I’ve written before about a sense of waiting before a feast, I notice it before Pascha and before the Nativity of Christ . I’ve really been noticing it these past few days as we hover between the Ascension
(last Thursday – sadly I missed Liturgy. The mission near me celebrates it as their Patronal Feast, and Liturgy was at six am. I confess that I am not one for being anywhere at that time of the morning) and Pentecost (on Sunday). For these few days we don’t begin our prayers with “O Heavenly King” yet, and have passed the time of singing “Christ is Risen”

What are we waiting for these breathless days? It is the coming of the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth (as we sing in the aforementioned prayer "O Heavenly King", which is a Pentecost Hymn that is used throughout the year to begin the Trisagion prayers). In today’s Gospel reading we read:

5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:5-13

Our priest commented during Sunday’s sermon that the Orthodox Church is the church of the Holy Spirit that instead of the Ecumenical Councils , a patriarch, or the emperor, he is the glue that holds our faith together. As our parish began as a small church in the mining foothills of Mt. Rainier , that is where we celebrate Pentecost, as it is the chapel’s Patronal Feast. Hopefully the weather will be ok, it’s been a bit rainy and cold (but a lot of pollen in the air – I’ve never suffered from allergies that much, but lately the cottonwood has looked like snow, and I’ve noticed a nagging sinus headache.). May these days of waiting bring the Holy Spirit into your midst on the Feast Day.

(icon of the Ascension from the OCA site )