Pentecost

Pentecost is a Christian celebration to commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus Christ’s disciples.

Pentecost, also known as Whitsunday, will be celebrated on June 5th every year. The word is derived from the Greek word 'pentecoste' meaning 'the 50th day'. It is celebrated at a major holiday in the Christian church by believers on the Sunday that falls on the 50th day of Easter. It is marked by Catholic priests wearing red robes and covering the altar of the church with red scarves. Believers often choose to be baptized on the day of Pentecost, and today it has become the most popular day of baptism. Simply, Pentecost is considered as the beginning of the Christian church's mission to the world.

History of Pentecost

If you have read the Old Testament, you will discover that Pentecost began as a Jewish celebration. Only, the Jews don't call it Pentecost. It’s called the Feast of the Harvest or the Feast of Weeks. The day celebrates the beginning of the first weeks of the wheat harvest. This means that Pentecost is always celebrated in mid-May or sometimes in early June.

According to the Old Testament, the 50th day of Easter would be Pentecost. Since 50 days was also seven weeks, Pentecost was later called "week of the week". Therefore, some believers even celebrate this day as the Feast of the Harvest or the Feast of Weeks.

However, we no longer celebrate Pentecost according to the way they did before. Today, the day is commemorated as the moment in history when Jesus ascended to heaven. Catholics believe that, on this day, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and other disciples after Christ was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to heaven. For Catholics, it is the day when Jesus came to earth and promised his disciples that God would protect them forever. Pentecost is also celebrated as a day to honor devout Catholics and their faith.

Some facts about Pentecost

• It was originally a Jewish festival

According to the Old Testament, Pentecost began as a Jewish festival.

• It also marks the new harvest season

Pentecost is also celebrated to mark the first weeks of the wheat harvest - wheat is harvested in the first weeks of May.

• Bread is provided on this day

Fresh loaves of bread made of freshly harvested wheat were offered by the high priest at Pentecost.

• It used to be a vacation

Centuries ago, Pentecost was a public holiday. Schools and shops were closed.

• Pentecost is a pilgrimage festival

Jewish men would gather in Jerusalem in large numbers to celebrate the day's procedures.

How to celebrate Pentecost

Many churches in Canada have special services during Pentecost. Biblical passages related to the descent of the Holy Spirit on Jesus' disciples are read during worship services. Some churches may hold special events, such as Pentecost services at seniors' homes. Poems and songs dedicated to the Holy Spirit are read or sung in some churches.

Sunday school activities focus on the events that take place during Pentecost, described in the New Testament in the Christian Bible. Activities include quizzes and games, take-home cards summarizing what students learned in class, stained glass crafts, and coloring pages.