A true miracle happened - Christ's teaching about the triune divine essence acquired completeness and clarity when, on the fiftieth day after Easter, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and sanctified the world. This day of formation christian church began to be celebrated as the holiday of the Holy Trinity, Trinity Day, Pentecost - after the name of the Jewish holiday in memory of the Sinai legislation.
When is Trinity Day celebrated - date
The Feast of the Holy Trinity is always celebrated at the same time, which falls on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ - Easter, that is, seven weeks later. In 2018, the holiday is celebrated on May 20, Sunday.
The history of the Trinity holiday
On that great day the apostles gathered together in Jerusalem, Holy Virgin and Christ's disciples in honor of Pentecost. Suddenly, at three o'clock in the afternoon, a noise was heard, similar to the sound of a strong wind, and heavenly fire fell into the upper room. Tongues of flame engulfed those present - they shone brightly, but did not burn. And a miracle happened - the Holy Spirit descended to earth!
Everyone who was touched by heavenly fire acquired truly magical abilities, speaking in foreign languages, unknown to them before. From that day, thanks to the amazing opportunities that opened up, the apostles were able to carry the great teaching of Christ across the earth in all languages to all peoples. They addressed everyone in Jerusalem to his native language. Listening to the sermon, people were convinced of the great miracle of the Holy Spirit, because they heard their native speech.
Having believed, people began to ask what they should do next. Peter answered that he needed to repent and be baptized. Three thousand people were baptized that day. This is how the Church of Christ was born. Now on this great holiday people pray for the blessing of the Holy Spirit - wisdom, reason, consolation, fear of God.
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Legends and prophecies
There are other, less popular, versions of the origin of the Trinity holiday. According to one legend, on this day the Lord created the earth and greenery. According to another, Christ walked with Peter and Paul, the three of them sat down to rest under the shade of a green tree, and the day was called Trinity and blessed by Jesus. According to the third, Christ was greeted with green branches by the poor in Jerusalem, and a holiday appeared in honor of his joy.
There is another legend according to which the Trinity is three holy days: Sunday - God the Father, Monday - God the Son, Tuesday - God the Holy Spirit. All legends have the right to exist, but the version of the origin of the holiday from the miracle of the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost is considered reliable.
On the fiftieth day after the Old Testament Passover, Moses received the Commandments on Mount Sinai. Since then, Jews have celebrated this day. But there were also prophecies of a new Pentecost. The Prophet Joel announced that the day would come when the Holy Spirit would descend on people and there would be signs.
The Acts of the Holy Apostles speaks of the splitting tongues of flame of the Holy Spirit that descended on the apostles, which became the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. Jesus himself also spoke about the power from above that would descend on his disciples and apostles and asked not to leave Jerusalem until that day.
Celebrating Trinity - the legacy of our ancestors
For Slavic peoples This day is special, many signs and rituals are associated with it. The pagan tradition of celebrating Green Christmastide, or Rusal Week, dates back to the day of honoring Lada - the eternally young goddess of spring of the Slavic pre-Christian pantheon.
The revival of the earth after winter was celebrated with mass folk festivals, wreath weaving, fortune telling, and round dances. The holiday of Trinity organically merged pagan and Christian beliefs, so it is firmly rooted in the consciousness of our people as one of the most important holidays per year.
Since time immemorial, during Rusal Week, houses were decorated with lush greenery, girls wove lush wreaths and told fortunes about marriage and their lot, throwing them into the water on Trinity Sunday and watching how the river accepted them. At the same time, swimming was strictly prohibited, because the mermaids could be tickled to death.
On the very day of the Trinity holiday, Orthodox churches will be decorated with branches of lilac, birch, and maple as a sign of spiritual rebirth and renewal. It is also customary to decorate homes with green branches, and wreaths and bouquets of greenery are blessed in the church.
On the Day of the Holy Trinity, amulets are prepared from branches, which are supposed to protect houses from all bad things and bring good things. They include green branches of oak - masculine and health, birch - feminine and protection from evil, rowan - amulet, hazel - connections with deceased ancestors.
When a week passes after Trinity, green decorations are burned, and wreaths and amulets consecrated in the church are dried and stored behind icons to protect the house, in barns - to protect cattle from evil, in granaries - from mice, in beds - from shrews, in the attics of houses. - as amulets against fires and thunderstorms.
On Trinity Day, everyone gathers in church for the morning sermon, after which a large-scale celebration begins with folk festivities, songs, round dances and games. On this day, the coquetry of girls and the advances of boys are not considered shameful. Young people are looking for a future couple, sometimes even getting married.
The Trinity wreath can be secretly given as a sign of love. To this day, girls float wreaths on the water, telling fortunes about their future betrothed. The Church condemns fortune telling, but ancient rituals are still alive among the people.
The whole family gathers for the festive meal, a loaf is baked and blessed in the church. The remains of this loaf are dried. Then crackers from it can be added to the wedding loaf to protect the newlyweds from envy, evil and the evil eye.
Trinity Day is a day off; working on this great Christian holiday is considered a sin. On Orthodox Trinity 2016 there will be three days off - May 30, 31, June 1.
What to cook for Trinity
The Trinity holiday is a good reason to go on a picnic with family or friends. Such a vacation is not complete without barbecue. Use light meat for it - for example, chicken or turkey, so as not to harm your stomach during the holidays.
A suitable dish is fish, especially salmon, salmon, and pink salmon. Don't forget about the abundance of vegetables for fish - both grilled and fresh.
Good cheese is a must on the holiday table. Choose delicious cheese different color to your festive table on Trinity was beautiful and appetizing.
Various sandwiches are perfect for the table - homemade hamburgers, sandwiches with melted cheese, pita rolls with salmon. You can take pate with you into nature - for example. mincemeat with apple. to quickly prepare sandwiches.
Don't forget about new potatoes - serve them with plenty of herbs and vegetables.
For dessert dishes, it is best to serve fresh berries, as well as a variety of drinks made from them.
In memory of departed ancestors
Before Trinity, in parent's Saturday, they go to the cemetery to remember the dead and tidy up the graves. Not coming to pay tribute to departed relatives is considered very bad omen, because then the dead themselves can come to the living and take someone from the family to live with them.
It is customary to sweep graves with a birch broom to protect against evil spirits. This should bring joy to the departed in the next world. In gratitude, they help their descendants establish peace and harmony, achieve prosperity, and attract love, joy and happiness. The clothes of the deceased are hung on the fence as a sign of memory and respect. It is believed that this drives death away from the living.
Signs for Trinity
Rain on Trinity is considered a good omen. This is heaven crying for dead relatives. On this day, you should be sensitive to everything related to the deceased.
It is considered a bad omen if a person spins or sews - this can offend or anger the dead. You also cannot bleach, work in the garden, field, or swim in the river. Families where unmarried girls are buried must be especially careful not to violate the prohibitions.
It is believed that on Trinity Day it is good to collect medicinal herbs and dry. According to legend, they are recruiting special power, capable of healing from the most terrible ailments and protecting homes from all bad things.
Birch has special power, so it is believed that by leaving a consecrated birch twig on the field, a person pleases nature. This should bring a rich harvest. It is good to dry mint - a talisman for children, lovage - for girls, wormwood - a talisman for the home, thyme - for women who dream of motherhood.
Rituals on the holiday
The most common ritual is, of course, floating wreaths on water, but there are others that are no less interesting. After the morning service, healers collect the herbs left on the floor in the church. A decoction of it is a powerful healing drug for seriously ill people.
Those who dream of getting rich pick a sprig of centaury, put it in their bosom close to their chest, and stand there for the entire service in church. Then you need to take a steam bath with this twig in order to get rich and attract prosperity to your home.
On Trinity Day, gardeners get rid of weeds from their plots. To do this, you need to uproot any weed plant that blooms better, and stick it with the top into the ground and the roots out.
To cure the “constricted disease”, you need to defend mass and vespers in church with fresh flowers. Then the flowers should be dried, tea should be brewed from them twelve days after Trinity, spoken and drunk.
For creating powerful protection go to church with three bouquets - wormwood, St. John's wort and yarrow. There they take communion, confess, light 7 candles for their health, read the Prayer to Holy Trinity, buy and put on the “Save and Preserve” ring. At home, half a bouquet of wormwood is placed over front door, the second - under the bed, take a bath with a decoction of yarrow and drink tea from St. John's wort.
The holiday of Trinity is one of the oldest. IN different times he was called by different names and was always considered holy. Remember the departed, go to church, have fun celebrating the Holy Trinity Day on May 31, 2015, and may the Lord bless your home.
The Day of the Holy Trinity, or Pentecost, will be celebrated by Orthodox Christians around the world on May 27, 2018, Sputnik has collected the history of the holiday and useful facts about him.
Trinity Day is one of the most revered holidays among all Christians, which has its roots in ancient times.
Holy Trinity Day: a brief history of the holiday
Believers always celebrate Trinity on the 50th day after Easter - the Resurrection of the Lord; in 2018 this great holiday fell on May 27. On this day, Christian believers remember the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, described in the New Testament. Why is this event so significant for Christianity and the history of the church?
Among believers, it is believed that after the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles went to preach to people - it was after this that the Christian community began to grow very quickly, and the teachings of Jesus began to gain more and more popularity among the people. Therefore, Trinity Day is also considered a kind of “birthday” of the church - it takes its origins from the event described above.
Jesus Christ himself said in the Scriptures: through his death and resurrection, his disciples will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit - he predicted this event, Christian believers are sure.
The Church teaches: on Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit revealed the care of all the persons of God for the world. Thus, God the Father creates the world, God the Son redeems people from slavery to sin and the devil, and God the Holy Spirit sanctifies the world through the Church and sermons. It is no secret that the dogma of the Holy Trinity is one of the foundations of Christianity.
Historically, in Belarus, the holiday of the Trinity was called “Semukhov” - for our ancestors this day was very important and became the main religious holiday in June. Even before the advent of Christianity, in these days young girls twisted birch branches into wreath shapes and decorated them with ribbons - and whose wreath soon turns green, she will live a long time. Fortune telling on Trinity Day was also common. After the establishment of Christianity in our territories, this custom began to be forgotten.
What should and should not be done on Trinity?
Not only “ordinary” believers prepare for the holiday of Trinity, but also churches: they are usually decorated with birch branches, flowers, and freshly cut grass. You can decorate your apartment this way. Such decorations symbolize nature and spring. By the way, it is generally accepted that it is after Trinity that the real summer begins.
The Orthodox celebrate the Day of the Holy Trinity solemnly and magnificently, and all troubles and worries must be completed before the holiday. It is customary to attend evening or morning service, and also spend a lot of time with my family.
According to the teachings of the Church, on Trinity Day (May 27) you cannot think about bad things, wish bad things on your loved ones, or be offended by someone. Believers are sure: on this day there is a renewal in the world.
Weddings and weddings should not be held on Trinity Sunday - if possible, they should be postponed to other days. You cannot swim in rivers or lakes on Trinity Day - since pagan times these days have been called Mermaid days: it is believed that swimming can be dangerous.
Of course, you cannot do household chores on this holiday - for example, embroidery or spinning.
Immediately after Trinity, Orthodox believers begin Trinity Week, or Continuous Week. During this week, you can eat non-lenten food only on Wednesday and Friday, and the teachings remind you that gluttony is not encouraged June 5-12. It is not recommended to work on the first day of Continuous Week - this time the holiday fell on a Sunday, so you can follow the instructions.
How Trinity is celebrated in Belarus
Believers will be able to celebrate Trinity in 2018 with an all-night vigil in churches in Belarus.
The liturgy of Trinity Day will also be held in churches, after which Great Vespers is served - prayers in it are usually addressed to the Triune God. For the first time since Easter, priests and parishioners kneel in churches on Trinity Sunday.
“We encourage everyone to attend services, because this is Sunday, for most it is a day off. It will be right if each of us, desiring renewal from the Holy Spirit, cleanses our hearts with repentance and sanctifies our souls with the Communion of the Holy Mysteries, and shows our faith in works of mercy and love,” said Archpriest Sergius Lepin, chairman of the Synodal Information Department of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.
Among the Minsk churches, two are dedicated to the Trinity - near the Memorial Church in honor of All Saints and the temple in Sevastopol Square. However, believers can come to any of the capital’s churches on this holiday.
The Christian holiday of Trinity is one of the twelve, and it is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter (it also has another name - Pentecost). The Church of Western orientation celebrates on this day the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, Pentecost, and Trinity only a week later, on next Sunday.
history of the holiday
Twenty centuries have passed since an ordinary house The apostles gathered on Mount Zion. History is silent about who lived in this house, but it was to him that she awarded the right to be called the first Christian church, since it was here in the upper room (room at the top) that Christ appeared twice after his Resurrection, here he filled the cup with wine, breaking bread, thus performing the first Liturgy. In this place and on this day, according to the Bible, grace descended on the apostles and the Virgin Mary. And this event happened on the 50th day of the Resurrection of Christ and on the 10th day after the Ascension.
By this time, the apostles no longer grieved as much as after the crucifixion of Christ. They realized that after his departure the messiah left not just a handful of like-minded followers, but an entire Church. Most of the apostles were from other cities, but they did not go home, but had already been in Jerusalem for fifty days, in the house of Zion, where Christ asked them not to disperse while awaiting the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to receive the strength of mind for preaching and building a new Church.
This event introduced people to the third person of God, introducing them to the sacrament, the essence of which is that the unity of God is in three persons - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. And from this day on good news preached throughout all Christian lands. God does not reveal himself to us immediately, but gradually. In modern understanding, the Trinity means that God, who created life on Earth, sent the Son to people to save people, and then the Holy Spirit, who descended on the apostles, and therefore on all of us.
The predictions of the apostles came true, and the people who believed their words joyfully accepted baptism. There were up to 3,000 such people that day. And the Kingdom of God, called the Church of Christ, was established on earth. Having received the gift of prophecy and healing, and, most importantly, the opportunity to preach the Truth, the apostles scattered throughout all countries, preaching in different parts of the world. Of course, they were executed (only one of the twelve, John, managed to die a natural death), but what can the authorities do with those in whom the Holy Spirit was present? Rulers and states disappear from the face of the earth, but the Church has lived and grown stronger for 2,000 years, having its beginnings with that small handful of people on Mount Zion.
The holiday of Trinity was established by the apostles. They were the first to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit and bequeathed to all who believed in Christ to honor this day. For Christians, the celebration of the Holy Trinity comes down to honoring God in various manifestations. The community of people with the Holy Spirit in their souls is the Church of Christ. Every Orthodox Christian says the words of the prayer “In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit...”. From that day on, God sent the apostles the gift of speaking different languages. With the end of Christ's earthly life, life began Church of Christ, and the apostles had to travel around the world, telling all people about the great Truth that God conveyed to them in such different ways.
Trinity Traditions
The history of the holiday goes back thousands of years, but it is still celebrated quite widely today, since it is very close in spirit to the Russian people. This day, first of all, was considered a holiday of the earth - it could not be dug up or disturbed in any way. People call Trinity a “green”, “summer”, “emerald” day, the beginning of summer. By this time, nature has finally woken up, giving rise to a new full-fledged life. Saturday on the eve of the holiday was an important memorial day among the Slavs. In churches they lit candles for the repose of loved ones, in cemeteries they commemorated deceased relatives, leaving funeral food on the graves. They especially prayed for everyone who died a premature death, considering them victims of treacherous mermaids. People celebrate Trinity for 3 days. 
The first day - Green Sunday - tells people to be especially careful because of the activity and treachery of mermaids, moths and other mythical evil spirits. In villages, signs, rituals and traditions are associated with the Trinity holiday. The floors of houses and churches were covered with a real carpet of freshly cut green grass; gates and icons were covered with branches of birch, lilac, maple, apple, and willow.
And yet, the symbol of the holiday is the birch tree, which has the active power of growth, and it must certainly be used on this day, because the young birch tree, filled with the forces of the awakening earth, will save new harvest, will reward people and animals with health.
Trinity without a birch is like Christmas without a tree. A lot of greenery, a lot of fun is contained in these Christmastides. Even the color of the clothes of church ministers on this holiday is green - a symbol of the new life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, the beginning of our Church. In some Orthodox churches gold and white colors.
Girls' holiday
Trinity has always been considered a girl's holiday. The girls dressed up in their best sundresses, often specially made for this occasion. They baked a loaf of bread and distributed it to unmarried girls in the forest. These pieces were dried and preserved until the wedding, then these crackers were kneaded into dough for the wedding loaf and believed that they would bring them new family well-being and love. On green Christmastide, girls stop singing stoneflies and weave wreaths, lowering them into the river for fortune telling. If the wreaths floating on the water converge, it means that the girl will be wooed this year, she will return to the shore and spend another year as a wench, but if she completely drowns, then the girl will not soon wait for her betrothed. On Trinity Day, girls tell fortunes with a cuckoo, asking how long they can continue to cuckoo in their parents' house. And the cuckoo said to wait so many years for matchmakers. The image of the cuckoo - bird things - is associated with the image of blooming nature and the veneration of vegetation. Having decorated their homes, the girls went to curl the birch tree. They chose a young curly tree in the forest, decorated it with ribbons, and danced in circles with songs. Then they organized a picnic under the birch tree - a festive meal. In the evening, the people were entertained by mummers and buffoons. 
With the onset of Clergy Monday, after the service, the priests went to the fields to read prayers asking God to bless them. future harvest. The children were having fun at this time interesting games. On the third, God's Day, the boys chose their brides, the girl half of the youth “led the poplar”, in the role of which was an unmarried girl - the first beauty in the village. She was dressed up beyond recognition, decorated with wreaths, ribbons, branches and taken around the courtyards, where the owners generously treated her. Water in wells was sanctified, thus ridding it of evil spirits.
By folk beliefs Following the green Christmastide was the mermaid week, during which mermaids emerged from lakes and rivers and wandered through the forests, choosing old oak trees as shelter, where they swung on the trees, unwinding the yarn of careless housewives who fall asleep without prayer.
The house was protected from this evil spirit by mint, thyme and garlic, placed in the huts and placed on the windows. At the final stage of the celebration, there was a special ritual of throwing out the Trinity greenery, as well as floating it on the water.
Western Christian traditions
Lutherans and Catholics share the celebration of Trinity and Pentecost. The cycle of summer holidays for them opens with Pentecost, after 7 days it passes the baton to the Trinity, on the eleventh day - the feast of the Blood and Body of Christ, on the nineteenth - the Most Holy Christ's Heart, on the twentieth - the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary. In Russian churches for Catholics, as well as in Poland, Ukraine and Belarus, these days they decorate churches with birch branches, collect herbs and flowers and bring them to the church for blessing. Such herbs are believed to cure many diseases. During the service, you need to shed a few tears on the flowers (as in the classic: “Tenderly they shed three tears on the tuft of dawn”). Trinity is celebrated as a public holiday in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Latvia, Luxembourg, Romania, Switzerland, Norway, France, Iceland.
Trinity and modernity
The features of the Trinity celebration are best preserved in rural areas. On the eve of the first summer holiday housewives direct perfect order throughout the household, preparing holiday dishes with green eggs painted in birch leaves, pies, pancakes, meat delicacies and wine, trying to pamper yourself and your family before Lent. With wildflowers, fragrant herbs and branches of birch, willow and other trees collected early in the morning, they decorate gates, icons, doors and windows, and cover the floors with a carpet of freshly cut grass, believing that it will not allow an unclean spirit into the house. Blooming branches remind us that with the grace of God the souls bloom with the flowers of virtues. In the morning, festive services are held in the Temples. At this service, kneeling prayers are read again, which have not happened for 50 days after Easter. In the evening, amateur art concerts, fairs, and folk festivals with entertainment and fun competitions are held. Unfortunately, many traditions have been lost without a trace, and yet Trinity is one of the main Christian holidays, a symbol of faith, the unity of Christianity and paganism, filling our hearts with the love and mercy of loved ones, good deeds every day. The pictures show the holiday of Trinity - from paganism to the present day.
Interesting traditions and fascinating rituals on. We'll tell you all about the generous Maslenitsa in.
The color of the Trinity holiday is emerald green. This is the shade of fresh, lush grass or foliage that has not had time to get tired and absorb the heavy dust of the city. The churches glow from the inside like an emerald cloud - hundreds of birch branches are carried by parishioners, the floor of the church is densely covered with grass, the musty smell of June is intensified by the rays of the sun from the church windows, mixed with subtle notes of incense and wax candles. The candles are no longer red, but honey-yellow - “Easter is given away.” Exactly 50 days after the Resurrection of the Lord, Christians celebrate the Holy Trinity. Great Holiday, beautiful Holiday.
… Fifty days after the Passover, the Jews celebrated the day of Pentecost, dedicated to the legislation of Sinai. The apostles did not take part in mass celebrations, but gathered together with Mother of God and other students in one person's house. History has not preserved evidence of his name and what he did, we only know that it was in Jerusalem... It was about three o'clock in the afternoon according to Jewish time (about nine o'clock in the morning according to modern reckoning). Suddenly, from heaven itself, from above, an incredible noise was heard, reminiscent of the howl and roar of a rushing strong wind, the noise filled the entire house in which the disciples of Christ and the Virgin Mary were located. People began to pray. Tongues of fire began to play between people and began to dwell for a moment on each of the worshipers. So the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, with which they received the amazing ability to speak and preach in many languages, previously unknown to them... The Savior’s promise was fulfilled. His disciples received special grace and gift, power and ability to carry the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is believed that the Holy Spirit descended in the form of fire as a sign that it has the power to scorch sins and cleanse, sanctify and warm the soul.
On the occasion of the holiday, Jerusalem was full of people, Jews from different countries converged on the city that day. A strange noise from the house where the disciples of Christ were, caused hundreds of people to run to this place. Those gathered were amazed and asked each other: “Are they not all Galileans? How do we hear each of our own languages in which we were born? How can they speak with our tongues about the great things of God?” And in bewilderment they said: “They got drunk on sweet wine.” Then the Apostle Peter, standing up with the other eleven apostles, said that they were not drunk, but that the Holy Spirit had descended on them, as was predicted by the prophet Joel, and that Jesus Christ, who had been crucified, had ascended into heaven and poured out the Holy Spirit on them. Spirit. Many of those who listened to the sermon of the Apostle Peter at that moment believed and were baptized. The apostles initially preached to the Jews, and then dispersed to different countries to preach to all nations.
So Saint Andrew, who is also called Andrew the First-Called, went preaching the Word of God to eastern countries. He passed through Asia Minor, Thrace, Macedonia, reached the Danube, passed the Black Sea coast, the Crimea, the Black Sea region and along the Dnieper rose to the place where the city of Kyiv now stands. Here he stopped at the Kyiv Mountains for the night. Rising in the morning, he said to the disciples who were with him: “Do you see these mountains? On these mountains the grace of God will shine, there will be great city, and God will erect many churches." The Apostle climbed the mountains, blessed them and planted a cross. Having prayed, he climbed even higher along the Dnieper and reached the Slavic settlements where Novgorod was founded.
Miraculously, the Apostle Thomas, who believed in Christ, reached the shores of India. To this day, in the southern states of this country, Kerala and Karnataka, there live Christians whose ancestors were baptized by St. Thomas.
Peter visited various regions of the Middle East, Asia Minor, and later settled in Rome. There, according to a very reliable tradition of the late 1st and early 2nd centuries, he was executed between 64 and 68 AD. According to Origen, Peter, at his own request, was crucified upside down, since he considered that he was unworthy to undergo the same the execution that the Lord suffered.
While enlightening the nations with the teachings of Christ, the Apostle Paul also undertook long journeys. In addition to his repeated stays in Palestine, he preached about Christ in Phenicia, Syria, Cappadocia, Lydia, Macedonia, Italy, the islands of Cyprus, Lesbos, Rhodes, Sicily and other lands. The power of his preaching was so great that the Jews could not do anything to oppose the power of Paul’s teaching; the pagans themselves asked him to preach the word of God and the whole city gathered to listen to him.
That grace of the Holy Spirit, which was clearly taught to the apostles in the form of tongues of fire, is now given invisibly in the Orthodox Church - in its holy sacraments through the successors of the apostles - the shepherds of the Church - bishops and priests.
The holiday of Christian Pentecost contains a double celebration: both in the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, and in the glory of the Most Holy Spirit, who descended on the Apostles and sealed the new eternal covenant of God with man.
On the Feast of the Holy Trinity, established at the end of the 4th century, after the dogma of the Trinity - the Trinitarian God - was officially adopted at a church council in Constantinople in 381, we are talking about one more important aspect Christian faith: the incomprehensible mystery of the trinity of God. God is one in three persons and this mystery is incomprehensible to the human mind, but the essence of the Trinity was revealed to people on this day.
By the way, for a long time Christian artists did not depict the Trinity, believing that God can only be depicted in the person of Jesus Christ - the son of God. But not God the Father, not God the Holy Spirit should not be written... However, over time, a special iconography of the Holy Trinity was formed, which is now divided into two types. The Old Testament Trinity is familiar to each of us from the famous icon of Andrei of Radonezh (Rublev), on which God is depicted in the form of three angels who appeared to Abraham. The icons of the New Testament Trinity are images of God the Father in the form of an old man, Jesus Christ as a youth in his bosom or an adult husband, according to right hand from him, and the Spirit - above them in the form of a dove.
In Rus', they began to celebrate Holy Pentecost not in the first years after the baptism of Rus', but almost 300 years later, in the 14th century, under St. Sergius of Radonezh.
In our country, this holiday merged with the Slavic folk holiday Semik, incorporating many pagan rituals associated mainly with the veneration of the spirits of herbs, trees and flowers. Therefore, on Trinity Sunday it was customary to decorate houses with greenery and conduct round dances around the birch tree.
In the last week before Trinity, on Thursday, cooking began in peasant houses - they baked pies, flatbreads, kurniks, scrambled eggs, noodles, crackers, cooked soup from poultry. Then they went into the forest with these dishes, spread tablecloths under the trees, ate and drank beer. Choosing a branchy birch tree, the youth divided into pairs and curled wreaths without breaking off the branches from the tree.
On Trinity Day they went into the forest again to develop wreaths. Each couple, finding their wreath, judged their future happiness, which depended on whether the wreath had withered or not, faded or was still green...
Many rituals were associated with wreaths. Probably the most famous of them, when they threw wreaths into the river, guessing their fate by their movement: I’ll go to the Danube, to the river, I’ll stand on the steep bank, I’ll throw the wreath on the water, I’ll go further away and see if my wreath is drowning water? My wreath sank, my dear one remembered me: “O my gentle light, O my friendly light!”
The day after Pentecost, which is always celebrated on Sunday, the Church glorifies the third person of the Holy Trinity - the Holy Spirit. From this day until the next holiday of Holy Easter, they begin to sing the troparion to the Holy Spirit “To the King of Heaven...” From this same moment, prostrations to the ground are allowed for the first time after Easter.
... The Divine Service on the Feast of Holy Pentecost is touching and beautiful. The temple is decorated, the priests are dressed in green vestments, it smells of grass and fresh greens, the choir “... renew in our hearts, O Almighty, the true, right Spirit,” sounds solemnly and lightly, the parishioners kneel and read the special prayers of St. Basil the Great. And it’s a juicy early summer outside - a reminder of that beautiful and deep “summer of the Lord” that Jesus Christ promised the righteous.
The Christian holiday of Trinity is one of the Orthodox twelve holidays, which is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter, on Sunday. Churches of the Western tradition celebrate on this day the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, Pentecost, and the Trinity itself on the following resurrection.
The meaning of the holiday of Trinity
The Bible says that the grace given to the apostles by the Holy Spirit descended on them on this very day. Thanks to this, people were shown the third face of God, they joined the sacrament: the unity of God is manifested in three persons - Father, Son and Spirit. From that day on, the message was preached throughout the entire earth. In general, the meaning of Trinity as a holiday is that God reveals himself to people in stages, and not all at once. In modern Christianity, the Trinity means that the Father, who created all living things, sent the Son, Jesus Christ, and then the Holy Spirit to people. For believers, the meaning of the Holy Trinity comes down to the praise of God in all his forms.
Traditions of celebrating Trinity
The Holy Trinity, the history of which dates back thousands of years, is also widely celebrated today. The people celebrate Trinity for three days. The first day is Klechalny or Green Sunday, when people had to be extremely careful because of the aggressiveness of mermaids, moths, terrapins and other mythical evil spirits. In villages, the holiday of the Russian Trinity is celebrated in compliance with traditions and certain rituals. The floors of churches and houses were decorated with grass, icons were decorated with birch branches. Green color symbolized the renewing and life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. By the way, in some Orthodox Churches The colors golden and white have the same meaning. Girls tell fortunes on Green Sunday using wicker wreaths. If the wreaths floating on the water come together, then the young woman will be wooed this year. On this day, deceased relatives were remembered in cemeteries, leaving treats on the graves. And in the evenings, buffoons and mummers entertained the villagers.
It's Clue Monday in the morning. After the church service, the clergy went to the fields and read prayers, asking the Lord for protection for the future harvest. At this time, the children participated in interesting fun games.
On the third day, Bogodukhov Day, the girls “took Topolya.” Her role was played by the most beautiful unmarried girl. She was decorated beyond recognition with wreaths and ribbons, and was taken around rural yards so that her owners would generously treat her. The water in the wells was sanctified on this day, getting rid of the unclean spirit.
Christian Western tradition
Lutheranism and Catholicism share the holidays of Trinity and Pentecost. The cycle opens with Pentecost, a week later they celebrate Trinity, on the 11th day after Pentecost - the feast of the Blood and Body of Christ, on the 19th day - the Sacred Heart of Christ, on the 20th day - the feast of the Immaculate Heart of St. Mary. In Poland and Belarus, Catholic churches in Russia these days, churches are decorated with birch branches. Whitsuntide is considered a public holiday in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Iceland, Luxembourg, Latvia, Ukraine, Romania, Switzerland, Norway and France.
Trinity and modernity Nowadays, Trinity is especially celebrated in rural areas. Before this day, housewives usually clean up both the house and the yard and prepare festive dishes. Flowers and grass collected early in the morning decorate rooms, doors and windows, believing that they are home evil spirits they won't let me in.
In the morning, festive services are held in churches, and in the evening you can attend concerts, folk festivals, and take part in fun competitions. Most of the traditions, unfortunately, have been lost, but the holiday still remains one of the most important for believers.
Holy Trinity Day - the history of the holiday
Orthodoxy celebrates many holidays. Believers certainly know about such a holiday as Trinity Day; it has a long history and certain customs.
The Church celebrates this holiday on the Day of Pentecost - the fiftieth day after Easter. Any Orthodox man knows exactly when to celebrate this holiday and what is the history of Holy Trinity Day. The history of the Trinity holiday dates back to the time of Jesus Christ. Then, on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ, the apostles of the Holy Spirit descended to earth. The apostles understood the role of the third Person of the Trinity and why God is triune.
History of Trinity Day
After the Ascension, the apostles were constantly present in the Zion Upper Room and prayed. Suddenly they heard a noise in the sky, and tongues of fire appeared in front of them and descended on their heads. Thus the Holy Spirit entered the bodies of the apostles. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the knowledge of hitherto unknown languages so that they could spread the Christian faith throughout the world. The Orthodox holiday of Trinity was proclaimed by the apostles, if history is to be believed. After the described incident, Christians began to celebrate this holiday every Pentecost; it is considered one of the most important in the Orthodox world.
Later, Basil the Great composed certain prayers that were necessary to be read on this day. This tradition continues to this day. The Day of the Holy Trinity throughout the Orthodox world is considered the birth of the Christian Church, which was created by God.
In Orthodoxy, the Day of the Holy Trinity and the Day of Pentecost are combined together, which cannot be said about the Catholic Church. Catholics celebrate Trinity Day on the Sunday after Pentecost.
Icons telling about the descent of the Holy Spirit began to be painted in the 6th century. On them you can usually see the Upper Room of Zion and the apostles with books. Moreover, between the apostles Peter and Paul there is an empty space, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. There are tongues of flame above the heads of the apostles.
The history of the Trinity holiday is very ancient, it dates back to the Ascension of Jesus Christ. Orthodox people they know this and therefore celebrate the holiday especially widely - they are sure to attend services on the day of Pentecost.
History also tells us about some traditions and customs that are observed during the Trinity Day to this day. The floors of churches and houses should be covered with freshly cut grass, and the icons should be decorated with birch branches, symbolizing the power of the Holy Spirit. On the Saturday before Trinity Day, Orthodox Christians go to the cemetery to honor the memory of deceased relatives; this day is called “parental day.” Birch branches are used to decorate houses and temples; this tradition has developed historically. 
Moreover, it is believed that Trinity Day without birch decorations is the same as Christmas without a New Year's tree. Before Trinity, they must general cleaning, bake pies, make wreaths (again, from birch and flowers). Since ancient times, this holiday has been especially loved by girls, because they could dress beautifully and go to the bride. Matchmaking on Trinity is considered a good omen, and the wedding is already taking place in the fall.
Some customs of the Holy Trinity holiday have migrated from history to our time - churches are decorated with birch branches, girls weave wreaths, Orthodox Christians always go to the cemetery on Saturday. This holiday is very joyful and cheerful - in the morning it is obligatory to visit the temple, and afterwards they dance in circles and sing songs. One of traditional dishes On Trinity Sunday they eat a loaf of bread; they often invite guests and celebrate this holiday together. Festivities on Trinity do not lose their popularity.
What does the Feast of the Holy Trinity mean? When is it celebrated? History of the holiday?
What does the trinity have to do with it? The Bible does not contain the doctrine of the Trinity at all. It appeared more than 320 years after the Bible was written. Jesus recalled the 1st commandment - ABOUT THE ONE true God, and not about the Trinity introduced by pagan religions into Christianity. - 3 years agoAaleksey
Trinity Sunday is usually celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter and on the tenth day after the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. You can learn about this day from the Bible. On this day, about two thousand years ago (according to historians in May 30 AD), the apostles were sitting in a room in one of the Jerusalem houses on Mount Zion. And suddenly a noise came from heaven and filled the whole house, and all the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign languages who were not known before. There were many pilgrims from different countries in Jerusalem at that time; hearing the noise, they hurried to the house of the apostles. They were surprised to hear that the apostles spoke different languages. For each of them, the sermon of the apostles sounded in his native language. The time has come not only for God the Father (who was in the times of the Old Testament), not only for God the Father and the Son (in the times of the New Testament), but the time of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Esther
The Feast of the Holy Trinity means that we have the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And also on this day, Christians all over the world celebrate the birth of the church, not the church building, but people. The Church is believers. And where two or three are gathered in the name of God, there God is among them. In 2016, the feast of the Holy Trinity is June 19, and in 2017 it is June 4. Happy Holidays!
In Orthodoxy The holiday of Trinity falls on the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ when, according to the Gospel, the Third Person of the Trinity is The Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles in the form of tongues of flame, after which they were able to preach the Word of God in different languages different peoples, not only the Jews. That's why another name for the holiday is Pentecost.
In Catholicism and Lutheranism, the holidays of Trinity and Pentecost do not coincide: Pentecost, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, is also celebrated on Sunday on the 50th day after Easter; Trinity is celebrated a week later, on the following Sunday.
In Protestantism, it is Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ, that is a great triumph. For example, the Evangelical Pentecostal denomination celebrates this day no less vigorously than Easter, and usually on this day baptizes neophytes with the Holy Spirit in reservoirs.
Mychange
The history of the origin of the holiday of Trinity is set out in the apostolic acts. On the 50th day after Easter, the apostles waited for the fulfillment of the promise given by Christ, which was fulfilled - the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, they were given grace-filled help to preach Christianity throughout the world. Thus, the Christian Church was born.
It is very symbolic that the first New Testament Pentecost was on the day of the Old Testament Pentecost, that is, on the day when God gave the commandments of God to people, the apostles and all Christians received help to fulfill the commandments, and the apostles received grace to perform the sacrament of the Eucharist and other sacraments.
This holiday is always celebrated on the 50th day after Easter, on Sunday.
Kritikspb
The Orthodox holiday of the Trinity was proclaimed by the apostles on the fiftieth day after the Ascension, when the Holy Spirit entered their bodies and bestowed knowledge of many languages, so that in them they could preach Christianity and bring it to the hearts and souls of people around the world.
Kitsune tenko
Feast of the Holy Trinity, or Pentecost, is one of the main Christian holidays, which is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter.
The Orthodox Church classifies it as one of the so-called twelve holidays, the meaning of which is to glorify the Holy Trinity.
Second name - Pentecost- received this day because the Holy Spirit descended to the Apostles on the 50th day of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the form of tongues of fire. With this sign, the Holy Spirit made it clear that the apostles had the power and ability to preach the teachings of Christ to other nations. On that day, many people believed in Jesus Christ and were baptized.
On this holiday, it is customary for Orthodox Christians to decorate their houses with fresh green birch branches and fragrant flowers.
Ivan Markin
The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles on the day of Pentecost is described in the Acts of the Holy Apostles (Acts 2:1-18). On the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ (tenth day after the Ascension), the apostles were in the Zion Upper Room in Jerusalem, “... suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as if from a rushing strong wind, and filled the whole house where they were. And cloven tongues as of fire appeared to them, and one rested on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:2-4).
On this day, Jews from different cities and countries were in the city on the occasion of the holiday. Hearing the noise, they gathered in front of the house where the apostles were, and when they heard that they were speaking different languages inside, they were amazed. Some of them mocked the apostles and “said, They are drunk of sweet wine” (Acts 2:13). In response to this reaction:
The holiday received its first name in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, which Jesus Christ promised them before His ascension into heaven. The descent of the Holy Spirit indicated the trinity of God - “God the Father creates the world, God the Son redeems people from slavery to the devil, God the Holy Spirit sanctifies the world through the dispensation of the Church” [source not specified 311 days]. On the day of Pentecost, the universal apostolic Church was formed (Acts 2:41-47).
The corresponding text in Catholicism is the prayer Veni Sancte Spiritus. Veni per Mariam.
The New Testament does not directly mention that the Mother of God was with the apostles at the descent of the Holy Spirit. The tradition of her presence in iconographic images of this event is based on the indication in the Acts of the Apostles that after the Ascension, the disciples of Jesus “continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with certain women and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1:14). On this occasion, Bishop Innokenty (Borisov) writes: “Could the one who conceived and gave birth through His medium not be present at the moment of the coming of the Holy Spirit?”
As a theological term, “charisma” is the 9 special gifts of the Holy Spirit poured out by him on the apostles in the Jerusalem Temple at the Feast of Pentecost. These gifts are: wisdom, knowledge and the ability to discern spirits; faith, miracles and healing; prophecies, glossolalia and interpretation of tongues.
What kind of holiday is Trinity?
What are they doing? How do they celebrate?
Orina
Trinity is otherwise called Pentecost because it occurs on the fiftieth day after Easter. This holiday occurs in honor of the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). It is believed that on this day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. On Trinity Sunday, the Apostle Peter baptized and converted 3,000 people to Christianity. This day is the birthday of the Christian Church, but not only the Orthodox, but also the Catholic.
A whole summer cycle of holidays takes place on these days. If after the New Year we celebrate winter Christmastide, then in the summer we celebrate “green Christmastide”. In the old days, people also dressed up as animals, mermaids, and other evil spirits for “green Christmastide.”
Churches on Trinity were always decorated with field and meadow flowers, birch branches and other plants. The floor was sprinkled with freshly picked green grass. This herb was believed to have healing properties. Whoever kept livestock took this grass home. It was believed that animals fed church grass would not get sick, and cows would give a lot of high-quality milk.
Everyone went to church on Trinity Sunday with birch branches and bouquets of flowers. Plants that had been in the church were dried and stored behind the icons.
After church, the girls put wreaths on their heads and walked to a birch tree decorated with ribbons and flowers. The birch tree was cut down. The procession with the felled tree went around the entire village. Then they stuck the birch tree into the ground and danced around it. In the evening, they removed all the decorations from the tree and went to the river to drown it.
On the same day, girls threw their wreaths into the water and wished for something, usually about the grooms. If the wreath sank, it means that the girl will not get married this year. If the wreath stuck to the shore, then expect happiness.
Many years ago there was a custom on Trinity Sunday to bury the dead who, for some reason, were not buried during the year. The cause could be an epidemic or a hungry year. Then all the bodies fell into a common pit. In the week before Trinity and on Trinity itself, the dead were placed in coffins and buried as expected.
Dolfanika
Trinity is a holiday with a moving date; every year the date of the celebration of the Trinity is celebrated on different days, depending on the date of Easter. One thing is constant, Trinity is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. Knowing the date of Easter, we can calculate the day of Trinity.
The holiday is celebrated in honor of the Holy Trinity
The first God is the Father, the creator of everything living and nonliving, visible and invisible in our world. After the creation of peace on earth, God the Father sent his Son to earth as a messenger of a bright path. Then the Holy Spirit descended to earth, he is next to every person.
The second God is the Son, he is born from God the Father.
The third God is the Holy Spirit, he comes from God the Father.
For non-believers, the Trinity has meaning as a symbol of the onset of something new, joyful and bright.
Believers go to church on this day and follow traditions.
The Feast of Trinity is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, but this figure did not appear just like that. For a full 40 days after the Resurrection, Jesus still remained on earth together with his disciples, and only on the fortieth day did he ascend. But at the same time, he told the disciples that in ten days the Holy Spirit would descend on them, and they would receive knowledge and strength to bring Christianity to the people. And so it happened, exactly 10 days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and they went to preach the teachings of Christ. This is the event that is celebrated on this day. In essence, this is the beginning of the Christian church, its birth. Therefore, this is one of the greatest holidays in Christianity.
This is the holiday of the fiftieth day after Easter... the day of the descent of the holy spirit on the apostles is celebrated, giving them numerous abilities. And it is celebrated from year to year simply - this holiday always happens on Sunday, so on the eve, on Saturday, they visit cemeteries, remembering deceased relatives, then attend the evening service in the church, and on Sunday - the morning one. The church and house are decorated with forbs and birch branches, and a festive feast is prepared.
Everything has already been said
Also in ancient Rus' They celebrated the holiday of the Trinity, it was called “green Christmastide”, “mermaid week”. At that time, it was dedicated to the awakening of Mother Earth, the beginning of the wild growth of plants, and it was dedicated to the Slavic goddess Lada.
After the arrival of Christianity in Rus', the two holidays were mixed into one, but in many villages Trinity is still called “green week” or “soulful wake” (source “People's Rus'”, 1901, Apollo of Corinth).
For Orthodox Christians, the holiday of Trinity is celebrated seven weeks after Easter, on the fiftieth day, which is why it is also called “Pentecost”. This holiday is dedicated to the Descent of the Holy Spirit:
The Church celebrates two days: the first day is Sunday, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and Monday is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, otherwise it is popularly called Spirits Day.
As in ancient times, the tradition remains today of decorating everything around with birch branches on this day.
The Feast of Trinity is also called Pentecost, all because it is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. This holiday is moving, it does not have a permanent date. People call this holiday “emerald” or “green”. Because it symbolizes the renewal of life. It’s nice to decorate your houses with branches of birch, maple or lilac on this holiday. It is also customary to float wreaths of flowers on water on Trinity Sunday.
Lelishna
The Feast of the Holy Trinity is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. Otherwise the holiday is called Pentecost. The Trinity means the unity of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity has been widespread in Rus' since the fourteenth century thanks to the efforts of St. Sergius of Radonezh. On this day, it is customary to clean houses and decorate the house with green branches as a symbol of spring and life.
Trinity Day is one of the main Orthodox holidays. It is movable and is associated with the date of Easter, as it is always held seven weeks after it on Sunday. On this day, people walk, go to services and festivals. The service that is performed on this day in Orthodox churches is considered the most beautiful of all those held during the year.
The Feast of the Holy Trinity is one of the most important Christian holidays. Orthodox believers celebrate it on Sunday, the 50th day after Easter. This holiday received its name in honor of the great event - the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, as Jesus Christ promised them before his ascension into heaven. This descent pointed to the trinity of God.
The Orthodox holiday of Trinity is celebrated 50 days after church holiday Easter. It is celebrated on Sunday. The holiday is also appropriately called Pentecost. It is believed that on this day the descent of the Holy Spirit took place. Hard work is not recommended on this day; it is better to attend church, devote time to family and spiritual development.