Christians from around the world are observing the Pentecost Sunday on June 4 this year. While the date of this Christian event changes every year, it always happens 50 days after Easter Sunday and symbolizes the descent of the Holy Spirit 10 days after the risen Jesus Christ ascended to heaven.
The observance of the Pentecost Sunday is based on Biblical events, with the Book of Acts narrating how the Holy Spirit descended from heaven and blessed the disciples Jesus Christ left behind.
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them," goes the Book of Acts chapter 2 verses 1–5.
While it is said that Pentecost Sunday happens 10 days after Jesus Christ's ascension to heaven, it is interesting to note that the interval between the two events is only nine. Grace Thru Faith points out that Resurrection Morning, popularly known as Easter, happened on the Feast of First Fruits, and Pentecost happened seven weeks later.
The Christian blog site points out that the actual dates for both Christian events were based on the count from the first Sabbath after Passover. As the Feast of First Fruits was the first day after the Sabbath, and Pentecost marked its 50<sup>th day, then the interval between Easter and Pentecost is only 49 days.
Grace Thru Faith also points out that, in the Bible, number 9, more often than not, marks an end of a matter. As the Holy Spirit's descent on Earth marked the end of Jesus Christ's personal ministry on Earth, the interval between Easter and Pentecost Sundays is 49, indeed.
Easter Sunday falls on April 16 this year.
