The Feast of the Paraclete / The Feast of Pentecost

➕ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, One God, Amen.

Dear family of God, this great feast is one of the nine Major Feasts of our Lord, a day on which we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Holy Apostles. The promise our Lord gave them, saying, “Stay in Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high,” was fulfilled on this day.

The Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in the likeness of fire, turning their fear into courage, their weakness into strength, and their silence into preaching. On that day, through the preaching of St. Peter, many repented, believed, and were baptized, and the journey of the Church began with power. Therefore, this feast is referred to as the “Birthday of the Church.”

This feast holds a profound spiritual message for us as well. Like the Apostles, we too must receive the grace of the Holy Spirit through unity, prayer, repentance, Holy Communion, and steadfast presence within the Church. There is no righteousness separated from the Church, for the Church is the gate to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Starting from the day after the Feast of the Paraclete, the Apostles’ Fast (Tsome Hawaryat) begins. This is a holy fast observed so that the Apostles could thank God for the grace they received and prepare themselves for the preaching of the Gospel, and it is given to us so that we too may be clothed with the blessing of the Apostles.

Therefore, dear faithful, let us prepare ourselves during this holy season through fasting, prayer, repentance, love, humility, and obedience. Let us follow the diligence, perseverance, love, and courage of the Holy Apostles. May the Holy Spirit comfort our hearts, cleanse us from sin, strengthen us in faith, and make us dwell in love.

May the grace of the Holy Spirit, the intercession of Our Lady, and the prayers and blessings of the Holy Apostles be with us all.

Amen. Glory be to God!