What is Whitsunday – Pentecost?

In the Jewish tradition, Pentecost was originally known as Feast of the Harvest, an agriculture festival. Later it became a celebration of the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai.  Jews from around the world came to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost.

Jesus completed his ministry in obedience to his father. He had suffered crucifixion and death, then his miraculous resurrection. Having appeared to the women, to Peter, the two on the road to Emmaus, his disciples, to five hundred and many others the tasks on earth were finished.  Jesus then ascended to the Father to be glorified and to become our great high priest. As Jesus explained to his followers, he withdrew so that he could send the Holy Spirit upon his disciples. The Ascension marked the beginning of the empowerment of the church.

Obedient to Jesus, the believers had returned to Jerusalem to wait and pray, when suddenly like a strong wind the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit was so strong, so vibrant, so complete that it changed the course of human history.

We celebrate Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit on the seventh Sunday after Easter. We refer to this holiday as the birthday of the church. Often we wear red, the color of the Holy Spirit.  Since this year we are celebrating the 100^th anniversary of our church, we fill follow the traditions of our past.  Pentecost was called Whitsunday during the earlier years of our church.  Many of us remember Whitsunday as a joyful celebration with a parade with floats, costumes, music, an outdoor service on the river bank and cake. All the children were involved. I remember dressing up and riding on a float (the back of a flat bed truck).

The history of Whitsunday goes back to the 13^th century. The word was a shortened version of White Sunday. In the Anglican tradition this holiday has been celebrated with the wearing of white, with bands and parades.  Celebrations sometimes continued for days. In my 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the season is called “Whitsuntide”, and the Sunday is “Pentecost, commonly called Whitsunday”. There are also readings for Monday and Tuesday in Whitsun week. In our 1979 version of the prayer book, on page 227 this special day is labeled “The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday”.

This year, in homage to our past, we will refer to Pentecost as Whitsunday. As was tradition at St. Andrew’s, we will have a parade before the service, and a reception after the service with a Whitsunday cake. Consider wearing white and joining in the parade.  

- Peggy Woodall