pentecost

Everyday

1. (church) Pentecost is the Christian feast that remembers the Holy Spirit coming to Jesus' disciples, fifty days after Easter; Christians see it as the birthday of the Church. tree →
2. (Judaism) Pentecost is also the Greek name for Shavuot, the Jewish harvest festival when the giving of the Law (Torah) is remembered. tree →

In the lessons

In Bible lessons the story of Pentecost tells of a sound like a strong wind and flames like tongues of fire on the disciples' heads; they began speaking in other languages, and crowds from many lands understood. In the UK Pentecost is also called Whitsun (Whit Sunday), and red is the church colour. Phrases: at Pentecost, the day of Pentecost, Pentecost Sunday.

Examples

• At Pentecost our church was decorated in red. tree →
• The disciples spoke in many languages on the day of Pentecost. tree →
• Pentecost comes fifty days after Easter. tree →
• We made paper flames for the Pentecost service. tree →
• Peter preached to a huge crowd at Pentecost. tree →
• In England some people call Pentecost Whitsun. tree →

Note

Capital P. The word comes from Greek for "fiftieth". The Pentecostal churches take their name from it. Do not confuse with Pentagon (a five-sided shape) — both have "pent" meaning five.

In Jewish tradition

It is the Greek name for Shavuot, which falls seven weeks after Passover.

Interpretation. Jewish tradition counts seven weeks, the Omer, from Passover to Shavuot. Sefer Yetzirah ties this count to the number seven, built into the world's design.

Examples

• By these Seven letters were also made seven worlds, seven heavens, seven earths, seven seas, seven rivers, seven deserts, seven days, seven weeks from Passover to Pentecost, and every seventh year a Jubilee. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• By these seven letters were also made seven worlds, seven heavens, seven lands, seven seas, seven rivers, seven deserts, seven days (as before), seven weeks from Passover to Pentecost, and every seventh year a jubilee. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1887) tree →

Note

Capital P. The word comes from Greek for "fiftieth". The Pentecostal churches take their name from it. Do not confuse with Pentagon (a five-sided shape) — both have "pent" meaning five.