For many centuries the entire Church, both East and West, extended the feast of Pentecost past the Sunday that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.
This meant that Pentecost didn't end on Sunday, but was carried on for at least seven or eight days. It was called the "Octave of Pentecost" in the Roman Rite (still maintained by those who attend the Latin Mass), and the "Afterfeast of Pentecost" by Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
Many Eastern Churches continue this tradition, reflected in their liturgical calendar, but also in their devotional practice.
Afterfeast of Pentecost
In the Byzantine tradition, all major feasts of the liturgical year have what are called "afterfeasts," which are natural extensions of a particular feast.
They are similar to the Roman tradition of an "octave," with the Octave of Easter as the prime example. Both octaves and afterfeasts continue the celebration, meditating on the spiritual themes of a feast for a full week.
For many Eastern Catholics, the Monday following Pentecost is known as the "Synaxis of the Holy Spirit," focusing again on the action of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church.
Furthermore, fasting is not allowed during the Afterfeast of Pentecost, as it is meant to be a time of great joy and celebration, feasting instead of fasting.
Here's how one Orthodox Church explains this week:
The Spirit is still here, still active, still making the Church what it is.
So we take a whole week to let that settle into our bones. We pray the same prayers multiple times. We hear the same Gospel readings. We sing the same hymns until they’re not just words anymore but something we’ve internalized.
And we don’t fast, because you don’t fast at a wedding feast. The Bridegroom is with us. The Spirit has come. There’s nothing to do but celebrate.
The Afterfeast of Pentecost is a beautiful time of the year to sit and dwell with the Holy Spirit, inviting the Holy Spirit to inspire us in our daily lives.
