Pentecost in Iceland
Pentecost, known in Icelandic as Hvítasunna, is a Christian feast and a public holiday in Iceland. It falls on the Sunday 49 days after Easter; the following Monday, White Monday, is also a public holiday. The Icelandic Church identifies Pentecost as the feast of the Holy Spirit.[1][2]
Meaning in the Icelandic church year
The Church of Iceland describes Pentecost as a major feast commemorating the coming of the Holy Spirit. Its church-year guide associates the day with the Spirit bringing life and transformation, and says the liturgical colour for Pentecost is red, a symbol of the Holy Spirit.[1]
The feast belongs to a Christian tradition with particular historical roots in Iceland. At the Alþingi assembly at Þingvellir in the summer of 1000, the law speaker Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði declared that Icelanders should adopt Christianity, while allowing pagan practice in secret. The national park’s history account describes this as a turning point in the country’s conversion.[3]
A public holiday on Sunday and Monday
The Icelandic labour-law guide lists White Sunday and White Monday among the country’s holidays. It says day-time workers are generally not required to work on these days unless they agree to do so. White Monday is listed as a public holiday, when work is paid at overtime rates in addition to daytime wages; White Sunday is listed as a special holiday and has a different pay rule.[2]
The guide’s weekday daytime-pay provision applies when a special or public holiday falls Monday through Friday. Pentecost Sunday always falls on a Sunday, so that weekday provision does not apply to it and does not establish that everyone receives an additional day off or substitute day. The guide on transferring public holidays describes possible collective-agreement arrangements for certain Thursday holidays, but does not list Pentecost among the holidays that may be transferred.[2][4]
Church observance and practical planning
Pentecost is marked in the Church of Iceland’s calendar as a feast of the Holy Spirit. The Church’s guide says that a general church service is held on each Sunday and describes the readings, hymns and liturgical colours used in services.[1]
Opening hours for individual shops, banks, public offices and transport services can vary, so check directly with the provider before making plans.[2]
Frequently asked questions
Is Pentecost a public holiday in Iceland?
White Monday is listed as a public holiday, and White Sunday as a special holiday, in the Icelandic labour-law guide. The guide describes different work and pay rules for each.[2]
When does Pentecost fall?
Are shops, banks and public transport open?
Opening hours for shops, banks and public offices can vary, so check with the particular business or office; check transport arrangements with the provider before travelling.[2]
Sources and references
Sources used for Pentecost in Iceland:
- Kirkjan og kristin trú: Guðþjónustan- Church of Iceland (Þjóðkirkjan)
- Public holidays- Alþýðusamband Íslands (ASÍ)
- Christianity- Þingvellir National Park
- Transfer of public holidays- Alþýðusamband Íslands (ASÍ)