Hamper Blog alex.walker on 25 May 2010 08:35 am
When and what is Whitsun?
Despite the beautiful and lingering sunshine outside, we are incredibly busy designing our range of hampers for Christmas, but we’ve found time this morning to talk about the upcoming Whitsun festival.
Whitsun (also known as Pentecost) is a Christian festival, originating from the pagan celebration of ‘Summer’s Day’ and is usually held on the seventh Sunday after Easter. The festival commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ. Unusually though, in 2010 the late May Bank Holiday has meant that the festival will be held on the 8th Sunday after Easter – 31st May.
The name is a contraction of ‘White-Sunday’ and derives from the white garments worn by catechumens, those expecting to be baptised on that Sunday.
The following Monday is known as ‘Whit Monday’ and the following week is ‘Whitsuntide’ or ‘Whit Week’.
