Homily on the Day of Pentecost*
By Righteous Alexei Mechev
(Delivered on May 26, 1914)
By Righteous Alexei Mechev
(Delivered on May 26, 1914)
On the day of Holy Pentecost, we will discuss the invaluable and salvific actions of the Holy Spirit for us, Christians. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles is a moment of utmost significance. It marks the beginning of the powerful surge through which the entire ancient, decrepit pagan world fell, collapsed, making way for the religion of light, the truth of truths.
Indeed, all that once held undisputed dominion over the world: this all-encompassing philosophy, this exalted and celebrated polytheism – all of this proud pagan creation has collapsed under the touch of the humble preachers of the Christian faith, which, in the eyes of pagan sages, was a pathetic delusion and madness (1 Cor. 1:18). Such is, dear friends, the power of the Holy Spirit; its fruits are beautifully expressed in the well-known prayer to the Holy Spirit: 'Heavenly King.' In it, the Holy Spirit is referred to as "the Comforter, the Giver of Life, the Treasury of Good Things."
What wonderful, lofty and profound names! In church we often hear: "Every soul is quickened by the Holy Spirit," and indeed, my friends, in the whole of God’s boundless world the almighty power of God the Holy Spirit lives and exists. Each of us sees this especially at the onset of spring, when the gracious sun begins to warm the earth with its warmth. Then everything is renewed and revived; the earth is covered with green grass and various flowers, all of God’s creation seems to have awakened from sleep, rejoices and glorifies the Creator of the world. And all this is accomplished by the almighty power of God the Holy Spirit. “Send forth Your Spirit,” says King David, “and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth” (Ps. 103:30). If the human soul came from God, then it can find its complete contentment and peace only in God. But the sinful "filth" alienated the human soul from God, and from then on the human soul began to wither, dry up, become exhausted, and at the same time experience discontent, sorrow, melancholy, and a desire for something different, something better. This sad and painful state lasted for a long time. But then Christ came to earth. Having accomplished the work of our redemption on earth and ascended to heaven, He sent down the Spirit of God to us so that He might revive, restore, and regenerate us. From the Book of Acts of the Holy Apostles we know how the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles and what miraculous actions revealed His reviving power in their souls. Indeed, simple fishermen - the Apostles - become strong and fearless preachers of the gospel truth; out of love for God and their neighbors, they endured numerous calamities and sufferings and sealed their preaching with a martyr's death. On the other hand, who guided the same Apostles when they wrote their Epistles? Who guided the shepherds and teachers of the Church at the Ecumenical Synods when deciding various questions of the Christian faith and good life? All the same life-giving Holy Spirit.
We, friends, are all participants in this action of the life-giving goodness of the Holy Spirit in various experiences of our spiritual rebirth, renewal and sanctification. The means by which the Holy Spirit is communicated to us are fervent prayer and the Mysteries of the Church. Our entire life, friends, from beginning to end is accompanied by the great gifts of the Holy Spirit and all of our actions must consist and be accomplished under the influence of the blessing, sanctifying and life-giving grace of the Holy Spirit.
Call upon yourself the Holy Spirit, always keep your heart pure, so as not to drive the Holy Spirit out of it, but to attract Him.
“Lord, who sent down Your Most Holy Spirit upon Your Apostles at the third hour, O Good One, do not take Him away from us, but renew us who pray to You.”
Notes:
* Delivered on the day of the Holy Trinity. Published for the first time according to the “Speech Plans” from the archive of E. V. Apushkina.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
