Pentecost
Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday, Whitsunday or Whitsun) is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Virgin Mary and the Apostles of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31).
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| Observed by | Catholic Church, Old Catholics, Lutherans, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Amish, Anglicans and other Christians |
| Type | Christian |
| Significance | Celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Virgin Mary and the Apostles and other followers of Jesus; birth of the Church |
| Celebrations | Church services, festive meals, processions, baptism, confirmation, ordination, folk customs, dancing, spring and woodland rites. |
| Observances | Prayer, vigils, fasting (pre-festival), novenas, retreats, Holy Communion, litany |
| Date | 50 days after Easter |
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| Related to | Jesus Day, Shavuot, Rosalia, Green Week, Pinkster, Whit Monday, Whit Tuesday, Whit Friday, Trinity Sunday |
Pentecost is one of the Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church, a Solemnity in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, a Festival in the Lutheran Churches, and a Principal Feast in the Anglican Communion. Many Christian denominations provide a special liturgy for this holy celebration. Since its date depends on the date of Easter, Pentecost is a "moveable feast". The Monday after Pentecost is a legal holiday in many European, African and Caribbean countries.