العنصرة
The PENTECOST
"We have seen the true light, we have received the Heavenly Spirit, we have found the true faith, and we worship the indivisible Trinity; for the Trinity has saved us. (Pentecost Vespers, STICHERA, Tone 2)
أعمال الرّسل الإصحاح الثّاني
ولما حضر يوم
الخمسين كان الجميع معا بنفس واحدة. 2 وصار بغتة من السماء صوت كما من هبوب ريح
عاصفة وملأ كل البيت حيث كانوا جالسين. 3 وظهرت لهم ألسنة منقسمة كانها من نار
واستقرت على كل واحد منهم. 4 وامتلأ الجميع من الروح القدس وابتدأوا يتكلمون بألسنة
اخرى كما اعطاهم الروح ان ينطقوا
5 وكان يهود رجال اتقياء من كل امة تحت السماء ساكنين في اورشليم. 6 فلما صار هذا
الصوت اجتمع الجمهور وتحيّروا لان كل واحد كان يسمعهم يتكلمون بلغته. 7 فبهت الجميع
وتعجبوا قائلين بعضهم لبعض أترى ليس جميع هؤلاء المتكلمين جليليين. 8 فكيف نسمع نحن
كل واحد منا لغته التي ولد فيها. 9 فرتيون وماديون وعيلاميون والساكنون ما بين
النهرين واليهودية وكبدوكية وبنتس واسيا 10 وفريجية وبمفيلية ومصر ونواحي ليبية
التي نحو القيروان والرومانيون المستوطنون يهود ودخلاء 11 كريتيون وعرب نسمعهم
يتكلمون بألسنتنا بعظائم الله.
"When the day of Pentecost came, they all had met in one room. suddenly they heard what sounded like a powerful wind from heaven, the noise of which filled the entire house in which they were staying. Then the tongues of fire appeared to them and, as they separated, they came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak foreign languages as the Spirit prompted them." (Acts 2:1-4)
Heavenly King, Comforter, the spirit of truth, You are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, 0 gracious Lord.
TROPARION (Tone 8)
Blessed are You, 0 Christ our God, Who have filled the fishermen with wisdom by sending down upon them the Holy Spirit, and through them caught the universe in Your net. 0 Lover of men, glory be to You.
( this image is a combination of an African icon a Coptic icon I found on the net )
KONTAKION (Tone 8)
When the Most High descended, He confused the tongues and scattered the peoples; but when He distributed the tongues of fire, He called all of them to unity. Therefore, we praise the Most Holy Spirit with one voice.
ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
ON THE HOLY SPIRIT
"In former times men, seized by madness, wanted to build a tower to reach heaven; but the Lord, by dividing their tongues, divided their evil purpose. So now the Holy Spirit descends upon them in fiery tongues to unify a divided world. The result is something new and strange (mystical)."
(II Homily on Pentecost, 2)
