Trinity is the greatest holiday of all Orthodox Christians, which falls on the 50th day after Easter. The day is celebrated in honor of the memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and is dedicated to the glorification of the Holy Trinity. This is the twelfth holiday in the Orthodox calendar. In this article, we will learn how to celebrate the Trinity today, and also remember how our ancestors once did in Russia.
In general, this holiday has been celebrated since the 4th century! It was then that the dogma of the Trinity was finally approved in the Council of Constantinople: they proclaimed monotheism - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Do you know how to celebrate Trinity? Not? Now we will tell you!
Great holiday
Earlier, the Trinity had to take place outdoors - in the forest, in nature. So-called folk festivals were held. It should be noted that they were quite noisy. Let's find out how this day was celebrated in Ancient Russia, and howit is being celebrated now - in Russia!
How the Trinity was celebrated in Russia
Before Trinity
It is interesting that in the very last week before this bright holiday - on Thursday - it was customary in Russia to cook certain dishes and treats: pies, kurniki, cakes, scrambled eggs. In addition, people cooked various stews from poultry. After mass, it was necessary to go to the forest, taking all the yummy with you. People sat under the trees and drank beer, snacking on their pastries. The younger generation was engaged in divination that day.
In addition, in Russia, the Trinity festivities were directly related to wedding customs and rituals, in particular, young people chose their soul mate. Then the couples stopped at a branched birch they liked and began to weave wreaths, trying not to break branches from the tree.
On holiday
Folk festivities, which began before the holiday, continued on Trinity … People also arranged a feast in nature, and young guys who once chose a mate and wove wreaths again went to that forest, but not to join to the festivities, but to develop these wreaths back. At the same time, each couple who found their previously twisted wreath could judge one or another future:
- if the wreath faded - do not expect good;
- remained green and fresh - happiness is coming.
Compulsory custom
Already in Russia on the Trinity, among Orthodox Christians, it was customary to decorate their homes and Temples with flowers and twigsbirches! What for? Any person who knows how to celebrate the Trinity will immediately answer you that flowers and greenery are symbols of life! This is how Christians expressed and continue to express gratitude and joy to the Lord for the fact that He was able to revive them through baptism into a new life!
How the Trinity is celebrated in Russia
Folklore says that Trinity week is called green Christmas time. In principle, people who know and remember how to celebrate the Trinity try to preserve the traditions of their ancestors and arrange folk festivals. They bake loaves, invite guests, give them wreaths woven from herbs. Trinity is a truly beautiful holiday! Of course, to this day, the custom has been preserved to decorate Temples and houses with flowers, twigs or grass.
