Whit Monday
National Holiday observed in several European Countries
| Observed in | |
|---|---|
 Austria |
|
 Belgium |
|
 Denmark |
|
 France |
|
 Germany |
|
 Luxembourg |
|
 Norway |
|
 Switzerland |
|
| Dates | |
| 2008 | May 12 |
| 2009 | June 1 |
| 2010 | May 24 |
| 2011 | June 13 |
| 2012 | May 28 |
Whitsuntide, also known as Pentecost, is observed fifty days (approx. seven weeks) after Easter and 10 days after Ascension. It marks the end of the Easter cycle, that began 90 days ago with Ash Wednesday at the start of Lent.
Until fairly recently, Whit Monday was a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland. Until 1967, it was a bank holiday in the United Kingdom, when it was replaced by the 'spring bank holiday' on the last Monday in May .
It gets its English name for following "Whitsun", the day that became one of the three baptismal seasons.
The name "Whitsunday" is now generally attributed to the white garments formerly worn by the candidates for baptism on this feast.
The day commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit in the form of flames to the Apostles, as recorded in the New Testament in Acts, 2. Many Christians recognize this event as the birth of the Church.
The following day, Whitmonday, and is celebrated as a holiday in many European countires.
The holiday is celebrated in Greece as Pentecost or Holy Spirit Monday.
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