Praise be to God that the brethren of Holy Trinity Monastery were able to once again celebrate the patronal feast of the monastery in the traditional way, with three days of solemn services.

            Crowds of the faithful traveled to the monastery to show their prayerful support of the monastery’s feast.  The brethren decorated the monastery cathedral with birch branches and beautiful summer flowers.  It should be noted that the pilgrims that came to the monastery were able to see the restoration work on the frescos of the walls of the main church.

            The All-Night Vigil was served in the festive way with a procession going around the church during the Litya part of the Vigil.  This as well as the Polyleos were served by His Grace Bishop Luke, abbot of the monastery.  Many pilgrims were worshiping with us. 

            The next morning, liturgy was served in the lower church as well as in the cathedral, where Vladyka presided at the hierarchal  liturgy with the priests of the monastery. 

            At the end of the liturgy, Great Vespers was served by Vladyka and the clergy with the “Kneeling Prayers,” composed by St. Basil the Great many centuries ago.  The clergy were given bouquets of flowers to symbolize the descent of the Holy Spirit.

            At the end of the liturgy, all were treated to the traditional Pentecostal monastery meal in the refectory. Afterwards the pilgrims were able to view the various stands where goods and foods were sold.

            Sunday evening, Matins for Holy Spirit Day was served.  Early in the morning the next day water was blessed as this is the altar feast of the cathedral.  Once again, Vladyka presided at the liturgy, with a number of guest priests traveling to the monastery to show their support. Once again, the church was filled with the faithful. 

            The feast continued the traditional third day, once again with Vladyka serving with the monastery clergy, and thus concluded the three-day festive celebration of our patronal feast.