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Pentecost and Whit Monday are both public holidays across all German federal states. What is the significance of the two days in Christianity, and how does the country celebrate?
Pentecost and Whit Monday are both important dates in the Christian liturgical calendar. Pentecost, also known as Whit Sunday, falls exactly 50 days after Easter Sunday and Whit Monday falls 50 days after Easter Monday.
The date of Easter Sunday is based on the moon, so it differs every year. As such, the date of Pentecost also changes every year. In 2025, Pentecost will fall on Sunday, June 8 and Whit Monday on June 9.
Let’s remind ourselves of the Easter story to fully understand the significance of Pentecost. In Christianity, Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After Jesus was resurrected on Easter Sunday, he and his disciples spent 40 days travelling and preaching. On the 40th day, Jesus ascended to heaven to become God’s right-hand man, which is marked with Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt) in Germany.
10 days later - now 50 days after Easter Sunday - the Holy Spirit is said to have descended from the heavens upon the Apostles and other disciples of Jesus. Alongside the “Father” and the “Son”, the “Holy Spirit” is the third part of the “Holy Trinity”, which Christians understand as God. The Holy Spirit’s descent is the event that Pentecost marks, with the name coming from the Greek for fiftieth, “Pentekoste”.
The descent is described in Acts of the Apostles, the fifth book of the New Testament. The book describes a scene in which Jesus’ disciples were in Jerusalem, celebrating the Jewish harvest holiday Shavuot, when a “mighty rushing wind” and flashes of fire blew through the disciples. The disciples were then enveloped by the Holy Spirit. Many believe that this event marks the fulfilment of an early prophecy - that Jesus would baptise his followers with the Holy Spirit.
Street performers at Karnival der Kulturen in Berlin-Kreuzberg | Image credit: SpandowStockPhoto / Shutterstock.com
Pentecost Sunday can also be called Whit Sunday, and the day that follows it can be called Pentecost Monday or Whit Monday. Whit Monday is simply the second day of Pentecost, like how Christmas is celebrated over the first and second days of Christmas.
Together, both of these days may be referred to as Pentecost in English, and are known as “Pfingsten” in German.
Both Pfingstsonntag and Pfingstmontag are public holidays in Germany, meaning that most people have the day off work, and that supermarkets and other retailers are closed. Bars, cafes, restaurants and other entertainment spots like cinemas and museums are open.
Though not strictly connected, one of the biggest events hosted in Germany over the Pentecost weekend is Karnival der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures) in Berlin. The festival, which spotlights multiculturalism, has been running since 1996 and is inspired by similar events such as Notting Hill Carnival in London and Zomercarnaval in Rotterdam.
For those who observe Pfingsten, there are several traditions which come along with the day, including decorating churches with green birch branches. Festival processions may take place in a town centre, which include “Pfingstochsen” (Pentecost cattle). These cattle are adorned with headdresses made from flowers, straw and ribbons, before being led to pasture.