Photo of a Protestant Church altar decorated for Pentecost, by FatherRon2011 via Wikicommons (left) and picture of Jews celebrating Shavuot (right)
The Christian holy day of Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter, represents the birth of the early Christian Church. The occasion commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks. The Feast of Weeks, also known as Shavuot in the Jewish religious calendar, is a yearly celebration of the harvest. This is a time of year when followers of both Christian and Jewish traditions can celebrate their roots. This year, Pentecost is celebrated on June 9 in the Western tradition, and by Eastern churches on June 15. Shavuot is celebrated from sundown on June 8 until sundown on June 10.
URI's grassroots peacebuilding groups, called Cooperation Circles, are formed by members of at least three different religions, spiritual expressions, or Indigenous traditions. Learning about each other's holidays is one way to build bridges and show mutual respect. See more ways URI members are working towards interfaith understanding and dialogue.