Pentecost

About Pentecost

Pentecost, or Whitsun, falls fifty days after Easter and remembers the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, as told in the Acts of the Apostles. It is often called the birthday of the church. Priests wear red vestments for the tongues of fire in the story, and in some churches, doves are released or rose petals dropped from the roof. In Russia and Ukraine, the day is Trinity Sunday, and churches are decorated with birch branches and green grass. In Germany and Hungary, Whit Monday is the occasion for outings, village fairs and Pfingstochsen, the decorating of the best ox. In Britain, Whitsun Walks and morris dancing mark the season. The Orthodox kneeling prayers are said that evening.

Pentecost dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

What is eaten

• spring greens
• roast chicken
• cakes

Traditions of Pentecost

Morris danceThe English folk dance of the season.

More marked on Pentecost

🇺🇸 New York, United States and 4 moreFeast of the Ascension The fortieth day of Easter, when Christians remember Jesus being taken up into heavenSpiritual 🇵🇭 Manila, Philippines and 5 moreNovena A nine-day Christian prayer tradition for petitions, feasts, or mourning.Spiritual 🇷🇴 Romania and 3 moreCălușariCălușarii An acrobatic Romanian spring dance and ritual brotherhood tied to folklore and healingPerformance 🇩🇪 Germany and 5 moreWhit Monday The Christian feast and public holiday held on the day after PentecostSpiritual 🇨🇿 Vlčnov, CzechiaRide of the KingsJízda králů A Moravian spring procession where horsemen escort a silent boy king holding a roseFestival 🇵🇪 Cusco, PeruQoyllur Rit'iQuyllurit'i An Andean mountain pilgrimage uniting indigenous star lore and Catholic devotionSpiritual 🇩🇪 Germany and 5 moreMaypole A tall wooden pole, garlanded and danced around, raised at May Day, Whitsun or MidsummerFestival 🇫🇷 FranceConfirmation A Christian rite of laying on of hands that completes baptism and strengthens faithRite of passage 🇧🇪 Antwerp, Belgium and 2 moreOmmegangommegang (Dutch) Medieval town processions of the Low Countries, with giants, guilds and horsesCeremony 🇮🇹 Italy and 5 moreEasterΠάσχα The day Christians mark the resurrection, kept with vigils, feasts and eggsSpiritual · Feasts and festival meals 🇳🇱 Landgraaf, NetherlandsPinkpop A three-day pop and rock festival in the Netherlands, held on the Pentecost weekendFestival 🇺🇸 United States and 2 moreTrinity SundayDominica Trinitatis A Christian feast honouring the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit after PentecostSpiritual 🇮🇪 IrelandSolemnitySolemnitas The highest rank of celebration in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendarSpiritual 🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 3 moreRogation days Springtime Christian days of prayer, fasting, and parish boundary walks.Spiritual · Fasting and breaking the fast 🇫🇷 France and 5 moreFeast of the Sacred HeartSollemnitas Sacratissimi Cordis Iesu A Catholic holy day honoring Christ's love and mercy, observed in early summerSpiritual 🇮🇪 Ireland and 2 moreEmber daysQuatuor Tempora A quarterly Western Christian rhythm of fasting, prayer and seasonal thanksgivingSeasonal · Fasting and breaking the fast 🇲🇬 Antananarivo, MadagascarSavika Traditional Betsileo zebu wrestling and courtship rite in MadagascarGame 🇫🇷 Lyon, France and 2 moreWeek of Prayer for Christian Unity An eight-day international period of shared prayer for reconciliation among churchesSpiritual