Whit Monday is observed on May 29 this year, one day after Pentecost Sunday. Consequently, Pentecost is also referred to as Whit Sunday or Whitsunday. Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada observe this day as a public holiday. According to the New Testament, devotees commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Jesus Christ.
The background of Whit Monday
Pentecost commemorates the day the Holy Spirit visited the apostles and bestowed upon them the ‘gift of languages.’ If Pentecost is observed on the 50th day following Easter, then Whit Monday must be observed on the 51st day. Some believe that the first Whit Monday was celebrated as early as the first century, in recognition of the founding of the Christian Church. Also dependent on the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox are the dates for Pentecost and Whit Monday.
Whit Monday was also one of the earliest significant annual holidays in the United States. In 1835, shortly after the end of the American Civil War, Whit Monday also became known as the ‘Dutch Fourth of July.’ People would gather to dine, drink, and enjoy dancing and music in order to celebrate. Prior to 1967, Whit Monday was a national holiday in Ireland and a bank holiday in the United Kingdom.
Several Orthodox churches continue to observe Whit Monday using the Julian calendar. The Julian calendar precedes the Gregorian calendar and has been adopted by the majority of Western Christian churches. Regarding the celebrations of Pentecost and Whit Monday, devout Catholics also rely on the Julian calendar.
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5 WHIT MONDAY FACTS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
It is believed that Whit Monday celebrations trace back to the first century, when the day commemorated the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles.
Whit Monday is observed by the Eastern Orthodox church as the Monday of the Holy Spirit.
On Whit Sunday, the church wears white, while the symbols for Whit Monday are flames, wind, the breath of God, and doves.
Whit Monday is a national holiday in numerous nations, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Norway, among others.
Whit Sunday is also observed in France, albeit under the appellation Day of Solidarity.
WHIT MONDAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | June 6 | Monday |
| 2023 | May 29 | Monday |
| 2024 | May 20 | Monday |
| 2025 | June 9 | Monday |
| 2026 | May 25 | Monday |
