FEAST OF PENTECOST: The Descent of the Holy Spirit Today, is the Feast of Pentecost (Hokekalousd), which is celebrated fifty days after Easter. Jesus had commanded the apostles to “Go therefore to all nations and make them my disciples,” (Matthew 28:19). Recognizing the difficulty of this great responsibility, Christ had advised His disciples not to begin their teaching mission until after the “Descent of the Holy Spirit.” In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that on the day of Pentecost the apostles gathered in one place, and suddenly a strong wind seemed to fill the house in which they were assembled. “And there appeared to them flames like tongues of fire distributed among them and coming to rest on each one. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them power of utterance,” (Acts 2:2-4). It was the Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shabuoth) commemorating the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, and many people from different lands had come to Jerusalem. They marveled that each one of them could understand the Apostles’ words in his own language. This day when the Holy Spirit de-scended upon the Apostles was the beginning of the mission of the Church to spread the Good News throughout the world. In essence Pentecost marks the birth of the Church.

We celebrate the descent of the Spirit who comforted the apostles having rested in them in tongues of fire, blessed be he forever.

We celebrate the manifestation of the Spirit; we confess him God who makes new and gives life; blessed be he forever.

Today, filled with joy by the Spirit, we confess as God the Holy Spirit who is procession and fills all things; blessed be he forever.

Bless the Lord, O all the works of the Lord, bless and exalt him for-ever.

Bless him who proceeds from the Father, the Holy Spirit, of one es-sence with the Son and exalt him forever.

Bless God who came today in tongues for fire as a word of discern-ment and exalt him forever.

From the Canon for the First Day of Pentecost according to the Liturgical Canons of

the Armenian Church.

Ðය¶²Èàôêî

PENTECOST

²ñÅ. î. ¶³ñ»·ÇÝ øÑÝÛ. ä»ïáõñ»³Ý, Ðá·»õáñ ÑáíÇõ

Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, Pastor

Daily Bible Readings: Acts 2:1-21; John 14:25-31.

Gospel Reading (John 14:25-31)

‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the

Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and re-

mind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I

do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let

them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.”

If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is

greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur,

you may believe.

I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He

has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may

know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.

Epistle Reading (Acts 2:1-21)

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And

suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled

the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among

them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit

and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusa-

lem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard

them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are

not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our

own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea

and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya

belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and

Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All

were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others

sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men

of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I

say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morn-

ing.

No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will

be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your

daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall

dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour

out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above

and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned

to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious

day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

Please remember these servants of God in your prayer: Deacon Ara Shrestinian, Mary Foley, Nvart Apovian, Deacon Berj Karibian,

Pauline Kachanian, Armine Saryan, Margaret Hagopian, Karine Maraian,

Annette Hagopian,, Armen Oozoonian, Mark Ford, Rose Narzakian, John

Bedrosian.

REQUIEM SERVICE In Memory of: Krikor & Hripsime Topalian Requested by: John & Violet Dagdigian; Sean & Nonny Bowe, Kaitlyn and Alec; Michael & Kelly Dagdigian and Gabrielle; Christopher Dagdigian & Diana Lamppu. In Memory of: Verkin Gulbankian; Charles M. Gulbankian Requested by: Paul and Beverly Demoorjian. In Memory of: Linda Kashgagian-Movsessian (17 years) Requested by: Alex, Diane, Ava, Alexander and Andrew Movsessian, Evelyn Kashgagian, Janiece and Bill Kashgagian-Shaw.

In Memory of: Arthur Kashgagian (15 years) Requested by: Alex, Diane, Ava, Alexander and Andrew Movsessian, Evelyn Kashgagian, Janiece and Bill Kashgagian-Shaw PRAYER OF THE WEEK You created the visible light, separated the day and night, shed forth on us, O Lord, by night the rays of spiritual light. Give us at all times the shadow of your protecting hand, that by day and by night we may give you glory incessantly. Amen. Memorial Day Prayer service at cemeteries

According to the tradition, on Memorial day (May 27, 2013), Der

Hayr will be available for prayer service at cemeteries. Please contact Der

Hayr for arrangements at (617) 901-6972.

May God illuminate and rest the souls of all deceased in heavenly

peace.