Whit Sunday or Pentecost Sunday is a Christian celebration which falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter. Christians around the world mark the day by attending special church services. The holiday has special resonance in the UK and Ireland where Whitsun used to be followed by a national holiday.

What is Whit Sunday?

Whit Sunday is a special day for members of the Christian faith.

The seventh Sunday after Easter, or Pentecost, marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on Christ’s disciples.

In the England traditional Pentecost celebrations combined with the pagan celebrations held on Summer’s Day.

The week following Whit Sunday used to be a holiday for medieval farm workers.

Whit Sunday remained a British Bank Holiday up until 1971 when it was replaced with the fixed Spring Bank Holiday.

What does Whit Sunday mean?

The name “Whit Sunday” derives from “White Sunday” – a reference to the Old English homilies which stated: “The Holy Ghost, whom thou didst send on Whit-sunday.”

How is Whit Sunday celebrated?

While nowadays Whitsunday is generally celebrated with church services it used to be a larger spectacle.

In parts of England, there were church parades to mark the special day.

Brass bands and choirs would take part in these parades and girls attending them would wear white.

Old English traditions like Morris dancing are also associated with Whit Sunday.

Fairs would be held across England over the Whitsun holiday.

The Pentecost Sunday service

Pentecost Sunday is marked around the world with a special church service.

The service focusses the descent of the Holy Spirit and serves as a reminder to Christians of the unifying spirit that gives them common ground.

Many Christian churches celebrate Pentecost to recognise God’s gift of the holy spirit to believers.

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