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Pentecost in United States

Quick Facts

Many Christians in the United States observe Pentecost, also known as Whitsunday or Whit Sunday.

Local names

NameLanguage
PentecostEnglish
PentecostésSpanish

Alternative name

Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost 2012

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Pentecost 2013

Sunday, May 19, 2013
List of dates for other years

Pentecost is a Christian holy day 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.

Celebration of Pentecost.

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.

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. 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, and a dove.  

About Pentecost in other countries

Read more about Pentecost.

Pentecost Observances

WeekdayDateYearNameHoliday typeWhere it is observed
SunMay 251980PentecostChristian 
SunJun 71981PentecostChristian 
SunMay 301982PentecostChristian 
SunMay 221983PentecostChristian 
SunJun 101984PentecostChristian 
SunMay 261985PentecostChristian 
SunMay 181986PentecostChristian 
SunJun 71987PentecostChristian 
SunMay 221988PentecostChristian 
SunMay 141989PentecostChristian 
SunJun 31990PentecostChristian 
SunMay 191991PentecostChristian 
SunJun 71992PentecostChristian 
SunMay 301993PentecostChristian 
SunMay 221994PentecostChristian 
SunJun 41995PentecostChristian 
SunMay 261996PentecostChristian 
SunMay 181997PentecostChristian 
SunMay 311998PentecostChristian 
SunMay 231999PentecostChristian 
SunJun 112000PentecostChristian 
SunJun 32001PentecostChristian 
SunMay 192002PentecostChristian 
SunJun 82003PentecostChristian 
SunMay 302004PentecostChristian 
SunMay 152005PentecostChristian 
SunJun 42006PentecostChristian 
SunMay 272007PentecostChristian 
SunMay 112008PentecostChristian 
SunMay 312009PentecostChristian 
SunMay 232010PentecostChristian 
SunJun 122011PentecostChristian 
SunMay 272012PentecostChristian 
SunMay 192013PentecostChristian 
SunJun 82014PentecostChristian 
SunMay 242015PentecostChristian 

Related holidays

Other holidays in May 2012 in United States

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