Long before the advent of Christianity, the Slavic peoples celebrated Green Week. It marked the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Some pagan rites and divination, which are held on the feast of the Trinity, have survived to this day. The customs of ancient times are based on the renewal of life - this is the time when the first leaves appear on the trees, flowers bloom. And for the feast of the Trinity of the church, the houses were decorated with greenery - a symbol of the growth and renewal of the Christian faith.
Trinity or Pentecost?
The Feast of the Trinity is one of the most beautiful holidays in Orthodoxy. It always falls at a time when the first leaves on the trees begin to bloom. Therefore, people decorate houses and churches on this holiday with green branches of birch, maple, mountain ash.
The Trinity doesn't have a fixed date for celebration. It is appointed on the fiftieth day after Easter. The Bible says that it was on this day that the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. The disciples were given the ability to preach the word of Christ. Therefore, this holiday is differentcalled Pentecost or the Descent of the Holy Spirit.
Only in the XIV century did they begin to celebrate the feast of the Trinity in Russia. Customs and traditions on this day have been observed since ancient times. The founder of the holiday was St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Old Testament holiday
Pentecost is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 50th day after the Jewish Passover. According to legend, on this day the people of Israel received the Law of Sinai. Traditionally, in honor of the celebration, entertainment for the people, mass celebrations, and sacrifices are organized.
Prophet Moses on Mount Sinai gave his people the Law of God. This happened on the fiftieth day after the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Since then, Pentecost (or Shavuot) has been celebrated every year. Israel celebrates the feast of the first harvest and fruits on the same day.
When did the Trinity appear in Christianity? The customs and traditions of the celebration originate from the Old Testament Pentecost.
Orthodox holiday
The apostles retired to celebrate the Jewish Pentecost. The Savior, before his martyrdom, promised them a miracle - the coming of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, every day they gathered in one of the Zion Upper Rooms.
On the 50th day after the Resurrection, they heard a noise that filled the small space of the house. Flames appeared, and the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. He showed them three hypostases - God the Father (Divine Mind), God the Son (Divine Word), God the Spirit (Holy Spirit). This triunity is the basis of Christianity, on which the Christianfaith.
People who were not far from the upper room heard a strange noise - the apostles spoke different languages. The disciples of Jesus received amazing abilities - to heal, prophesy and preach in different dialects, which allowed them to carry the word of God to all corners of the world. The apostles visited the Middle East, India, Asia Minor. We visited the Crimea and Kyiv. All the disciples, except John, were martyred - they were executed by opponents of Christianity.
The Holy Trinity is the One God. The customs of the church holiday began in the morning. The whole family went to church for worship. After that, people returned home. They arranged a gala dinner, went to visit, congratulated friends on a bright holiday, gave gifts.
Slavic holiday
In our country, the feast of the Trinity began to be celebrated only 300 years after the baptism of Russia. Prior to this, the Slavs were pagans. But even today there are rituals, signs that originated in those days.
Before Trinity, this day was considered the border between spring and summer. Its name is Semik (Green Week), or Triglav. According to the pagan religion, three deities ruled over all mankind - Perun, Svarog, Svyatovit. The latter is the keeper of light and human energy. Perun is the defender of truth and warriors. Svarog is the creator of the Universe.
In Semik, people held merry festivities, led round dances. Houses were decorated with the first herbs, from which medicinal tinctures and decoctions were then prepared.
So from the pagan celebration a church holiday arose - the Trinity. Customs, signs of thoseancient times are still relevant among the people. For example, the greenery with which the church was decorated on Pentecost was taken home and dried. It was sewn up in canvas bags. Such a sachet served as a talisman at home.
Celebration traditions
How is the feast of the Trinity? The customs of most holidays begin with cleaning the house. Only after the room sparkled with cleanliness, women decorated the rooms with green branches and flowers. They are a symbol of fertility, we alth.
The hostesses prepared a festive table - they cooked pies and gingerbread, cooked jelly. There is no fasting on this day, so any food is allowed for the Orthodox. In the churches on the Trinity, the Divine Liturgy is performed, and immediately after it - the evening. During it, kneeling prayers are read. The clergy ask for the bestowal of grace on all those present, for the sending down of wisdom and reason to believers.
After the service, people sit down at the festive table, invite guests, give gifts and congratulate each other. According to tradition, it was customary to marry on this day. It was believed that if the matchmaking took place on the Trinity, and the wedding on the Intercession, a happy life awaited the young family.
How is Trinity celebrated elsewhere in the world? Traditions, customs, rituals of different countries are united by festive worship. And in England, religious processions are even held on this day. In Italy, rose petals are scattered from under the ceiling of the temple. In France, during worship, trumpets are blown, which symbolizes the descent of the Holy Spirit.
Folk customs for Trinity
PoAccording to folk legends, mermaids wake up on Pentecost. In this regard, the villagers have several customs.
- In the villages they made a stuffed mermaid, danced around him during the festivities. Then it was torn into small pieces and scattered across the field.
- Before going to sleep, women ran through the village with a broomstick to protect themselves from mermaids.
- One girl was dressed up as a mermaid, taken out into the field and thrown into the living room. After that, everyone fled to their homes.
What other folk practices is the Trinity famous for? Traditions, customs, rituals were to drive away evil spirits from the gates of the house. According to legend, on this day the water man woke up, and the villagers burned fires along the coast to ward off evil spirits.
Great attention was paid to the decoration of the house. Only branches of maple, birch, mountain ash, oak could protect people, give them strength and he alth.
Another custom was to irrigate with your tears the branches and flowers that were in the temple. Girls and women tried harder to cry so that drops of tears fell on the greenery. This method helped the ancestors to get rid of the summer drought and autumn crop failure.
First day
All festive events were divided into 3 days. The first was called Green Sunday. On this day, the icons were decorated with birch branches, a special prayer was said for the Trinity.
Folk festivals were held in the forests and fields. People danced, played, sang songs. The girls wove wreaths and lowered them down the river. Such fortune-telling helpedfind out what fate awaits in the coming year.
People commemorated deceased relatives. At the cemetery, crosses and monuments were swept over with a birch broom to ward off evil spirits. They left treats for the dead on the graves. That night, according to folk tales, prophetic dreams were dreamed.
Second day
Klechalny Monday is the second day of the celebration of Pentecost. People have been rushing to church since morning. After the service, the priests walked through the fields with blessings. This was done in order to protect the crop from drought, rainstorms and hail.
Third day
Day of God is celebrated most by girls. They arrange festivities, games, fortune-telling. According to folk tradition, fun is held - "Drive the Poplar". The most beautiful girl was dressed up, decorated with greenery and wreaths - she played the role of Poplar. Then the youth took Topolya home, and each owner presented her with a delicious treat or a gift.
Symbol of the holiday
In Russia, it was customary to honor a birch on the feast of the Trinity. The practices of Pentecost are closely associated with this tree. Around the birch there were girlish round dances. Houses were decorated with it, the first leaves were dried to protect against the evil eye.
There is still a rite of birch curling. During the process, the girls wished good he alth to their mother and other relatives. Or, while curling birches, they thought about the beloved young man - thus tying his thoughts and thoughts to themselves.
A small birch during the festivities was decorated with ribbons, flowers flew into it. After round dance chants, they cut it down and began a triumphal procession through the village. An elegant birch was carried around the whole village, attracting good luck to its inhabitants.
In the evening, ribbons were removed from the tree and a traditional sacrifice was made. The branches were "buried" in the field, and the birch itself was drowned in a pond. So people asked for a plentiful harvest and protection from the spirits.
Early dew was collected on Trinity - it was considered a strong medicine against ailments and ailments. Such rituals existed among our ancestors. Some of them can be found even today. What can not be done on Trinity?
What is forbidden on Pentecost
On this holiday, it was strictly forbidden to work in the garden or around the house. Therefore, zealous housewives carried out a general cleaning before the Trinity. And on the holiday itself, they only decorated the house and prepared a plentiful treat.
What other prohibitions exist? What can not be done on Trinity? All repairs around the house are best left for another day. Can't sew. Do not wash, cut or dye the head.
On this day you can not think about the bad or talk about someone in a negative way. It is forbidden to swim - otherwise, in the near future, the disobedient will die (according to one of the versions, mermaids will tickle him). And the one who remained alive after swimming on Trinity was declared a sorcerer.
Do not be offended, swear on this day - the Trinity is a bright holiday. Signs and customs (what is not and what can be done) - it all comes down to prayer and kind words. Trinity is a celebration of the renewal of life, so only positive should surround yourself in thisday.
Parental Saturday
The day before Trinity, parental Saturday began. People went to the cemetery, commemorated the deceased relatives.
Since ancient times, a memorial dinner was prepared on parental Saturday - cutlery was placed for the deceased. The deceased was invited to a treat.
The bathhouse was heated that day. And after the whole family washed, they left water and a broom for the deceased.
On Trinity parental Saturday, suicides are commemorated, they ask for repose for their souls. A memorial prayer for the Trinity is read. But the Holy Church claims that this is a delusion - suicides will not be able to find rest after death. Therefore, only in home prayer can you ask for them.
Signs for Pentecost
The Trinity is rich in beliefs and signs. The customs and traditions of the holiday carry many omens that have been proven over the centuries.
- Rain on Pentecost - to an abundance of mushrooms and close warmth.
- If the birch is fresh on the third day after the holiday - to the wet hayfield.
- They marry the Trinity, marry the Pokrov - to love and harmony in the family.
- To attract we alth to the house, cover several graves in the cemetery.
- Heat on Trinity - to a dry summer.
The whole week of celebration was called Mermaid Week. Thursday was considered especially important - on this day the mermaids tried to lure people into the water. Therefore, in the evenings, people tried not to leave the house. It was forbidden to swim all week. And be sureyou should have carried wormwood with you - this herb scared away evil spirits.
Today, in nature, with songs and fun, the Trinity holiday is celebrated. Customs, signs of ancient times become irrelevant and gradually disappear. But until now, people decorate their homes with greenery so that peace, tranquility, happiness, he alth and prosperity reign in it. And the girls carry the wreaths to the reservoirs and, holding their breath, let them into the water: where the wreath floats, from there they will wait for the betrothed, and if they wash ashore, it’s not destiny to get married this year …
