Whit Monday in Canada

Many Christians in Canada observe Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, on the day after Pentecost, which is also known as Whitsunday or Whit Sunday. This period commemorates the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus Christ's disciples, as told in the Christian Bible.

The dove is a popular symbol of the Holy Spirit.

©iStockphoto.com/Christopher Pollack

What do people do?

Many Christians in Canada observe Whit Monday and Whit Sunday (or Pentecost) period by remembering the Holy Spirit's descent on Jesus' disciples and the events that followed, which are told in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

Church events that observe Whit Monday may include evening services and bible group meetings. Sunday schools may also have special lessons that teach children about the origins and the meaning of Whit Monday and Pentecost. Many churches acknowledge Whit Monday as part of Whitsun Week, or Whitsuntide, which includes Whit Sunday, or Pentecost.

Public life

Whit Monday is not a federal public holiday in Canada so most aspects of public life do not differ to any other Monday.

Background

Christian Pentecost commemorates the Holy Spirit’s visit to the apostles who received the “gift of tongues” on the 50th day after Easter, according to Christian belief. Many Christians see this as the birth of the Christian Church. Although it is not certain when Pentecost was first observed by Christians, it may have been early as the first century. Pentecost occurs roughly seven weeks after Easter Sunday, or 50 days after Easter, including Easter Day. Like Pentecost, Whit Monday is movable because it is determined by the Easter date. The Easter date depends on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox.

In some Orthodox churches, Whit Monday is observed after the date set by the western churches. This is because some Orthodox churches still observe holidays according to the Julian calendar, which preceded the Gregorian calendar adopted by many western churches.

Symbols

The symbols of the Pentecost period are those of the Holy Spirit and include flames, wind, and a dove.

About Whit Monday in other countries

Whit Monday Observances

Related holiday

• Pentecost ―Sunday, May 19, 2013

Other holidays in May 2013 in Canada

• Orthodox Good Friday ―Friday, May 3, 2013
• Orthodox Holy Saturday ―Saturday, May 4, 2013
• Orthodox Easter ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Orthodox Easter Monday ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• Ascension Day ―Thursday, May 9, 2013
• Mother's Day ―Sunday, May 12, 2013
• Shavuot ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• Pentecost ―Sunday, May 19, 2013
• National Patriots' Day ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• Victoria Day ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• Trinity Sunday ―Sunday, May 26, 2013
• Corpus Christi ―Thursday, May 30, 2013