Golden-mouth. Homily 78. On Pentecost Monday: A Teaching of St. John Chrysostom Concerning the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Holy Disciples and Apostles of Christ

Great, beloved, are the gifts given us by God on this day’s feast. Let us joyfully glorify Christ our God—for behold, we have arrived at the coming of the Holy Ghost. Today the apostles received power and began to speak in different tongues, as the Holy Ghost gave them utterance.

But why did the Holy Ghost, being of one essence with the Father and the Son, appear to the apostles in the form of fire, while upon the Only-Begotten Son He appeared in the form of a dove? Why does the Holy Ghost sometimes appear in the form of a dove, and at other times in the form of fire? He did not descend upon the Lord in the form of fire, nor did He appear upon the disciples in the form of a dove.

This distinction is fourfold. The Holy Ghost is co-eternal with the Father and the Son, and He appeared to the apostles in the image of fire, because He is incorporeal, incomprehensible, and invisible God. Yet He is fire, as Paul testifies: “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). For this reason, the Lord sent the appearance of the Holy Ghost to earth in the form of fire.

Moses also says: “At His right hand was a fiery law for them” (Deuteronomy 33:2), and, “at His left, the sinners shall be judged.” Christ our God greatly desires our salvation, and by His mercy He chose to renew our nature, which had been worn out by sin. Thus, He clothed Himself in our flesh and willingly suffered for our sake, desiring to save us. He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sat at the right hand of the Father.

And on this present day, He sent the Holy Ghost in the appearance of fiery tongues, distributing them to His disciples, just as He had promised after His Resurrection, saying: “I ascend unto My Father and your Father.” And again: “It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I will pray the Father, and He shall send you another Comforter, who shall be with you—the Spirit of truth; He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (cf. John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7)

Today the apostles received the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in various tongues, and went out into all the world, teaching everywhere.

Let us say a few words about the feast itself, so that you may understand how it should be celebrated in a spiritual manner. For even the pagans celebrate their festivals to their gods—that is, to demons—and the Jews celebrate as well, seeking only to please the flesh. Yet none of these attain the joy of a spiritual feast. But we, the faithful, must celebrate spiritually.

If on the holy feast days you become drunk and commit fornication, tell me—how are you better than the pagans? They serve idols, and you, through drunkenness and debauchery, serve the devil more than God. You abandon the feasts of God, and instead fulfill the will of the devil.

The devil exults in your drunkenness and says, “I prefer drunkards from among Christians rather than idol-worshipping pagans, for my will is entirely fulfilled through drunkards.”

Therefore, I say to you, faithful ones: flee from insatiable fornication and drunkenness. If you become drunk and fornicate on the holy feasts, then you serve the devil and do his will—just as the Lord Himself said: “My Spirit shall not always strive with man” (Genesis 6:3).

How shall the Holy Ghost dwell in one who is drunk? A drunkard is not a good man, and the Holy Ghost is repelled by drunkenness, for He dwells only in those who are worthy.

Therefore I implore you, O faithful: become sober through the fear of God, that you may receive the Holy Ghost just as the apostles did. Cast away from yourselves every evil deed, and turn away from all injustice, that you may be saved through Jesus Christ our Lord.