This holiday is based on the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which celebrated the Ten Commandments coming down from Mount Sinai 50 days after the Exodus. 50 days, thus "Pent"... eh?
In the Christian tradition, it's the celebration of the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came at the conclusion of that same Jewish Festival, just after the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Christian tradition, the feast falls 50 days after Easter (aha! "pente" again!).
Pentecost is hailed as the birth of the Church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to begin their ministry and expand the Church on earth; to spread the Gospel of our Lord.
Happy Pentecost!
Thank you, God, for the Holy Spirit!
