Pentecost

Pentecost, celebrated fifty days after Easter, marks the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the gathered disciples in Jerusalem. The event described in Acts 2, tongues of fire, rushing wind, and the sudden ability to speak in languages not previously known, transformed a group of frightened and uncertain followers into the founding generation of the Christian church. Three thousand people were baptized that day. Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the Church because it marks the beginning of the community of believers empowered by the Spirit to carry the message of Christ to the ends of the earth. For Christians, Pentecost is a celebration not of a past event alone, but of the ongoing presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the Church today.

Acts 2:1-4

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”

Pentecost is observed with church services often decorated in red, the color of fire and the Holy Spirit. Some traditions hold outdoor services or processions. Hymns celebrating the Holy Spirit are central to the liturgy. In many cultures, Pentecost has folk traditions associated with it including outdoor gatherings and communal meals. Charismatic and Pentecostal churches place particular emphasis on this day and the gifts of the Spirit.

Pentecost is one thread in the wider rhythm of the church year. See how it sits alongside the other feasts on the full Christian holiday calendar, or read more about Reformation Day and Christ the King. To understand how these observances shaped the nation, visit our Faith & America hub, and keep the Christian glossary close for any unfamiliar terms.