The feast of Pentecost is the altar feast of the Holy Trinity Monastery. It is always celebrated with great solemnity. On Ancestral Saturday, the divine liturgy is celebrated in the cemetery chapel of the Dormition, at the end of which a general pannikhida is served in front of the church, during which all of the reposed commemorated in the monastery’s services are prayed for.
On Pentecost Sunday, the All-Night Vigil is celebrated with the choir chanting many special melodies. The Litya is served outside with a procession going around the church to the ringing of bells. His Grace Bishop Luke came out for the Polyleos. The church was filled with many pilgrims.
On the Sunday morning, two liturgies are served, the early one at 6AM in the basement church of St. Job and the later one at 9AM in the cathedral, at which Vladyka presided. It is our tradition to meet the bishop “with glory,” that is, with all the clergy processing to the monastery grand hallway and then processing back to the church, singing the troparion of the feast, “Blessed art Thou, Christ our God.”
During the Hours, Seminarian Thomas (last name) was tonsured a subdeacon. Before the Smal Entrance, Archpriest Serge Kotar was awarded by Vladyka the right to wear the miter for his many years of devoted service to the Church. Vladyka commented that Fr. Serge is an example for all monastics and seminarians of a zealous pastor. After the Great Entrance, our former seminarian, Deacon Ioann Golovin was ordained to the priesthood.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Ninth Hour was served and then Great Vespers commenced as the bishop handed out bouquets of fresh flowers to the clergy. During the service, the three prayers to the Holy Spirit were read.
The services were followed by the General Trapeza, after which there was a reception for all under tents. This provided people with the opportunity to socialize with Vladyka, the clergy and the seminarians. The wonderful, refreshing and sunny weather provided a very pleasant atmosphere for our feast.
