Pentecost every day

Photo by Lawrence OP
On Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the disciples after the Resurrection of our Lord.  St Seraphim of Sarov, the Russian spiritual teacher (1759-1833) describes the life of a disciple as nothing more than the receiving of the Holy Spirit:
"For the true aim of the Christian life is the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, vigils, prayer and almsgiving, and other good works done in the name of Christ, they are only the means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God."
Here is a prayer said every morning in the Orthodox tradition. The pattern of a daily prayer for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, makes every day a Pentecost.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, Treasury of Goodness and Giver of life: come and abide in us. Cleanse us from every stain of sin and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.
(St Seraphim is commemorated in the Church of England on 2 January).

Comments

  1. Anonymous23 May 2010 at 08:00

    Roman iconography.

    ReplyDelete
  2. David Hamid23 May 2010 at 16:07

    ....based on Acts 1.14.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Evanjelique23 May 2010 at 20:13

    That's the homepage of the monastery where St. Seraphim of Sarov was used to live..

    http://www.sarov-monastery.org/english/

    ReplyDelete

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