🔥 Pentecost
50 days after Easter Ages 4–11
Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the Church. Christians remember when the Holy Spirit came to Jesus’ followers.
📅 Dates
| 2026 | Pentecost: Sun, May 24, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Pentecost: Sun, May 16, 2027 |
| 2028 | Pentecost: Sun, Jun 4, 2028 |
Dates for Western churches. Many Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter on a different Sunday.
📖 What is Pentecost?
The Book of Acts tells that Jesus’ followers were gathered in Jerusalem during the Jewish festival of Shavuot. Suddenly there was a sound like a rushing wind, and what looked like tongues of fire rested on each of them.
They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in many languages, so visitors from many countries could understand them. Peter spoke to the crowd, and many people joined the new community.
Churches often decorate in red on Pentecost for the fire, and the dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
✨ Traditions
- Wearing or decorating with red
- Doves and flame symbols
- Reading the story in many languages
🔤 Words to know
- Pentecost
- From the Greek word for "fiftieth"
- Holy Spirit
- For Christians, God’s presence with people
- Acts
- The Bible book that tells the story
✂️ Crafts & activities
Pentecost Wind Twirler
You need: Paper plate, Red, orange and yellow streamers, Tape, String
- Tape streamers around the edge of the plate.
- Add a string to the middle.
- Hang it outside and watch it dance in the wind.
🖍️ Coloring pages
Pentecost quiz
How many days after Easter is Pentecost?
What did the followers hear?
What color do many churches use on Pentecost?
Which bird is a symbol of the Holy Spirit?
💭 Let’s talk
Imagine everyone could understand every language. Who would you talk to?
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