PENTECOST - 19th MAY 2013

Many Christians in the United Kingdom celebrate Pentecost, which is also known as Pentecost Sunday, Whitsunday, or Whit Sunday.

The dove is a popular symbol of the Holy Spirit.

©iStockphoto.com/Chad Jarae

Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the followers of Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament. Jesus had told them to wait until the Spirit came to them. Ten days after ascension, 50 days after the resurrection, the Spirit came.

(Ascension Day marks the last appearance of Jesus to the disciples after his resurrection at Easter.)

When is Pentecost?

In 2013 Pentecost will fall on 19 May

What does Pentecost mean?

The name Pentecost comes from a Greek word which means 'fiftieth'.

Why is the festival called Pentecost?

The festival is often called Pentecost because when the disciples received the Holy Spirit and began to go out and preach about Jesus it was the Jewish festival of Pentecost.

Pentecost is recognised as the birth of the Christian Church. The Apostle Peter preached a sermon which resulted in 3,000 people becoming believers.

Whit Sunday

Whit Sunday is a favourite day for baptism. It is thought that because people are often baptised dressed in white, Whit Sunday was probably originally known as 'White Sunday'.

Whisuntide is the week following with Whitsunday, which is always the seventh sunday after Easter Sunday.