Photography

ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshipers attend Pentecost at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Seattle. Congregation members decorated the church with birch branches and flowers for the special holiday, commemorating the Holy Spirit coming upon the church, said Alexei Kotar, dean of the cathedral. Bouquets of flowers, which represent the life of the Holy Spirit, were also distributed. Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral will be hosting a large celebration in honor of its founding 80 years ago on December 19th, Saint Nicholas Day.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshipers begin to gather for Pentecost at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Seattle. Congregation members decorated the church with birch branches, greenery on the floor and flowers for the special holiday, commemorating the Holy Spirit coming upon the church, said dean of the cathedral, Alexei Kotar.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshipers and their children attend Pentecost at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Seattle. Congregation members decorated the church with birch branches, greenery on the floor and flowers for the special holiday, commemorating the Holy Spirit coming upon the church, said dean of the cathedral, Alexei Kotar.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Protodeacon Paul Bilibin burns incense during Pentecost at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Congregation members at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral decorated the church with birch branches and flowers for Pentecost, commemorating the Holy Spirit coming upon the church, said dean of the cathedral, Alexei Kotar.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Worshipers attend Pentecost at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Nadezda Piricenko attends Pentecost at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Religious leaders read at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, June 3, 2012 during Pentecost in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Tatiana Bilibin, center, lights candles during Pentecost at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Sunday, June 3, 2012 in Seattle.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Vladimir Lazorenco decorates Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral with birch branches, flowers and greenery Saturday, June 2, 2012 in Seattle in preparation for Pentecost.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Alexandra Uraitskaya decorates Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral with birch branches, flowers and greenery Saturday, June 2, 2012 in Seattle in preparation for Pentecost.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Congregation members decorate Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral with birch branches, flowers and greenery Saturday, June 2, 2012 in Seattle in preparation for Pentecost.

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

A congregation member sweeps up birch leaves and branches at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral Saturday, June 2, 2012 in Seattle during preparation for Pentecost.

ERIKA SCHULTZ/ THE SEATTLE TIMES

Congregation members decorate Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral with birch branches, flowers and greenery Saturday, June 2, 2012 in Seattle in preparation for Pentecost.