Helluntaipäivä

Helluntaipäivä, or Pentecost Day, is a Christian festival commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and other followers of Jesus, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. The name comes from the Greek pentēkostē, meaning fiftieth, marking the fiftieth day after Easter. In many Christian traditions it is regarded as the birthday of the Church, symbolizing the empowerment of believers to witness and spread the gospel.

Date and liturgical timing: Pentecost is a movable feast that falls on the 50th day after Easter Sunday, counting Sundays. In Western Christianity it marks the end of the Easter season and the beginning of a longer period sometimes referred to as Pentecosttiden until Trinity Sunday. In Orthodox churches, Pentecost is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Pascha, and the exact date can differ when calendars diverge between the Julian and Gregorian systems.

Observances and practices: Worship services on Pentecost often feature biblical readings from Acts 2, hymns about the Holy Spirit, and prayers for renewal and mission. The day may include baptisms or confirmations in some denominations. Many churches use red liturgical vestments and decorations to symbolize the fire of the Holy Spirit, while the overall emphasis is on empowerment, unity, and witness.

Context in Finland: In Finland, helluntaipäivä is observed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Orthodox Church of Finland as part of the liturgical year. Practices and customs can vary by community, and the day is primarily celebrated in church settings rather than as a nationwide public holiday.