MAY 2026 SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR SAINT PATRICK’S CHAPEL IN CLIFDEN, IRELAND
Our May 2026 service schedule will continue the celebration of Paschaltide, the fifty festal days between Pascha and Pentecost. In fact, the Greek word πεντηκοστή, or Pentecost, means “50 Days,” and the liturgical book used in this in-between season named called the Pentecostarion. During this time, the fasting days of Wednesday and Friday often include fish. Also, instead of opening our prayers with the Troparion to the Holy Ghost (“O Heavenly King, Comforter…”), we open during this time with the Troparion of the Resurrection (“Christ is Risen from the dead…”). Mesopentekosti (mid-Pentecost) marks the 25 days mid-way point, which this year coincides with the feast of the the Great-Martyr St. George (6.5). After this day, the focus of Paschaltide changes slightly toward the anticipation of Ascension at 40 days (21.5) and then Pentecost itself (31.5), at which point we renew the Troparion to the Holy Ghost with joy.
May 2026 Service Schedule
- Sa 02.05: 7 pm – 9:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Su 03.05: 10 am – 12:30 pm Hours and Divine Liturgy
- Tu 05.05: 8:30 pm – 11 pm All-Night Vigil
- We 06.05: 5:45 am – 7 am Hours and Divine Liturgy celebrating the Feast of Saint George (also Mesopentekosti)
- Sa 09.05: 7 pm – 9:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Su 10.05: 10 am – 12:30 pm Hours and Divine Liturgy
- Sa 16.05: 7 pm – 9:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Su 17.05: 10 am – 12:30 pm Hours and Divine Liturgy
- We 20.05: 8:30 pm – 11 pm All-Night Vigil
- Th 21.05: 5:45 am – 7 am Hours and Divine Liturgy celebrating the Feast of Ascension
- Sa 23.05: 7 pm – 9:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Su 24.05 10 am – 12:30 pm Hours and Divine Liturgy
- Sa 30.05: 7 pm – 9:30 pm All-Night Vigil
- Su 31.05: 10 am – 12:30 pm Hours and Divine Liturgy celebrating the Feast of Pentecost
From the Hagiography of Saint Irene, whose feast will be celebrated on May 18.
[Saint Irene] was thrown into a pit filled with vipers and serpents. The saint spent 10 days in the pit and remained unharmed, since an Angel of the Lord protected her and brought her food. Sedecius ascribed this miracle to sorcery and he subjected the saint to a cruel torture: he gave orders to saw her with an iron saw. But the saws broke one after the other and caused no harm to the body of the holy virgin. Finally, a fourth saw reddened the body of the holy martyress with blood. Sedecius with derision said to the martyress: “Where then is thy God? If He be powerful, let Him help thee!” Suddenly a whirlwind shot up, gave forth a blinding lightning-flash, striking down many of the torturers, thunder crashed, and a strong rain poured down. Beholding such a sign from Heaven, many believed in Christ the Saviour. Sedecius did not understand the obvious display of the power of God and he subjected the saint to new torments, but the Lord preserved her unharmed. Finally the people rebelled having to look upon the sufferings of the innocent virgin, and they rose up against Sedecius and expelled him from the city….[After undergoing further tortures and miraculous protections, St. Irene was released and continued to serve God.] Over 10,000 pagans were converted by Saint Irene.”