While it may not be as well-known as Christmas or Easter, Pentecost is still an important holiday in many Christian faiths. In a way, this holiday commemorates the birth of the Church itself, celebrating the event that brought Jesus’s followers together into a movement. Here are a few facts you may not know about this seminal holy day.

A Quick Intro to Pentecost

When Is Pentecost?

Traditionally, Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday, and this year, it falls on May 31. The name comes from the Greek word pentekostes, which means 50. Before the events of the Pentecost, Greek-speaking Jews used the word to refer to Shavuot, which is a Jewish holiday that’s celebrated 50 days after Passover.

Why Pentecost Is Important

According to the New Testament, the Holy Spirit reached out and filled Jesus’s followers who had gathered during Shavuot. Suddenly, a sound like a strong wind came from heaven, and the Spirit touched everyone’s heads, allowing them to speak in other languages. Filled with the Spirit, Peter stood and preached his first sermon to the followers, urging them to be baptized in Jesus’s name.

How Do Christians Celebrate Pentecost?

Some denominations don’t recognize the holiday, while others host elaborate feasts and masses. For example, Lutheran churches often decorate their holy spaces in red to signify the fire of the Holy Spirit. Many congregations use this occasion to remind themselves of the meaning of the first Pentecost and resolve to embody the Spirit that moved the first Church.

Whether you’re looking for a friendly, supportive religious community or are a lifelong Christian in search of a new congregation, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Honolulu, HI, will welcome you with open arms. Visit their website to learn more about their mission, call (808) 922-6011 to speak to a member of the church, or attend a worship service this week.