Holy Trinity Day – one of the most revered Orthodox holidays. Beginning of summer – and as if nature itself calls to enjoy life, to love everything that lives. People go to church – who pray, who simply pay tribute to the Orthodox tradition, decorate their houses with fragrant plants, rest from the labors of the righteous – after all, you can’t work on the Orthodox Trinity. Here, perhaps, is all our knowledge about the great Christian holiday. But what is the essence of the Trinity, when and how was the holiday born, are we doing everything right these days? Еstet-portal.com will tell you everything in detail.
What is the essence of the Trinity
The essence of the Orthodox feast of the Trinity is the glorification of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. In another way, this day is also called Pentecost. This name is due to the fact that the descent happened on the fiftieth day after Easter – Jewish day of Pentecost. The Orthodox are accustomed to call this holiday the Trinity. Where does this name come from? The fact is that on the day of Pentecost the Lord appeared before people in His Third Person – The Holy Spirit. Recall: Lord – triune, the essence of His – three persons: God the Father, God the Son, the Holy Spirit. It was after the descent of the Holy Spirit that the apostles learned about the trinity of the Lord God.
Thus, every year the Orthodox Trinity is celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. Note that in 2017 Trinity is celebrated on June 4.
The Essence of the Trinity – in cleansing the soul with prayer, gratitude to the Lord for the revival of life, the holy sacrament of baptism, for the fact that the Lord gives us strength, faith. Orthodox Christians express gratitude through prayers, opening their hearts of love for everything that exists on earth. After all, prayer purifies the soul, and this is the deep essence of the feast of the Trinity.
Rites and traditions of the Trinity: how to decorate the house
The most important ceremony – decoration of the house with bouquets of wild flowers, green branches, lit before in the church. It symbolizes the soul awakened after a winter sleep, which was touched by the grace of God. "Green Christmas" - this is the name received by the people of the festive Trinity week. This is what greenery decorates the house on the Trinity:
- branches of birch (protect the house from evil), oak (the symbol of the masculine principle gives strength, strength to the household), mountain ash (a wonderful amulet), alder, maple, ash, poplar. But it is strictly forbidden to break the willow – it was already Palm Week for her;
- fragrant herbs: wormwood, thyme, lovage, fern, but most importantly – calamus, which cover the floor. It is believed that it is on these days that calamus is endowed with magical properties to give health to households, cleanse the home, and drive away evil spirits. For icons it is customary to put mint, cornflowers.
The main greenery for the festive decoration of the house on the Trinity – calamus, which is used to cover the floor. It is believed that it is on these days that calamus is endowed with magical properties to give health to households, cleanse the home, drive away evil spirits.
Through a week after the Trinity holiday, branches can be burned, and drying flowers should be preserved – After all, these bouquets, according to legend, have power. Our ancestors, for example, put them in the attic – from the fire, to the beds – to save the harvest. The greens lit in the church were dried, crushed and, if necessary, they fumigated a sick person with it for a speedy recovery.
Another custom – to wear a funeral feast on the graves of relatives on parental Saturday.
Green Christmas time is also called Mermaid Week. It was believed that at this time the mermaids could tickle to death an onlooker who heard their songs. Therefore, it was impossible to swim in open water during the Rusal Week. Pagan rituals have also remained from ancient times: for example, divination on wreaths put into the water: swam – to an early marriage, drowned – be in trouble, washed ashore – sit in girls.
What not to do on the Orthodox Trinity
Any Orthodox holiday – is a time of communion with God, a time of prayers, good undertakings, thoughts. Therefore, engaging in physical labor is unacceptable. Exception – small, necessary household chores, for example, cooking, feeding livestock. But what absolutely cannot be done on the Trinity:
- work on the ground: dig, plant;
- needlework: sew, knit, embroider;
- wash, iron, clean, repair (but BEFORE the holiday, you must definitely clean the house!);
- work in the garden: chop, saw, whiten trees, mow grass;
- get a haircut.
Besides, you should not celebrate a wedding, get married. But you can get married. It is not good, of course, to swear, swear, be offended, wish others bad. Even bad thoughts need to be driven away.
What can you do on the feast of the Trinity
The best thing to do – go to church, pray, help those who need it, meet relatives, friends, treat them to something delicious, cooked by oneself. It is believed that the earth on the feast of the Trinity has miraculous powers, so it is recommended to walk barefoot. If you don't usually wear a pectoral cross, then at least try to wear it during Green Christmas.
Any Orthodox holiday – is a time of communion with God, a time of prayers, good undertakings, thoughts. Therefore, it is impossible to engage in physical labor on the feast of the Trinity. Exception – small, necessary household chores.
Whether to follow the traditions and the ban on physical labor on holidays – everyone's private matter. But is it possible to rest, think about God, clear thoughts from negativity – this is bad? And not only on the Orthodox holiday.
Add a comment