Whitsun

Whitsun, or Whitsunday, is a Christian festival observed on Pentecost Sunday, the feast that marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles fifty days after Easter. In English-speaking countries it is commonly called Whitsun or Whitsunday, and the broader period around Pentecost is sometimes referred to as Whitsuntide.

The name derives from White Sunday, linked to the white garments once worn by those baptized during the festival.

Pentecost commemorates the biblical event in which the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus' followers and empowered them to preach and teach.

In many churches, services focus on Acts 2 and the gifts of the Spirit; red is the liturgical color for the day in several traditions.

Historically, Whitsun was also a public holiday in parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, with Whit Monday among the days off. In the UK, the official Whit Monday holiday was largely replaced by Spring Bank Holiday in 1971.

Outside the United Kingdom, Pentecost is common, and in some countries Whitsun remains a public holiday; in many other languages the feast is still named after Pentecost.

Whitsun is thus a transitional festival in the Christian calendar, marking the end of the Easter season and highlighting themes of inspiration, mission, and communal worship.