Why do we wear red on Pentecost?

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the day on which the liturgical churches commemorate the sending of the Holy Spirit on the early church, as described in Chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles. The name Pentecost means the 50th day; it falls 50 days after Easter Sunday, when we celebrate Christ’s resurrection.

Churches and vestments are often decorated with red, to represent the fire of the Spirit in the church, recalling the following verses of Scripture:

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Acts 2:1-4

Today, many churches encourage people to wear red clothes on Pentecost Sunday, matching the color of church paraments. If you have red in your closet, wear it to church this week as we celebrate the birthday of the Christian church!

A Prayer for Your Week: Holy Spirit, come to us; kindle in us the fire of your love! Come, O Holy Spirit, come!