Today we celebrate Holy Pentecost, a Major Feast in the Orthodox Church. Christian Pentecost has its roots in an Old Testament feast known as the Feast of Weeks, where the faithful offered to God the first fruits of their harvest. Father Paul shares with us that Holy Pentecost is a fulfillment of a promise and time. The promise was from Jesus to His disciples that he would abide with them forever and pray to His Father who would give them an Advocate or Spirit of Truth. The fulfillment of time occurred on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples in the upper room. The prophet Joel spoke about this outpouring of the Holy Spirit 500 years prior to its occurrence. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit transformed the disciples, who began witnessing to the great works of Jesus. Each of us, as Orthodox Christians, receives a personal Pentecost at Baptism and Chrismation. As we celebrate this Feast through supplication, thanksgiving and prayer, offered at the Divine Liturgy and Kneeling Vespers, we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be the people God wants us to be and to do what God wants us to do.