Pentecost in United States

Many Christians in the United States reflect on the meaning of Pentecost and come together in fellowship for the event. ©iStockphoto.com/kharps

What do people do

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. In some churches, the secular Mother's Day holiday is probably celebrated more frequently than the Pentecost feast.

Public life

Whitsunday is not a federal holiday in the United States, so most aspects of public life do not differ to any other Sunday.

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 “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 became not only a commemoration of the Holy Spirit’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. 

Symbols

The symbols of Pentecost are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, the breath of God and a dove.  

About Pentecost in other countries

Pentecost Observances

Related holidays

• Whit Monday–Monday, June 1, 2009
• Easter Sunday–Sunday, April 12, 2009

Other holidays in May 2009 in United States

• Law Day (Friday, May 1, 2009)
• Loyalty Day (Friday, May 1, 2009)
• World Press Freedom Day (Sunday, May 3, 2009)
• Rhode Island Independence Day (Monday, May 4, 2009)
• Cinco de Mayo (Tuesday, May 5, 2009)
• National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 7, 2009)
• Truman Day (Friday, May 8, 2009)
• Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10, 2009)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Sunday, May 10, 2009)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Sunday, May 10, 2009)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Monday, May 11, 2009)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Monday, May 11, 2009)
• Lag B'Omer (Tuesday, May 12, 2009)
• Peace Officers Memorial Day (Friday, May 15, 2009)
• International Day of Families (Friday, May 15, 2009)
• National Defense Transportation Day (Friday, May 15, 2009)
• World Information Society Day (Sunday, May 17, 2009)
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (Thursday, May 21, 2009)
• Ascension Day (Thursday, May 21, 2009)
• National Maritime Day (Friday, May 22, 2009)
• International Day for Biological Diversity (Friday, May 22, 2009)
• Memorial Day (Monday, May 25, 2009)
• African Liberation Day (Monday, May 25, 2009)
• Shavuot (Friday, May 29, 2009)

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