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.

- Acts 2:1-4 (NRSV)

On Sunday 23 May, the church celebrates the feast of Pentecost. On this day, the disciples who were waiting in Jerusalem as per Christ’s instruction, received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. The liturgical colour for Pentecost is red, to symbolise the “tongues, as of fire” referred to in the reading above. A dove is often used to symbolise the Holy Spirit, drawing on Christ’s baptism in which the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ “like a dove” (Matthew 3). It is in the power of the Holy Spirit that we are called to be Christ to the world.

REVD CLAUDIA COUSTAS
CHAPLAIN