The Festival of Pentecost commemorates the descent of
the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost, a feast of
the Jewish tradition. It also celebrates the establishment of the
Church through the preaching of the Apostles and the baptism of the
thousands who on that day believed in the Gospel message of salvation
through Jesus Christ. The Feast is also seen as the culmination of the
revelation of the Holy Trinity Meaning of the Pentecost Icon
The
icon of the Festival of Pentecost is known as "the descent of the holy
spirit". it is an icon of bold colors of red and gold signifying that
this is a great event. the movement of the icon is from the top to the
bottom. at the top of the icon is a semicircle with rays coming from
it. the rays are pointing toward the apostles, and the tongues of fire
are seen descending upon each one of them signifying the descent of the holy spirit.
The building in the background of the icon
represents the upper room where the Disciples of Christ gathered after
the Ascension. The Apostles are shown seated in a semicircle which
shows the unity of the Church. Included in the group of the Apostles is
Saint Paul, who, though not present with the others on the day of
Pentecost, became an Apostle of the Church and the greatest missionary.
Also included are the four Evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and
John—holding books of the Gospel, while the other Apostles are holding
scrolls that represent the teaching authority given to them by Christ.
In
the center of the icon below the Apostles, a royal figure is seen
against a dark background. This is a symbolic figure, Cosmos,
representing the people of the world living in darkness and sin, and
involved in pagan worship. However, the figure carries in his hands a
cloth containing scrolls which represent the teaching of the Apostles.
The tradition of the Church holds that the Apostles carried the message
of the Gospel to all parts of the world.
In the icon of
Pentecost we see the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit,
sent down upon the Apostles who will teach the nations and baptize them
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Here we see that the Church is brought
together and sustained in unity through the presence and work of the
Holy Spirit, that the Spirit guides the Church in the missionary
endeavor throughout the world, and that the Spirit nurtures the Body of
Christ, the Church, in truth and love.
from : http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen_learn_share/pentecost/learn/
From the Bible
Acts Chapter 2
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. 5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
13Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine.[b]"
Peter Addresses the Crowd
14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17" 'In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19I will show wonders in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.'[c] 22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25David said about him:
" 'I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will live in hope,
27because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'
29"Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
" 'The Lord said to my Lord:
"Sit at my right hand
35until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet." '
36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
(Published in sections: Saints - Images :: )
Comments from our visitors:
