To understand this confusion, you need to look at the history of the holiday. The Holy Trinity came to Russia around the fifteenth century. On this day, it is customary to celebrate and glorify the trinity of the Lord: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is celebrated on the Sunday following Semik, a pagan day that has long been revered in Russia. Over time, both holidays intertwined, the Trinity absorbed the rites left over from paganism. Therefore, the rituals for the Trinity have a different, not entirely Orthodox origin. But this does not affect their popularity.
Ritual for the Trinity and herbs
The holy holiday falls on the period of late spring or early summer, when all nature is overflowing with juices. For the pagans, this was the time of the very flowering of the forces of rebirth and fertility. Therefore, everything that nature has given participates in the celebration. Houses and yards are decorated with bouquets of wild flowers and fragrant herbs. The use of birch branches was mandatory. This tree was considered the patron and protector of the people from evil spells and diseases. Gradually, temples began to be decorated with herbs and trees. It is now customary on Holy Trinity Day to bring bouquets of field plants to church for consecration. Themstored at home and used to prepare decoctions for the manifestation of diseases. For the church, this tradition symbolizes the gratitude of believers to God for the gift of the world.
Women's Trinity Ritual
The awakening and rebirth of nature after winter was associated in the minds of people with female energies. It was a celebration of readiness for the birth of a new life. Therefore, the girls performed rituals, the meaning of which was the readiness of young women for marriage and the appearance of children. Some of them are still relevant today. What are girls doing on Trinity now? Many come to a beautiful birch with a gift (usually a ribbon). You need to tie it on the branches of a tree and ask to give a good betrothed. Women who have problems conceiving children also bow to the birch on this day and ask for he althy offspring. The sacred tree will help fulfill any wish made during the week before the holiday.
Bread as the main ritual for Trinity
Many housewives have now begun to bake bread on their own. So, you can cook the Trinity Loaf, which, as our ancestors believed, is able to soften even the most difficult character, to make an evil person kind and gentle. Women are encouraged to bake rye bread and put it in front of the icons. Read “Our Father” three times and only after that serve a treat to the table. Do not throw away the remaining pieces, but dry them. They can be used in case of conflicts or scandals in the family to harmonize the atmosphere. Just crackers are added to any dishes that everyone will enjoyhomemade.
On the tablecloth
In order to renew feelings and increase attraction between spouses, a certain ritual was performed. At Trinity, guests were invited to the house. A tablecloth was always present in the serving. After the festive feast, they did not wash it, but hid it under the bed of the spouses. It was believed that she would help make their feelings brighter and stronger. It is recommended to perform in our time!
