What is Pentecost Sunday? And why do some churches celebrate and others don’t? – Anglican Mainstream
by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post
Pentecost Sunday is a special day on the Christian liturgical calendar that marks the anniversary of when the Holy Spirit descended upon the early church, as documented in Acts 2:1-13. The Christian Post spoke with Evangelical clergy about the significance of celebrating the event during worship services for Pentecost Sunday.
The Holy Spirit coming down to the Apostles led them to speak in diverse languages while tongues of fire were said to be above them, according to the biblical account.
Known as “the birthday of the Church,” Pentecost takes place 50 days after Easter, and, like Easter, it doesn’t have a fixed date on the calendar. This year, it falls on June 8.
Many churches that adhere to more traditional worship practices will celebrate the occasion with special elements, such as wearing red and confirming new members.
However, some churches from less liturgically-centered denominations, including non-denominational Evangelical congregations, tend not to hold a special worship service or events for Pentecost.
In a 2011 interview with The Christian Post, Michigan Evangelical Pastor Ron Benson said that “most free-wheeling Evangelicals don’t follow the church calendar at all, except for Christmas and Easter.”
