(The Day after Pentecost Sunday)
The Monday of the Holy Spirit, observed on the day after Pentecost Sunday, is a liturgical celebration in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) dedicated specifically to honoring the Third Person of the Holy Trinity—the Holy Spirit. While Pentecost Sunday commemorates the dramatic descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, this next day is set aside to praise and glorify the Holy Spirit Himself, recognizing His divine role in the life of the Church and in the sanctification of the faithful.
This feast serves as a continuation and deepening of the Pentecost celebration. It affirms the Church’s belief in the Holy Spirit as the Giver of life, the Spirit of truth, and the One who makes Christ present in the hearts of believers. It also emphasizes the beginning of the Church’s mission in the world, empowered by the Spirit’s gifts.
On this day, the Divine Liturgy includes special hymns and prayers that honor the Holy Spirit and invoke His presence. The faithful are reminded to be open to the Spirit’s guidance, wisdom, and strength in their daily lives.
Liturgically, green remains the color of the feast, symbolizing growth, renewal, and the fruitfulness of the Spirit. Monday of the Holy Spirit also marks the beginning of the Week of the Holy Trinity, during which the Church continues to reflect on the mystery of God’s life shared with us.
This feast invites believers to enter more deeply into a relationship with the Holy Spirit, calling upon Him to renew their hearts, strengthen their faith, and lead them in holiness.
