The Day of Pentecost is the Christian festival that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, forty nine days after Easter, and ten days after the Ascension. 'The Pentecost' hence refers to the day wherin the descent of the Holy Spirit —a transformative and profound experience, as described in the Book of Acts 2:1:—occurs:

1) And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Day of Pentecost is also known in English, especially in Britain, as Whitsun (Whitsunday), from the Old English, as Hwita Sunnandæg, ("White Sunday,") —in reference to the white robes worn by those baptized on the previous Easter.¹

The name "Pentecost" comes from the Greek word Pentékosté, (day), and originally referred to the Jewish Shavuot —celebrating the fiftieth day after Passover (the second day of Passover is the first day of counting the Omer). The Hebrew festival was originally connected with celebrating the first-fruits of the spring grain harvest, but the Christian festival lost those associations to the new association with the descent of the Holy Spirit, even though both events are spiritually related. (The Christians who received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost constituted the 'first fruits' of the redemption paid for in the crucifixion of Jesus.)

Pentecostal Christian churches, which are so named because they emphasise the Holy Spirit in each individual, celebrate Pentecost as the anniversary of the disciples' being filled with the Spirit, as described in the New Testament in Acts 2:17. Not only Pentecostal Christian churches celebrate the day of Pentecost. In the Roman Catholic Church and its Eastern

Pentecost is also called:

• the Feast of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16: 10)
• the Feast of Harvest (Exodus 23: 16)
• the day of first-fruits (Numbers 28:26)

In the Hellenistic period, the feast was for renewal of the covenant God made with Noah (Gen. 9:8-17).

The Baptism of the three-thousand

According to the Book of Acts 2:1, the experience of the Pentecost was shared by all in the large crowd, caused confusion, and inspired fear.

6) Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 8) And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 12) And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

The Apostle Peter then stood on a rock above the crowd and ministered to them, explaining that these events had been predicted by Jesus, and that Jesus's coming had been prophecied by David. Peter then explained the personal meaning of the experience as a hopeful one, which confirmed both the promised salvation of Jesus and the propecies of David.

Three Physical signs occurred showing the coming of the Holy Spirit.

A. Sound of Blowing Wind

B. Vision of tongues of Fire that rested on each of them. The tounges of Fire which descended on the disciples represents a theophany(a visible manifestation of God).This is important to Christianity in that it represents the dynastic succession of power from Jesus to the Holy Spirit who guides the believers.

C. Spoke to each other in tongues/different languages. This was important in that it was key for the spread of the gospel. The Holy Spirit acted as a translator so that as the preaching occured everyone there comprehended the message in their own native language.

26) Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27) Because



thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28) Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 33) Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

• Simon Peter also reminded the multitude (in Acts 2:17-21) that this experience had been predicted by the prophet Joel:

• "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions." (Joel 2:28)

38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Traditions and holidays

The name "Whit" does not come from use of white robes/garments worn at baptism. This tradition of wearing white started after Pentecost was called Whit Sunday. The word "whit" comes from the word "wisdom", one of the gifts of the Spirit at Pentecost.Hence the varying names for Pentecost in other countries, individually signifying various gifts, attributes and signs of the Holy Spirit. ( F Noy -Dorchester)

• In Italy it was customary to scatter rose petals from the ceiling of the churches to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues; hence in Sicily and elsewhere in Italy Whitsunday is called Pascha rosatum. The Italian name Pascha rossa comes from the red colours of the vestments used on Whitsunday.
• In France it was customary to blow trumpets during Divine service, to recall the sound of the mighty wind which accompanied the Descent of the Holy Spirit.
• In England the gentry amused themselves with horse races. The Whitsun Ales or merrymakings are almost wholly obsolete in England. At these ales the Whitsun plays were performed.
• At Vespers of Pentecost in the Oriental Churches, the extraordinary service of genuflexion, accompanied by long poetical prayers and psalms, takes place. On Pentecost the Russians carry flowers and green branches in their hands. It ought also to be noted that the week prior to this holiday is known as "green week", during which all manner of plants and herbs are gathered. The Eastern Orthodox church considers this whole week to be an ecclesiastic feast.

The following Monday is a holiday in much of Europe. The day is known as Whit Monday in England, Wales, and Ireland, and is also celebrated in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium, parts of Switzerland, Germany and Hungary. Since 1967, however, Whit Monday has not been a public holiday in the United Kingdom; the holiday has been moved to the fixed date of the last Monday in May, which sometimes but by no means always coincides with Whit Monday. Whit Monday also ceased to be a statutory holiday in France in 2005, where the abolishment led to strong protests. Also in Sweden Whit Monday is no longer a holiday and June 6 (Swedish National Day) has become a day off.

Whitsunday remains one of the Scottish term days, at which debts are paid and leases traditionally expire, but this Scottish Whitsunday is now always considered to fall on May 15.

When is Pentecost?

Pentecost is always seven weeks after Easter Sunday. It is in mid- to late spring in the Northern Hemisphere and mid- to late fall in the Southern Hemisphere.

• 2002: May 19
• 2003: June 8
• 2004: May 30
• 2005: May 15
• 2006: June 4
• 2007: May 27

The earliest possible date is May 10, the latest possible date is June 13.

Etymology

The Pentecost is also known as Whitsun (Whitsunday) in the UK because of the white robes traditionally worn this day by those newly baptized on the previous Easter. The word was already familiar in Old English, as Hwita Sunnandæg. The week beginning on Whitsunday (especially the first three days) is called Whitsuntide (formerly also spelled Whitsontide) or Whit Week.

See also

• Wave offerings
• Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost Letnice

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