For the Western Church, the Christian holiday of Pentecost coincides with Mother's Day this year. For the Eastern Church, Pentecost will be on June 15, 2008, according to Nancy Gaifyllia, About.com's Guide to inspiring Greek foods. Pentecost is also a Jewish holiday known better as Shavuot, which will be held on June 9- 10.

Pentecost comes from a Greek word for 50 and refers to the 50th day following another special event. Easter is the Christian holiday. Like Easter, Pentecost falls on a Sunday. Pentecost is said to be 50 days after Easter because Easter and Pentecost are both counted when you use the inclusive counting method.

Pentecost celebrates "speaking in tongues". This is a reference to a section from Acts 2:1-4. Here's the relevant passage from the King James Version:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

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