On Sunday, June 23, the great feast of Pentecost was celebrated in Holy Trinity Monastery in the traditional way, with three days of solemn services. The day before, Pentecost Soul Saturday, Divine Liturgy was celebrated, upon conclusion of which a general panihida was served by the monastery abbot ‒ His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse, together with the monastery clergy.
Crowds of the faithful traveled to the monastery to show their prayerful support of the monastery’s feast. The brethren decorated the monastery cathedral with birch branches and beautiful summer flowers. The pilgrims that came to the monastery were also able to see the restoration work on the frescos of the walls of the main church.
All-Night Vigil was served festally, with a procession going around the church during litia.
The following morning, Liturgy was celebrated in the lower Church of St. Job of Pochaev, as well as in the cathedral, where Bishop Luke presided at the hierarchal Liturgy, co-served by monastery clergy.
At the end of Liturgy, Great Vespers was served by His Grace and the clergy with the "Kneeling Prayers," composed by St. Basil the Great many centuries ago. The clergy were given bouquets of flowers to symbolize the descent of the Holy Spirit.
After the service, all were treated to the traditional Pentecostal monastery meal in the refectory. Afterward, the pilgrims were able to view the various stands where goods and foods were sold.
On Sunday evening, Matins for Holy Spirit Day was served. Early in the morning the next day, water was blessed on the occasion of the monastery’s patronal feast day. Once again, Bishop Luke presided at Liturgy, with a number of visiting priests traveling to the monastery to show their support. As on the day prior, the church was filled to capacity with the faithful.
The feast continued into the traditional third day, once again with His Grace serving alongside the monastery clergy. Thus concluded the three-day festal celebration of the monastery’s patronal feast.
Jordanville, NY: On Pentecost, Bishop Luke officiates Patronal Feast of Holy Trinity Monastery - 06/23/24
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