Whit Monday in Canada

The dove (image pictured above) is a popular symbol of the Holy Spirit. ©iStockphoto.com/Bill Grove

What do people do?

Many Christians in Canada observe Whit Monday and Whit Sunday (or Pentecost) period by remembering the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus' disciples and the events that followed, which are told in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

Church events that observe Whit Monday may include evening services and bible group meetings. Sunday schools may also have special lessons that teach children about the origins and the meaning of Whit Monday and Pentecost. Many churches acknowledge Whit Monday as part of Whitsun Week, or Whitsuntide, which includes Whit Sunday, or Pentecost.

Public life

Whit Monday is not a federal public holiday in Canada so most aspects of public life do not differ to any other Monday.

Background

Christian Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit’s visit to the apostles who received the “gift of tongues” on the 50th day after Easter, according to Christian belief. Many Christians see this as the birth of the Christian Church. Although it is not certain when Pentecost was first observed by Christians, it may have been early as the first century. Pentecost occurs roughly seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day. Like Pentecost, Whit Monday is movable because it is determined by the Easter date.

In some Orthodox churches, Whit Monday 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 the Pentecost period are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, and a dove.

About Whit Monday in other countries

Whit Monday Observances

Related holiday

• Pentecost–Sunday, May 31, 2009

Other holidays in June 2009 in Canada

• Trinity Sunday (Sunday, June 7, 2009)
• Corpus Christi (Thursday, June 11, 2009)
• Father's Day (Sunday, June 21, 2009)
• National Aboriginal Day (Sunday, June 21, 2009)
• June Solstice (Sunday, June 21, 2009)
• Discovery Day (Monday, June 22, 2009)
• St. Jean Baptiste Day (Wednesday, June 24, 2009)

Other calendars

• Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
• Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
• Custom calendar - make customized calendars

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