Pentecost Sunday

On Sunday, May 16, 2027, Pentecost Sunday commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, fifty days after the resurrection. The feast closes the Easter season and is considered the birthday of the Church.

MAY16

Sunday, May 16Every year on May 16

days to go

Roots: The name Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentekoste, meaning 'the fiftieth day.'
Also on May 16: Eid al-Adha
Hashtag: #PentecostSunday

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3 ways to celebrate

AT CHURCH

Attend a Pentecost Service

Join your congregation for the feast that closes the Easter season, and look for the red vestments worn in honor of the Holy Spirit.

AT HOME

Read the Account in Acts

Read the story of Pentecost slowly at home, from the sound of the wind to Peter's sermon and the baptisms that followed.

AT HOME

Pray for Renewal

Set aside quiet time to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your own life and in the life of your church.

Plan ahead

Pentecost Sunday is observed on May 16 every year. Here is where it lands for the next ten years, handy for planners, marketers and party people.

2026Sat, May 16this year

2027Sun, May 16

2028Tue, May 16

2029Wed, May 16

2030Thu, May 16

2031Fri, May 16

2032Sun, May 16

2033Mon, May 16

2034Tue, May 16

2035Wed, May 16

2036Fri, May 16

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Fast facts

About 3,000People were baptized after Peter preached to the crowds in Jerusalem that day.

Priests typically wear red vestments on Pentecost, and the symbols of the day are the flame, the wind, and the dove.

The story

Pentecost falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter, 49 days after Easter Sunday, the fiftieth day of the Easter season when Easter itself is counted. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, 50 days after the resurrection of Christ, and it closes the Easter season.

Read the full story

In the account in Acts, a great wind filled the house where the disciples were gathered, and tongues of fire rested above each of them. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in other languages. Jerusalem was full of visitors from many nations that day, because Pentecost fell on the ancient Jewish festival of Weeks, a harvest festival held 50 days after Passover.

After Peter preached to the crowds in Jerusalem that day, about 3,000 people were baptized. For this reason, Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church.

The day is marked in red. Priests typically wear red vestments on Pentecost, symbolizing the fire of the Holy Spirit and the tongues of flame that descended on the apostles, and the symbols of the day are the flame, the wind, and the dove.