Pentecost: etymology and meaning

What is Pentecost?

Pentecost is a religious holiday celebrated fifty days after Easter, ending the Easter period. It is a holiday celebrated both in the Jewish religion and in the Christian religion.

In the Jewish religion, Pentecost is the celebration of the giving of the Law of Moses on Mount Sinai, fifty days after the exodus. On the other hand, for Christians, it is the commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles of Jesus Christ, which marks the birth of the Church.

Etymologically, the word “ pentecost ” comes from the Latin “ Pentecost ”, borrowed from the ancient Greek πεντηκοστή , ( pentecost ), which means “fifty, fifth”. The term, as such, refers precisely to the fifty days that pass from Easter to Pentecost. Pentecost is a Jewish holiday, but also a Christian holiday. As it is the name of a sacred feast, the word Pentecost is always written with a capital initial.

Pentecost in Christianity

Pentecost

Christians celebrate at Pentecost the coming of the Holy Spirit, descended, according to the Bible, on the fiftieth day after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In fact, in the Acts of the Apostles in chapter 2, the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles while they were gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. This event would mark the birth of the Christian Church and the spread of faith in Christ.

It is for this reason that the Church dedicates the week of Pentecost in honor of the Holy Spirit, but She also celebrates the consecration of the Church, the beginning of which is marked by this epiphany.

In the Catholic liturgy, Pentecost is the fourth main feast of the year and, depending on the calendar, it can be celebrated between May 10 and June 13.

Pentecost in the Bible

Pentecost

For the first time, the celebration of Pentecost is mentioned in the Bible in Acts of the Apostles, on the occasion of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles of Jesus Christ.

[1] On the day of Pentecost, they were all together in the same place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] Tongues like fire tongues appeared to them, separated from each other, and landed on each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2, 1-4

Pentecost in Judaism

The Jews celebrate Pentecost fifty days after the Passover of the Lamb to commemorate the meeting between God and Moses on Mount Sinai and the deliverance of the law to the people of Israel, symbolizing the birth of Judaism.

This event, as the book of Exodus says in the Old Testament, occurred fifty days after the departure of the Hebrew people from captivity in Egypt.

Historically Pentecost is also associated with the feast of the weeks or harvest festival, a celebration that takes place seven weeks after Easter, during which we thank God for the fruit of the harvest.

Update date: February 11, 2021.

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