On Pentecost Sunday on June 3/16, 2019, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem celebrated the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the Holy Disciples and Apostles.
According to the book of Acts of the Apostles (ch.2), the All-holy Spirit came down to the Holy Apostles, who were gathered at the Upper Room on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection, and with “a sound as of a rushing wind” and “in cloven tongues like as of fire” (Acts 2: 2-3) sat upon the head of each of them and they were enlightened and started speaking about the marvels of God. The crowds that rushed to them heard the words of Apostle Peter, they believed, and the first Church was formed.
This event was celebrated at the Holy Sepulchre with the Divine Liturgy which was officiated by Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos with co-celebrants the Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, the Archbishops; Theophanes of Gerassa, Aristarchus of Constantina, Theodosios of Sebastia, Demetrios of Lydda and the Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis, Hagiotaphite Hieromonks with first in rank Elder Kamarasis Archimandrite Nectarios, Archdeacon Mark, Deacon Sophronios and other Deacons.
The chanting was delivered by the Choir Leader of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre Mr. Constantinos Spyropoulos and the service was attended by the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos and many pilgrims.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by Vespers of the Monday of the Holy Spirit, in which the Kneeling Service was read by Patriarch and the Archbishops in Greek and in Arabic.
The Holy Spirit Vespers for the Hagiotaphite Fathers took place in low voice at the Holy Altar of the Catholicon, by the Ministering Priest of St. Constantine.
After Dismissal, the Patriarchal Entourage and the faithful went to the Patriarchate Reception Hall.
There, the Patriarch wished to all present many happy returns and fruitful years with the exploitation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
