Updated July 20, 2022 537 Author: Dmitry Petrov
Hello, dear readers of the KtoNaNovenkogo.ru blog. To motivate yourself after unsuccessful attempts to perform any action (hand in a quarterly report, beg your loved one for money for another handbag), they say: “God loves a trinity.”
A popular expression, but its essence is vague. What is the Trinity, a certain group of three persons, a mystical number or a significant event associated with lush greenery, round dances, wreaths, the smell of freshly cut grass and incense...
We'll find out!
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
Trinity and Spiritual Day: what not to do on June 20 and 21
On Trinity and Spiritual Day in Rus' it was strictly forbidden to disturb Mother Earth, therefore all field and garden work, as well as women's handicrafts using sharp objects, were prohibited. It was forbidden to swim, go near bodies of water, go into the forest, hunt or fish.
Trinity is a major church holiday, so not only work is strictly prohibited, but also disputes, quarrels, bad words about the dead, etc. Any food is allowed, this is the time of the meat-eater, which ends on June 28 with the beginning of Peter's Lent.
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
What to do on Trinity: customs and rituals
So, what rituals and signs of the holiday have survived to this day? In other words, what traditions can we come into contact with today, in the 21st century?
Rituals for health
Of course, health is the basis, and our ancestors paid a lot of attention to this issue. Almost every holiday had its own rituals to recharge one’s health for the whole year. For example, on Epiphany they swam in an ice hole, and on Palm Sunday they lightly hit each other with willow branches.
As for Trinity, on this day there was such an interesting tradition: a sign says that you must take a walk in the rain (if it falls). Firstly, it in itself is a good sign.
And most importantly, it will add strength so that you can fulfill all your dreams. It was also considered beneficial for health to walk through the morning dew. If there was especially a lot of it, it was believed that the whole year would be prosperous.
Also, folk signs for Trinity say that on this day you must certainly collect medicinal herbs and flowers. Plants at such times have special miraculous powers, so if you dry them for future use and then use them to make medicinal tea, they will help maintain health and cure diseases.
Greenery for Trinity: a symbol of the holiday
It is interesting that Trinity is generally closely connected with greenery, because it is not without reason that it is sometimes called Green Sunday. The fact is that the meaning of the holiday is associated with a miraculous event - the descent to earth of the Holy Spirit, 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 time of grace, which continues to this day: now every person can sincerely repent before God and receive forgiveness of all their sins.
The Holy Spirit is the life-giving power, 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 leaves bloom on the trees, fresh grass begins to grow in the fields, and in the south the first harvest of some crops (for example, radishes) is completely harvested. So it turns out that since time immemorial, greenery and everything connected with it have become the symbol, if you will, the color theme of the day.
Therefore, on Trinity Sunday, young birch branches are always plucked and blessed in the church. The sign says that they must definitely be brought home and placed next to the icon. It is better to save the branches of consecrated birch for a whole year - then they will protect the house from troubles and help maintain good health for all family members.
It was also believed that birch branches could predict what the haymaking would be like. They were stuck into the ground and observed for three days:
- If the branches have dried up during this time, then you will be able to stock up on plenty of hay.
- If the branches remained green, there may be heavy rains, and difficulties will arise with the preparation of hay.
Rituals and fortune telling for love
There are also several customs and omens for Trinity associated with fortune-telling for the betrothed. First of all, it must be said that the descent of the Holy Spirit historically coincided with another event that has remained in people’s memory since pagan times. At the same time, Rusal Week begins.
But along with mysticism, a mermaid can also give something good - for example, answer a girl’s 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 wildflowers and floated them on the water: let the mermaid accept the gift and at least hint at the future:
- If the wreath sank - wait for trials, if it floats - you will soon meet your loved one with whom you will have a wonderful marriage.
- Stayed near the shore - it’s too early to dream, try next year or at least for Christmas.
- And if you swam against the current, soon there will be such drastic changes that life will be divided into exactly two halves: “before” and “after”. Of course, these will be successful, favorable events.
By the way, you can launch wreaths not silently, but by saying the following words:
Girls walk across the field, carry bouquets, weave wreaths and wade into the water. Betrothed, mummer, catch the wreath and bring it to me. Forever and ever. Amen.
Immediately after throwing the wreath, you need to quickly go home, don’t look back along the way and don’t talk to anyone, including on the phone. In general, this ritual 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 also such an interesting sign of the Holy Trinity for love. The girl must definitely stay at home alone (no 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 vestibule, to my threshold, following my tracks. I will never give you away to somebody. Word, castle, language. Amen.
Of course, this applies to those ladies who have already chosen the man of their hearts or at least have an exact idea of who they would like to see next to them. This plot is read 9 times in a row, after which, again, you need to be silent for a while and give full scope to your imagination. Sincere dreams and emotional impulses have a wonderful ability to come true.
Also on Trinity Sunday, girls paid attention to the signs of fate. For example, one of the superstitions on Trinity Sunday is associated with a sign when a stranger - a traveler or a random passer-by - comes to the house. He needs to 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 would come home, but now, as we know, everything has become much simpler). You can agree without hesitation - or even better, choose to get married on Intercession (October 1 according to the old style and October 14 according to the new style). Then the relationship will be extremely successful, and the marriage will be happy.
Spell for a wreath
A little more about wreaths. They can not only be floated on water. Greenery, birch branches, grass and wildflowers are enduring symbols of the Trinity holiday. Interestingly, even among 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 in the best, most prominent place in the house, then remain alone and say the following words:
I go to bed without praying and without crossing myself, Lord, Christ forgive me. I put a wreath of holy herbs under my head.
As these herbs curled and intertwined into a wreath, so let God’s servant (name) curl and twine around me, as the wreath withers and dry, so let it dry and grieve for me, God’s servant (name), with food does not eat, does not 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.
Now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen.
After this, you need to put the wreath under your pillow and sleep like that for the night. It may not be entirely convenient, but the dream will certainly come true. Then, under no circumstances should the enchanted wreath be thrown away - it is dried and stored anywhere for exactly a year.
Rituals for wealth
In general, quite a lot of folk signs, customs and traditions for Trinity are associated with a wreath of greenery and wildflowers, 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 heavenly powers and live a year in prosperity, you need to bring the blessed wreath home along with holy water. Each corner is sprayed with it (clockwise), and 1 or several coins are placed in each corner. At the same time the following words are pronounced:
The Holy Trinity, given to help us, I will not be lazy, I will work. For this, let gold flow into my house.
After the wreath has dried, it must be hidden in a place inaccessible to others and stored throughout the year.
And among the Trinity signs associated with wealth, there are also such simple signs as, 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 traveler comes to the house, even an unfamiliar guest, he is supposed to be greeted very warmly, then the good done will certainly be returned.
And one more interesting sign for health, a real folk custom associated with the Trinity - the distribution of alms, which must be done the next day, on Monday. First you need to go to the church, pray, or even listen to the service if time permits.
And then just give away all the change that remains in your pockets and wallet. This will protect you from many troubles, and most importantly, it will help you maintain your health. Of course, the ritual is voluntary, and it must be done selflessly, otherwise there will be no result.
THIS IS INTERESTING
Trinity is celebrated not one, but three whole days: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Moreover, Monday was called Spiritual Day - it is also called the Day of the Holy Spirit.
In popular belief, a sign has spread that it is on this day that the name day of the earth is celebrated. Therefore, many people at this time went in search of... treasure. It was believed that the earth would certainly reveal its precious secret to a good person.
Nowadays, you can simply try your luck - for example, buy a lottery ticket. Who knows - who will be lucky today?
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.
What you can and cannot do during Trinity Week
Trinity Week is continuous. During such periods on Friday and Wednesday it is allowed not to fast. You can eat and drink anything you want, the main thing is not to overdo it. The ban on eating food is imposed only from midnight to morning. You can play weddings. It is believed that marriages concluded during this period are the strongest.
During Trinity Week, medicinal plants acquire special powers. Therefore, traditional healers do not miss the chance to collect them for their decoctions and tinctures.
On holidays, you cannot work hard or do handicrafts (sewing, knitting, embroidery). Carrying out gardening work is considered a grave sin. This may lead to crop failure. To avoid the wrath of higher powers, you should avoid violent disputes and conflicts, and refrain from using swear words.
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
How to decorate a house for Trinity
People use young branches of trees, meadow grasses and flowers to decorate their houses. The main symbol is the birch. Young green foliage symbolizes the cycle of life and youth. The white color of the branches represents the pure thoughts of believers. Branches of oak, linden, maple and rowan are designed to protect the house from evil spirits.
Among meadow herbs, people use cornflowers, lovage, thyme, fern, mint, lemon balm, and burdock. They are used to weave wreaths and hang them on the door, or make bouquets that are placed on the table or near icons. Unmarried girls put herbs under their pillow.
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
Canons and akathists
According to tradition, canons and akathists are always read out on a major Christian holiday.
Canon for Holy Trinity Day
The canon is a prayer of praise consisting of 9 songs. Each of the songs, in turn, is divided into 2 parts: irmos and troparion.
The prayer is performed to a special melody and tells about the events taking place, praising the holiday of Trinity.
Usually the canons are read in the morning, afternoon and evening at services. If you wish, you can read the prayer at home. Most often, with its help they ask the Almighty for help or repentance.
Akathist to the Most Holy and Life-Giving Trinity
Just like the canon, the akathist praises a Saint or some holiday.
The prayer consists of 13 songs telling about the appearance of the Holy Trinity to the apostles. Can only be performed while standing.
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
What should ordinary people do on this day?
In addition to church rituals, Pentecost is filled with unique traditions , not all of which are approved by priests.
For a long time, on this day, people decorated their homes with greenery: birch branches, herbs, flowers. They are placed near icons and placed in vases in all rooms. It is believed that this way the household will be provided with natural protection.
Hospitable family meals are welcome : there is no fasting. Loaves, pancakes, pies - baking is a priority, and also fried eggs, decorated with sprigs of greenery. It is advisable to lay a new tablecloth on the table. If guests come, they are received with honors. We should not forget that gluttony still remains a sin, and the essence of the holiday is not food. In general, moderation is important here, especially when it comes to alcohol.
This bright holiday should be filled with good thoughts and deeds coming from the heart; it is great for charity. But to indulge in despondency, quarrel, use foul language, and plot evil - this is something that cannot be done on Trinity.
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
The history of folk signs on Trinity
Our ancestors began to celebrate Trinity quite late when compared with other major church days - three hundred years after the Baptism of Rus'. However, Pentecost very quickly became a national holiday. In addition to the obligatory church rituals, people endowed it with unique traditions and superstitions, which, although not encouraged by the church, have become so tightly ingrained in the history of this day that they are now perceived as an integral element of Russian folklore. "KP" talks about the most famous and interesting signs for Trinity.
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.
What to cook for Trinity according to custom: festive table
Any church holiday was considered a big event in Rus', and preparations were made for it in advance - almost a week or even a month in advance. On the eve of Trinity, the housewives polished the floors until they shined and put the whole house in order.
And, of course, we also had to worry about the dishes that were served at the festive table. The traditional menu for Trinity necessarily included scrambled eggs - this is a symbol of life itself, and also of the sun, summer, all that is good and bright.
A lot of vegetables and fruits were also served on the table; they could be eaten either raw or cooked as part of any dish. It is appropriate to make a light stew with dietary meat, prepare stewed cabbage with apples or bell peppers. Of course, our ancestors loved pies - they were served with several fillings: both individually and in a mixture.
For dessert we relied on honey cakes - today, by the way, we can easily replace them with delicious homemade honey cakes. And another mandatory menu item is pancakes. You can make simple pancakes or with toppings (with onions, apples, cheese or even minced meat).
In a word, the Trinity table should be beautiful, bright, and festive. It is intended to serve only light, dietary dishes: an abundance of fatty, fried, smoked foods is not the best choice.
Moreover: this holiday symbolizes the final onset of summer. And summer in Russia is the time for vacations and beach seasons. So we will monitor our figure and health, because the taste and benefits of the dish can be combined.
