called all to unity, and with one voice we glorify the Most Holy Spirit.
