Kneeling vespers

In this year of our Lord 2010, the Orthodox, Anglican, and Roman calendars have aligned through the season of Pascha.  Tomorrow is the feast of Pentecost for all three.

"...after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord." (Leviticus 23:16)

 In Orthodox practice, the vespers service for the eve of Pentecost is sometimes known as the "kneeling vespers."  The fifty days of Pascha (also known as Easter), the standing days, are over.  We now kneel, receiving the Paraclete, the one who consoles and comforts; the one who, with the Father and the Son, completes the Holy Trinity.