"When the day of Pentecost came, they [the disciples of Christ] were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:1-4).

On that day, the Jewish feast of Pentecost, Peter delivered an inspiring sermon (Acts 2:14-40) and 3,000 men and women were baptized becoming the first "church" in Jerusalem (Acts 2:41-42). The Apostles began to heal and to preach with a new confidence. The Holy Spirit empowered them to communicate the 'good news' of the Gospel in all languages to all peoples and nations.

Two of the Apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, with this empowerment for their ministry, traveled from Jerusalem to the Armenian nation. It was there, in the first century, not long after the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord, that Armenians heard first-hand about the Messiah, about the teachings and life of Jesus, and about how they might become some of the first Christians on earth. That through such faith they might glorify God and save their souls.

The Great Mural Icon of

Pentecost

Saints Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, Mass.

Artist: Daniel V. Hejinian.

Gold background, 12 seated Apostles, Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove and fiery tongues. The Apostles are appropriately surrounding the stained glass window of the patron saint of Armenia - St. Gregory the Illuminator. Two of the Apostles, Thadeus and Bartholomew, after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, would eventually travel to Armenia to bring the good news of the Gospel of Christ to the Armenians.

Location: Central North wall

A gift of Rachel Markarian Stepanian of Nashua, NH in 1985, in memory of
George and Mary Markarian and Sons: Markar, Samuel, Martin, Simon (Shimavon)