Ascension of the Lord

Acts of the Holy Apostles, conceived 2

In those days the Apostles returned to Jerusalem from a mountain called the Mount of Olives, which is located near Jerusalem, at a distance of the Sabbath journey. And when they came, they went up into the upper room, where they dwelt, Peter and James, John and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the brother of James. They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with some of the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren. And in those days Peter stood in the midst of the disciples, and said (and there was a congregation of about a hundred and twenty men): Men, brethren! It was necessary to fulfill what the Holy Spirit had prophesied in the Scriptures through the mouth of David concerning Judas, the former leader of those who took Jesus; he was numbered among us and received the lot of this ministry. Therefore it is necessary that one of those who were with us all the time that the Lord Jesus dwelt and dealt with us, from the baptism of John to the day on which He ascended from us, should be with us a witness of His resurrection. And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was called Justus, and Matthias; And they prayed and said, O Lord, Knower of the Hearts of all, show one of these two, whom Thou hast chosen to receive the lot of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas fell away to go to his own place. And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered among the eleven apostles.

Acts 1:12–17; 21–26

Monday of Bright Week

Acts of the Holy Apostles, conceived 3

In those days, at the coming of the day of Pentecost, all the Apostles were with one accord together. And suddenly there was a noise from heaven, as if from a rushing strong wind, and filled all the house where they were. And there appeared to them cloven tongues, as of fire, and they rested on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them to speak. And in Jerusalem there were Jews, pious men, of every nation under heaven. And when the noise was made, the people were gathered together, and they were dismayed, for every one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were all amazed and amazed, saying among themselves, "Are not all these who speak Galileans? How do we each hear our own dialect in which we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjacent to Cyrene, and those who came from Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, do we hear them speaking in our tongues about the great works of God?

Acts 2:1–11

Sunday of Pentecost

Acts of the Holy Apostles, conceived 4

In those days Peter stood with the eleven, and lifted up his voice, and cried out to them, Men of the Jews, and all who dwell in Jerusalem! Let it be known to you, and give heed to my words: they are not drunk, as you think, for now is the third hour of the day; but this is what was foretold by the prophet Joel: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and your young men will see visions, and your elders will be taught by dreams. And on my servants and on my handmaids in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Acts 2:14–21

Tuesday of Bright Week

Acts of the Holy Apostles, conceived 5