Wednesday, May 18, 2011
The Feast of Mid-Pentecost
 
"On Mid-Pentecost we hear the call of the Lord: 'Whosoever  thirsteth, let him come to Me and drink' (John 7:37).  If this is so, then  let us all run to Him. Whatever you thirst for - so long as it is not contrary  to the Spirit of the Lord - you will find relief in Him."    -  St Theophan the Recluse, 1815-1894
 
Mid-Pentecost is, in the words of the Pentecostarion, "the middle  of those days which commence with Christ God's saving Rising and which are  sealed by Pentecost."  It is a most radiant and majestic feast in  that it is "illuminated by both the feasts" - flashing forth like  a flawless diamond upon which brilliant light is shined  from right and left, and gushing forth like a powerful fountain  of water which is fed by two mighty streams.  Let us all quaff deeply  of "the waters of piety" which flow from Him Who is the very Well-spring of Life!  "Having been enlightened by the  Resurrection and Christ the Saviour, O ye brethren, and having reached the midst  of the feast of the Master, let us truly keep the commandments of God, that we  may be counted worthy to celebrate the Ascension and be vouchsafed the coming of  the Holy Spirit" (Doxastikon on the Praises).
 
Beginning on the Leavetaking of the feast of Mid-Pentecost,  Wednesday, May 25th and continuing through Friday, May 27th we members  of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central  America will gather in Chicago to pray and work together, doing  our part in building up the Holy Church in this land to the glory of  God and the salvation of souls.  Among things to be discussed during  the sessions in Chicago will be the work of our Assembly's thirteen committees, its Secretariat, and the fourteen agencies and endorsed-organizations.  The prayers of all our Christ-loving clergy,  monastics and lay people are earnestly requested, that the same Spirit  Whom our Saviour poured forth as Living Water to sate the thirst of His Holy  Disciples might inspire us as we labor for His glory.
 
The Members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of  North and Central America