Pentecost

==== Kneeling Prayer ====
An extraordinary service called the "Kneeling Prayer" is observed on the night of Pentecost. This is a [[Great Vespers|Vespers]] service to which are added three sets of long poetical prayers, the composition of [[Basil the Great]], during which everyone makes a full [[Genuflection#Orthodox Christianity|prostration]], touching their foreheads to the floor (prostrations in church having been forbidden from the day of [[Easter|Pascha]] (Easter) up to this point). Uniquely, these prayers include a petition for all of those in hell, that they may be granted relief and even ultimate release from their confinement, if God deems this possible.<ref>[http://www.stnicholaspdx.org/2004/06/02/25.pentecost-prayers-of-kneeling/ Pentecost{{snd}}Prayers of Kneeling] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102021042/http://www.stnicholaspdx.org/2004/06/02/25.pentecost-prayers-of-kneeling/ |date=2013-11-02 }}. See the third prayer.</ref> In the [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria]], it is observed at the time of ninth hour (3:00&nbsp;pm) on the Sunday of Pentecost.