On Sunday, June 8, all Christians celebrated the great feast of Holy Pentecost. It is so called because it is celebrated on the fiftieth day ("pentekostos" means "fiftieth" in Greek) after Pascha ‒ the Glorious Resurrection of Christ. This feast is also called the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, since it was on this day that Christ God sent "Another Comforter" ‒ the Holy Spirit ‒ to His disciples. This feast is also called the Day of the Holy Trinity, since the entire Holy Trinity manifested Itself in the work of saving the human race. God the Father sent His Son to redeem fallen humanity, and the Holy Spirit sanctified and filled people with His grace. Thus, on this day, Christ’s Holy Church was born.

On Saturday, the eve of the feast, All-Night Vigil was served in the Church of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God in North Port, FL. The service was officiated by Hieromonk Arkadii (Polishchuk), co-served by Deacon Alexander Kharitoniuk. The rector, Archimandrite Stefan (Khilchuk), Hierodeacon Paisius (Alexeevets), and Valeria Surovaya sang in the choir. During the service, the Parœmiæ were read ‒ passages from the Old Testament, including the prophecy of the Prophet Joel about the gift of the Holy Spirit to the people of God.

Also performed at Vigil was the litia, a special prayer with the blessing of bread, wheat, wine, and oil.

For the first time since Pascha, the choir and the people again proclaimed the prayer to the Holy Spirit: "O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth…" The Holy Spirit was solemnly glorified at the Praises: " The Holy Spirit ever was, and is, and ever shall be, neither beginning nor ceasing, but ever joined and numbered together with the Father and the Son; He is the Life and the Life-giver, the Light and the Light-bestower. Himself Goodness and the Source of goodness…"

On the very day of the feast, Fr. Arkadii heard believers’ confessions, after which Divine Liturgy began, which was celebrated by Frs. Stefan, Paisius, and Alexander. The choir, led by director Valeria Surovaya, together with Fr. Arkadii, adorned the service with beautiful singing.

In attendance at the service were many communicants, parishioners, guests, and children.

In accordance with the rubrics, Great Vespers was served immediately after Liturgy, in which special petitions were made for the sending down of the Holy Spirit upon the faithful and for the sanctification of each with His grace.

The three ancient kneeling prayers were also read. In these prayers, the priest, on behalf of the people, asks God for spiritual consolation, a repentant spirit, and strengthening of faith. Special prayers were also read for the repose of the deceased Orthodox Christians, asking that He grant them forgiveness of sins and participation in Eternal Life.

At the end of Vespers, Fr. Stefan congratulated everyone on the holiday, wishing everyone to acquire the grace of the Holy Spirit in prayers and labors, recalling the words of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov: "The goal of Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit!"

The feast concluded with fraternal fellowship between parishioners, guests, and clergy over a festal meal, which was lovingly prepared by the parishioners.