Whit Monday, or Whitsun Monday, is an important holiday for Christians, the day after Pentecost (also known as Whitsunday). It celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles following the ascension of Jesus.
This special day is a public holiday in several countries. Many businesses and institutions closing for the day. People observe it in different ways, from religious ceremonies to parades and festivals.
For some, it’s a secular holiday which serves as the start of summer—a time for outdoor activities and connecting with family and friends.
All in all, Whit Monday is a meaningful occasion that brings people together in faith and joy.
Table of Contents
- Why is it called Whit Monday?
- What Do We Celebrate on Whit Monday?
- When is Whit Monday 2024?
- When is Whit Monday 2025?
- Whit Monday Dates: 2024-2030 Calendar
- Whit Monday Dates: 2024-2030 Orthodox Calendar
- Is Whitsun Monday a Public Holiday in the USA?
- Which Countries Celebrate Whit Monday as a Public Holiday?
- The History of Pentecost Monday
- The Symbols that Mark Whit Monday
- Whit Monday Traditions & Celebrations
- How to Observe Whit Monday
- The Whit Monday Walking Day in England
- The Dutch Fourth of July in Pennsylvania
- Whitsun Monday, Pentecost and the Jewish Shavuot
Why is it called Whit Monday?
The reason why it is called Whit Monday is not entirely clear, but it is believed to have originated from the white garments worn by newly baptized people during Pentecost. The white color stands for purity and innocence. The word “whit” is an Anglicized version of the Old English word “hwit,” which means white and is associated with the purity and wisdom the Holy Spirit brings.
Another theory suggests that the name may have been derived from the Old English word “wite,” meaning “punishment,” due to the practice of imposing penances during the post-Pentecostal period.
What Do We Celebrate on Whit Monday?
On Whit Monday, we celebrate a special event from the New Testament: this day is the continuing observance of Pentecost, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the birth of the Christian church.
Marked as a holiday since the first century, this day honors the Holy Spirit’s arrival among Jesus’ followers.
In 1967, it became a public holiday in places like Ireland, where Catholics and other Christians observe it. Whit Monday, also known as the last Monday after Pentecost, is a time for people to seek understanding and wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
When is Whit Monday 2024?
In 2024,
Whit Monday will be observed on
May 20th.
When is Whit Monday 2025?
In 2025,
Whit Monday will be observed on
June 9th.
Whit Monday Dates: 2024-2030 Calendar
Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, is a movable feast. It falls 50 days after Easter.
As per the Gregorian calendar, which is adopted by many western churches, the period between 2024 and 2030 comprises of the following dates:
| Year | Easter Date | Whit Monday Date |
| 2024 | March 31 | May 20 |
| 2025 | April 20 | June 9 |
| 2026 | April 5 | May 25 |
| 2027 | March 28 | May 17 |
| 2028 | April 16 | June 5 |
| 2029 | April 1 | May 21 |
| 2030 | April 21 | Jun 10 |
Whit Monday Dates: 2024-2030 Orthodox Calendar
The Orthodox churches still observe the holidays based on the Julian calendar, which came before the Gregorian. Therefore, the orthodox Whitsun Monday is on a different day.
| Year | Easter Date | Whit Monday Date |
| 2024 | May 5 | June 24 |
| 2025 | April 20 | June 9 |
| 2026 | April 12 | June 1 |
| 2027 | May 2 | June 21 |
| 2028 | April 16 | June 5 |
| 2029 | April 8 | May 28 |
| 2030 | April 28 | June 17 |
Is Whitsun Monday a Public Holiday in the USA?
Whit Monday is not considered a public holiday in the United States and has lost its popularity in many regions. Previously, it was celebrated in some areas, but this has since changed.
The US government passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971 to improve the scheduling of holidays like Memorial Day. This legislation designated specific Mondays for these holidays, giving people three-day weekends.
Consequently, Whit Monday is not listed as a recognized public holiday in the United States.
Which Countries Celebrate Whit Monday as a Public Holiday?
Whit Monday is a public holiday in numerous countries, including Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, and many others.
Post offices, banks, stores, schools and other businesses are closed, as it’s a spring bank holiday.
The History of Pentecost Monday
The Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Jesus. It falls on the 50th day after Easter and is considered the birth of the Christian Church.
The tradition of celebrating Whit Monday dates back to as early as the late second century and was considered one of the first major annual holidays.
In the late second and early third centuries, the earliest accounts of the Pentecost day can be found in the works of Irenaeus and Tertullian. It is likely that Whit Monday originated during this period.
The Symbols that Mark Whit Monday
The symbolism associated with Whit Monday is closely intertwined with the Holy Spirit and the events of Pentecost. It is common for baptized individuals to wear white garments during this day, as it symbolizes purity and a new life provided by the Holy Ghost. The flame is also linked to this day as it signifies the tongues of fire that hovered over the apostles during Pentecost.
Various symbols have become attached to Whit Monday, such as flames, doves, red clothing, and water.
Flames represent the tongues of fire that appeared during Pentecost in the Bible while doves are symbolic of the Holy Spirit’s descent upon Jesus at his baptism.
Red is often used liturgically on this day and represents the Holy Spirit’s tongues while water serves as a reminder of baptism and purification associated with Whit Monday. In certain churches, baptisms may also be performed on Whit Monday or Pentecost Sunday.
Whit Monday Traditions & Celebrations
Traditions for Whit Monday vary among different places and Christian denominations.
Many Christians attend special church services, while others participate in prayer rallies and street marches.
Outdoor activities and family gatherings are also common during the Whit weekend, as it often coincides with the beginning of the summer season.
How to Observe Whit Monday
Observing Whit Monday can involve attending church services, participating in prayer rallies or street marches, or engaging in family and community activities. The specific ways to celebrate this holiday will depend on one’s cultural and religious background.
The Whit Monday Walking Day in England
In various Anglo-Saxon locations, Whit Monday is observed as a “walking day” due to it being a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. In Manchester specifically, the parade is held on Whit-Monday, while other towns ordinarily celebrate their Walking Days on the ensuing Friday or Sunday.
Walking Days are a significant part of community life in Lancashire and Yorkshire, England. Each town or village has its own parade featuring children from schools and churches of all denominations.
During these parades, traffic is halted, and shops are closed, attracting thousands of spectators from surrounding towns.
The procession can last for over three hours, with children often dressed in white, and girls wearing veils or wreaths while carrying bouquets of flowers.
This northern English tradition may have originated with the traditional “Club Walks,” which involved ceremonial walks to church by various social and other groups.
The Dutch Fourth of July in Pennsylvania
Whit-Monday was once considered a major holiday in Pennsylvania Dutch country. From 1835 to just after the Civil War, Whit-Monday was celebrated as the “Dutch Fourth of July” in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Rural people would gather to eat, drink, and be entertained. In Lenhartsville, another Pennsylvania Dutch town, Whit-Monday was called Battalion Day and was marked by music, dancing, and military musters.
So much revelry took place that a Pennsylvania newspaper even suggested changing the name of “Whitsuntide” to “Whiskeytide.” However, in more recent times, the celebration of Whit-Monday has diminished in significance in this region.
Whitsun Monday, Pentecost and the Jewish Shavuot
Whit Monday shares similarities with other religious observances, such as Shavuot in Judaism. This is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. It is celebrated 50 days after Passover and is sometimes referred to as the Feast of Weeks. In ancient times, the Jews would bring the first fruits of their harvest to the Temple in Jerusalem as an offering to God.
The Christian Pentecost falls on the same day as Shavuot, to mark the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. The two holidays have distinct religious significance, but their historical roots in the harvest traditions of ancient Israel bring them together.
In conclusion, Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, is a Christian holiday that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus. While it was once a major holiday in many parts of the world, it has since fallen out of widespread observance, particularly in the United States.
Nonetheless, it remains an important symbol of spiritual renewal and purification. As such, Whit Monday continues to hold significant religious and cultural meaning for many Christians around the world.
Sources:
Abbey, C. D. (Ed.). (2015). Holidays, festivals & celebrations of the World Dictionary: Detailing more than 3,300 observances from all 50 states and more than 100 nations. Omnigraphics.
Bradshaw, Paul F. The Search for the Origins of Christian Worship. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.
Gulevich, T., & Stavros-Lanning, M. A. (2002). In Encyclopedia of easter, Carnival, and Lent. Omnigraphics.
Harper, Howard. Days and Customs of All Faiths. 1957. Reprint. Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 1990.
Urlin, Ethel L. Festivals, Holy Days, and Saints’ Days. 1915. Reprint. Detroit,MI: Omnigraphics, 1992.
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