Pentecost* (7th Sunday after Easter) (posted 040525; modified 050506 in Japanese)

Pentecost is a day in Christian History when God gave the disciples (a disciple is a follower or believer of Jesus that preached the Bible) tongues of fire. This allowed the disciples to preach the Bible in all the languages in the World. This holiday is one of the least popular, so most people go about their day without recognizing it. Pentecost, however, is sometimes marked on American calendars.

At mass the church is decorated in red colors, which symbolize the tongues of fire given to each of the disciples.

Pentecost literally means 50th day; for example in Late Latin (pentecoste)**. Pentecost originated from an Old Testament festival because the festival was held on the 50th day after the beginning of Passover according to the time of Josephus. In the festival people celebrated the first harvest of each year. On the Christian calendar, it takes place the 7th Sunday after Easter; in 2004 Pentecost is celebrated on May 30^th. Pentecost is also known as Whitsunday or the Feast of Weeks.

* For example,” Good New Bible”, p.159, published, American Bible Society, New York, 1976
** Merriam-Webster Dictionary

For more information see the link: < http://www.cresourcei.org/cypentecost.html >

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