Pentecost

<p>Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday, Whitsunday or Whitsun) is a <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christian</a> holiday which takes place on the 49th day (50th day when <a href="/facts/Inclusive_counting/DsRhH9RT">inclusive counting</a> is used) after <a href="/facts/Easter_Day/LYPGCQge">Easter</a>. It commemorates the descent of the <a href="/facts/Holy_Spirit_in_Christianity/reEWIwbX">Holy Spirit</a> upon the <a href="/facts/Apostles_in_the_New_Testament/2sPQ1VPS">Apostles of Jesus</a>, <a href="/facts/Mary%2c_mother_of_Jesus/cq3fKofl">Mary</a>, and other followers of the Christ, while they were in <a href="/facts/Jerusalem_during_the_Second_Temple_Period/0s7jnSAX">Jerusalem</a> celebrating the <a href="/facts/Feast_of_Weeks/cbVCBNWU">Feast of Weeks</a>, as described in the <a href="/facts/Acts_of_the_Apostles/u0QzNmpd">Acts of the Apostles</a> (Acts 2:1–31). Pentecost marks the "Birthday of the Church".
</p><p>Pentecost is one of the <a href="/facts/Great_feasts_in_the_Eastern_Orthodox_Church/Solkde4A">Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church</a>, a <a href="/facts/Solemnity/hAIYpvmp">Solemnity</a> in the <a href="/facts/Roman_Rite/ET6mMUQm">Roman Rite</a> of the <a href="/facts/Catholic_Church/rJ4F4gqH">Catholic Church</a>, a <a href="/facts/Liturgical_calendar_(Lutheran)/G6kKrCRM">Festival</a> in the <a href="/facts/Lutheranism/L4pMlRcS">Lutheran Churches</a>, and a <a href="/facts/Principal_Feast/6F7r2WxU">Principal Feast</a> in the <a href="/facts/Anglican_Communion/N8l7GJUE">Anglican Communion</a>. Many Christian denominations provide a special liturgy for this holy celebration. Since its date depends on the <a href="/facts/Date_of_Easter/HUosdPeP">date of Easter</a>, Pentecost is a "<a href="/facts/Moveable_feast/0TzbTtxw">moveable feast</a>". The <a href="/facts/Whit_Monday/rGz3KA1s">Monday after Pentecost</a> is a legal holiday in many European, African and Caribbean countries.
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Pentecost open-in-new

Pentecost