The feast of Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit among the apostles and followers of Jesus. Celebrated 50 days after Easter, the name of the holiday comes from the Greek Pentēkostē, which literally means “the 50th day.” The events of the day are recorded in the Book of Acts 2: 1-6. On that day, all the believers were gathered in Jerusalem. Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church. Thanks to the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers were empowered to go out into the world and spread the Good News of Christ. The Day of Pentecost is identified by the Book of Common Prayer as one of the feast days “especially appropriate” for baptism. It is common for church goers to wear red on this day to symbolize the tongues of fire that landed on the believers. It represents the love of the Holy Spirit that can transform people into bold disciples of Jesus.
