Feast of the Trinity: customs. Trinity: traditions and rituals

Trinity remains one of the most beloved Orthodox holidays after Easter. The celebration of the Trinity begins after fifty days after Easter. This holiday, called Pentecost, was celebrated by the Jews even before our era, but with the advent of Christianity, the holiday acquired a slightly different meaning. Prepare for Trinity the Jews have it a little differently, since Pentecost symbolized the receipt by Moses on Mount Sinai of the commandments of God, which happened exactly fifty days after Easter.

Christians celebrate Pentecost in memory of the appearance of the Holy Spirit to the apostles after the ascension of Christ, which also happened on the fiftieth day after Easter. In honor of the triune god, the holiday was renamed the Trinity, and the day of the Holy Trinity and the descent of the Holy Spirit to the apostles is considered the beginning of Christianity as a religion.

Week before Trinity

Based on the meaning of the holiday and Orthodox traditions, preparation for the Trinity begins a week before the holiday and is called the Semitskaya week. The symbol of the holiday is considered to be a young birch, which, having absorbed all the power of the earth, will help to get a new rich harvest, and bestow good health on people and animals.

Wednesday at the Semitskaya (Trinity) week is called Lenten. On this day in Russia, girls aged seven to twelve went to the forest to break birch branches, with which they then decorated the house inside and out. Of course, in our time, one should not break birch branches and decorate the house with them, but you can prepare for Thursday, and according to tradition, string various shreds and candy wrappers on long threads, as well as prepare for trinity fancy new clothes.

When Thursday comes, children are served scrambled eggs for breakfast, which resembles a bright summer sun. Previously, children were also given colored eggs with them, after which the children went to the forest to decorate a birch tree with prepared threads with shreds and candy wrappers. In modern realities, it is quite possible to decorate a birch with children on personal plot or go with them into the forest for the same purpose. Birch should be decorated in the following way: the branches of the tree are gathered in a nest, after which they are tied together, braided in the form of a braid and twisted into a wreath of wild flowers. Now you can decorate the prepared branches with prepared threads with shreds, as well as ribbons, beads, scarves and other similar material. After decorating the birch, according to tradition, one should sit under the tree, eat cooked food and colored eggs, and be sure to leave half-eaten food for the birds. In Russia, it was also customary to dance around a birch, and perhaps even now children will like it very much.

Then they continued to prepare for the Trinity on Saturday, in addition, even among the Slavs, Saturday was considered the main memorial day. That is why Saturday before the Trinity is called parental.

Celebration of the Holy Trinity

And finally, all preparations for Trinity completed and on Sunday the great feast itself begins. In the morning it is customary to go to church, taking with you branches, bunches of grass or flowers. It is on Sunday that you should decorate your home with flowers and leaves. After the end of the service, it is customary to develop the birch back, which in Russia was the responsibility of the youth. But it is necessary to develop a birch tree, since it has been curled, otherwise, according to belief, the tree will begin to feel resentment and then you don’t have to wait good harvest and good health. In order to develop a birch, you should repeat the entire ceremony, that is, dance, sing songs and eat again under the tree. True, after the ceremony, the birch was cut down, which is not recommended to do now. The felled tree was carried around the village, accompanying the procession with songs. Sometimes a birch tree was dressed up in a girl's dress, and a girl climbed under the dress and carried the birch tree around the village, holding it by the trunk. Then it seemed that the tree itself was walking through the village, leading the festive procession.

The end of the holiday

At the end of the festive processions, the birch was undressed and drowned in the river, then it was believed that the tree would give all its strength to new shoots.

Trinity is still considered one of the most mysterious holidays, where pagan and Orthodox traditions intertwined in the most bizarre way. In any case, the holiday came to us from time immemorial and it is in our power to extend its traditions already in the twenty-first century.

One of the main Christian holidays - Holy Trinity Day in 2018 is celebrated on May 27 - Orthodox Church on this day remembers gospel event- the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, which is described in one of the books of the New Testament.

The holiday does not have a specific date in church calendar, since it is tied to the day of the celebration of Easter - it is celebrated on the 50th day after the Bright Resurrection of Christ.

Sputnik Georgia asked what signs are associated with the Day of the Holy Trinity, what can and cannot be done on this great holiday, which has one day of forefeast and six days of afterfeast.

Do's and Don'ts

According to folk traditions and signs, on the feast of the Holy Trinity, as in any other Orthodox holiday, cannot be performed various work- sewing, washing, washing, cleaning, etc. All housework and chores must be completed before the holiday.

Especially strictly on the holiday it is forbidden to work on the ground, including digging, planting and mowing grass.

© photo: Sputnik / Evgeny Tikhanov

Reproduction of a copy of the Trinity icon. Artist Andrey Rublev.

Those who do not follow the old customs and violate the prohibitions, according to beliefs, can suffer significant damage. So, for example, for those who plow - livestock may die, for those who sow - the hail will beat the crops. And for those who spin wool, the sheep will go astray, and so on.

On these days, you can cook food for the festive table and feed and water livestock and domestic animals. On holiday, the whole family decorates the house with twigs various trees, flowers and greenery consecrated in the church.

The feast of the Holy Trinity always falls on Sunday - on this day, believers try in the morning to attend a festive service in the temple, to partake of the Saints Mysteries of Christ and take the time to pray.

Is it possible to work for the Trinity

In the old days, on the days of great holidays, people always tried to put aside all things, believing that this was not pleasing to the Lord, since work, as a rule, did not argue and did not bring positive result.

The clergy explain that by working on the day of the Trinity, we seem to show our disrespect to God, therefore, if possible, on the days of big holidays, such as the Trinity, it is better to postpone all things, including work in the garden.

Of course, there are especially important things that cannot be moved to another day, but it is better to start doing them only after attending a service and praying.

Besides, in modern world there are many works that must be done daily, without breaks and days off, so if a believer cannot visit the temple, he can pray at home or at work.

Is it possible to swim on Trinity

People on the holiday also refrained from bathing in the house - they tried not to come close to the water, even just to wash themselves.

The clergy argue that there is not and cannot be any reason not to allow bathing on the Trinity. Just don't replace going to church and praying beach holiday which would certainly be a sin.

You can go to nature after the service, especially since the Trinity always falls at the end of May or the beginning of June, when the weather is hot.

What else can not be done

It was forbidden to hold weddings and celebrate weddings on Trinity, but wooing on this holiday was considered an auspicious omen - life together would be long and happy.

On the holiday of the Trinity, it is forbidden to think about the bad, swear with loved ones, be offended by others and wish someone bad.

© photo: Sputnik / Oleg Lastochkin

It was also forbidden to go to the forest on the Holy Trinity. In the old days, it was believed that Leshii and Mavki (evil forest spirits) guarded people there, lured them into the depths of the forest and tickled them to death. But the girls who wanted to know their future, breaking the ban, still ran the forest to tell fortunes about their betrothed.

Customs and signs

The week before Trinity is called Green - during the week the girls weave wreaths for all family members and bring them home. If the wreath has not wilted by the Trinity, then the person will live happily ever after.

On Trinity, it was customary to decorate rooms with flowers, young grass and green branches, which symbolizes prosperity and the continuation of life. To do this, they used branches of birch, mountain ash, maple, mint, lemon balm - people believed that the more greenery there was in the house for the Trinity, the happier the house would become.

In the church, during the service, herbs and bouquets of wild flowers were consecrated, which were dried and stored for a whole year as a talisman against the evil eye. After the festive morning service, the plot and the house were consecrated with holy water in order to ward off otherworldly forces in this way.

Since ancient times, a fun feast has been arranged - on holiday dinner close people and relatives were invited, who were treated to the Trinity loaf, egg dishes, pancakes, pies, jelly. They gave each other funny gifts.

Rusks from the Trinity loaf were kept to be added to the wedding cake for the newlyweds as a sign of happiness and love.

On Trinity it is useful to walk barefoot on the grass, collect and dry medicinal plants(thyme, mint, lemon balm), which are subsequently used as medicine. Since ancient times, people believed that on this day the earth and greenery have a special healing power.

On Trinity and the following days they always wore their pectoral cross, as a talisman that will protect against otherworldly creatures.

Among girls, it was considered an important custom to float a woven wreath. If the wreath floated far, then you can prepare for the wedding, if it drowns, then it will be trouble, and if it moored to the shore, then she will have to wait a long time for marriage. And in order to see the betrothed in a dream, it was necessary to put birch twigs under the pillow.

For a Christian, there are no prohibitions on certain types of activities on an ordinary or holiday day, if they do not harm his soul. Neither bathing, nor walking, nor work will interfere with a believing person if he remembers God.

On Trinity, every believer tries to visit the temple, where on this day after the Liturgy, special kneeling prayers are read for the forgiveness of sins, the mercy of God and the bestowal of the grace of the Holy Spirit. But a Christian can only preserve and multiply this grace in his life, following the Gospel, and not superstitious rules.

And most importantly - not only on the Holy Trinity, but also on any other day, you can’t keep negative thoughts in yourself, don’t wish bad on anyone, forgive your family and friends all insults, step over them and leave them in the past to find peace morally and physically.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources

Holy Trinity Day is one of the twelve twelfth holidays in the church calendar. Other names of the holiday: Trinity, Pentecost, Descent of the Holy Spirit.

On this day, we remember the event that took place fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ - the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, and they went to preach the Risen Christ to all nations in all lands.

No wonder this day is called the birthday of the Church. Trinity Day always falls on a Sunday. Most The best way spend this holiday - in the temple, among brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Liturgy for Pentecost is unusually picturesque: the floors in the temple are lined with field herbs, birch branches, flowers in vases. The fragrance of freshly cut greenery, the green vestments of the clergy, kneeling prayers - everything speaks to believers about the great plan of God, about the victory of Christ over death, about the Kingdom of God.

We have collected answers to the most common questions about what is possible and impossible on the Trinity:

What can not be done on Trinity?

Is it possible to work for the Trinity?

Can I swim on Trinity?

Week after Trinity - what not to do?

Is it possible to baptize on the Trinity?

Is it possible to play a wedding, get married (get married), get married on the Trinity?

Trinity - what is this holiday and what can not be done?

Trinity is a great Christian holiday, which is one of the twelfth - the most important of the year. It takes place on the fiftieth day after Easter, which is why it is also called Pentecost. On this day, Orthodox Christians remember the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, after which the disciples of the Lord became able to speak different languages and dispersed throughout the world to preach the doctrine of Christ.

The Feast of the Holy Trinity always falls on a Sunday. Believers always try to be present on this day at the service, to take communion. The Trinity service itself is especially solemn - inside the temples are decorated with greenery, plant branches and flowers. After the Liturgy, an evening service is served with the reading of kneeling prayers, during which, turning to the Lord, we ask Him for help and intercession.

There is a mass folk customs associated with the holiday: - this is impossible, this is impossible ... But for most of them - purely pagan, folk roots. And often such customs contradict the very essence Christian faith. Therefore, when studying the Russian traditions of the feast of the Trinity, one must clearly distinguish what is consonant with Orthodoxy in them and what is not.

There are no everyday rules in the Church about what is forbidden and what can be done on the days of certain holidays. The main thing that is possible and necessary is to be in the temple and pray.

If you still have any doubts about how you should spend the day of the Trinity (Pentecost) holiday, you can find below a selection of the most frequently asked questions and answers about what you can and cannot do on Trinity.

What can not be done on Trinity?

On the Trinity, one cannot follow common signs and superstitions, many of which just give advice on what supposedly “not” to do on the Trinity (swim, walk in the forest and in the field, work, etc.). And you need to live this day in a Christian way - go to the temple, pray, take communion, try to be kind and attentive to your loved ones, spend your free time with them.

For a Christian, there are no prohibitions on certain types of activities on an ordinary or holiday day, if they do not harm his soul. Neither bathing, nor walking, nor work will interfere with a believing person if he remembers God.

On Trinity, every believer tries to be in the temple, where on this day, after the Liturgy, special kneeling prayers are read for the forgiveness of sins, the mercy of God and the bestowal of the grace of the Holy Spirit. But a Christian can only preserve and multiply this grace in his life, following the Gospel, and not superstitious rules.

Is it possible to work for the Trinity?

It is possible to work for the Trinity, if circumstances so develop.

The feast of the Trinity (Pentecost) always falls on Sunday, and for most believers this is a day off, which is dedicated to going to the temple and praying. But in the modern world there are many works that must be done daily, without breaks and days off, and believers are also involved in them. If a Christian working on this day fails to change and go to the temple for the Trinity, this should not be a reason for despondency.

You can find time for prayer at the workplace, but you will have to go to the temple on another day. The Monday following Trinity, Spirits Day, is considered a continuation of the feast of Pentecost. And the giving of the Trinity takes place almost a week later, next Saturday.

Is it possible to work on the second day of Trinity?

The Feast of the Holy Trinity is divided into two days. The first day is dedicated to the glorification of the Trinity and the remembrance of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, which is why it is called Trinity Day. The second day sings of the All-Holy Life-Giving Spirit and in honor of this is called the Spiritual Day.

Orthodox believers, realizing the holiness of the holiday, are sure to try these days to be present in the temple for worship, put aside all vain affairs and devote time to prayer. Since the first day of Trinity always falls on a Sunday, there is usually no problem for a Christian to attend a service on that day. The second day of the Trinity - Spirits Day - falls at the beginning working week. It is clear that on Monday modern man it is difficult to postpone their affairs, work. But if possible, it is better to start its implementation after attending the morning service in order to pay tribute to the holiday.

Is it possible to work in the garden for Trinity?

The feast of the Holy Trinity always falls on a Sunday, so believers always try to attend a festive service in the temple, partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, refrain from doing any work and devote time to prayer.

Working on the day of the Trinity, we seem to show our disrespect to God. No wonder people have always tried to put aside all external, vain deeds on the days of great holidays - this is not pleasing to the Lord. The work, as a rule, turned out to be in vain and did not bring a positive result. Of course, there are especially important things that cannot be rescheduled for another time. It is better to start their implementation only after attending the service and prayer. But if possible, on the days of big holidays, such as the Trinity, it is better to postpone all business, including work in the garden.

Is it possible to commemorate the suicidal on Trinity?

The feast of the Holy Trinity is preceded by the Trinity Parental Saturday - the day of universal commemoration of the dead. On Trinity Saturday, a memorial service is served in churches, during which the Church commemorates all Orthodox Christians who have died.

As for the commemoration of suicides at the memorial service, the Church does not bless this - neither on the Trinity, nor on any other day. Taking the life of another person is a great sin, but the killer can always sincerely repent of his sin and the Lord will forgive him. A person who commits suicide does not have the opportunity to repent of his act. The soul of a suicide is left to God's will. However, this does not mean that it is impossible to pray for such people at all. On the contrary, their souls especially need the prayers of loved ones, which can be performed at home.

Why can't you kneel before Trinity?

Hieromonk Konstantin (Simon) answers:

"We do not kneel from Easter to Pentecost because it is a time of joy. We very often kneel in prayer during Great Lent, as it is a time of repentance. But the period after Easter is a joyful time, we should not be sad. Of course, we should always ask the Lord for the forgiveness of our sins. But Easter is a special time, this is the time of the triumph of Jesus Christ over death. These days we live in a special, special way, we live by Paschal grace. And this grace does not allow us kneel.

And on the day of the Holy Trinity at Great Vespers, for the first time since Easter, we kneel. Kneeling prayers are read on it, during which we can again ask God for the forgiveness of our sins, we can repent. The moment of repentance is clearly reflected in the texts of these prayers.

It is also worth noting that Great Vespers refers to Monday, the second day of the Holy Trinity - Spiritual Day, since according to the rules of the Nicene Council, Orthodox Christians should not kneel on Sundays.

Can I swim on Trinity?

You can swim on Trinity.

Often there is a statement that you can’t swim on the Trinity for three days. This is explained by a certain belief that it was during this period that “mermaids walk”, which can “lure the bather to the bottom”. At the same time, some "well-wishers" extend the ban on swimming on Trinity not only to the seas, rivers and lakes, but also to pools and home showers. It is clear that not only from the point of view of the Church, but also from the point of view of any sane person, there are no and cannot be any grounds not to allow bathing on the Trinity.

Another thing is that you should not replace going to church and prayer with a beach holiday, but you can go to nature to the reservoir after the service. Moreover, the Trinity always falls at the end of May or June, it is always celebrated on Sunday, and the weather on this day is hot.

Is it possible to go to the cemetery on Trinity?

Do not visit the cemetery on Trinity. On this important day for Christians, you need to visit the temple, pray and, if possible, take communion.

On the Trinity, believers remember how, after His Ascension to heaven, the Lord sent the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to all who believe in Him. This holiday is considered the birthday of the Church, since it was after this event that the disciples of Christ began to preach the Gospel throughout the world. This event is so significant and so joyful that it is on the day of the Trinity that it is not customary to specifically commemorate the dead. But the Church does not turn away and does not forget about them: the day before the Trinity is intended for commemoration and visiting the cemetery - Trinity parental Saturday. Moreover, in the kneeling prayers heard at Vespers, which is served on Trinity immediately after the Liturgy, there is a separate prayer for the departed.

Of course, there are different situations in life, and sometimes it is impossible to refuse a trip to the cemetery even on a completely unintended day. But even when you are forced to visit the Trinity cemetery, it would be good to try not to forget about the meaning and significance of this day in church history.

What can you do on the Saturday before Trinity?

Saturday before the Trinity is also called the Trinity Parental Saturday, on this day in the temples special commemoration all the dead. Believers come to the morning service, after which a memorial service is performed. In addition, on Saturday before Trinity, as on the eve of other great holidays, newlyweds are not crowned. Also on Saturday before Trinity, it is recommended to attend the evening service and confess at it, so that on Sunday morning you can come to the church for the Liturgy and take communion. The Church does not impose any other special restrictions on this day.

Can I work on Wednesdays until Trinity?

On the Wednesday before the Trinity holiday, you can work. This day is indicated in the church calendar as a day of non-strict fasting - believers abstain from meat, but there are no other special restrictions.

Is it possible to marry before the Trinity?

The Church does not crown directly on the eve of great holidays, as well as on fast days weeks: Wednesday and Friday. As for the rest of the days of the week before Trinity, these days, as a rule, you can get married. Of course, in a particular temple there may be special circumstances related to the schedule of its work and services. Therefore, it is worth agreeing in advance on the time and place of the wedding.

Week after Trinity: what not to do?

The first day of the week after Trinity is called Spiritual Day. It is also a great church holiday, on which pious Christians try to come back to the temple. But there are no additional restrictions in the week after the Trinity in the church tradition (with the exception of fasting on Wednesday and Friday). Since ancient times, pagan beliefs have been preserved that in the week after the Christian holiday of the Trinity, it is supposedly worth staying away from water, or even not leaving the villages and villages at all: the most superstitious peasants feared the attacks of mermaids, believing that the week after the Trinity - a special time for evil spirits. However, such mythology never had anything to do with Christianity, and over time, belief in mermaids remained only a part of rural folklore.

Is it possible to make wishes on the Trinity and which ones?

This question is often asked by secular people to their church acquaintances, and sometimes just to random sites on the Internet. But if sites can answer differently, then believers, like the whole Church, will tell you one thing: the signs associated with making wishes are in no way connected with Orthodox dogma and are clean water superstition. Christians believe that it is always possible to turn to God with a request, but it will not work to “deceive” him by making a wish at some special moment in time. This also applies to making wishes for the Trinity.

How many days can not work on Trinity?

Another popular question of people who are just immersing themselves in the church tradition. The answer will disappoint someone, but will please someone: there are no restrictions on work on the eve of the Trinity. So workaholics can safely enjoy their work, but lazy people will not have a new reason to relax, alas.

Is it possible to baptize on the Trinity?

It is possible to baptize on the Trinity, but keep in mind that on major holidays there are many believers in churches, the services are longer, the priests are very busy, and therefore you will most likely be offered to reschedule the baptism to another day.

On the day of the Trinity, Christians remember the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. This is miraculous phenomenon, which happened almost two thousand years ago, attracted a lot of people, many believed and were baptized, and therefore the Trinity is also called the birthday of the Church. Of course, it is symbolic to be baptized or to baptize a child on this particular holiday. But in fact, there are no more or less suitable days for baptism, and the grace of the Holy Spirit, which a person receives through the Sacrament of Chrismation, joining the Church, is the same both on the Trinity and on any other day of the year.

Is it possible to get married / get married / get married on the Trinity?

It is impossible to get married on the Trinity, since the Sacrament of marriage is not performed by the Church on the days of the twelfth (that is, the twelve main after Easter) holidays.

On Trinity, Christians remember one of major events Church history - the descent of the Holy Spirit the Comforter, whose coming to earth Christ promised when ascending to heaven. On this day, immediately after the Liturgy, Vespers is served, at which the faithful kneel to the Trinity in all its fullness: God the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Son of God. The meaning of this holiday is so great that it is hardly possible, without missing anything, to take into your heart on this day also the experience of a great personal event - the Sacrament of Marriage.

Is it possible to play a wedding before Trinity?

You can play a wedding before Trinity in the period from Antipascha (the Sunday following Easter, also called Fomin) until Friday on the eve of Trinity, when weddings are performed in churches for the last time before Peter's Lent. You can enter into a church marriage on the days intended for this (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, not falling on the eve or the Twelfth and Church patronal holidays themselves). Before going to church, you need to register the marriage in government bodies. And to win back the wedding, that is, to celebrate the birth new family, newlyweds can on any convenient day, but for a feast and fun, you should choose a day when there is no fasting.

Playing a wedding right before the Trinity is not entirely appropriate and not very convenient. Saturday the day before is the day of commemoration of the dead and preparation for the holiday itself, in which most believers try to take communion, which means that they try to devote the days before the Trinity to fasting and prayer.

Is it possible to sign for the Trinity?

Signing for the Trinity is unlikely to succeed, since this most important religious holiday always celebrated on Sunday, and in the registry offices Sunday is usually a day off.

The Church has determined the days when a wedding is not performed, but it does not regulate the choice of the day of the week for registering a marriage. But if the question arises because it seems to future spouses that it is the marriage concluded, for example, on the feast of the Trinity, that will be strong and happy, then here the opinion of the Church is unequivocal. Neither the date of the wedding, nor the attempt to observe any wedding signs will make your family life happy. There will be peace and love in the family if the spouses themselves daily try to preserve and increase them, asking the Lord for help in this.

Trinity: traditions and rituals of the holiday

The Slavs called the Trinity, or Pentecost, Trinity Day. And also - the Trinity-Mother of God, Wreaths, Venoshnik, Birch Day.

Birches in the temple

On Trinity, temples were traditionally decorated with birch branches and grass. This custom has several explanations. Firstly, birch trees can remind of the oak forest of Mamre, where there was an oak under which the Lord, the Holy Trinity, appeared to Abraham in the form of three angels. She is depicted on the icons of the Trinity.

Secondly, on the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, the Jews celebrated the feast of Pentecost, which was associated with the history of the giving of the Law of God to them. On the fiftieth day after the exodus from the land of Egypt, the Jews approached Mount Sinai, where the Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

It was the time of spring, and the whole of Mount Sinai was covered flowering trees. Probably from here ancient church there was a custom on the day of Pentecost to decorate their temples and houses with greenery, in order, as it were, to find themselves again on Mount Sinai with Moses.

Trinity Parental Saturday and Trinity Day

Often, the “Trinity” was called the entire time period from Semik (1 *) to Spiritual Day, that is, the Day of the Holy Spirit, which the Church celebrates on Monday after the Trinity.

Trinity festivities marked the transition from spring to summer. By Trinity, as a rule, all spring agricultural work ended.

By the holiday, the housewives traditionally washed and cleaned the house and yard, the fathers of families and sons mowed the grass in the fields. They baked pies and loaves, curled wreaths of birch and flowers, went to visit. Guys and girls walked in the forests and meadows, and the girls specially sewed outfits for the holiday. Heads were decorated with wreaths of flowers or headdresses embroidered with gold threads.

AT Belgorod region for each day of the Trinity cycle, a special dress was supposed: in the Trinity parent Saturday they put on red shirts, on Sunday - white ones from grandmother's chests, on Monday, Spirits Day, - sewn from factory fabric.

Elizabeth Kiktenko

Orthodox magazine "Foma"

(1 *) Semik (Rusalchin Great Day, Trinity of the Dead) - East Slavic holiday of the spring-summer calendar period; celebrated on the seventh Thursday after Easter, three days before Trinity. hallmark Semik was the commemoration of the "mortgaged" dead, preceding the commemoration of the ancestors on Trinity Saturday (see Trinity, Assholes). Already in the 17th century, Semik was timed to coincide with the burial of the dead, those executed or those who died of hunger and disease, in poor houses, or miserable houses.

folk traditions Semik (Green Christmas time)

People came to the fields and spent magical rites to increase yields June 1 (date for 2017)

Semik (Green Christmas time) was the main boundary between spring and summer. AT folk calendar, with the adoption of Christianity, the feast of the Trinity was timed to these days. In the rites of the Green Christmastide, the first greenery and the beginning of summer field work were welcomed.

The cycle of Green Christmastide consisted of several rituals: bringing a birch tree into the village, curling wreaths, kumlenya, burial of a cuckoo (Kostroma or a mermaid). The birch was a symbol of inexhaustible life force. As during the winter Christmas time - carols, mummers participated in all the rites, depicting animals, devils and mermaids. Two main themes can be distinguished in the songs performed during the Green Christmas holidays: love and labor. It was believed that imitation labor activity ensured the well-being of future field work.

During the performance of the song “You succeed, succeed, my flax”, the girls showed the process of sowing flax, weeding, cleaning, combing and spinning. The singing of the song “We sowed millet” was accompanied by movements in which the participants reproduced the processes of sowing, gathering, threshing, and putting millet into the cellar.

In ancient times, both songs were sung in the fields and performed a magical function. Later, the ritual meaning was lost, and they began to be sung in places of festivities.

It was customary to bring birch branches and bouquets of first flowers into the house. They were dried and stored in a secluded place all year round. After the start of the harvest, the plants were placed in the granary or mixed with fresh hay. Wreaths were made from the leaves of the trees collected during the holiday, they were placed in pots, where cabbage seedlings were planted. Trinity plants were believed to have magical powers.

To provide high yield sometimes served a special prayer service. The custom of “crying for flowers” ​​is associated with it - dropping tears on the turf or a bunch of flowers.

After the completion of special prayers, all participants went to the cemetery, where they decorated graves with birch branches and arranged refreshments. Having remembered the dead, they went home, leaving food in the cemetery.

Green Christmastide ended with a funeral or seeing off Kostroma. The image of Kostroma is associated with the completion of green Christmas time, rites and rituals often took the form of ritual funerals.

Kostroma could be portrayed by a beautiful girl or a young woman, dressed in white, with oak branches in her hands. She was chosen from those participating in the ceremony, surrounded by a girlish round dance, after which they began to bow, show signs of respect. The "Dead Kostroma" was laid on boards, and the procession moved to the river, where the "Kostroma" was awakened, and the celebration ended with a bath.

In addition, the burial ceremony of Kostroma could be carried out with a straw effigy. Accompanied by a round dance, a scarecrow was carried around the village, and then buried in the ground, burned at the stake or thrown into the river. It was believed that next year Kostroma would rise again and come to earth again, bringing fertility to the fields and plants.

Is it possible to work in the Trinity - such a question is often asked by believers Orthodox people. Such interest is quite understandable, given that this holiday is one of the most significant and it falls at the beginning of summer, when the peasants, according to tradition, had an agricultural harvest in full swing. Currently, for many people who work irregular or shift schedules, this day can be a work day. The topical issue of working on is also for those who live in countryside and has subsidiary farm, as well as for summer residents and gardeners who cannot leave field work even for one day.

Is it possible to work on the Holy Trinity?

Formally, the Trinity holiday lasts not one day, but a whole week, which is called "green" or "mermaid". But the strictest day is Sunday. According to biblical legend, it was on this day that the holy spirit appeared to the followers of Christ and his mother, who was one in three persons. Therefore, in fact, the holiday was called the Trinity. It is celebrated 50 days after Bright Sunday and is considered one of the most important religious celebrations. And this naturally entails certain obligations for believers, including a ban on work. Before this significant day, it was necessary to put the house and yourself in order, prepare refreshments, decorate the house with birch branches, etc. On the morning of Trinity Sunday, it was imperative to visit the temple, attend the solemn service, and then the festivities loved by the people in the forest began. Girls wove wreaths and danced round dances, older people treated themselves to scrambled eggs and pies with onions. And in the evening they set up a big bonfire, where they burned the greenery used to decorate the interior, so that all troubles and ailments would disappear with it. And, of course, no one worked that day.

When asked whether it is possible to work on Trinity at least after lunch, church canons give a clear answer - “no”. But it is stipulated that this is permissible in special occasions. For example, you can’t do cleaning, but if on that day dirt accidentally appeared in the house - millet crumbled, milk spilled, then you can take care of its elimination and this will not be a sin. However, it is better to simply forget about all the things that can be postponed until tomorrow, even in the afternoon.

Is it permissible to work in the garden on Trinity?

Many people are also extremely interested in whether they work on the Trinity in the garden, in the garden, in the courtyard. classifies these types of work as exceptions and allows them to be performed in holidays. After all, the peasants were very dependent on the land, if the work schedule was violated and necessary measures, then the family risked losing the harvest, which threatened famine in winter time. But modern people they are not so dependent on household plots, therefore it is undesirable for them to work in the garden for Trinity. But again, there are exceptions. Unreasonable plants do not care if it is Sunday in the yard, a holiday or an ordinary day, they are still waiting for care, watering. If necessary, it is quite possible to go out into the garden with a watering can. But here digging new beds, planting plants, weeding, fertilizing, processing chemicals on the Trinity is not worth it. Things like that could well wait until Monday or even next weekend.

Can I work on the Saturday before Trinity?

The Sabbath before Trinity is also a big holiday, but not with such strict prohibitions. Parental Saturday is quite acceptable to devote to cleaning the house, but after dinner. And in the morning you should converge on the cemetery and put things in order on the graves of relatives. It was also desirable to visit the temple and pray for all the departed.

Long before the advent of Christianity Slavic peoples celebrated Green Week. It marked the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Some have survived to this day pagan rites and divination, which are held on the feast of the Trinity. 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.

Trinity does not 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 otherwise called 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 Reverend Sergius Radonezh.

Old Testament holiday

Pentecost is Jewish holiday, which is celebrated on the 50th day after According to legend, on this day the people of Israel found the Sinai law. Traditionally, in honor of the celebration, entertainment for the people, mass celebrations, and sacrifices are organized.

He 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. In Israel, on the same day, the feast of the first harvest and fruits is celebrated.

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 trinity is the basis of Christianity, on which the Christian faith stands firmly.

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 on different dialects that allowed them to carry the word of God to all ends of the world. The apostles visited the Middle East, India, Asia Minor. We visited the Crimea and Kyiv. All the disciples, except for John, were martyred - they were executed by opponents of Christianity.

The only God is 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 acquaintances 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 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 arranged merry festivities, danced round dances. Houses were decorated with the first greens, from which they were then cooked medicinal tinctures and decoctions.

So from the pagan celebration arose a church holiday - the Trinity. Customs, signs of those ancient 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, wealth.

The hostesses cooked festive table- cooked pies and gingerbread, cooked jelly. There is no fasting on this day, so any food is allowed for the Orthodox. In churches on the Trinity is performed Divine Liturgy, and immediately after it - 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 Pokrov, 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 on Trinity

According to popular legend, mermaids wake up on Pentecost. In this regard, the villagers have several customs.

• In the villages they made a stuffed mermaid, danced round dances around him during the festivities. Then it was torn into small pieces and scattered across the field.
• Before going to bed, women ran through the village with a broom to protect themselves from mermaids.
• One girl was dressed as a mermaid, taken out into the field and thrown into a rye. Then everyone fled to their homes.

What other folk practices is the Trinity famous for? Traditions, customs, rituals were to drive away evil spirit from the gate 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.

Much attention was paid to the decoration of the house. Only branches of maple, birch, mountain ash, oak could protect people, give them strength and health.

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 festivities 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 forests and fields. People danced, played, sang songs. The girls wove wreaths and lowered them down the river. Such fortune-telling helped to find out what fate awaits in the coming year.

People commemorated deceased relatives. At the cemetery, crosses and monuments were swept 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, rain and hail.

The third day

Bogodukhov day is celebrated most of all by girls. They arrange festivities, games, fortune-telling. By folk tradition, fun is being held - “Drive the Poplar”. most beautiful girl dressed up, decorated with greenery and wreaths - she played the role of Poplar. Then the youth took Topolya home, and each owner gave her presents. tasty treat or a gift.

Holiday symbol

Until now, there is a rite of curling birch. During the process, the girls thought good health to his mother and other relatives. Or, during the curling of the birches, they thought about the young man they fell in love with - thus tying his thoughts and thoughts to themselves.

During the festivities, a small birch 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 held. The branches were "buried" in the field, and the birch itself was drowned in a pond. So people asked to be sent down bountiful harvest and protection from 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 to do on Pentecost

On this holiday, it was strictly forbidden to work in the garden or around the house. Therefore, zealous housewives spent general cleaning to Trinity. And on the holiday itself, they only decorated the house and prepared a plentiful treat.

What other restrictions exist? What can not be done on Trinity? Everything repair work around the house is best left for another day. Can't sew. Do not wash, cut or dye your 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 the Trinity was declared a sorcerer.

Do not be offended, swear on this day - the Trinity is a bright holiday. Signs and customs (what can not be done 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 on this day.

parent saturday

The day before the Trinity began People went to the cemetery, commemorated the deceased relatives.

Since ancient times, a memorial dinner was being prepared on parental Saturday - they set for the deceased cutlery. The deceased was invited to a meal.

On this day, the bath was heated. And after the whole family had washed, they left water and a broom for the deceased.

On Trinity parental Saturday, suicides are commemorated, they ask for repose for their souls. It is read on the Trinity. 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.

1. Rain on Pentecost - to an abundance of mushrooms and close warmth.
2. If the birch is fresh on the third day after the holiday - to a wet hayfield.
3. They marry the Trinity, they marry Pokrov - to love and harmony in the family.
4. To attract wealth to the house, you need to cover a few
5. 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 you should definitely carry wormwood with you - this grass 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, health 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 it comes to the shore, it’s not destiny to get married this year ...