Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus's apostles, marking the birth of the Christian church. It falls on the 50th day after Easter — always a Sunday. The following day (Whit Monday) is a public holiday in many countries.
Originally a Jewish harvest festival (Shavuot), Pentecost was reinterpreted by early Christians based on the events described in Acts 2. The name derives from the Greek "pentekoste" (fiftieth). Whit Monday traces to medieval European observance of Pentecost as a week-long holiday.
Church services with readings from Acts 2 — the "tongues of fire" account. In Germany, Pfingsten is celebrated with church bells, fairs, and family outings. Birch branches decorate churches and homes.
"Frohe Pfingsten" · "Joyeuse Pentecôte" · "Buona Pentecoste".
Whit Monday is a public holiday in Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Norway (variable), Greece, Romania, Ukraine, and others. Often the start of the European mini-vacation season.