As part of our “Why” series this year, I have chosen to
discuss the importance of the Feast of Holy Pentecost and why it is celebrated
in the Church. On the surface Pentecost is sometimes referred to as the “birthday”
of the Church, but that ignores the truth that the Church is actually a continuation
of the Old Testament as the New Israel. The New Testament Church, the Orthodox
Church, is not a new institution founded on Pentecost, so it must mean
something deeper than just a religious founder’s day.
The Feast of Pentecost is the celebration of the descent of
the Holy Spirit to live within the Church. Shortly before His Passion, Christ
promised the Disciples, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide
you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He
hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me,
for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” (John 16.13-14) Just
before His Glorious Ascension back to His Throne in Heaven Jesus said, “I send
the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed
with power from on high.”(Luke 24.52) Combined, these both mean Pentecost is
fulfillment of God’s promise that He would send a Comforter (another name used
for the Holy Spirit), so we could be assured of the Truth being taught in the
Church.
Blessed are You, O
Christ our God. You
made the fishermen
all-wise, by sending down
upon them the Holy
Spirit, and through them
You drew the world
into Your net. O Lover of
mankind, glory to
You.
However, based upon the Apolytikion above, there was a
purpose even greater than comfort and truth. While the Holy Spirit is guiding
the Church, the Church has a mission to draw the world into God’s net, which is
the Church. This explains why at the moment of Pentecost the Holy Spirit
granted the ability to each of the Apostles to speak various languages so they
could spread the Gospel throughout the world without any worries about not
being understood.
In a world filled with pain and suffering, Pentecost gives
us comfort in knowing the pain is only temporary. In a world filled with many,
VERY MANY, interpretations about who God really is, Pentecost gives us comfort
knowing the Church has been guided into all Truth by God Himself. We can trust
the wisdom of the Church over the centuries, since that wisdom has remained
unchanged as first taught by the Holy Apostles. And as Saint Jude said, “Beloved,
while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I
found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the
faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1.3)
Pentecost is a celebration of truth, comfort, trust, faith,
wisdom, evangelism, the Church, the Saints, and the power of God from one high.
Pentecost is a celebration of Orthodoxy.
