Orthodox Pentecost, also known as Whit Sunday or Pentecost - The Descent of the Holy Spirit, is a significant holiday in Romania and among all Orthodox Christians around the world. The holiday marks the day fifty days after Easter when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples of Jesus, according to Christian belief. It is considered the birthday of the Christian Church and one of the major feasts celebrated by Eastern Orthodox Christians.
The Orthodox Pentecost is a time for processions, baptisms, confirmations, and weddings in Romania. Celebrations often take place in town squares, churches, and cemeteries. Special church services are held where priests wear green vestments symbolizing new life and rebirth. In some villages, local customs include decorating homes, wells, and churches with green branches or leaves to symbolically bring in the Holy Spirit.
In response to the festive nature of the holiday, Romanians observe two public holidays – Whit Sunday and Whit Monday. Whit Sunday, which is on the fiftieth day of Easter, is a day of rest, family gatherings, and communal feasting. The holiday extends into Whit Monday, providing Romanians a long weekend to celebrate the events of the Pentecost literally as well as their deep spiritual significance. The tradition demonstrates the profound influence of Orthodox Christianity in structuring public holidays and religious observances in Romania.