The Feast of Pentecost.

The Feast of "Pentecost" (Grk word pentekoste, means "Fiftieth day") holds great significance in the Syrian Orthodox Church as it commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. This joyous celebration occurs on the fiftieth day after Easter, on a Sunday. The liturgical observance includes a unique service called "Syom Burke," which means "kneeling" in Syriac. 

The Syom Burke service has three that begin after the Quqliyon  (service) of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At the beginning of each part, a water bowl is placed on the Dargo along with a bunch of leaves (Step before the altar). The first part of the service is directed towards the Father, followed by the second part dedicated to the Son, and finally, the third part focuses on the Holy Spirit. Each part consists of opening prayers, hymns, prayers, and readings from the Scriptures.

After a Litany, a deacon calls out in a loud voice,  "Let us Kneel and beseech the Lord." This instruction prompts the celebrant, the clergy, and the congregation to kneel before the altar as a symbolic act of preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit. With the exception of  Malankara, a tradition is observed in the Syriac Orthodox Church by which the other members in the altar touch the main Celebrant gently, and one by one, all the members of the congregation touch each other's bodies with the tips of their fingers, reminiscent of the disciples who awaited the Comforter's arrival. During this time of Kneeling, the deacons, and the people chant "Kuriyelasion" (Lord, have mercy) while the celebrant recites a silent prayer. Once the silent prayer concludes, the celebrant proclaims, "Stand up by the power of God."

With reverence, all the faithful rise to their feet. One of the deacons holds the bowl of water and stands beside the celebrant. The celebrant takes the bunch of leaves from the bowl, sprinkles water on the altar three times in the shape of a cross, and turns back anti-clockwise. He then proceeds to sprinkle the clergy and the deacons. Leaving the sanctuary, the celebrant sprinkles  drops of water over the congregation, symbolising the gifts of the Holy Spirit that descended upon the disciples in the Upper Room. The sprinkling encompasses the entire gathering. As the priest sprinkles, the congregation chants, "May the Holy Spirit come and descend upon each of you." The priest then returns to the sanctuary. 

The second and third parts of the service follow a similar pattern. Once all the parts are completed, the celebrant concludes with a Huthomo, a closing prayer, marking the end of the Pentecostal service.

The Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit holds deep theological significance for the Syrian Orthodox Church. It commemorates the event described in the book of Acts (Acts 2: 1-11) where the apostles had gathered in one place, and suddenly, a strong wind filled the house, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This event marked the birth of the Church and the beginning of the apostles' mission to spread the Good News to all nations.

Jesus had instructed His apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the "descent of the Holy Spirit" (Luke:24:49) before embarking on their teaching mission. Thus, Pentecost signifies the fulfilment of Christ's promise and the empowering of the apostles by the Holy Spirit.

The celebration of Pentecost in the Syrian Orthodox Church emphasises the unity of the Holy Trinity. The kneel-down service acknowledges each person of the Trinity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—distinctly, highlighting their roles in God's redemptive work. The faithful express their devotion and gratitude to each divine person through prayers, hymns, and readings.

The Kneeling during the service symbolizes humility and submission before God, and it is a reminder that the descent of the Holy Spirit requires a humble and receptive heart. By touching each other's backs with their fingertips, the faithful demonstrate their interconnectedness and unity as members of the Body of Christ, just as the disciples supported one another in anticipation of the Holy Spirit's arrival.

The sprinkling of water during the service holds profound symbolism. The water represents the life-giving and purifying nature of the Holy Spirit. As the celebrant sprinkles drops of water, it signifies the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the faithful, transforming and renewing their lives. This act connects the present-day congregation with the disciples in the Upper Room (Acts 2: 3), bridging the time gap and reaffirming the Holy Spirit's continuous presence in the Church.

The Feast of Pentecost in the Syrian Orthodox Church conveys unity and overcoming division. It contrasts the story of the Tower of Babel in the Old Testament (Genesis 11:7), where God confused the people by causing them to speak different languages. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to speak various languages (Acts 2), facilitating understanding and unity among the diverse crowd gathered in Jerusalem. This miraculous event emphasises the universality of the Gospel and the Church's mission to reach all nations and cultures with the message of salvation.

From the Syrian Orthodox perspective, Pentecost also underscores the importance of community and fellowship within the Church. The synergy between the celebrant, the clergy, and the congregation during the Syom Burke service exemplifies the communal nature of worship and the shared responsibility of receiving and sharing the Holy Spirit's gifts. The prayers, chants, and gestures serve as a collective expression of faith and dependence on the Holy Spirit's guidance in the life of the Church.

Moreover, Pentecost serves as a reminder of the Holy Spirit's ongoing presence and activity in believers' lives. The descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was not a one-time event but a transformative encounter that continues to shape and empower the Church. The Holy Spirit equips believers with spiritual gifts, such as wisdom, discernment, and boldness, enabling them to fulfil their callings and contribute to the building of God's Kingdom.

In conclusion, the Feast of  Pentecost holds deep significance in the Syrian Orthodox Church. It is a celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and the birth of the Church. The Syom Burke service, with its prayers, hymns, and symbolic acts, provides a deep and respectful space for the faithful to commemorate this significant event. It highlights the unity of the Holy Trinity, the importance of humility and receptivity, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church and individual believers. Pentecost is a reminder of God's faithfulness, continuous presence, and empowering grace throughout history.