Whit Sunday Home Calendar Holidays Whit Sunday Whit Sunday Pentecost is a Christian holiday commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament of the Bible. It is also known as Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday. According to Christian texts, the Holy Spirit, often symbolized by a dove, descended on the apostles who received the gift of tongues. Pentecost celebrates this event. According to Christian texts, the Holy Spirit, often symbolized by a dove, descended on the apostles who received the gift of tongues. Pentecost celebrates this event. ©iStockphoto.com/kharps What Do People Do? In many parts of the world, Pentecost has become a traditional day for baptisms to take place. On this day, many people enjoy family gatherings, picnics, or outings to the country. Pentecost is called "the Green Holiday" in Poland. It is a time when people decorate their houses with green branches to bring blessings on the home and the people living in it. Whitsunday is linked to pagan spring rites, such as the English custom of Morris dancing and the drinking of âWhitsun aleâ.

In the United States, Christians share their perspective about the meaning of Pentecost as well as how the diversity of languages and cultures can enhance their worship and fellowship with each another. Christians see Pentecost as an expansion of God's favor and care from Judaism to all peoples. Many churches celebrate Pentecost with a mass or worship service on this day. Public Life Whitsunday is a public holiday in some places around the world, including countries in Europe such as Estonia and Finland. It is not a federal holiday in countries such as Australia , Canada , the United Kingdom and the United States . Background As recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, it was on the 50th day after Easter that the apostles were praying together and the Holy Spirit descended on them. They received the âgift of tonguesâ â the ability to speak in other languages â and immediately began to preach about Jesus Christ to Jewish people from all over the world who flocked to Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot. Christian Pentecost became not only a commemoration of the Holy Spiritâs visit but also marks the birth of the Christian Church.

Although it is not certain when Pentecost began to be observed by Christians, it may have been early as the first century. Whitsuntide, also referred to as Whitsun in modern times, is the period beginning with the Saturday before Whitsunday and ending the following Saturday. According to church tradition, Pentecost is always about seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day. In some Orthodox churches, Whitsunday is observed after the date set by the western churches. This is because some Orthodox churches still observe holidays according to the Julian calendar, which preceded the Gregorian calendar adopted by many western churches. Â The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox. Symbols The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, the breath of God and a dove. In Estonia and Finland eggs are dyed as at Easter because their hens donât lay eggs until this time. In Germany the day is called âPfingstenâ and pink and red peonies, called âWhitsun rosesâ, are the symbols along with the birch trees.

The English refer to the holiday as Whitsunday with reference to the white garments worn on Pentecost by the newly baptized. Some churches lower a carved dove into the congregation and call this âswinging the Holy Ghostâ. Cattle are decorated and an overdressed person is said to be âdressed like a Whitsun oxâ. A holdover pagan game is called âhunting the green manâ, a young man dressed in leaves and moss hides, and children hunt him. Quick Facts Many Christians all over the world annually observe Pentecost, also known as Whitsunday or Whit Sunday. Whit Sunday 2017 Pentecost is a Christian religious day worldwide. Pentecost Date: May 19 Pentecost is observed throughout Europe and South America. The Pentecost is one of the most important days on the Christian calendar, deriving its name from the ancient greek language, meaning fiftieth day. Also known as the feast of weeks, Pentecost falls on the fiftieth day after Easter which falls on a Sunday in May for Western Christians and June for Eastern Orthodox Christians.

The East and West calculate Easter differently which is still disputed by some so the festival dates are always different. This important day marks the giving of the ten Commandments. Pentecost History Ten Commandments, authored by God, were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. It also commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus. Christians believe the Holy Spirit leads people to faith in Jesus and thus enables them to lead a Christian lifestyle. The apostles were missionaries among the leaders of the early church. Chosen by Jesus these 12 disciples were to deliver special missions. Pentecost was also but much later celebrated by King Arthur who gathered his knights around the round table for a feast and a quest on Pentecost. Pentecost Tradition and Activities The Christian people celebrate the Pentecost festival by decorating their churches in red and white, red being the colour of flames meaning warmth, energy, excitement and power, and white for goodness. Others look at red as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and white being the colour of baptism, marking this day as White Sunday, later to become Whit Sunday. This festival day is still a popular date for baptism, and other celebrations like confirmations.

The church reads bible readings and sermons for the Christian worshippers to celebrate the life of Jesus.Worshippers use Pentecost as a time for excitement, energy, movement, birth, fresh air and fresh commitment. Pentecost Traditions and Activities Many Christian people open their windows to let the fresh air in and circulate. Doves are also a symbol of of the Holy Spirit and many use these to decorate windows. This festival also sees the Christian people wearing red and white clothing or accessories and eating food in contrast with rich colouring and taste like pasta with spicy sausage and tomato sauce or mexican food. During the Pentecost dinner candles are lit for each individual person who is around the table. Pentecost also known as: Descent of the Holy Spirit Christian Lifestyle Pentecost | Definition, meaning & more | Collins Dictionary Pentecost for learners of EnglishPowered by COBUILD (pentɪkɒst , US -kɔːst ) Definitions 1. uncountable noun Pentecost is a Christian festival that takes place on the seventh Sunday after Easter and celebrates the sending of the Holy Spirit to the first followers of Christ . 2.

uncountable noun Pentecost is a Jewish festival that takes place 50 days after Passover and celebrates the harvest. COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Pentecost (ˈpɛntɪˌkɒst ) Definitions noun 2. Also called: Feast of Weeks, Shavuot Judaism the harvest festival celebrated fifty days after the second day of Passover on the sixth and seventh days of Sivan , and commemorating the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Word origin of 'Pentecost' Old English, from Church Latin pentēcostē, from Greek pentēkostē fiftieth Pentecost in American English (ˈpɛntəˌkɔst ; penˈtəkôstˌ; ˈpɛntəˌkɑst ; penˈtəkästˌ) Definitions 1. Shavuot 2. a Christian festival on the seventh Sunday after Easter, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles; Whitsunday Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition, compiled by the editors of Webster’s New World Dictionaries.

Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved. Word origin of 'Pentecost' What Is Pentecost, Whitsunday | Prayers, History, Customs, FAQ, Traditions, Images : Acts 2:1-11; The Book of Acts Introduction Pentecost, the 50th and final day of the Easter Season, celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles in the book of Acts , ushering in the beginning of the Church. 50 Days after Jesus' resurrection (and 10 days after his Ascension), the apostles were gathered together, confused and contemplating their future purpose and mission. On the day of Pentecost, a flame rested upon the shoulders of the apostles and they began to speak in tongues (languages), by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus Pentecost is a time for many Catholics and other Christians to celebrate two important realities: the Holy Spirit and the Church. Pentecost has long been a very important feast in The Catholic and Orthodox Churches because it celebrates the official beginning of the Church.

It is one of the twelve Great Feasts of the Eastern Church, second only in importance to Pascha (Easter). Pentecost always falls on a Sunday, fifty days after Easter Sunday (inclusive of Easter Sunday), and occurs during mid-to-late Spring in the Northern hemisphere, and mid-to-late autumn in the Southern hemisphere. The summer season of Ordinary Time begins on the Monday immediately following Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is also the Greek name for Jewish Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), falling on the 50th day of Passover. It was during the Feast of Weeks that the first fruits of the grain harvest were presented (see Deuteronomy 16:9). New Testament references to Pentecost likely refer to the Jewish feast and not the Christian feast, which gradually developed during and after the Apostolic period. In the English speaking countries, Pentecost is also known as Whitsunday. The origin of this name is unclear, but may derive from the Old English word for "White Sunday," referring to the practice of baptizing converts clothed in white robes on the Sunday of Pentecost.

In the English tradition, new converts were baptized on Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints Day, primarily for pragmatic purposes: people went to church these days. Alternatively, the name Whitsunday may have originally meant "Wisdom Sunday," since the Holy Spirit is traditionally viewed as the Wisdom of God, who bestows wisdom upon Christians at baptism. In other parts of the world, Pentecost has other names, including "Green Sunday" in the Ukraine and "Green Holiday" in Poland. These names are derived from Pentecost customs that involve taking green plants into homes and churches as symbols of new life. These customs also may hearken back to the harvest festival themes of the Jewish Pentecost. History As with the term Pascha, in Pentecost Christians borrowed a Jewish term and applied it to their own festivals. Tertullian (3rd century) knew of Christian Pentecost, and the Apostolic Constitutions (4th century) speak of the Pentecost feast lasting a week. In the Western Church the vigil of Pentecost became second only to the Easter Vigil in importance. Eventually in the West, Pentecost became a Sunday set aside for baptisms.

Pentecost was not kept with an octave (an 8 day celebration) until a later date, although now that practice has been largely abandoned. For the most part, Pentecost is now in Western churches celebrated for only a Sunday. Traditionally, the Sundays between Pentecost and Advent have been designated "Sundays After Pentecost." However, this has been dropped in the West, although it continues in the East. The date of Pentecost is determined based on the date of Easter, and since Western churches calculate Easter differently than Orthodox Christians, usually Western and Eastern Christians celebrate Pentecost on different dates. Using the Western Easter calculation, the earliest possible date for Pentecost is May 10, and the latest possible date is June 13. Worship and Prayer Resources Pentecost 2016: What is Whitsun and why is it celebrated? | The Independent Pentecost 2016: What is Whitsun and why is it celebrated?

The first Pentecost marked the beginning of the Christian church as an official, meaningful movement Sunday 15 May 2016 10:47 BST Click to follow The Independent Online Pope Francis celebrates a Pentecost mass in St.Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Getty While it may not be as widely known or celebrated as Christmas and Easter , Pentecost is one of the most significant dates of the Christian calendar. The festival, which this year falls on 15 May, commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples following the death of Jesus Christ. The biblical account describes how the apostles, who were gathered to celebrate the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, began to talk in foreign tongues, leading the massed onlookers to assume that they were drunk. However, Saint Peter explained that the disciples were inspired by the Holy Spirit and preached the first Christian sermon, prompting the conversion and baptism of 3,000 people. This first Pentecost marked the beginning of the Christian church as an official, meaningful movement, so the celebration is widely considered the birthday of Christianity. Why is the festival called Pentecost? When is it celebrated?

The festival’s name comes from the Greek word ‘Pentekostos’, meaning ’50’. It is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter, marking 50 days since the final Sabbath of Passover, and so falls on a different date each year. World's most popular religions Pentecost Sunday and Whitsun 2010 Traditions In 2010 Pentecost will fall on 23 May What does Pentecost mean? The name Pentecost comes from a Greek word which means 'fiftieth'. Why is the festival called Pentecost? The festival is often called Pentecost because when the disciples received the Holy Spirit and began to go out and preach about Jesus it was the Jewish festival of Pentecost. Pentecost is recognised as the birth of the Christian Church. The Apostle Peter preached a sermon which resulted in 3,000 people becoming believers. Whit Sunday Whit Sunday is a favourite day for baptism. It is thought that because people are often baptised dressed in white, Whit Sunday was probably originally known as 'White Sunday'. Whisuntide is the week following with Whitsunday, which is always the seventh sunday after Easter Sunday.

Customs and Traditions Whit Walks Christians in some towns and cities have traditionally taken part in Whit Walks. Whitsun was the time for walks and processions. The traditional "Procession of Witness" has long been celebrated throughout the North West. Bread and Cheese Throwing In Gloucestershire, Whit Sunday is often referred to as ' Bread and Cheese Day ' because of a very strange custom that takes place on this day. In St Braivels, Gloucestershire, following evensong on Whit Monday, basketfuls of bread and cheese are thrown from a wall near the old castle, to be scrambled for in a lane below. The locals of St Braivels have been hurling bread and cheese since the 13th century, when the custom began probably as a payment for the villagers' right to cut timber from a nearby wood. Cheese Rolling Gloucester cheese Rolling. Randwick, Gloucestershire, England: After rolling three double Gloucester cheeses around the church, one is cut up and shared amongst bystanders and the other two are rolled down a steep hill. Stilton Cheese Rolling.

Stilton, Cambridgeshire: Teams of four, in bizarre costumes, roll stilton cheese along a 50-yard course. They must not kick or throw the cheeses. The prize is a whole Stilton Cheese, which weighs about 16 pounds, and bottles of port—the traditional accompaniment. Cheese rolling also takes place in other areas around England. Whitsun Ales (village festivals) © Copyright - please read All the materials on these pages are free for homework and classroom use only. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from the Mandy Barrow. Pentacost | Article about Pentacost by The Free Dictionary Pentacost | Article about Pentacost by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Wikipedia . Related to Pentacost: Pentecost Pentecost (pĕn`təkôst) [Gr.,=fiftieth], important Jewish and Christian feast.

The Jewish feast of Pentecost, in Hebrew Shavuot Shavuot [Heb.,=weeks], Jewish feast celebrated on the 6th of the month of Sivan (usually some time in May) in Israel and on the sixth and seventh days in the Diaspora. Originally an agricultural festival celebrating the end of the winter grain harvest (which began at Passover), ..... Click the link for more information. , the Feast of Weeks, one of the three pilgrimage festivals, arose as the celebration of the closing of the spring grain harvest, which began formally in Passover 50 days prior; there are numerous references to it in the Bible. From Rabbinic times, the festival commemorates the giving of the law to Moses at Mt. Sinai. On the Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus (50 days from the Passover in which He was crucified), the Holy Spirit, according to the Acts of the Apostles, descended on the disciples in the form of tongues of fire accompanied by the sound of a rush of wind, and gave them the power of speaking in such a way that people of different languages could understand them.

The Christian feast of Pentecost is an annual commemoration of this event, and it is solemnly observed as the birthday of the church and the feast of the Holy Spirit. In ecclesiastical calendars Pentecost is the seventh Sunday after Easter and closes Eastertide. In the Western Church there are special observances, e.g., a penitential vigil, and in ancient times neophytes were baptized at this time. From the white garments of these converts comes Whitsunday, an English name for Pentecost. The great liturgical Latin hymns Veni Creator Spiritus and Veni Sancte Spiritus were composed for Pentecost. The Sunday after Pentecost is Trinity Sunday; until Advent the weeks are counted from Pentecost or Trinity.

Pentecost Binkosti, Blumenfest (Flower Feast), Domineca Spiritului Santu (Sunday of the Holy Spirit), Feast of the Holy Ghost, Id El-'Uncure (Feast of the Solemn Assembly), Pentecosté, Pentecôte, Pentekoste, Pentiqosti, Pfingsten, Pintse, Pünkösd, Red Feast, Slavnost Letnice (Summer Feast), Whitsunday, Zielone Swieta (Green Holyday) The resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples several times before ascending into heaven (see also Ascension Day; Resurrection). Before doing so he promised that the Holy Spirit - sometimes called the Holy Ghost - would soon appear to inspire and uphold them (Acts 1:8). The Christian feast of Pentecost commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit. According to the Bible, this occurred fifty days after Passover, on the Jewish feast of Shavuot (Acts 2). A loud noise like the sound of a strong wind accompanied the coming of the Spirit, as did tongues of flame, which rested on the disciples.

The Holy Spirit filled Jesus'followers with such wisdom and power that they spontaneously began to preach in foreign languages that they had never studied and did not know. Then Peter stood up and addressed the crowd that had gathered to watch this miracle. According to Christian scripture, his appeal to them to repent and be baptized was so powerful that three thousand people became Christians on that day (see also Repentance). For this reason Pentecost is sometimes called "the birthday of the church." In the Western Church calendar, observed by Roman Catholics and Protestants, it can fall anywhere between May 10 and June 13. Eastern Christians, who use a different calendar system, celebrate it between May 24 and June 27 (see also Easter, Date of). On Pentecost the paschal candle is lit for the last time. This emblem of the risen Christ stands beside the altar from Easter to Pentecost. Its disappearance signals the end of the period of the Christian year specifically dedicated to celebrating the presence of the risen Lord among his disciples (see also Easter Season).

Customs often practiced in religious services as a means of evoking the atmosphere of the first Pentecost include the use of various foreign languages and the making of hissing, wind-like sounds. History The word Pentecost comes from Pentekoste, the Greek word for fiftieth. The early Christians rejoiced for fifty days following Easter Sunday, commemorating Jesus' resurrection and ascension, as well as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on his disciples. They celebrated each of these days as if it were a Sunday. Thus they neither fasted nor knelt to pray throughout the entire fifty days. They called this period of time Pentecost. Some scholars believe that this festive season may have been inspired by a Jewish observance known as Sefirat Haomer, or "Counting the Omer" (for more on this observance, see Shavuot). The first references to the celebration of Pentecost in the writings of the early Christians date back to the second century. Because some writers fail to mention it at all, however, certain scholars conclude that it was not observed throughout the whole of the Christian church. During the fourth century Christians began to emphasize the fiftieth day of Pentecost.

By the last two decades of the fourth century the fiftieth day had become a festival in its own right. Nevertheless, its significance varied from region to region. In Rome, Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey), Milan (Italy), and Spain, Christians commemorated the gift of the Holy Spirit on the fiftieth day of Pentecost. In other places, notably Jerusalem, Christians celebrated both the Ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this day. Eventually, the word Pentecost came to refer only to the fiftieth day after Easter, which became a special feast day celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit. For many centuries Christian clergy preferred to baptize newcomers to the Christian religion on the feast of Pentecost and on Easter Sunday. Although the word Pentecost eventually came to refer primarily to the fiftieth day after Easter, Christians still recognize the days between Easter Sunday and Pentecost as a special, holy time of year. The English dubbed this period of time Eastertide, a season of the church year dedicated to the celebration of the Resurrection and the presence of the resurrected Christ among his followers (see also Easter Season).

Christians also use the word Pentecost to refer to a season of the church year. The season stretches from the feast of Pentecost to the beginning of Advent. The church year ends at the close of the Pentecost season and starts again with Advent. Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30. It constitutes a four-week period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas time. Symbols The story of the first Pentecost inspired the symbols and many of the customs of this holiday. In Christian art fire, or tongues of flame, often stand for Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit. This symbolic use of flames fits well with the fire symbolism running throughout the Bible. In the Bible fire often signals God's presence and represents his power to purify. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red, symbolizing fire. Liturgical colors, hues that have been assigned certain symbolic meanings in Christian worship, are attached to the festivals and seasons of the church year. Church decorations and priests' robes will feature these colors throughout the year. In church symbolism the color red usually symbolizes love and sacrifice, a combination often associated with martyrdom.

At Pentecost, however, red signifies the tongues of flame said to have appeared over Jesus'disciples as they received the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Folklore from a number of European countries presents flowers and greenery as Pentecost symbols. Red flowers, such as roses and peonies, have especially strong associations with the holiday. Wind constitutes another Pentecost symbol. It, too, stands for the Holy Spirit, especially for its power and universal presence. Biblical writers saw wind as a symbol of God's great might. Wind also called to mind the essence of life itself, which God "breathed" into Adam after creating him out of clay (Genesis 2:7). In Christian scripture, or the New Testament, wind sometimes stands for God's Holy Spirit, which breathes spiritual vitality into human beings. The dove serves as yet another emblem of Pentecost. This symbol for the Holy Spirit does not appear in scriptural accounts of the first Pentecost, but rather in other passages concerning Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32).

At that moment the Holy Spirit, in the shape of a dove, descended from heaven and alighted on him. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus began his teaching and healing career. The vivid imagery of the descending dove has impressed itself on the imaginations of countless Christians over the centuries. It became one of the most popular Christian symbols for the Holy Spirit. In central and eastern Europe families often hang a carved wooden dove, sometimes encased in a glass ball, over their dining tables on Pentecost. In Germany church services may include the lowering of a carved dove from the ceiling. These ornaments call to mind the presence of the Holy Spirit. In church services the presence of the Holy Spirit may also be represented by the use of several different languages. Medieval Customs In medieval times religious services employed these Pentecost symbols in a striking way. At the point in the service when the priest intoned, "Veni Sancte Spiritus" (Come, Holy Spirit), the choir made hissing or rattling noises in imitation of a great wind. In some countries, like France, this effect was achieved by sounding trumpets rather than by hissing.

In those days many churches had holes in their roofs, known as "Holy Ghost holes." As the hissing noise continued a great disk, suspended on a rope, descended from the Holy Ghost hole. This disk bore the emblem of a white dove surrounded by golden rays on a blue background. As the disk neared the congregation red flowers and petals rained down from the Holy Ghost hole, representing the tongues of flame that rested over Jesus'disciples. In some places lighted wicks and straws were tossed down the Holy Ghost hole instead of flowers. Although people may have enjoyed this touch of realism, the danger of setting the congregation on fire led to the eventual cancellation of this custom. In the thirteenth century roses fell from the Holy Ghost hole in many French churches. In certain places Church officials enhanced Pentecost services by releasing white doves, which were permitted to fly freely about the church. In medieval England Pentecost served as the occasion for cathedrals to collect small fees toward the upkeep of their buildings. People who were fortunate enough to live in a house with at least one chimney were expected to make these yearly donations to the cathedral in their diocese.

On Pentecost they walked in procession behind their local priest to present these offerings at the cathedral. People dubbed these small donations "Pentecostals," "Whitsun-farthings" or "smoke farthings." Parish churches raised money by selling specially brewed beer at events known as Whitsun ales. In England the Monday and Tuesday following Pentecost Sunday were also holidays. People celebrated the Whitsun holidays, as they were called, with feasts, dances, and outdoor games. Flowers and Greenery In some European countries people decked churches and homes with greenery and flowers in celebration of Pentecost. Some commentators believe that this custom may have been transferred to Pentecost from May Day, a folk holiday celebrating the arrival of spring. Indeed May Day, celebrated on May first, often falls in close proximity to Pentecost. Some folk names for Pentecost reflect the importance of flowers and greenery in setting the tone of the holiday.

For example, Poles and Ukrainians sometimes refer to the holiday as Zielone Swieta, or "Green Holyday." Germans dubbed the festival Blumenfest, or "Flower Feast." Czechs coined yet another folk name for the holiday, Slavnost Letnice, or "Summer Feast." Rural German customs also bespeak a strong connection between Pentecost and the celebration of spring. Pentecost falls during the time of the year when cattle are driven to their summer grazing grounds. In many areas these animals were festooned with ribbons, leaves, and cowbells. The German phrase "dressed like a Whitsun ox" - applied to someone who was overdressed - recalls this old custom. Expeditions into the woods to gather greenery for Pentecost decorations might also include dressing someone as "the wild man" or "the green man" by covering him or her in a costume of moss and leaves. In Silesia, a region of Germany, people waited until Pentecost to erect their maypoles. Whitsun Brides and Grooms The folk traditions of rural Sweden furnish another example of a May Day custom that seems to have migrated to Pentecost in some places.

In past times village Swedes celebrated Pentecost by choosing a local young woman to be the "Whitsun bride." In many other European countries a similar figure, called the May queen, was associated with May Day celebrations. Sometimes a Whitsun bridegroom reigned alongside the bride. The Whitsun bride visited neighborhood homes, along with her ladies-in-waiting. The Whitsun bride and her entourage entertained each household with a song, dance, or clever speech. Householders in return might be expected to offer the girl a gift of eggs (see also Egg Lore). In spite of the privileges associated with the position, many young women and men resisted acting the role of the Whitsun bride or groom. Their resistance may have reflected their awareness of the superstition that the Whitsun bride and groom would never marry, having already been pledged to the season of spring itself. Noise In past times people in some parts of Europe ushered in Pentecost with loud noises. In German-speaking countries people shot off guns or cracked whips in honor of the holiday. Pentecost shooting was known as Pfingstschiessen and whip-cracking as Pfingstschnalzen.

Some folklorists think this custom may have originated in the belief that loud noises drive away evil spirits. In later times, however, Germans viewed the din as a boisterous salute to the holiday. Dawn, Dew, and Wind Another old Pentecost folk tradition requires the truly devout to rise early on Pentecost morning and climb to the tops of mountains and hills in order to pray. This custom was called "catching the Holy Ghost." Prayers uttered at sunrise on Pentecost were thought by some to be particularly powerful. The dew that falls at dawn on Pentecost was also thought to have special curative properties. In some parts of northern Europe people once walked barefoot on the grass to receive the blessing afforded by Pentecost dew. Or they wiped pieces of bread in the dew and later fed them to their animals as a means of protecting them against accidents and illnesses. Kite flying is another custom connected with Pentecost, most likely resulting from the strong association between kites and the wind. White Sunday The English invented another name for Pentecost, that is, Whitsunday. Whitsunday comes from the phrase "White Sunday," or Hwita Sunnandaeg in Old English.

Most folklorists believe that this name was inspired by the fact that in early times Pentecost was an important occasion for baptisms. Candidates for baptism dressed in special, white robes, thus suggesting the folk name "White Sunday." Another, fanciful explanation of the word "Whitsunday" suggests that "Whit" signifies "wit," and refers to the knowledge and speaking abilities conferred upon Jesus'disciples by the Holy Spirit. Red Sunday Red, the liturgical color for Pentecost, has also impressed itself on the folk imagination. In some parts of Europe the "Red Feast" became a folk name for the holiday.

In German-speaking regions people called the red peony, which blossoms about the time of festival, the Pfingst- rose, or "Rose of Pentecost," and the oriole, a bright, red bird, the Pfingstvogel, or "Pentecost bird." More Names for the Holiday In many European languages the official name for the feast evolved from its oldest title, Pentekoste, the Greek word for "fiftieth." For example, in French it's Pentecôte, in Spanish Pentecostés, in German Pfingsten, and in Syrian Pentiqosti. The Slovenians call the holiday Binkosti, the Hungarians Pünkösd, the Danish Pintse. Many eastern Europeans call it the "Feast of the Holy Ghost" and the Romanians know it as Domineca Spiritului Santu, or "Sunday of the Holy Spirit." Among certain Middle Eastern Christians the festival is referred to as Id El-'Uncure, or "Feast of the Solemn Assembly." Further Reading Bradshaw, Paul F. The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992. Cowie, L.

W., and John Selwyn Gummer. The Christian Calendar. Springfield, MA: G. and C. Merriam, 1974. Downman, Lorna, Paul Britten Austin, and Anthony Baird. Round the Swed- ish Year. Stockholm, Sweden: Bokförlaget Fabel, 1961. Griffin, Robert H., and Ann H. Shurgin, eds. The Folklore of World Holidays. Second edition. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, 1999. Harper, Howard. Days and Customs of All Faiths. 1957. Reprint. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 1990. Hutton, Ronald. Stations of the Sun. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1996. Ingersoll, Ernest. Birds in Legend, Fable and Folklore. 1923. Reprint. Detroit, MI: Singing Tree Press, 1968. Metford, J. C. J. The Christian Year. London, England: Thames and Hudson, 1991.

"Pentecost." In Leland Ryken, James C. Wilhoit, and Tremper Longman III, eds. Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1998. Slim, Hugo. A Feast of Festivals. London, England: Marshall Pickering, 1996. Talley, Thomas J. The Origins of the Liturgical Year. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1986. ---. "Christian Worship." In Mircea Eliade, ed. The Encyclopedia of Re- ligion. Volume 15. New York: Macmillan, 1987. Tyson, Joseph B. "Pentecost." In Paul J. Achtemeier, ed. The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. New York: HarperCollins, 1996. Urlin, Ethel L. Festivals, Holy Days, and Saints' Days. 1915. Reprint. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 1992. Weiser, Francis X. The Holyday Book. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1956.

Pentecost (Whitsunday) Type of Holiday: Religious (Christian) Date of Observation: Seventh Sunday (fifty days) after Easter Where Celebrated: British Isles, Europe, United States, and throughout the Christian world Symbols and Customs: Dew, Dove, Rose, Smoke Money Colors: Pentecost is associated with the colors red and white-red for the tongues of fire that descended on the Apostles' heads, and white for the robes worn by the newly baptized. Related Holidays: Easter, Pinkster, Shavuot ORIGINS Pentecost is a Christian holiday that takes place fifty days after EASTER. The word Christian refers to a follower of Christ, a title derived from the Greek word meaning Messiah or Anointed One. The Christ of Christianity is Jesus of Nazareth, a man born between 7 and 4 B . C . E . in the region of Palestine. According to Christian teaching, Jesus was killed by Roman authorities using a form of execution called crucifixion (a term meaning he was nailed to a cross and hung from it until he died) in about the year 30 C . E . After his death, he rose back to life.

His death and resurrection provide a way by which people can be reconciled with God. In remembrance of Jesus' death and resurrection, the cross serves as a fundamental symbol in Christianity. With nearly two billion believers in countries around the globe, Christianity is the largest of the world's religions. There is no one central authority for all of Christianity. The pope (the bishop of Rome) is the authority for the Roman Catholic Church, but other sects look to other authorities. Orthodox communities look to patriarchs and emphasize doctrinal agreement and traditional practice. Protestant communities focus on individual conscience. The Roman Catholic and Protestant churches are often referred to as the Western Church, while the Orthodox churches may also be called the Eastern Church. All three main branches of Christianity acknowledge the authority of Christian scriptures, a compilation of writings assembled into a document called the Bible. Methods of biblical interpretation vary among the different Christian sects. Pentecost As recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, it was fifty days after EASTER that the Apostles gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish festival of SHAVUOT . As they prayed together, the Holy Spirit descended on them in the form of "tongues of fire," enabling them to speak in other languages.

Transformed from rather timid men into courageous missionaries, they immediately began to preach about Jesus Christ to the Jews from many nations who had flocked to Jerusalem for Shavuot. More than 3,000 were baptized, an event now considered to mark the birth of the Christian Church. According to tradition, this is also the day on which, centuries earlier, Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, giving the Jewish religious community its start. "Pentecost" comes from the Greek word meaning "fiftieth." Just as the Jewish feast of Shavuot comes fifty days after PASSOVER, Pentecost is observed fifty days after Easter. In the beginning, Pentecost included the entire fifty-day period from Easter to the Descent of the Holy Spirit, although a special festival was observed on the last day. It was a period of continual rejoicing during which fasting was not permitted and prayers had to be offered while standing rather than kneeling, in honor of Jesus' resurrection.

The first mention of Pentecost as a separate feast occurred in the third century, when it became the second official date of the year (after Easter) when infants and catechumens (those who had been instructed in the basics of Christianity) could be baptized. The English called it Whitsunday (White Sunday), probably because of the white robes worn by the newly baptized. Eventually the number of children left unchristened because their parents were waiting for Whitsuntide became too unwieldy, and the rules regarding when people could be baptized were relaxed. The period known as Whitsuntide (the week beginning on the Saturday before Whitsunday and ending the following Saturday) has traditionally been associated with the return of good weather and the emergence of green grass and spring flowers. A common way of observing Whitsuntide in many countries is to go out in the fields or woods and bring back green boughs to decorate a member of the village. Known variously as Green George, Jack-in-the-Green, the Leaf Man, and the Whitsuntide Lout, these woodland characters are believed to be a survival of pagan spring rites.

In a game called "hunting the green man," children search for a young man dressed in leaves and moss. In the early Christian Church, Pentecost was second in importance only to Easter. Nowadays no special ceremonies take place on this day in Roman Catholic churches, aside from the Saturday vigil and the Mass celebrated on Sunday with symbolic red vestments. In the Episcopal and Protestant churches, Pentecost is still a day for the confirmation and baptism of new members. All Christian churches celebrate Holy Communion on this day. SYMBOLS AND CUSTOMS Dew In rural areas of northern Europe, people still believe in the special healing power of the dew that falls during the night on the eve of Pentecost. They walk barefoot through the grass early on Sunday morning in the belief that the dew that touches their feet will cure their ills and protect them from harm. They also collect dew on pieces of bread and feed them to their pets and farm animals as protection against accidents and disease. Dove In both ancient and Christian art, the dove is a symbol of purity and peace.

But since the earliest years of the Christian era, it has symbolized the Holy Ghost, based on the Bible's description of the descent of the Holy Spirit in John 1:32: "And John bore record, saying, I saw the spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him." Nowadays the dove can be seen on priestly vestments, on altars, sacred utensils, and in many religious paintings. It is customary to have a painted dove suspended over the altar during Mass on Pentecost, and some families hang a carved and painted dove over their dining room table during Whitsuntide. Christians have come up with a number of ingenious ways of incorporating the dove into their celebration of Pentecost. At one time, real doves were often let loose during Pentecost services, or pieces of white wool were thrown down from the "Holy Ghost hole" in the church ceiling. Sometimes a slowly revolving disk bearing the figure of a white dove on a blue background would descend horizontally to announce the arrival of the Holy Spirit. In some central European countries, pieces of burning straw or wick were dropped from the hole to represent the tongues of fire (see ROSE ).

In France, trumpets were blown during Mass on Pentecost to signify the rushing wind that accompanied the Spirit's descent. In Germany and Austria, it is customary to suspend a painted wooden dove over the altar on Pentecost. At Orvieto, Italy, a wooden dove with extended wings runs along a wire in the great square in front of the cathedral, giving the illusion that the Holy Spirit is descending on the Apostles, who are gathered together on a platform set up in front of the cathedral doors. Rose Just as the DOVE is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the red rose has become a symbol for the tongues of fire that descended on the Apostles during the Holy Spirit's visit on Pentecost. Centuries ago, people used to shoot real flames from the church roof Pentecost or use lit torches to represent the tongues of fire, but safety concerns eventually put a stop to the practice. Red roses became a less dangerous substitute for real flames, and huge quantities of them were often let down from the church ceiling during the Pentecost service.

In Germany, Pentecost is called Pfingsten, and the prevailing symbol of the feast is the pink and red peonies known as Pfingstrosen or "Whitsun roses." Smoke Money In Scotland, Whitsunday was one of the so-called Quarter Days, the days on which rents and other payments fell due. In England, it was the day on which people paid their money to support the church. Because they were assessed on the basis of how many fireplaces they had in their houses, or according to the number of chimneys, the Whitsunday collection came to be known as "hearth" or "smoke" money. FURTHER READING Appleton, LeRoy H., and Stephen Bridges. Symbolism in Liturgical Art. New York: Scribner, 1959. Barz, Brigitte. Festivals with Children. Edinburgh: Floris Books, 1987. Bellenir, Karen. Religious Holidays and Calendars. 3rd ed. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2004. Chambers, Robert. The Book of Days. 2 vols. 1862-64. Reprint.

Detroit: Omnigraphics, 1990. Dobler, Lavinia G. Customs and Holidays Around the World. New York: Fleet Pub. Corp., 1962. Ferguson, George. Signs and Symbols in Christian Art. New York: Oxford University Press, 1954. Gulevich, Tanya. Encyclopedia of Easter, Carnival, and Lent. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2002. Henderson, Helene, ed. Holidays, Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary. 3rd ed. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 2005. Ickis, Marguerite. The Book of Festivals and Holidays the World Over. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1970. Ickis, Marguerite. The Book of Religious Holidays and Celebrations. New York: Dodd, Mead, 1966. Monks, James L. Great Catholic Festivals. New York: Henry Schuman, 1951. Spicer, Dorothy Gladys. Festivals of Western Europe. 1958. Reprint.

Detroit: Omnigraphics, 1993. Spicer, Dorothy Gladys. The Book of Festivals. 1937. Reprint. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 1990. Urlin, Ethel L. Festivals, Holy Days, and Saints' Days. 1915. Reprint. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 1992. Weiser, Franz Xaver. Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs. New York: Harcourt, Brace, 1958. WEB SITE Pentecost in United Kingdom Home Calendar Holidays United Kingdom Pentecost Pentecost in United Kingdom Pentecost is a Christian observance commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus Christ’s disciples, according to the Christian Bible. Many Christians in the United Kingdom celebrate Pentecost, which is also known as Pentecost Sunday, Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday. The dove is a popular symbol of the Holy Spirit. The dove is a popular symbol of the Holy Spirit. ©bigstockphoto.com/Jorisvo What Do People Do? Pentecost is a joyous period for many Christians in the United Kingdom.

Many churches have special Pentecost services for people – both members and guests – to learn more about Pentecost, its history and the meaning of this occasion in modern times. Whit Sunday is called “Bread and Cheese Day” in Gloucestershire because of an old tradition that involves throwing bread and cheese. Many church groups organize celebrations in venues such as parks or community halls. These celebrations often include speeches from special guests, music, food, activities for children, and opportunities for people to socialize. Pentecost is also a day allocated for baptisms in some churches. Many Christians recognize Pentecost as the birth of the Christian church. The Pentecost Festival is a Christian festival in London during the Pentecost weekend. The festival features various events including music, sport, art, and cultural events. Many churches and Christian organizations participate in this festival. The Pentecost Festival was first held in 2008 and featured 150 events at more than 60 venues and outdoor spaces. More than 100 people were out on the streets around the events, talking to people and praying. Public Life Whitsunday is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom.

Traffic and parking conditions may be busy in areas where large Pentecost events are held. Background According to the Christian Bible, it was on the 50th day after Easter when the apostles prayed together and the Holy Spirit descended on them. They received the “gift of tongues” – the ability to speak in other languages – and immediately began to preach about Jesus Christ to Jewish people from all over the world who flocked to Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot . Christian Pentecost not only commemorated the Holy Spirit’s visit but also marked the birth of the Christian Church. Although it is not certain when Christians started observing Pentecost, it may have been early as the first century CE. Whitsuntide, also referred to as Whitsun in modern times, is the period beginning with the Saturday before Whitsunday and ending the following Saturday. According to church tradition, Pentecost is about seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day. In some Orthodox churches, Whitsunday is observed after the date set by the western churches. This is because some Orthodox churches still observe holidays according to the Julian calendar, which preceded the Gregorian calendar adopted by many western churches.

The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox. Symbols The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, fire, wind, and a dove. About Pentecost in other countries Read more about Pentecost . Today is Whit Monday – Dominica News Online DNO, your only source for news that is iit - Independent. Immediate. Trusted. • You could WIN a $10,000 supermarket sweepstake! Top Up $10 or more or Text SHOP to 7171 for your chance to WIN in Digicel's Supermarket Sweep Game! $1/txt Today is Whit Monday Material taken from Ezine Articles - Monday, May 28th, 2012 at 7:56 AM Whit Monday rotates around Pentecost which commemorate the belief that the Holy Spirit descended on to Jesus' followers Today is Whit Monday in Dominica but many Dominicans do not know what is its meaning and its origin. To many it is just another day off from work.

Whit Monday is a Christian holiday celebrated around the world Whit Monday, popularly known as the Monday of the Holy Spirit or Pentecost Monday, is a day celebrated by Christians around the world directly after the day of Pentecost. The holiday is considered moveable as its date is determined by the date of Easter in both the Eastern and Western forms of Christianity. History of Whit Monday Observed by Christians as early as the first century AD, Whit Monday is the day that the Holy Ghost came upon the disciples of Jesus Christ who received the “gift of tongues” on the 50th day after Easter, according to the New Testament. It gets its name from Whitsunday which is a reference to the white cloths worn by those who are newly baptized on Pentecost. The word Pentecost derives from the Greek pentekoste, a reference to the fiftieth day. In ancient times, the feast of Pentecost was originally calculated with Easter Sunday being the first day of fifty, putting the feast of Pentecost on Pentecost Monday. In recent years, Whit Monday’s status as a public holiday has changed in many countries.

It’s no longer a public holiday in many of the former British colonies, and recently Ireland removed the public status of it. France changed its status in the mid-2000s to an unpaid work day with the lost funds being donated to charity. However, France re-instated it as a public holiday in 2008. Whit Monday Traditions, Customs and Activities Many countries throughout the world celebrate this day in their own local ways. Many hymns are sung during the services on Monday of the Holy Spirit in Eastern Orthodox Churches. After this period, the weeks start ritually on Mondays instead of Sundays until the next holy week which will conclude on a Saturday. Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed. Related Articles

Question: What is the Christian festival, meaning 'fiftieth day', celebrated on Whit Sunday?
Answer: Pentecost