Pentecost: The 'Green' Feast (Sunday, May 28, 2023)

The great feast of Pentecost, in Slavic Eastern Churches, is known as the Sunday of the All-Holy Trinity, and also as Holy Green day (Zeleni Sviati). Green is a sign of life. In Christian symbolism, green signifies the new and eternal life given to us by the Holy Spirit. In the Creed the Holy Spirit is called the Giver or Creator of Life. "You send forth Your Spirit, and they (all things) are created, and You renew the face of the earth." Ps. 103(104): 30. Together with the Father and the Son, the Holy Spirit created the universe. (Cf. Gen. 1:1-3). When the human race had fallen into sin, the world was wounded and death entered into it. But by the incarnation, ministry, passion, death, burial and resurrection of Christ, grace and life were restored. The Holy Spirit descended from heaven in a special

way on the Feast of Pentecost, fifty days after Christ's resurrection. Now, In Baptism, the Holy Spirit imparts that grace and life to us. He renews and strengthens them in us through the other holy Mysteries or Sacraments as well.

The Holy Spirit can cleanse us and free us from our sins, give us a new beginning, and strengthen us in goodness, give us new strength, new purpose, and restore in us divine love, joy and peace.

It is a custom among many Eastern Christians to decorate their churches and homes with green plants or branches. Some will also dress in green for Pentecost Sunday. What a beautiful sign of our desire to live the ever-new life God bestows on us by the Holy Spirit!

St. Basil Church - 14263 Mulberry Drive, Los Gatos, CA

PENTECOST SUNDAY: SUNDAY, MAY 28

9:30am Matins

10:00am Divine Liturgy

Lunch after Liturgy