The Feast of the Holy Trinity is one of the most interesting and, perhaps, the most unusual church celebrations. It, like Easter, is also always celebrated on Sunday - namely, 50 days after this day (the Holy Trinity is also called Pentecost).
When is Trinity celebrated in the coming years? — June 20, 2022, June 12, 2022, June 4, 2023.
At the same time, for the most part, we know much more about Bright Resurrection or Christmas than about the day of the Most Holy Trinity. That’s why it will be interesting to figure out what kind of holiday this is, why it has several names, and what the sacred meaning of this date is. And most importantly, how to properly celebrate the Great Trinity?
Trinity Day in 2022, what date?
Trinity Day in 2022 is celebrated on June 20 according to the new style and, accordingly, June 7 according to the old style. It is celebrated in the eighth week after Easter. The day before, June 19, Trinity Parental (Ecumenical) Saturday is celebrated. As it is written in church books: “We commemorate all Orthodox Christians who have departed from time immemorial, our fathers and brothers.” The ecumenical memorial service is celebrated only twice a year. The first time was on Meat Saturday before Maslenitsa and the second time on the Saturday before the Holy Trinity. The Church commemorates all deceased Orthodox Christians, regardless of how they ended their earthly journey.
Icon of the Holy Trinity by Andrei Rublev, XV century
The essence of the Trinity, what kind of holiday is it
The doctrine of the Holy Trinity is one of the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith. God is one in essence, but exists as the first principle - God the Father, God the Son - in the image of Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit - the life-giving principle.
The descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (“apostle” - messenger) took place on Mount Zion in Jerusalem on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ. In Ancient Israel, it was originally an agricultural holiday of the Harvest, a day of joy and thanksgiving, when the “firstfruits” of the first harvest collected by the end of May were sacrificed to God.
According to the New Testament: “...suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as from a rushing strong wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And cloven tongues as of fire appeared to them, and one rested on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” The Jews who arrived in Jerusalem that day from different cities and countries, “everyone heard them (the apostles) speaking in his own language,” which caused considerable surprise among the Jews. This has never happened before: for every person, regardless of nationality, the sermon of the apostles sounded in his native language. Some residents of Jerusalem began to mock the apostles and “said: they got drunk with sweet wine.” However, the Apostle Peter admonished them, telling them that “they are not drunk as you think, for it is now the third hour of the day” and Jesus Christ, whom the Jews crucified, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and poured out the Holy Spirit on them. The Apostle Peter's preaching was so convincing that about 3,000 people were baptized on the day of Pentecost. Thus, on the day of the Holy Trinity, according to the general Christian tradition, the universal Apostolic Church was formed.
Fresco depicting the Holy Trinity in the Church of San Simpliciano, Milan, Italy
Holiday traditions
According to traditions, Trinity is celebrated for three days. The first of these is Klechal Sunday. In the old days, they believed that this day was dangerous for people who went into the forest, so they recommended not to leave the territory of the village.
It was said that on Klechalnaya Sunday mermaids, Mavkas and other forest evil spirits acquired special powers. One could see strange little lights on lakes or near swamps that day. It was rumored that these were lost - the souls of dead unbaptized children. They could not harm people, but they were very frightening.
Pyotr Sukhodolsky “Trinity Day”, 1884 Location: National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus, Belarus
To protect yourself from dark creatures and evil spirits, you should decorate your house with fragrant herbs. Particular attention was paid to windows and doors, near which small bunches of thyme and wormwood were hung.
A variety of herbs are considered a symbol of the Trinity. In addition, this is a truly “green” holiday. The green color was considered the personification of the Holy Spirit, and therefore reminded of the origins of the celebration. People have long associated this color with life, and therefore resists dark spirits who want to cause evil, bringing illness and death.
On Klechalnaya Sunday one should visit the graves of relatives in the cemetery. It was customary to restore order at burial sites and take time to “communicate” with the souls of the dead. The people believed that if this was not done, the deceased themselves might go to the homes of the living and take one of them with them.
Holy Trinity Day, history of the holiday
In the Orthodox tradition, the cult of the Trinity became extremely popular in the 14th-15th centuries and was associated with the activities of the most revered saint Sergius of Radonezh . Before this, it was not widespread in ancient Rus', although it was legalized by the church in the 4th century.
Sergius of Radonezh chose the Trinity as his life ministry, “so that by looking at the Most Holy Trinity the fear of the hated discord of this world could be overcome.” In 1335 (according to one version), the Monk Sergius consecrated the monastery, which he founded for schema monks, who usually lived in solitude. This is how the wooden Trinity Church appeared in the middle of the remote Radonezh forest. Later it became the basis of the future Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
At that time, the basis for the association of hermits was the theological formula “Unity in the image of the Holy Trinity,” which soon became very popular among the people, among the secular and spiritual authorities. As indivisible, the Trinity personified the need to unite the Russian lands; as unmerged, it demanded liberation from the foreign yoke, from everything spiritually alien. Beginning with the monastery of Sergius of Radonezh, the veneration of the Holy Trinity quickly spread throughout Rus'. From the middle of the 14th century. The holiday of Pentecost was more often called Trinity Day.
Trinity Symbolism
Symbols of the Trinity: the symbol of the Father is the hand, the lamb is the symbol of the Son and the dove is the symbol of the Holy Spirit. One of the oldest symbols of the Trinity is an equilateral triangle, showing that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are equal and constitute one divine essence.
A modern interpretation of the symbolism of the Holy Trinity. The blue triangle is a symbol of the Holy Trinity, that is, a representation of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Divine triad in the religions of other countries and peoples
Undoubtedly, the Triple Alliance was first discussed not in Jerusalem, when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles.
The top of the Babylonian pantheon was occupied by the divine triad of gods of all that exists: Anu, Bel, Ea. Anu is the supreme lord of all things, the father of the gods, who owns the sky, Bel is the lord of the Earth, Ea is the god of water, who owns the underground forces and lives in the waters of the ocean. The Babylonians also had another great triad: the moon god Siya, the sun god Samas and the thunder god Ramman.
Julius Caesar described a powerful triad of Germanic gods. He called them Sol, Vulcanus and Luna.
Among the ancient Greeks, Zeus, Poseidon and Hades were analogues of the Babylonian Anu, Bel and Ea. Zeus had power over the sky, Poseidon over the sea, and Hades ruled the underworld.
India had its own “union of three,” known as the trimurti (“triple image”) - Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. All of them are a manifestation of a single divine essence. Brahma created the world, Vishnu is its guardian, Shiva personifies both the destructive and creative principle. The orthodox Hindus recognized only Brahma as the main and only God-Absolute. In modern Hinduism, there are no temples for him, because he is too distant, distant and not entirely understandable to Hindus. Another thing is Shiva and Vishna, as the gods closest and most understandable to the people.
Ceiling fresco depicting the Holy Trinity in the Church of Chiesa di Santa Croce, Parma, Italy
Rituals for good health
After serving in church, they buy a wax candle, and on the way home they stop at the store for table salt. Arriving home, they light a candle, unpack the pack and say the following text: “Jesus Christ, our Savior, you heal us, help those in need. Give this salt miraculous powers so that when we eat it, we will remember you. So that each crystal of it cleanses our bodies and souls. So that food salted with it will be blessed.” After this, the pack of salt is crossed three times. It is added to all dishes.
If you are more concerned about mental health rather than physical health, they perform a ritual in the swamp. Having come to him, they say the following words: “The forces of life have left me, the melancholy is green, like a swamp. Nothing pleases me, mental pain tears me apart. Take the pain, melancholy and anxiety into this swamp. That's where you belong. And leave my heart and soul alone. You will no longer live in me. And my strength will return." If emotions are bursting, they cry during the ritual. This only increases its effectiveness. Finally, they return home without looking back. Along the way, they treat some animal (preferably a homeless one) with food.
Holy Trinity Day according to popular beliefs and customs
For the Day of the Holy Trinity, Orthodox churches and some houses are decorated with tree branches (most often birch), grass and flowers. This custom most likely comes from the Old Testament Pentecost, when green gifts of awakened nature were brought to God, and is also associated with the Russian folk tradition of welcoming summer.
The main attribute of Trinity rites is the birch tree, a symbol of the feminine principle and the eternal renewal of nature. According to popular beliefs, the birch and its branches have special miraculous powers, because it is on this tree that leaves appear earlier than on other trees.
Trinity Day was considered a holiday for unmarried girls and young women without children. On the growing birch trees, girls dressed in red dresses and sundresses curled the branches, intertwining them in the form of a wreath with each other, as well as with grass, flowers, ribbons, and embroidered towels. In the Kostroma province they believed that if you sit in the shade of the Trinity birch tree, making a wish, it will certainly come true, and if you sit first in the shade of the curled birch tree, you will get married this year.
In other places, trees were cut down and carried around the village, making rounds with it around sown fields, meadows, and huts. Near the birch tree, the girls arranged a ritual feeding of the tree, and worshiped with the birch tree, initiated them into their secrets, and washed themselves with birch sap. The Trinity birch was usually chosen in advance. The girls went into the forest and looked for a young, curly birch tree with long branches or with two tops. It was often celebrated, for example, the top was broken, and then the selected tree was cut down, dug up by the roots, and, for example, in the Ryazan region the thickest and most beautiful branch was cut off.
In the Yenisei and Irkutsk provinces, a felled tree was dressed up “in the best girlish dress, a braid was woven ... from a tow” and decorated with “korolkam” (beads). In some places in Siberia, two birch trees were decorated: one with a girl, the other with a guy.
In the Tobolsk province, on the Day of the Holy Trinity, they chose a cheerful girl of 10-12 years old who could dance. She crawled up the birch tree, dressed in a girl’s dress, “under the skirt, took it by the trunk and moved ahead of the round dance: it seemed as if the birch tree was walking and dancing on its own.”
In the Kostroma province, each participant in a round dance had to hold on to her ribbon tied to the top of the Trinity birch tree; at the same time they circled around the tree, thus rotating it too.
On the Day of the Holy Trinity, the girls gathered the table all together - in a pool, where the main dishes were scrambled eggs, porridge, noodles, stews with poultry and a variety of pastries - most of all flatbreads, kurnik and loaf. The remains of the loaf were divided and distributed among families where there were girls of marriageable age, and small pieces were dried and later mixed into wedding cakes.
Stained glass windows in the church of the municipality of Tervuren, Belgium, depicting the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Green Christmastide
Long before the adoption of Christianity, in early June, festivities related to the veneration of Mother Earth took place in Rus'. They were called “green” or “emerald” days, hence the popular name for Trinity Day - Green Christmastide.
According to legends, on Green Christmastide the earth should not be disturbed - planting or replanting plants, digging and loosening, removing weeds. Let the birthday girl rest, then she will be favorable to man.
Trinity spell for good luck
On Trinity Sunday they cast a spell for good luck and success in business:
“I will get up, pray, go out, cross myself, climb a high mountain, look around on all four sides. How on the eastern side a black horse grazes in a green meadow, wild and violent. No one saddled him, no one rode him, that horse did not know the stirrups or reins. I will tame that horse, and he will walk under me obediently, carry me wherever I want. My will is strong, my word is true. Amen".
Love spell for Trinity
And in order to bewitch her beloved, on Trinity Day a woman collects grass, weaves a small wreath from it and, when she goes to bed, puts it under her pillow with a spell:
“As these herbs curled and intertwined into a wreath, so let the servant of God (name) curl and twine around me, the servant of God (name), as the wreath withers and dries, so let it dry and grieve for me, God’s servant (name) ), does not binge on food, does not wash it down with drink, does not go on a spree; whether he is at a feast or during a conversation, whether he is in the field or in the house - I would not leave his mind.
May my words be strong and sculpted, stronger than stone and damask steel, a sharp knife and a greyhound spear. And the key to my words is a confirmation, and a strong fortress, and a strong force in the heights of heaven, and a castle in the depths of the sea. Let it be so!".
Trinity Day, proverbs, sayings and signs
On Trinity Day 2022, it is appropriate to remember folk wisdom and pay attention to the weather - despite everything, popular forecasts often come true.
- Trinity is rich in three gifts: flowers, herbs and ruddy summer.
- There will be rain on Trinity Sunday - there will be a lot of mushrooms.
- On Trinity, rain means warm weather.
- On Trinity, every branch is a helper and a healer.
And on Trinity 2022 you should believe in miracles and magic.
- They don’t swim on Trinity Sunday - the mermaids are fierce and lure you to the bottom.
- If a guy kisses a girl under a birch tree on Trinity Sunday, the girl will be his wife.
- If they get wooed on Trinity and get married on Intercession, it means that the spouses will have a long, happy life, in love and harmony.
Kurnik with chicken, mushrooms and rice, perfect for Trinity Day in 2021, see the recipe here
Rituals for money and wealth
To attract money, write your own name with a needle on a green candle, and under it the amount and the reason why it is needed. The candle is then treated with olive oil, rolled in chopped basil and set on fire. After this they say: “Money is coming to me, my well-being is growing, money will find its way into my wallet!” The candle is left to burn out until the end. The cinder is thrown away at an intersection.
To attract success in financial matters, before going to bed, place one yellow coin in each corner of the bedroom. After this, they read any prayer to the Holy Trinity, ask for help, cross themselves and go to bed. On the day of Ivan Kupala (July 7), they are thrown out into a reservoir in which the water constantly flows and does not stagnate (for example, a stream or river).
Trinity Day in 2022, what and how to cook
On Trinity Sunday, when nature is full of lush greenery, we suggest preparing a loaf that can feed everyone at home - no matter how hungry they may be.
Butter loaf from Yulia Markova from Moscow, @juli_2006
Butter loaf
To prepare 8-10 servings you need:
- 500 g warm drinking water
- 200 g milk
- 3 tbsp. l. Sahara
- 11 g dry yeast
- 1 kg flour + 200 g for decoration
- 20 g butter
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 eggs + 1 egg for brushing the loaf
- 1 yolk
- 2 egg whites + 1 egg white for brushing the loaf
- vegetable oil
- 500 g of mushrooms, preferably white ones, but champignons can also be used
- 1 onion
- 1 medium juicy raw beet
1. For the loaf dough, combine warm water, milk and sugar in a large saucepan.
2. Add yeast and half the flour. Knead the dough and leave under cling film for 30-40 minutes. in a warm place without drafts. The dough should rise 2 times.
3. Add melted butter, salt and eggs and yolk, beaten until smooth, to the prepared dough.
4. Add the remaining flour and knead into a stiff dough.
5. Cover the pan with cling film and leave to rise for 30-40 minutes. in a warm place, stirring occasionally.
6. Prepare the dough for sculpting the decoration . To do this, beat the whites until fluffy. Add flour (200 g) and knead into a plastic dough, cover with cling film until use.
7. For the filling , fry chopped mushrooms and onions in a heated frying pan with vegetable oil until golden brown, evaporating the liquid from the mushrooms.
8. Divide the loaf dough into 4 parts. Mix the two parts and roll into a large circle. Lay out most of the filling (about 2/3), connect the edges, and form into a ball.
9. Roll the second part of the dough into a thick sausage, cut into 3 strips. Roll each strip into a flagellum and braid them.
10. From the third part of the dough, make another bun with the remaining mushroom filling. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place a large bun on top of it and a braid around it. For a large bun - a smaller bun.
11. Grate the beets on a fine grater and squeeze out the juice. To decorate the dough, color it pink with beetroot juice.
12. Roll out the pink dough into a thin layer and cut out various decorations: braids, twigs, flowers. Brush the loaf with egg white and attach decorations to it. Then brush the entire surface of the loaf with beaten egg.
13. Bake in an oven preheated to 220°C for 35-45 minutes. or until fully cooked. Serve warm or cold.
Birch magic for Trinity
The main symbol of the Trinity is the birch tree - all kinds of rituals are associated with it. The floors of the huts were covered with its leaves, and gates, thresholds, windows and icons were decorated with bunches of birch branches. Often, branches of apple, rowan, maple, and willow were added to birch trees. But in no case did they take branches of coniferous trees (they symbolize death) and aspen (this is a vampire tree). It was believed that the birch tree, which had absorbed the energy of the awakened earth, would protect against evil forces, give health, prosperity, save and increase the new harvest.
On the holiday of Trinity, you can perform a ritual to fulfill your cherished desire. You need to approach a young birch tree, hug it, then pull a branch towards you and ask the birch tree for help, say your wish out loud, weaving a braid from the thinnest branches of the tree. When curling, they tried not to crush the leaves or break the twigs and branches: already curled birch trees were decorated with flowers, they hung towels, scarves, belts on them, and thought about their cherished dreams... In a few days it’s worth visiting “your” birch tree: if the braid is intact, your dream will certainly come true , if it unraveled - alas. By the way, if, while walking in the forest or park, you see such braided branches - do not touch them! Maybe someone made a wish, or perhaps they left a misfortune on the birch tree. Whoever undoes such a braid will ruin another’s luck or take on other people’s misfortunes.
In ancient times, when curling wreaths, girls worshiped. They exchanged some things - rings, scarves, and after that they called themselves godfather. This rite was of great importance and was quite in tune with the Orthodox idea of the Trinity - consent. The basis of cumulation is a sworn promise of friendship and mutual assistance for a certain period. The ritual was accompanied by incantations with the following words:
“Let's kiss each other, godfather. Let’s make friends so that we won’t quarrel with you, but be friends forever.”
After the ritual, the participants in the ritual called each other “sisters,” “godfathers,” or “friends,” maintaining sisterly relations for as long as possible.
