Leave-Taking of Mid-Pentecost: The Living Water Still Flows

Today we celebrate the Apodosis—the Leave-Taking—of the Feast of Mid-Pentecost, the moment that liturgically closes the eight-day period set apart to reflect on Christ as the Giver of Living Water. Positioned between Pascha and Pentecost, Mid-Pentecost reminds us of Christ’s teaching in the temple: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).


The Church in her wisdom lingers over this image for an entire week, as if unwilling to move too quickly past this life-giving invitation. And now, at the close of this period, we are reminded that Christ is a fountain that does not run dry. Though the feast ends today, the Living Water still flows—through His Body, the Church, in the mysteries, in the Scriptures, and in the hearts of the faithful.


The hymns of Mid-Pentecost speak of Christ’s divine wisdom and His boundless mercy. They call us to thirst, not for worldly knowledge or fleeting pleasure, but for the truth that sets us free. As we take leave of this feast, we must not leave the source of that truth behind. Rather, we are invited to carry it with us, to live it, and to prepare ourselves for the coming feast of Pentecost, when the streams of the Holy Spirit will be poured out on all flesh.


May we not only remember the Lord’s words but act upon them: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)


Let us thirst more deeply. Let us drink more freely. And let us rejoice, for Christ is risen, and His gifts are without measure.