Trinity traditions and signs. Folk signs, traditions and customs for the trinity and spirits day

The Day of the Holy Trinity is one of the twelve feasts: these are the twelve most important days after Easter in the Orthodox Christian calendar.

The Holy Trinity has been celebrated since ancient times on the 50th day after Easter, and for this reason the holiday is often called Pentecost. Since the date of Easter changes every year, Holy Trinity Day is always celebrated on a different day. So, in 2018, Trinity is celebrated on Sunday, May 27.

The Trinity has always occupied a separate place among our ancestors among other Orthodox holidays, and they were prepared with special attention. After all, the Trinity symbolized for them not only the great miracle of the descent of the Holy Spirit to earth, but also marked the border between spring and summer, thereby becoming a day of joy, beauty and rebirth. The rules and customs of the celebration of the Trinity have been formed for almost seven centuries - since the Day of the Holy Trinity became an Orthodox holiday in the XIII century - and have come down to our times in their original form.

© Sputnik / Vladimir Vdovin

Icon "Trinity"

Do's and Don'ts for Trinity

However, where there are customs and norms, there must always be prohibitions - otherwise, traditions will not have power over a person. Likewise, a long list of signs and superstitions was associated with the feast of the Trinity in Rus', which will be discussed further.

So, on the Trinity, as well as on other twelfth holidays, it was forbidden to perform complex work. People believed that on the Day of the Holy Trinity the earth meets its birthday, and on the birthday, as you know, work can wait. Therefore, our ancestors did not chop wood on Trinity, did not work in the garden and, in general, tried not to bother themselves.

Otherwise, those who violated these ancient rules risked a lot: the plowman's cattle could die, and the whole village could be destroyed by hail and rain crops. Similarly, the wool shearer could be robbed of sheep by wolves and other predators, and so on.

And yet, times are changing, and often our work does not depend on our desire, but is simply necessary. For example, a person can work in production, and the order must be submitted on time. In such cases, the prohibitions do not apply.

The essence of this tradition is not that work on the Day of the Holy Trinity is unacceptable in itself, but that on the Trinity a person should think about the spiritual and not allow himself to be distracted by secondary things. And if desired, everyone can find a free minute to break away from worldly life, pray for themselves and ask God for forgiveness.

© Sputnik / Alexey Sazonov

Is it possible to go to the cemetery on Trinity

It is not customary to go to the cemetery on the Holy Trinity: you can commemorate the dead before the holiday, on Trinity parental Saturday. The reason is that the feast of the Holy Trinity personifies life, beauty and love, and there is no place for sadness in it. Be sure to visit the church on this day, because the Trinity service is considered the strongest spiritually and the most beautiful.

Is it possible to swim on Trinity

In Rus', there was a ban on bathing in the Holy Trinity: people believed that everyone who went to swim in a river or lake could drown. What is important, the ban on swimming applies to the entire Trinity week. You can wash in the bath, but only on the fourth day after the Trinity.

Is it possible to get married on the Trinity

Definitely not. The people are convinced that marriages made on the Holy Trinity will never be happy. But marriage to the Trinity is not only possible, but even necessary - then family life will be full of love, mutual understanding, and there will be many children in the family.

© Sputnik / Ulyana Solovieva

While observing all these rules, do not forget about the spiritual life. Quarrels, screams and tears on the Trinity are unacceptable and, in general, avoiding negative emotions is also important the rest of the time. You can’t gossip, envy and use obscene language on the Trinity. Try to keep yourself within the limits of what is permitted, and the Holy Trinity will surely reward you.

Folk omens for the Trinity

  • If you wash yourself with dew on the Trinity, you can prolong health and preserve beauty.
  • Herbs collected on Trinity have healing power. They can be boiled and treated with them for the rest of the year.
  • A birch branch cut for the Trinity must be placed on the windowsill as a talisman against evil spirits.
  • An unmarried girl needs to be friendly with everyone in order to get married soon.
  • You can not swim on this day, otherwise the mermaids can drown.
  • If the day turned out to be rainy, there will be a lot of harvest and mushrooms.
  • Sunny weather on Trinity - summer will be hot and dry.
  • Rainbow on the Trinity - there will be happiness in the house.

Divination for the Trinity

It so happened that in Rus', parallel to Orthodoxy, there were their own ancient folk rites. However, before starting the rituals, remember that the Orthodox Church equates any fortune-telling with witchcraft, which is considered a great sin.

The Liturgy for Pentecost is extraordinarily picturesque: the floors in the temple are lined with field grasses, birch branches, and flowers stand in vases. The fragrance of freshly cut greenery, the green vestments of the clergy...

Day of the Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Day - 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 set off to preach the Risen Christ to all peoples in all lands.

No wonder this day is called birthday of the Church.

Trinity Day always falls on a Sunday.

The best way to spend this holiday is in the temple, among brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Liturgy for Pentecost is extraordinarily picturesque: the floors in the temple are lined with field grasses, birch branches, and flowers stand 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.

Do's and Don'ts for 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 teachings 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 are a lot of folk customs associated with the holiday: - you can’t do this, you can’t do that ... But most of them have purely pagan, folk roots. And often such customs contradict the very essence of the 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.

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.

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 of the working week. It is clear that on Monday it is difficult for a modern person 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 definitely 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 don't kneel from Easter to Pentecost because it's a time of joy.

We very often kneel in prayer during Lent, as this 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 to forgive our sins. But Easter is a special time, this is the time of the triumph of Jesus Christ over death.

These days we're living in a special, special way, we're living in Paschal grace. And this grace does not allow us to 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: for commemoration and visiting the cemetery, the day on the eve of the Trinity is intended - 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?

The Saturday before the Trinity is also called the Trinity Parental Saturday; on this day, a special commemoration of all the departed is performed in churches. 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.

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 fasting days of the week: 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 have nothing to do with Orthodox dogma and are pure 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, and 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 miraculous phenomenon, which occurred 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 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 the Trinity, Christians remember one of the most important events in church history - the descent of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, whose coming to earth was promised by Christ, 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.

As for the registration of marriage, then in this sense, most likely, it will not work to marry the Trinity. Trinity is always celebrated on Sunday, and registry offices usually do not work on Sunday.

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) to 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 with the state authorities.

And to win back the wedding, that is, to celebrate the birth of a new family, the newlyweds can on any convenient day, but for a feast and fun, you should choose a day when there is no fast.

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 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 church holiday is always celebrated on Sunday, and in registry offices Sunday is usually a day off.

The Church has determined the days when no wedding is performed, but the choice of the day of the week for registering a marriage is not regulated in any way.

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 Egyptian land, 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 with blossoming trees.

Probably from here in the 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 oneself again on Mount Sinai with Moses.

Trinity Parental Saturday and Trinity Day

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

In the Belgorod region, a special dress was supposed to be worn for each day of the Trinity cycle: red shirts were worn on Trinity Parental Saturday, on Sunday - white ones from grandmother's chests, on Monday, Spirits Day - sewn from factory fabric. published .

Elizabeth Kiktenko

If you have any questions, ask them

P.S. And remember, just by changing your consciousness - together we change the world! © econet

In 2019, the feast of the Trinity falls on Sunday 16 June. This is one of the most important Christian celebrations, which is always celebrated on the 50th day after Easter (at the same time, the countdown starts from Easter Sunday - this is the first day).

The history of this holiday has more than one century, therefore, in connection with it, many traditions have developed - both church and folk. That is why it is useful to understand what is done on the Trinity according to Orthodox and everyday ideas, and in order to understand how to properly celebrate this holiday.

Of course, each holiday involves the celebration of a special solemn service. Interestingly, the Trinity can be recognized as the most beautiful celebration - on this day, the priests put on special green clothes, which symbolize the reborn nature and the descent of the Holy Spirit to earth. And in general, in the temple you can see an unusually large number of decorations from fresh and artificial greenery.

Thus, the first thing to do on Trinity is to get to the temple for worship. By the way, it is on this day that you can take part in kneeling prayer.

This ceremony is a manifestation of special respect and reverence for God. On bended knee, believers ask the Lord for his grace and mercy, which he bestowed on all who wish with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The origin of this tradition dates back to ancient times. There is evidence that the first kneeling prayers were performed already in the 3rd-4th centuries. Moreover, the decoration of the church with branches and fresh greenery also refers to this time.

WHEN NOT TO KNEEL

Prayers in a bowed state are not performed from Easter until the day of the Holy Trinity. The fact is that these are the most joyful and bright days of the year, when all believers come into contact with the most ancient traditions associated with the celebration of the Bright Resurrection.

There can be no place for sadness, resentment and a feeling of regret at such a time. However, of course, each of us can ultimately act according to our own conscience - kneeling down in prayer is by no means a sin.

What do they do at Trinity at home

After attending a solemn service in honor of the feast of the Holy Trinity, you should figure out what to do at home. Usually in the church people or any other fresh greenery, just as on the eve of Palm Sunday, willow branches are consecrated. This rite refers more to the folk than to the church, however, it is not forbidden to bring twigs or even a bouquet of modest wild flowers to the temple.

After consecration, you can weave a wreath out of them or do it in advance. A flower arrangement and consecrated branches should certainly be brought home. They can be placed next to the icon, which usually stands in a kind of bright corner of the house. Popular beliefs say that such a wreath should be kept throughout the year - it brings happiness, health and prosperity.


In fact, such a tradition is not spelled out in church canons - therefore, it can be conditionally considered pagan, although there is no sin in consecrating greenery. If a person has doubts about how exactly to spend the day of the Trinity, and what needs to be done at home, it is better to consult a priest on the eve of this holiday.

Holy Trinity Day: what is customary to do

The Feast of the Trinity always falls on a Sunday, as does Easter. It is celebrated exactly 7 weeks after Holy Sunday, so the celebration usually falls in May or June. Then the first foliage is already decorating the trees, and everything indicates the final onset of the warm season.

In this regard, Trinity is also often called Green Sunday - on this day it is customary to decorate houses and churches with birch branches, freshly cut grass and other greenery. However, the essence of the Holy Trinity reflects the name of the next day - Monday. It is called an interesting phrase - Spirits day, or the day of the Holy Spirit.

In general, in the minds of the people, the Trinity and Spirits day is actually one and the same holiday. And this statement is very close to the truth - after all, the Trinity is celebrated for three whole days: on Sunday itself, Monday and Tuesday. And the essence of Holy Pentecost is connected precisely with the Holy Spirit.

Interestingly, the image of the Holy Spirit has since been associated with a burning tongue of flame, which symbolizes the spiritual power of man and his ability to work miracles and prophesy.


What is done on Trinity: folk customs

Folk customs and church rules do not always coincide on the question of what to do on the Trinity. However, one thing is clear: each person can meet this spring or summer day with all his heart in order to tune in to the warm summer wave - literally and figuratively.


Here are some interesting folk traditions that have survived until our time:

  1. The week after Pentecost is called Green. And on such days, the girls always went to the temple, consecrated a wreath of wild flowers or ordinary greenery, birch branches. And on the second or third day they let the wreaths float on the water with lit church candles. It will be a good omen if the wreath floats far away - it means that it will not take long to wait for the betrothed. Will be washed ashore - you still have to wait. If it drowns - a warning: perhaps you should reconsider something in your life.
  2. Another interesting tradition associated with the fact that it is customary to decorate a dwelling with fragrant wildflowers and freshly cut greens on Trinity. The smell of summer attracts good luck and fills the house with a very unusual atmosphere. And girls can also make their most cherished wish - only to do it better alone and after visiting church.
  3. In the evening, it is traditional to arrange a rich, beautiful feast with summer dishes (salads, okroshka), fresh herbs and pies. But you should not get involved in alcohol - it overshadows the holy mood. And besides, it would be nice to leave strength for a walk in a girl's company. Interestingly, for many centuries in the villages, cheerful companies arranged round dances, danced and sang songs.
  4. And also, what they do on the Holy Trinity - they burn bonfires near water bodies. Actually, round dances are danced around them - in this sense, the celebration is somewhat reminiscent of the holiday of Ivan Kupala. Girls hide in birch groves near rivers and lakes and present themselves as attractive mermaids who are waiting for their betrothed.

Of course, in any rite, the essence is primary, and specific forms and material symbols are secondary. Each of us, in fact, can understand for himself what he needs to do on the Trinity.

One thing is obvious: a person should certainly tune in to good changes and literally connect to a new emotional wave. And how to make a wish - here you can trust the fantasy and the language of signs, which our fate often speaks.


What they do on Trinity: the opinion of the church

Of course, the people have their own ideas about what to do on the Trinity. At the same time, it is useful to get another point of view. The clergy not only talk about what is customary to do on the Trinity, but also why certain traditions exist.

First of all, it is interesting to understand why it is customary to bless birch branches and fresh greens in general on this day. It is clear that Pentecost coincides with that blessed time when the warm spring gradually gives way to the hot summer.

However, another point of view is expressed, which, however, does not contradict the main one, but complements it. The fact is that we can meet the first mention of the image of the Trinity in the Bible long before the appearance of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Once, three angels appeared to Abraham, the progenitor of the Jewish people, personifying the triune God. They promised him that exactly in a year the long-awaited heir would be born in the family. I must say that Abraham at that time was not much, not a little - 99 years old.


Be that as it may, but a miracle happened - after 12 months, the family really got a child. And since the meeting with the angels took place in an oak forest, in memory of those events, about the miracle created by God, it is really customary to consecrate birch branches and other greenery in the Temple.

How to behave on Trinity according to church customs

Another interesting question: “What do they do on Trinity according to church customs?” Preparation begins even when a special commemoration of the dead is carried out. This is one of the most revered parental Saturdays along with Radonitsa (parental day, which comes 9 days after Easter).

But on the Trinity itself, you should not indulge in sad thoughts - this is really a bright and joyful event that can be celebrated no less solemnly than Bright Sunday. This day reminds us of the descent of the Holy Spirit and the coming of the time of grace - the time when every person can be saved thanks to the sacrifice of Christ.

Therefore, believers strive to get to the temple for a festive service. Celebrations in the church go on for three days in a row (below is the commentary of Priest Roman Nikhaev, rector of the Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos):

One should not sin, indulge in unbridled fun, and even more so foul language, scandals and other optional phenomena.

As for ordinary household chores, it is not forbidden to engage in them. However, the only condition is that household fuss should not distract from attending church and serving God. It is clear that on the day of the Trinity it is worth paying special attention to the heavenly, and not to the earthly.

Thus, the Trinity is the Day of the Holy Spirit, as well as Pentecost. All these names denote the same day, which was preceded by a great miracle that happened on the 50th day after the resurrection of Christ. Fortunately, this event always coincides with the onset of the warm season - grass and the first greenery always appear on Trinity.

This largely determines our bright mood: the rebirth of nature, the final victory over death and the mercy of God, who sent the Comforter. In a word, the real summer of the Lord is coming, as they said in former times.


Orthodox Christians are preparing to celebrate one of the most important holidays - Holy Trinity Day (Trinity, Pentecost), and after him - Whit Monday.

When is Trinity celebrated in 2018

In 2018 Day of the Holy Trinity noted Sunday, May 27. Trinity is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter, hence the second name - Pentecost. In Orthodoxy, the Trinity is one of the twelfth (twelve most important besides Easter) holidays.

Trinity precedes Trinity parent Saturday- the day when it is customary for the Orthodox to go to the cemetery to commemorate the deceased loved ones, and in the temples they commemorate all the dead Christians. In 2018, Trinity Saturday falls on May 26.

History of the Trinity holiday

This Christian holiday, as the name implies, glorifies the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The name Pentecost goes back to the gospel parable about the descent of the holy spirit on the apostles on the fiftieth day from the Resurrection of Christ. The holiday has biblical roots - on the 50th day after the Jewish Passover (Pesach), God through Moses (Moshe) gave the Jews on Mount Sinai the Ten Commandments. Thus, the Christian Trinity embodies the connection between the Old and New Testaments.

Trinity: folk traditions and signs

In the Slavic tradition, the Trinity is a holiday associated with the final farewell to spring and the beginning of summer, which means - with greenery, herbs, trees, primarily with the main Russian tree - birch. It is with young birch trees and birch branches that it is customary to decorate dwellings, temples and graves of loved ones on Trinity.

The days before and after the end of the Trinity in Rus' were called the "green" or "mermaid" week.

On Trinity it was accepted go to cemeteries and leave food and even clothing for the dead. It was believed that this rite drives away death.

It was considered a good omen for the Trinity decorate your home with birch branches- they were put in vases, placed behind icons, even scattered on the floor. It was believed that birch "lures" good luck and a good harvest.

Also on the Trinity it was accepted woo. The people said:

It was believed that courtship for the Trinity is the key to a long and happy life for the future family.

Also on the Trinity it was customary to arrange folk festivities with treats, it was considered a great way to appease the land for the future harvest.

Rain was considered a good omen for the Trinity: it promised a lot of mushrooms and berries, the absence of drought and frost, which means a rich harvest.

Divination for the Trinity

It was pleasant to guess at the Trinity, girls were mainly engaged in this - they thought about the future fate and marriage.

Guessing, the girls on the eve of the Trinity "curled" in the forest or in a birch grove - weaved braids from birch branches. The “perm” preserved until the Trinity was considered a sign of imminent marriage.

The girls also guessed at wreaths - they wove them from field herbs and flowers and let them float on the water. Best of all, if the wreath itself fell into the water from a bowed girl's head. Where he swam - from there the matchmakers will come. There was a wreath by the shore - to sit in the girls for a year, well, and if you drowned - expect trouble.

Trinity 2018: what not to do

On Trinity, the land was considered a birthday girl, so any work in the field, garden and house was prohibited, with the exception of cooking and caring for cattle.

Women were also forbidden to do all women's needlework, especially with the use of sharp metal devices: it was impossible to sew, knit, spin, cut fabric, etc.

Men were also forbidden to work with iron implements: it was forbidden to dig the ground, harrow, mow, chop wood, etc.

It was also forbidden to disturb the earth by planting plants in it or, conversely, by digging them up.

In addition, the prohibitions concerned water - at that time there was a “mermaid” week, and the villagers were afraid of the pranks of the water evil spirits that were walking on the ground at that time.

So, it was forbidden to wash, rinse clothes in ponds, swim and even wash. Especially strict prohibitions were regarding bathing - it was believed that a mermaid awakened by mermaids could drag a disobedient to the bottom.

Spirits day 2018

Monday immediately after Trinity is called Whit Monday. In 2018 Spirit Day falls on May 28. On Spirits Day, the earth is also considered a birthday girl; it is impossible to work on it, like on the Trinity. There are also bans on bathing, washing and washing.

On Spirits Day, it was customary to “feed” the earth - to arrange something like modern picnics, spreading tablecloths on the ground. At the same time, women, in order to “feed” the earth, put part of the treat directly on the ground. It was believed that this makes the land fertile.

In addition, on Spirits Day, people "listened to the earth." To do this, it was necessary to put your ear to the ground in the predawn hour somewhere in an open field. It was believed that for those who know how to listen, the earth can tell its secrets and even reveal where it hides treasures.

Quite a lot of interesting folk signs, traditions and customs are associated with the Trinity holiday. For example, if it rained that day, it was considered a very good sign that the year would be fruitful and satisfying.

And there were a lot of folk beliefs associated with fortune-telling and rituals for health, wealth and marriage. Some of them have even survived to this day. About this in detail and in detail - in our article.

Of course, health is the foundation of the foundations, and our ancestors paid a lot of attention to this issue. On almost every church holiday, their own rituals were performed in order to recharge their health for the whole year.

For example, on Epiphany they bathed in an ice-hole, and in lightly hit each other with willow branches. As for the Trinity, there were such interesting traditions on this day:

  • Be sure to walk in the rain (if it falls). Firstly, the rain on Trinity is in itself a good sign. And most importantly - it will add strength so that you can fulfill all your dreams.
  • It was also considered healthy to walk in the morning dew. If it fell especially much, it was believed that the whole year would be prosperous.
  • Also, folk signs on the Trinity claim that on this day it is imperative to collect healing herbs and flowers. Plants at such hours have a special miraculous power, so if you dry them for future use, and then use them to make medicinal tea, they will help maintain health and cure diseases.


It is interesting that the Trinity is generally closely connected with greenery, because it is not for nothing that it is sometimes called Green Sunday. The fact is that the meaning of the holiday is associated with a miraculous event - the descent of the Holy Spirit on earth, which took place on the 50th day after Easter (which is why this date is often also called Pentecost).

This event marked the onset of a blessed time, which continues to this day. Now every person can sincerely repent before God and receive the forgiveness of all their sins.

The Holy Spirit is a life-giving force, the third person of God. And it is no coincidence that the celebration of Trinity Day falls just at the end of spring - the beginning of summer.

At this time, even in the northern latitudes of our country, young foliage blooms on trees, fresh grass begins to grow in the fields, and in the south the first crop of some crops (for example, the same radish) is harvested. So it turns out that from time immemorial, greenery and everything connected with it has become a symbol, if you like, the color theme of the day.

Therefore, what is always done on the Trinity is to pluck young birch branches and consecrate them in the church. The sign says that then, according to tradition, they must certainly be brought home and placed next to the icon. It is better to save birch branches for a whole year - then they will protect the house from troubles, and also help to maintain good health for all family members.


It was also believed that birch branches could predict what the hayfield would be like. They were stuck in the ground and observed for three days. If the branches have dried up during this time, then the hay will be able to stock up enough. If they remained green, there will probably be heavy rains, there will be difficulties with hay harvesting.

And one more interesting sign of health, a real folk custom associated with the Trinity. This is the distribution of alms to be done on Spirit Day, Monday. First you need to go to the church, pray or listen to the service, if time permits.

And then just distribute all the little things that remained in your pockets and in your wallet. This will protect you from many troubles, and most importantly - will help maintain health. Of course, the rite is voluntary, and it must be done disinterestedly, otherwise there will be no result.

Be loved

And there are also several customs and signs on the Trinity associated with divination for the betrothed. First of all, it must be said that another event historically coincided with the descent of the Holy Spirit, which has remained in the people's memory since pagan times.

At the same time, Rusal Week begins. Our ancestors believed that mermaids and goblin come out of rivers and lakes to lure unlucky travelers there, mostly, of course, young people.

But after all, a mermaid can also give something good - for example, answer girlish questions about her betrothed. Therefore, one of the common beliefs about the Trinity is associated with fortune-telling. On this day, the girls wove wreaths of wild flowers and let them float on the water: let the mermaid accept the gift and at least hint at the future.

  • Drowned wreath - wait for the test.
  • He swam - soon you will meet a loved one with whom a wonderful marriage will develop.
  • There was a wreath by the shore - it's too early to dream, try next year or at least at Christmas.
  • And if the wreath swam against the current, there will soon be such drastic changes that life will be divided exactly into two halves: “before” and “after”. Of course, these will be successful, favorable events.

By the way, wreaths can be launched not silently, but by saying the following words:

Girls walk across the field, carry bouquets, weave wreaths and wander into the water. Narrowed, mummers, you say a wreath, bring it to me. Forever and ever. Amen.

Immediately after throwing the wreath, you need to quickly go home, do not look back along the way and do not talk to anyone, including on the phone.


In general, this rite is quite interesting and certainly made a certain impression. After all, being alone with yourself, and even being silent for at least a couple of hours, is a useful procedure that may help you look at your life a little differently.

And there is such an interesting sign of the Holy Trinity for love. The girl must definitely stay at home alone (it doesn’t matter - in the morning, afternoon or evening), open the window, come closer to the window and whisper:

Slave (name), go to the porch, to my palace, to my hallway, to my threshold, according to my footsteps. I will never give you away to somebody. Word, castle, language. Amen.

Of course, this applies to those women who have already chosen a man of the heart, or at least imagine exactly who they would like to see next to them. This conspiracy is read 9 times in a row, after which, again, you need to be silent for a while and give full play to your imagination. Sincere dreams and spiritual impulses have a wonderful property to come true.

Also on the Trinity, the girls paid attention to the signs of fate. For example, one of the superstitions about the Trinity is associated with a sign when a stranger comes to the house - a traveler or a casual passerby. He must be met at the highest level, because this promises happiness to the owner of the house. A girl, for example, can meet her betrothed.

But the most interesting thing is if it is on Trinity that a marriage proposal is made to the girl (previously matchmakers came home, but now, as we know, everything has become much easier). You can agree without hesitation - and even better guess so as to marry Pokrov (October 1, old style and October 14, new). Then the relationship will be extremely successful, and the marriage will be happy.

CONSPIRACY FOR A WREATH

A little more about wreaths. They can not only be launched on water. Greenery, birch branches, grass and wildflowers are enduring symbols of the Trinity holiday.


Interestingly, even among the priests it is customary to dress in elegant green robes on this day, so the service looks especially beautiful. And girls can weave another wreath from any natural material and consecrate it in the church.

Then bring it home, hang it on an icon or put it on the best, most visible place in the house, then stay alone and say these words:

Without praying I go to bed and without crossing myself, Lord, forgive Christ. I put a wreath of holy herbs under my head.

As these herbs twisted and intertwined into a wreath, so let the servant of God (name) around me, the servants (name), twist and twist, as the wreath will wither and dry, so let it dry and grieve for me, God's servant (name), with food does not seize, does not drink with drink, does not go on a spree; at a feast, he or at a conversation, in a field or in a house - I would not go out of his mind-reason.

Be my words strong and sculpting, stronger than stone and damask steel, a sharp knife and a greyhound spear. And the key to my words and affirmation, and the fortress is strong, and the strength is strong in the heavenly heights, and the castle is in the depths of the sea.

Now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.

After that, you need to put a wreath under the pillow and sleep like that all night. Perhaps this is not very convenient, but the dream will certainly come true. Then, in no case should the charmed wreath be thrown away - it is dried and stored anywhere for exactly a year.

Be rich

In general, quite a lot of folk signs, customs and traditions for the Trinity are associated with a wreath of greenery and wild flowers, so it can be considered not only a symbol of the holiday, but also a kind of inanimate hero of this day.

If you want to enlist the protection of the heavenly powers and live a prosperous year, the consecrated wreath must be brought home along with holy water. Every corner is sprayed with it (clockwise), and one or more coins are placed in each corner. At the same time, the following words are pronounced:

After the wreath dries, it must be hidden in a place inaccessible to others and stored throughout the year.

And among the signs on the Trinity associated with wealth, there are simple signs:

  • For example, seeing a rainbow in the sky or getting caught in heavy rain. This promises favorable events, health and prosperity for the whole year.
  • Well, if some kind of traveler, even an unfamiliar guest, comes to the house, it is supposed to meet him very warmly, then the good done will certainly return.


THIS IS INTERESTING

Trinity is celebrated not for one, but for three whole days: on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Moreover, Monday was called Spirit Day - it is also called the day of the Holy Spirit.

In folk beliefs, a sign has spread that it is on this day that the name day of the earth is celebrated. Therefore, many people went at this time in search of ... treasure. It was believed that the earth would certainly reveal its precious secret to a good person.

Nowadays, you can just try your luck - for example, buy a lottery ticket. Who knows who will be lucky today?

Great Trinity Saturday: remember the dead

Oddly enough, but the Trinity holiday is associated with many customs and signs in remembrance of the dead. It would seem, where is the connection between the descent of the Holy Spirit and the remembrance of the departed? The answer to this question can be found if you open for yourself the veil of those distant times, when not only Christian, but also pagan traditions harmoniously coexisted among the people.

As already mentioned, the celebration of this celebration coincides with the onset of the Mermaid Week. Our ancestors believed that these days are significant not only for the exit of mermaids from natural reservoirs, but also for the departure of the souls of dead ancestors. The fact is that earlier the beginning of the new year was celebrated not on January 1, but with the onset of the agricultural cycle.


Therefore, the time of the Trinity is the time of renewal, when the new year finally comes into its own. And the souls of all those who died during the previous 12 months finally go to their heavenly abode, i.e. leave our sinful earth. That is why on the day of the Holy Trinity there was and there is a sign according to which it is necessary to go to the cemetery and restore complete order there.

True, the attitude of the Orthodox Church towards such a tradition is not very favorable. It is believed that it is better to go to the grave on another day.

If you think a little more deeply, you can agree with this opinion. The fact is that the Trinity is a celebration of the life-giving power of the Lord, who, by His mercy, not only sacrificed the only Son, Jesus Christ, but also sent the Holy Spirit to help every person.

It is clear that this celebration is bright, and in the palette of emotions on such a day there simply should not be dark colors, bad thoughts and painful thoughts. In addition, on the eve of the holiday, a special one is provided - that's when you can go to the cemetery to commemorate the deceased relatives.

And on Trinity itself, it’s better to go to church, imbued with bright feelings, and then spend the day with your loved ones, go to visit and do some kind, pleasant deeds.

What not to do on the Trinity: signs, traditions and customs

The question of how to celebrate the Trinity, what signs must be observed, is closely related to what cannot be done on this day at all according to folk traditions and ideas. Looking ahead, we can say that in the church there are no restrictions at all.

The main thing is to get to the temple, pay attention to prayer, good deeds, and spend the rest of the day as your heart tells you. The main thing is peace in the soul and peace in the heart.

The right emotional attitude, faith in good changes - this is what helps us in a difficult life. And of course, sincere prayer creates a kind of energy impulse that can embody any good desire.

Thus, the history of the feast of the Holy Trinity really connects quite a few interesting folk signs. To believe in holiday traditions and customs for the Trinity or not is a personal matter for everyone.

But one thing is clear: it is useful for each of us to dream. And if for mental recharging you need to perform some simple rite or ritual, why not do it? The main thing is that the desire should be pure and disinterested. Dream boldly - and you will be credited!


Top