Parakletos-Paraclete - ጰራቅሊጦስ

Parakletos - ጰራቅሊጦስ -The Descent of the Holy Spirit - 50 days after Tinsae(Resurrection)

The Feast of the Pentecost falls on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Eyesus Kristos, which commemorates the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Holy Apostles and the Disciples at the third hour(9:00a.m.) of the day. Since the date of the Resurrection(Fasika) changes each year, the date of the Feast of the Parakletos also changes but is always celebrated on a Sunday.

The feast of Pentecost also known as by the name of Parakletos which comes from the Greek word translated “Comforter” or “Counselor.

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church tradition, the feast of Pentecost is one of the nine major feasts of Our Lord and Savior Eyesus Kristos. Originally, Pentecost, which means the fiftieth day, was a Jewish historical holy day which was known as Harvest Festival. After the accomplishment of His redemptive work, God made the harvest festival to relate to festival of the Holy Spirit.

During His Ascension, Our Lord and Savior Eyesus Kristos promised the Apostles that the Holy Spirit would come after Him.

Acts 1:4–5

"And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

John 14:16–17

“16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you.”

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place when the promise was fulfilled as Saint Peter and the early Church were in Jerusalem. The coming of the Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of the Old Testamentary prophecy.

Joel 2:28

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”

According to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church teachings on the New Testament, the twelve Holy Apostles had spoken perfectly in seventy-two languages. The other disciples(72 men and 36 women) were gathered together in the Upper Room of Zion(St. Mark’s home) in Jerusalem with the Holy Apostles on the day of Pentecost, they spoke in over fifteen different languages; some spoke fifty, the others twenty or twenty five and some spoke sixty.

Acts 2:1–4

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Having received the Holy Spirit, the Apostles began to speak and preach the Gospel in the multitude of tongues fearlessly. As a result, three thousand souls were added to the Church that day, through sacred Baptism. Thus, the official inauguration of the Church took place on the day of Pentecost and is considered the day of the birth of the Church.

Acts 2:41

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Shortly after finishing their fasting, the Holy Apostles divided up the whole world between themselves and began to preach the Gospel to all nations of the earth.

Why did the Holy Spirit appear as tongues of fire?

• The Apostles possess the tongues of fire because in their sermons they light the hearts of the believers.

• Holy Spirit came down and destroyed the 'rust' of their sins.

• As it is possible to shape metal when it is inside a flame of fire, Holy Spirit shape and guide the lives of Christians.

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

In Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church the doctrine of the Holy Spirit is fundamental to the Holy Church.

• We believe in the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who together with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified.

• The Holy Spirit is one with God the Father and the Son. He comes forth from God the Father, as does the Son, and just like the Son, His existence is eternal and unchangeable.

• The Holy Spirit is one with the Father and the Son in the unity of the Godhead.

• The Holy Spirit permanently indwells in the heart of every child of God from the time of baptism.

1 Corinthians 3:16

“16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

Glory be to the Father, Glory be to the Son, Glory be to the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen!