by Neil Rees, Christian Today
The day after Pentecost Sunday is called Whit Monday and it played an important part in culture. This is the story …
Whit Monday
Pentecost is also called Whit Sunday and depending on your tradition the day after it is called Whit Monday, or Pentecost Monday, or the Monday of the Holy Spirit. The week after Whit Sunday was traditionally called Whitsuntide. This commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples as described in Acts 2:15-47. In the Eastern Orthodox traditions, Whit Monday is dedicated to honouring the Holy Spirit and is marked with special hymns and liturgies. Whit Monday marks the end of the Easter season and the beginning of what is sometimes called “Ordinary Time” for churches which use a liturgical calendar.
Unusually, in 2025 the Eastern and Western calendars of the Church have Whit Monday on the same day, on 9 June.