Pentecost(Pfingsten)

Pentecost (Whit Sunday) falls on the 50th day after Easter Sunday, always on a Sunday. In the Gregorian calendar, this places it between May 10 and June 13, with the date varying each year based on Easter.

Pentecost is a Christian holiday celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. It marks the birthday of the Christian Church and occurs 50 days after Easter.

Pentecost is celebrated across Christian-majority countries, particularly in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and other European nations. Whit Monday (the day after Pentecost) is also a public holiday in many of these countries.

Yes, Pentecost Sunday and Whit Monday (the day after) are public holidays in many European countries including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Austria. In the UK, it is not a statutory bank holiday, though the broader Whitsun period has historical significance.

Pentecost traditions include church services with readings from Acts, wearing white clothing (hence the name 'Whit Sunday' in English, from 'White Sunday'), outdoor processions, and in many European countries, the Pentecost weekend is a popular time for family trips and outdoor activities due to the long weekend.