The Orthodox Christians who follow the old church calendar on June 3 observe the Feast of Saints Constantine and Helen, who are considered protectors of the family. This day is a special occasion of celebration and prayer for persons named Constantine and Helen and or those who celebrate the dedication day of the house on this day. On June 4, it is observed Whitsunday or Pentecost, which is one of the 12 Orthodox Great Feasts, IPN reports.
Constantine the Great was the first Roman emperor to be converted to Christianity. He issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed tolerance of all religions throughout the empire. In 325, Emperor Constantine convened the first Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The Council agreed the first seven articles of the Creed, fixed the date of Easter (first Sunday after a full moon, after the vernal equinox) and formulated 20 canons on church discipline.
Emperor Constantine and his mother Helen initiated the works to look for the Saint Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The Cross was found on the Golgotha, after Emperor Constantine died, in 337.
Pentecost became not only a commemoration of the Holy Spirit’s visit but also marks the birth of the Christian Church. On this day, as a result of the preaching of Saint Peter the Apostle, about 3,000 people converted to Christianity and formed the first Christian community in Jerusalem, which represented the nucleus of the later Church.
As recorded in the Bible, it was on the 50th day after Easter that the apostles were praying together and the Holy Spirit descended on them. They received the “gift of tongues” – the ability to speak in other languages – and immediately began to preach about Jesus Christ to Jewish people from all over the world.
Pentecost became a traditional day for baptisms to take place. It is always celebrated seven weeks or 50 days after Easter Day and ten days after the Ascension Thursday. The service is celebrated with an All-night Vigil on the eve of the feast day, and the Divine Liturgy on the day of the feast itself. An extraordinary service called the Kneeling Prayer is observed on the night of Pentecost.
By tradition, lime and walnut tree branches are brought to homes and churches on this day.
