What is Whit Monday, and when does it occur?

Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, is a national holiday observed in several countries on the Monday following Whitsunday. Whitsunday occurs fifty days (around seven weeks) after Easter and ten days after Ascension, marking the conclusion of the Easter cycle.

How is Whit Monday traditionally celebrated?

Pentecost is traditionally observed with a full week of church-based festivities. In Germany, various regional and local traditions are followed to celebrate the Second Day of Pentecost. These traditions include the Night of Unrest (Unruhnacht or Bosheitsnacht), where young people impersonate malevolent spirits, and young men attach birch branches to the homes of women they wish to marry.

What happens during the Whit Monday pilgrimage in Rosenthal, Germany?

In Rosenthal, eastern Germany, Catholic Sorbs, a Slavic minority, conduct prayers in outlying churches in around a dozen locations. The pilgrimage concludes with an outdoor mass in a field, with young women carrying a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary from 1480 leading the way. This tradition commemorates Whit Monday, believed to be the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples.

Is Whit Monday a public holiday?

Yes, Whit Monday is a public holiday in several countries, including Germany. On this day, the majority of businesses and schools are closed.

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