Pentecost, also popularly known as Whit Sunday or Whitsunday, is a holy day of the Christians, observed on the seventh Sunday after Easter and ten days after Ascension. The name ‘Pentecost’ is derived from the Greek word pentekoste, which means fiftieth. This is because Pentecost Sunday takes place on the 50th day of Easter. Pentecost or Whit Sunday marks the end of the Easter cycle, which began 90 days ago with Ash Wednesday at the start of Lent. This year, Pentecost 2023 or Whit Sunday 2023 date will be on Sunday, May 28. The earliest day that Pentecost Sunday can fall is May 10 (as in 1818), and the latest possible date is June 13 (next in 2038). Scroll down to know more about Pentecost 2023 date, Whit Sunday date, the history and significance of the day and more.

Pentecost 2023 Date

Pentecost 2023 or Whit Sunday 2023 date will be marked on Sunday, May 28.

Pentecost History

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Pentecost is one of the Orthodox Great Feasts and is considered to be the most important ‘Great Feast of the Lord’, second in rank only to Pascha (Easter). The service is celebrated with an all-night vigil on the eve of the feast day. The day of Pentecost is seven weeks after Easter Sunday, which falls on the fiftieth day after Easter, inclusive of Easter Sunday. Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus. As Pentecost itself is on a Sunday, it is automatically considered to be a public holiday in countries with large Christian denominations.

Pentecost Significance

This Christian holy day commemorates the coming of the holy spirit in the form of flames to the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the New Testament in Acts 21–31, the fifth book of the New Testament of the Bible. On this day, people engage in church services, festive meals, processions, baptism, confirmation, ordination, folk customs, dancing, spring and woodland rites, festive clothing, and more. The singing of Pentecost hymns is also central to the celebration in the Western tradition.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 26, 2023 10:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).