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81-755: Whit Friday , meaning "white Friday", is the name given to the first Friday after Pentecost or Whitsun (White Sunday). The day has a cultural significance in North West England , as the date on which the annual Whit Walks are traditionally held. By convention, the Whit Walks coincide with brass band contests, held in Saddleworth , Oldham , Tameside and other outlying areas of Greater Manchester . Traditionally, children and their supporters from Anglican Sunday Schools 'walked' on Whit Monday , those from RC Sunday Schools on Whit Friday, and there

162-534: A particular loved one, or in honor of a living person on a significant occasion, such as their Confirmation day. In German-speaking and other Central European countries, and also in overseas congregations originating from these countries through migration, green branches are also traditionally used to decorate churches for Pentecost. Birch is the tree most typically associated with this practice in Europe, but other species are employed in different climates. In

243-716: A petition for all of those in hell, that they may be granted relief and even ultimate release from their confinement, if God deems this possible. In the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria , it is observed at the time of ninth hour (3:00 pm) on the Sunday of Pentecost. The Second Monday after Pentecost is the beginning of the Apostles' Fast (which continues until the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29). Theologically, Orthodox do not consider Pentecost to be

324-599: A set, omitting the first three in the list above, and adding the Raising of Lazarus , Crucifixion of Jesus , and Harrowing of Hell . Mary was born to elderly and previously barren parents by the names of Joachim and Anna (now saints), in answer to their prayers. Orthodox Christians do not hold to the Roman Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, in which it is taught that Mary

405-470: A young girl, where she lived and served until her betrothal to Joseph . December 25— Christmas . The nativity account ( Gospel of Luke 2:1–20 ) begins with Mary and Joseph (Mary's betrothed) traveling to Bethlehem to be enrolled in the Roman census ordered by Augustus Caesar . On the way, they look for a place for Mary to give birth to her child, but all the inns are full and the only suitable place

486-592: Is a cave (show as a stable in most Western descriptions) where animals are kept. The Theotokos (God-bearer, the Virgin Mary) gives birth ineffably (without pain or travail) and remains virgin after childbirth. This observance commemorates Christ's baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan , and the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry ( Gospel of Matthew 3:13–17 , Gospel of Mark 1:9–11 ). It

567-657: Is a legal holiday in many European, African and Caribbean countries. The term Pentecost comes from Koinē Greek : πεντηκοστή , romanized:  pentēkostē , lit.   'fiftieth'. One of the meanings of "Pentecost" in the Septuagint , the Koine translation of the Hebrew Bible , refers to the festival of Shavuot , one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals , which is celebrated on

648-532: Is called the " Third Day of the Trinity ." The Afterfeast of Pentecost lasts for one week, during which fasting is not permitted, even on Wednesday and Friday. In the Orthodox Tradition , the liturgical color used at Pentecost is green , and the clergy and faithful carry flowers and green branches in their hands during the services. All of the remaining days of the ecclesiastical year , until

729-642: Is difficult to explain why early Christians later adopted this Jewish festival if there had not been an original Pentecost event as described in Acts. He also holds the description of the early community in Acts 2 to be reliable. Lüdemann views Acts 3:1–4:31 as historical. Wedderburn notes what he sees as features of an idealized description, but nevertheless cautions against dismissing the record as unhistorical. Hengel likewise insists that Luke described genuine historical events, even if he has idealized them. Biblical commentator Richard C. H. Lenski has noted that

810-671: Is known by the Orthodox as both Epiphany (i.e., manifestation ) and Theophany ( manifestation of God ). These are bundled, along with Christmas, differently in some eastern Christian traditions. In the Gospel of Luke 2:22–35 , Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. He was received in the arms of the elder Simeon , who then prayed, "Now let Thy servant depart (die) in peace,...for I have seen Thy salvation." This

891-536: Is less emphasis on the liturgical year , Pentecost may still be one of the greatest celebrations in the year, such as in Germany or Romania . In other cases, Pentecost may be ignored as a holy day in these churches. In many evangelical churches in the United States, the secular holiday, Mother's Day , may be more celebrated than the biblical feast of Pentecost. Some evangelicals and Pentecostals are observing

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972-791: Is one of the Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church , a Solemnity in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church , a Festival in the Lutheran Churches , and a Principal Feast in the Anglican Communion . Many Christian denominations provide a special liturgy for this holy celebration. Since its date depends on the date of Easter , Pentecost is a " moveable feast ". The Monday after Pentecost

1053-549: Is particularly typical, and distinctive to the heritage of the Moravian Church. Another custom is reading the appointed Scripture lessons in multiple foreign languages recounting the speaking in tongues recorded in Acts 2:4–12 . For some Protestants , the nine days between Ascension Day , and Pentecost are set aside as a time of fasting and universal prayer in honour of the disciples' time of prayer and unity awaiting

1134-464: Is shown sitting in the center of them). At the top of the icon, the Holy Spirit, in the form of tongues of fire, is descending upon them. At the bottom is an allegorical figure, called Kosmos , which symbolizes the world. Although Kosmos is crowned with earthly glory he sits in the darkness caused by the ignorance of God. He is holding a towel on which have been placed 12 scrolls, representing

1215-452: Is sung during liturgical celebrations on the feast of Pentecost. Trumpeters or brass ensembles are often specially contracted to accompany singing and provide special music at Pentecost services, recalling the Sound of the mighty wind. While this practice is common among a wide spectrum of Western denominations (Eastern Churches do not employ instrumental accompaniment in their worship) it

1296-671: Is the commemoration of the Martyrdom of St. Peter and Paul. The liturgical celebrations of Pentecost in Western churches are as rich and varied as those in the East. The typical image of Pentecost in the West is that of the Virgin Mary seated centrally and prominently among the disciples with flames resting on the crowns of their heads. Occasionally, parting clouds suggesting the action of

1377-504: The Acts of the Apostles . The author begins by noting that the disciples of Jesus "were all together in one place" on the "day of Pentecost" ( ἡμέρα τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς ). The verb used in Acts 2:1 to indicate the arrival of the day of Pentecost carries a connotation of fulfillment. There is a "mighty rushing wind" (wind is a common symbol for the Holy Spirit) and "tongues as of fire" appear. The gathered disciples were "filled with

1458-682: The Eastern Orthodox Church , Pentecost is one of the Orthodox Great Feasts and is considered to be the highest ranking Great Feast of the Lord, second in rank only to Pascha (Easter). The service is celebrated with an All-night Vigil on the eve of the feast day , and the Divine Liturgy on the day of the feast itself. Orthodox churches are often decorated with greenery and flowers on this feast day, and

1539-450: The Eastern Orthodox Church , the feast of the death and Resurrection of Jesus , called Pascha (Easter), is the greatest of all holy days and as such it is called the "feast of feasts". Immediately below it in importance, there is a group of Twelve Great Feasts (Greek: Δωδεκάορτον). Together with Pascha, these are the most significant dates on the Orthodox liturgical calendar. Eight of the great feasts are in honor of Jesus Christ , while

1620-525: The Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of "cloven tongues of fire", with the sound of a rushing mighty wind, and they began to speak in languages that they did not know. There were many visitors from the Jewish diaspora to Jerusalem at that time for the Jewish observance of the feast, and they were astonished to hear these untaught fishermen speaking praises to God in their alien tongues ( Acts of

1701-648: The Immaculate Conception also recognizes that Mary was in need of salvation, viewing her as prevented from falling into the scar of sin, instead of being pulled up out of it. Orthodox thought does vary on whether Mary actually ever sinned, though there is general agreement that she was cleansed from sin at the Annunciation . The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (also called the Elevation of the Cross) commemorates

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1782-460: The Italian peninsula , rose petals were and are thrown from the galleries over the congregation, recalling the tongues of fire. (see below ) In modern times, this practice has been revived, and adapted as well, to include the strewing of origami doves from above or suspending them, sometimes by the hundreds, from the ceiling. The singing of Pentecost hymns is also central to the celebration in

1863-470: The Middle Ages , cathedrals and great churches throughout Western Europe were fitted with a peculiar architectural feature known as a Holy Ghost hole : a small circular opening in the roof that symbolized the entrance of the Holy Spirit into the midst of the congregation. At Pentecost, these Holy Ghost holes would be decorated with flowers, and sometimes a dove figure lowered through into the church while

1944-629: The Nativity of St. John the Baptist (24 June [ O.S. 7 July]), the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June [ O.S. 12 July]), the Beheading of St John the Baptist (29 August [ O.S. 11 September]), and the Intercession of the Theotokos (1 October [ O.S. 14 October]). In Byzantine art a slightly different group were often depicted as

2025-794: The Sabbath according to Leviticus 23:16. It is discussed in the Mishnah and the Babylonian Talmud , tractate Arakhin . The actual mention of fifty days comes from Leviticus 23:16. The Festival of Weeks is also known as the Feast of Harvest in Exodus 23:16 and the Day of First Fruits in Numbers 28:26. In Exodus 34:22, it is called the "first fruits of the wheat harvest." Sometime during

2106-630: The Torah . By this time, some Jews were already living in the Diaspora . According to Acts 2:5–11 there were Jews from "every nation under heaven" in Jerusalem, possibly visiting the city as pilgrims during Pentecost. The narrative in Acts 2 of the Pentecost includes numerous references to earlier biblical narratives like the Tower of Babel , and the flood and creation narratives from

2187-478: The gifts and Fruits of the Spirit . Red flowers at the altar/preaching area, and red flowering plants such as geraniums around the church are also typical decorations for Pentecost masses/services. These symbolize the renewal of life, the coming of the warmth of summer, and the growth of the church at and from the first Pentecost. In the southern hemisphere, for example, in southern Australia, Pentecost comes in

2268-552: The resurrection and exaltation . In his sermon, Peter quotes Joel 2:28–32 and Psalm 16 to indicate that first Pentecost marks the start of the Messianic Age . About one hundred and twenty followers of Christ (Acts 1:15) were present, including the Twelve Apostles ( Matthias was Judas 's replacement) (Acts 1:13, 26), Jesus's mother Mary, other female disciples and his brothers ( Acts 1:14 ). While those on whom

2349-442: The οἶκος ("house") given as the location of the events in Acts 2:2 was one of the thirty halls of the Temple where St. John's school is now placed (called οἶκοι ), but the text itself is lacking in specific details. Richard C. H. Lenski and other scholars contend that the author of Acts could have chosen the word ἱερόν (sanctuary or temple) if this meaning were intended, rather than "house". Some semantic details suggest that

2430-463: The "birthday" of the church; they see the church as having existed before the creation of the world (cf. The Shepherd of Hermas ). In the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria , the "Apostles Fast" has a fixed end date on the fifth of the Coptic month of Epip (which currently falls on July 12, which is equivalent to June 29, due to the current 13-day Julian-Gregorian calendar offset). The fifth of Epip

2511-473: The "house" could be the "upper room" ( ὑπερῷον ) mentioned in Acts ;1:12–26 , but there is no literary evidence to confirm the location with certainty and it remains a subject of dispute amongst scholars. The events of Acts Chapter 2 are set against the backdrop of the celebration of Pentecost in Jerusalem. There are several major features to the Pentecost narrative presented in the second chapter of

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2592-646: The "mighty wind"; rays of light and the Dove are also depicted. the Western iconographic style is less static and stylized than that of the East, and other very different representations have been produced, and, in some cases, have achieved great fame such as the Pentecosts by Titian , Giotto , and el Greco . St. Paul already in the 1st century notes the importance of this festival to the early Christian communities: see: Acts 20:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:8 . Since

2673-664: The 6th century. Thus eleven of the twelve feasts were celebrated in the Greek East for some time prior, as most of the hymnographic content is datable to the 5th century. Besides the Twelve Great Feasts, the Orthodox Church knows five other feasts that rank as great feasts, yet without being numbered among the twelve. They are: the Circumcision of Christ (1 January [ O.S. 14 January]),

2754-756: The Annual Whit Friday Band Contests. The Whit Friday contests are now firmly placed in the brass band calendar and attract thousands of people, whether musicians or spectators, to listen to brass band music. The bands' discipline, stamina and organisational skills are tested to the limit. Each of the contests on the Whit Friday circuit is organised by a dedicated committee who organise their own contest prizes. The contests are split between Saddleworth and Tameside. The following localities have held brass band contests on Whit Friday: Saddleworth: Tameside: Pentecost Pentecost

2835-473: The Apostles 2:1–11 ). Jesus had gone with his disciples (later called apostles ) Peter , James , and John (also called John the Evangelist ) to Mount Tabor . Christ's appearance was changed while they watched into a glorious radiant figure. There appeared Elijah and Moses , speaking with Jesus. The disciples were amazed and terribly afraid. This event shows forth the divinity of Christ, so that

2916-531: The Book of Genesis. It also includes references to certain theophanies , with certain emphasis on God's incarnate appearance on biblical Mount Sinai when the Ten Commandments were presented to Moses . Theologian Stephen Wilson has described the narrative as "exceptionally obscure" and various points of disagreement persist among bible scholars. Some biblical commentators have sought to establish that

2997-690: The Christian Church. In the United Kingdom this was followed by a week of festivities called "Whitsuntide". As the population moved away from the countryside during the Industrial Revolution, the celebrations became less important in many areas, but in the manufacturing towns of North West England they were seen as a welcome break from work in the mills and factories. In an article in the Manchester Times in 1859

3078-571: The Easter Season in the Roman Catholic Church, the dismissal with the double alleluia is sung at the end of Mass. The Paschal Candle is removed from the sanctuary at the end of the day. In the Roman Catholic Church, Veni Sancte Spiritus is the sequence hymn for the Day of Pentecost. This has been translated into many languages and is sung in many denominations today. As an invocation of the Holy Spirit, Veni Creator Spiritus

3159-526: The Father ( Nicene Creed ). While the disciples were still looking into the air for Jesus, an angel appeared and told them that the Lord would return again in the same manner as they had seen him go into heaven ( Acts of the Apostles 1:9–11 ). Fifty days after the Resurrection, on the existing Jewish feast of Shavuot , while the disciples and many other followers of Jesus were gathered together to pray,

3240-684: The Hellenistic period, the ancient harvest festival also became a day of renewing the Noahic covenant , described in Genesis 9:17 , which is established between God and "all flesh that is upon the earth". After the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE , offerings could no longer be brought to the Temple in Jerusalem and the focus of the festival shifted from agriculture to the Israelites receiving

3321-465: The Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The timing of the narrative during the law giving festival of Pentecost symbolizes both continuity with the giving of the law, but also the central role of the Holy Spirit for the early church. The central role of Christ in Christian faith signified a fundamental theological separation from the traditional Jewish faith, which was grounded in the Torah and Mosaic Law. Peter's sermon in Acts 2:14–36 stresses

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3402-430: The Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance". Some scholars have interpreted the passage as a reference to the multitude of languages spoken by the gathered disciples, while others have taken the reference to "tongues" ( γλῶσσαι ) to signify ecstatic speech . In Christian tradition, this event represents fulfillment of the promise that Christ will baptize his followers with

3483-414: The Holy Spirit. Out of the four New Testament gospels, the distinction between baptism by water and the baptism by Christ with "Holy Spirit and fire" is only found in Matthew and Luke. The narrative in Acts evokes the symbolism of Jesus's baptism in the Jordan River , and the start of his ministry, by explicitly connecting the earlier prophecy of John the Baptist to the baptism of the disciples with

3564-406: The Holy Spirit. Priests or ministers, and choirs wear red vestments , and in modern times, the custom has extended to the lay people of the congregation wearing red clothing in celebration as well. Red banners are often hung from walls or ceilings to symbolize the blowing of the "mighty wind" and the free movement of the Spirit. In some cases, red fans, or red handkerchiefs, are distributed to

3645-527: The Holy Spirit. Similarly among Roman Catholics , special Pentecost novenas are prayed. The Pentecost Novena is considered the first novena, all other novenas prayed in preparation of various feasts deriving their practice from those original nine days of prayer observed by the disciples of Christ. While the Eve of Pentecost was traditionally a day of fasting for Catholics, contemporary canon law no longer requires it. Both Catholics and Protestants may hold spiritual retreats , prayer vigils , and litanies in

3726-408: The London correspondent wrote: Whitsuntide is not a great holiday week with us, as with you...indeed, we have now no amusements appropriate to this season. We used to have fairs but these degenerated into nuisances and were properly enough suppressed in the interests of public morality and decency...although a good number of well-to-do Londoners take advantage of the week for a cheap trip, the mass of

3807-468: The Roman Catholic Church, all the Sundays from the holiday itself until Advent in late November or December are designated the 2nd, 3rd, etc. Sunday after Pentecost, again traditionally reckoned inclusively . Throughout the year, in Roman Catholic piety, Pentecost is the third of the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary , as well as being one of the Stations of the Resurrection or Via Lucis. In some Evangelical and Pentecostal churches, where there

3888-462: The Spirit had descended were speaking in many languages, the Apostle Peter stood up with the eleven and proclaimed to the crowd that this event was the fulfillment of the prophecy. In Acts 2:17 , it reads: "'And in the last days,' God says, 'I will pour out my spirit upon every sort of flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy and your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams." He also mentions ( Acts 2:15 ) that it

3969-437: The Western tradition. Hymns such as Martin Luther 's " Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott " (Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord), Charles Wesley 's "Spirit of Faith Come Down" and "Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire" or Hildegard von Bingen 's "O Holy Spirit Root of Life" are popular. Some traditional hymns of Pentecost make reference not only to themes relating to the Holy Spirit or the church, but to folk customs connected to

4050-416: The celebration is intentionally similar to the Jewish holiday of Shavuot , which celebrates the giving of the Mosaic Law . In the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria , Pentecost is one of the seven Major "Lord's Feasts". The feast itself lasts three days. The first day is known as " Trinity Sunday "; the second day is known as " Spirit Monday " (or "Monday of the Holy Spirit"); and the third day, Tuesday,

4131-530: The congregation to be waved during the procession, etc. Other congregations have incorporated the use of red balloons, signifying the "Birthday of the Church". These may be borne by the congregants, decorate the sanctuary, or released all at once. The celebrations may depict symbols of the Holy Spirit, such as the dove or flames, symbols of the church such as Noah's Ark and the Pomegranate , or especially within Protestant churches of Reformed and Evangelical traditions, words rather than images naming for example,

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4212-419: The days leading up to Pentecost. In some cases vigils on the Eve of Pentecost may last all night. Pentecost is also one of the occasions specially appointed for the Lutheran Litany to be sung. On the morning of Pentecost, a popular custom is "to ascend hill tops and mountains during the early dawn of Whitsunday to pray. People call this observance 'catching the Holy Ghost.' Thus they express in symbolic language

4293-445: The disciples would understand after his Ascension that He was truly the radiant splendor of the Father, and that his Passion was voluntary. Gospel of Mark 9:2–9 The Orthodox feast of the Dormition is analogous to what Roman Catholicism calls the Assumption of Mary . According to Orthodox Tradition, Mary died like all humanity, "falling asleep", so to speak, as the name of the feast indicates. (Catholic theologians are divided on

4374-417: The fiftieth day after Passover according to Deuteronomy 16:10 , and Exodus 34:22 , where it is referred to as the "Festival of Weeks" (Koinē Greek: ἑορτὴν ἑβδομάδων , romanized:  heortēn hebdomádōn ). The Septuagint uses the term Pentēkostē in this context in the Book of Tobit and 2 Maccabees . The translators of the Septuagint also used the word in two other senses: to signify

4455-426: The history of the early church which enabled the rapid spread of Christianity. Within a few decades important congregations had been established in all major cities of the Roman Empire. Concerning Acts 2 , Gerd Lüdemann considers the Pentecost gathering as very possible, and the apostolic instruction to be historically credible. Wedderburn acknowledges the possibility of a ‘mass ecstatic experience’, and notes it

4536-468: The holiday as well, such as the decorating with green branches. Other hymns include "Oh that I had a Thousand Voices" (" O daß ich tausend Zungen hätte ") by German, Johann Mentzer Verse 2: " Ye forest leaves so green and tender, that dance for joy in summer air  ..." or "O Day Full of Grace" (" Den signede Dag ") by Dane , N. F. S. Grundtvig verse 3: " Yea were every tree endowed with speech and every leaflet singing  ...". As Pentecost closes

4617-412: The issue of whether Mary died. Today most would favor an actual death before the Assumption.) The Apostles were miraculously summoned to this event, and all were present except Thomas when Mary passed from this life. She was buried. Thomas arrived three days later, and desiring to see her one more time, convinced the other apostles to open her tomb. To their surprise, her body was not there. This event

4698-413: The lifetime of some who may have been eyewitnesses, annual celebrations of the descent of the Holy Spirit have been observed. In the Roman Catholic liturgy, Pentecost marks the end and completion of the Easter season , and the birth or "great beginning" of the church. Before the Second Vatican Council Pentecost Monday as well was a Holy Day of Obligation during which the Catholic Church addressed

4779-399: The liturgical calendar and observe Pentecost as a day to teach the Gifts of the Holy Spirit . Across denominational lines Pentecost has been an opportunity for Christians to honor the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and celebrate the birth of the Christian Church in an ecumenical context. The main sign of Pentecost in the West is the colour red. It symbolizes joy and the fire of

4860-404: The liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, as at Easter, the liturgical rank of Monday and Tuesday of Pentecost week is a Double of the First Class and across many Western denominations, Pentecost is celebrated with an octave culminating on Trinity Sunday . However, in the modern Roman Rite (Ordinary Form), Pentecost ends after Evening Prayer on the feast day itself, with Ordinary Time resuming

4941-420: The mellow autumntide, after the often great heat of summer, and the red leaves of the poinsettia have often been used to decorate churches then. These flowers often play an important role in the ancestral rites, and other rites, of the particular congregation. For example, in both Protestant and Catholic churches, the plants brought in to decorate for the holiday may be each "sponsored" by individuals in memory of

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5022-437: The narrative of Pentecost was read. Holy Ghost holes can still be seen today in European churches such as Canterbury Cathedral . Similarly, a large two dimensional dove figure would be, and in some places still is, cut from wood, painted, and decorated with flowers, to be lowered over the congregation, particularly during the singing of the sequence hymn , or Veni Creator Spiritus . In other places, particularly Sicily and

5103-421: The newly baptized and confirmed. Since the council, Pentecost Monday is no longer solemnized. Pentecost Monday remains an official festival in many Protestant churches, such as the (Lutheran) Church of Sweden , the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland , and others. In the Byzantine Catholic Rite Pentecost Monday is no longer a Holy Day of Obligation , but rather a simple holiday . In the Extraordinary Form of

5184-437: The next day. Marking the festival's importance, as the principal feast of the church and the fulfilment of Christ's purpose in coming into the world, namely bringing the Holy Spirit which had departed with Adam and Eve's fall, back into the world, all 33 following Sundays are "Sundays after Pentecost" in the Orthodox Church. In several denominations, such as the Lutheran, Episcopal, and United Methodist churches, and formerly in

5265-405: The other four are dedicated to the Virgin Mary —the Theotokos . The Twelve Great Feasts are as follows (note that the liturgical year begins with the month of September): With the exception of the Presentation/Entrance of the Theotokos, appointed hymns for all of the Twelve Great Feasts are found in the Georgian Iadgari (Chantbook) of Jerusalem which was compiled in approximately the middle of

5346-430: The populace work and toil through the week, which you Lancashire people have so well and wisely reserved for recreation. - The Manchester Times Manchester traditionally held its annual horse races on Kersal Moor between the Wednesday and Saturday of Whit Week. The local Sunday School Superintendents worried about the gambling and drinking and "desiring to keep youth of both sexes from the demoralising recreations of

5427-426: The preparation for the next Great Lent , are named for the day after Pentecost on which they occur. This is again counted inclusively, such that the 15th day of Pentecost is 14 days after Trinity Sunday. The exception is that the Melkite Greek Catholic Church marks Sundays "after Holy Cross ". The Orthodox icon of the feast depicts the Twelve Apostles seated in a semicircle (sometimes the Theotokos (Virgin Mary)

5508-489: The racecourse, took them to fields in the neighbourhood and held anniversary celebrations, tea parties etc. in the schools." During the nineteenth century Whitsuntide became an accepted holiday week for all, with the mills shutting down and the workers taking canal boat trips and later, with the coming of the railways, cheap rail excursions. The origin of the whit week processions of "Sunday school scholars" (which are still held to this day) dates back to 19 July 1821 when there

5589-405: The realization that very sad events are soon to come. Among the Russian Orthodox, willow branches are substituted in the celebration of this event, owing to the lack of availability of palm trees in Slavic climes. Forty days after the Resurrection, while blessing His disciples ( Gospel of Luke 24:50–51 ), Christ ascended into heaven ( Gospel of Mark 16:19 ), taking His place at the right hand of

5670-421: The recovery of the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. The Persians had captured it as a prize of war in Jerusalem in the year 614, and it was recovered by the forces of the Eastern Roman Empire ("Byzantine Empire") in 629. The cross was joyously held up for veneration by the Christian faithful upon its recovery. According to Tradition, Mary was taken— presented —to the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem as

5751-670: The region employed bands to lead traditional processions through the streets. Whit Friday was the "Scholars' Walk", or the Church's Annual Day when the girls would have a new dress and the boys would have new trousers, and neighbours, friends and relatives would give a penny for their new clothes. The church officers, clergy and children carried baskets of flowers or ribbons attached to banners. A brass band contest has been held in Stalybridge on Whit Friday since at least 1870. However, on Whit Friday 6 June 1884, two further events in Uppermill and Mossley were held, inadvertently launching an internationally renowned and unique brass band occasion -

5832-528: The spiritual fact that only by means of prayer can the divine Dove be 'caught' and the graces of the Holy Spirit obtained." Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church Autocephaly recognized by some autocephalous Churches de jure : Autocephaly and canonicity recognized by Constantinople and 3 other autocephalous Churches: Spiritual independence recognized by Georgian Orthodox Church: Semi-Autonomous: In

5913-524: The teaching of the Twelve Apostles. An extraordinary service called the "Kneeling Prayer" is observed on the night of Pentecost. This is a Vespers service to which are added three sets of long poetical prayers, the composition of Basil the Great , during which everyone makes a full prostration , touching their foreheads to the floor (prostrations in church having been forbidden from the day of Pascha (Easter) up to this point). Uniquely, these prayers include

5994-469: The use of the term "Pentecost" in Acts is a reference to the Jewish festival. He writes that a well-defined, distinct Christian celebration did not exist until later years, when Christians kept the name of "Pentecost" but began to calculate the date of the feast based on Easter rather than Passover. Peter stated that this event was the beginning of a continual outpouring that would be available to all believers from that point on, Jews and Gentiles alike. In

6075-517: The year of Jubilee ( Leviticus 25:10 ) an event which occurs every 50th year, and in several passages of chronology as an ordinal number . The term has also been used in the literature of Hellenistic Judaism by Philo of Alexandria and Josephus to refer to Shavuot. In Judaism , Shavuot is a harvest festival that is celebrated seven weeks and one day after the first day of Passover in Deuteronomy 16:9, or seven weeks and one day after

6156-525: Was a procession of the children of Manchester to commemorate the coronation of George IV. On that day children of all denominations walked in procession from their schools and assembled at Ardwick Green to sing "God Save the King". From then on the annual festival flourished and, in the course of time, St Ann's Square became the assembly ground. The numbers continued to grow and this was moved to Albert Square in 1878. Each Whit Friday, local churches or chapels in

6237-422: Was an element of competition in general display, dresses and banners. Outside Manchester city centre, other Sunday Schools walked on Whit Sunday and in surrounding towns on other days during (or in the weeks following) Whit Week. This period marked the height of their year's activities for many local brass bands. The Feast of Pentecost , which falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter , is an important feast day in

6318-555: Was conceived at that time "by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary", as stated in the Nicene Creed . A mere few days before His brutal crucifixion , Jesus was received by adoring throngs at his entry into Jerusalem on the back of young donkey ( Gospel of Matthew 21:1–11 ). The crowds threw palm branches in his path in jubilation, and even the children shouted praises to Him. The Orthodox celebrate this day with joy, but with

6399-565: Was one of the things that Mary "pondered in her heart"—the fact that others recognized that her Son was the Messiah . This feast is also known as the Meeting of the Lord , or Hypapante . According to the Gospel of Luke 1:26–38 , the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce to her that she would conceive and bear a son, even though she "knew no man." This date is selected to be exactly nine months ahead of Christmas, indicating that Christ

6480-484: Was preserved from the ancestral sin that befalls us all as descendants of Adam and Eve , in anticipation of her giving birth to the sinless Christ. The Orthodox believe that Mary, and indeed all mankind, was born only to suffer the consequences of the ancestral sin (being born into a corrupt world surrounded by temptations to sin), the chief of which was the enslavement to Death, and thus needed salvation from this enslavement, like all mankind. The Roman Catholic doctrine of

6561-414: Was the third hour of the day (about 9:00 am). Acts 2:41 then reports: "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Some critical scholars believe some features of the narrative are theological constructions. They believe that even if the Pentecost narrative is not literally true, it does signify an important event in

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