It is useful for Orthodox believers to know what signs, traditions and customs are observed on the Trinity. This holiday is very important for religious people, since according to legend, the formation of the Christian faith as such began with it. For many centuries, various church traditions and customs have been carefully passed on from generation to generation. Knowledge of them will help you to follow the religious path correctly, and knowledge of the signs will help you gain certain benefits for yourself.
On Trinity Day, our ancestors could determine what weather would last throughout the summer. Rain on Whitsuntide meant the following months would be wet and cold.
Another ancient sign is the lighting of tear herbs in the church, which were specially mourned in advance. The point is that tears represent rain. When people returned from church and brought the blessed herbs with them, they were hidden behind icons or window frames. It was believed that this gesture calls on nature to give everyone a fruitful summer, not complicated by drought.
For the same purpose, birch branches were attached to various places on the window (platbands, frames or shutters). Freshly harvested green grass was scattered throughout the upper room.
There are also beliefs that say that you should not do things on Trinity. Swimming in reservoirs was absolutely prohibited, because people believed that on this day mermaids were especially active and could drown the unfortunate person who risked breaking the ban.
On this day, the oldest women went with birch brooms to the cemetery, where they swept the graves from dust and dirt. This ritual was believed to bring joy to the deceased and ward off evil spirits.
An excellent omen was the matchmaking organized on Trinity Sunday. If after this the wedding takes place on the day of the Intercession, the life of the spouses will be full of boundless happiness, comfort and mutual understanding will reign in the house.
Customs for Trinity
The first thing that needed to be done was to thoroughly clean the house to bring it to perfect cleanliness. Only after this did the housewives begin to decorate their homes with green branches of young grass or flowers. These attributes symbolize the continuation of life, spring and prosperity.
Most often, the home was decorated with branches of trees and herbs such as:
- mint;
- Rowan;
- maple;
- birch;
There are other rituals observed on Trinity Sunday. Early in the morning people go to church for a festive service. In the hands of the parishioners are flowers, fragrant herbs, tree branches.
Also on Trinity Sunday, it is customary to invite relatives and other close people to dinner. They should be treated to pancakes, jelly, loaf, pies and eggs prepared in different ways. This day is a great occasion to please each other with fun gifts. Many people have a feast outdoors, since Trinity is always celebrated on a day off.
A tradition that has been preserved from ancient times to the present day is folk festivals. To this day, fairs, concerts, and other festive and entertaining cultural events are held on this holiday.
Rituals and traditions
In ancient times, after people had completed their service, they went on festivities. In the villages, competitions and games with active activities were organized, songs were sung and round dances were performed. In the evening, unmarried young ladies danced in circles, and single guys looked at them and looked for potential brides for themselves.
The girls also performed another ritual - they wove wreaths from collected herbs and flowers and sent them down the river. Also, a young lady could give a wreath to her lover as a sign of sympathy, but this had to be done in secret.
Herbs were also dried for the trinity, which were subsequently used to protect against a variety of troubles. They were used to treat all kinds of ailments, ward off evil spirits, and it was even believed that they were able to protect the house from a raging thunderstorm.
In no case were the crackers from the baked loaf thrown away. They were stored until the upcoming wedding and added to the wedding cake. It was believed that such a ritual would ensure happiness and prosperity for the future family.
Folk customs
According to Slavic legends, on this day mermaids wake up and become especially active. Rural and rural residents have developed certain traditions:
- During the festivities, a stuffed mermaid was made, around which round dances took place. At the end of the festivities, the villagers tore it into many pieces, which were scattered across the field.
- To ward off the mermaids, before going to bed, women ran throughout the village with a broom in their hands.
- They chose a girl who was dressed as a mermaid. Afterwards, she was taken out into the field and pushed into the harvest, while all the villagers fled to their homes.
Residents also lit many fires along the shoreline to scare away the merman, who, according to legend, also woke up on this day.
What is prohibited
During the Trinity period, any work around the house or garden, with the exception of cooking, is strictly prohibited. It is also allowed to decorate the house. Dyeing your hair or face, sewing, fixing something, or washing your hair is also prohibited.
Since Trinity is a holy and bright holiday, on this day swearing and swearing is considered a great sin. You can’t let negative thoughts enter your head, you can’t think badly about someone, even if the person really did you harm.
On this day, you should refrain from showing any negative emotions, surrounding yourself with positive things and energizing yourself in a good mood. Prayers will also help with this.
Fortune telling for Trinity
On the day before the holiday itself, the girls went into the forest to find young birch trees there. At their tops the young ladies wove wreaths and curled them. The fate of the young girl depended on whether the wreath was untied. Girls came to see the integrity of the wreath on Trinity Day. If the curled top of the birch tree remains intact, this year the girl will meet her beloved; if it has come loose, she will be lucky later.
The girls also told fortunes by using the wreaths that they lowered into the river. However, this was not done with his hands - he had to tilt his head so that he would fall on his own. If he swam with the flow, it’s worth waiting for his beloved on the other side. If he was drowning, this prophesied a quick death for the girl. And if he remained in place, she was destined to remain a virgin.
Trinity is the main church holiday; in 2018 it falls on May 27. The traditions of the holiday have deep roots; ancestors performed various rituals.
It was believed that the sowing season was over and they could rest for a few days before the upcoming work.
- Trinity Traditions
- Fortune telling for love
- Mermaid Week
- Rituals for health
- Rituals for wealth
Trinity Traditions
Before the holiday, housewives must clean up the house, visit the graves of deceased people, and bring treats to the cemetery. In addition, you need to prepare various delicacies and bake a festive loaf.
Before the holiday, the house needs to be decorated with fresh greenery. Birch branches are considered a symbol of the Trinity.
The holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, the house should be full of guests. Mass celebrations take place in villages; many people prefer to go out into nature. It was believed that fires helped get rid of evil spirits.
Fortune telling for love
The Trinity is shrouded in rituals and fortune telling. Young girls could find out about their soulmate. They made wreaths from fresh branches and sent them down the river.
1. If the wreath floated to the shore, then it’s too early to think about marriage.
2. The wreath has drowned - you need to prepare for trials.
3. If you go with the flow, you will soon meet with your loved one.
4. The wreath floated against the current - changes will occur in life. Good luck will accompany you in any endeavor.
After the fortune telling, the girl should go home and not talk to anyone for several hours. There is another sign of love. The girl should stay alone at home, open the window and whisper a conspiracy. After which you need to be quiet and put your thoughts in order.
Note! Getting married on Trinity is a good sign. A happy future awaits the young couple.
Mermaid Week
During the period when the spring period changes into summer, peasants celebrated Rusal Week. Swimming is prohibited at this time. It was believed that mermaids come out of the river and take people to the underwater world.
Rituals for health
Ancestors took care of their health; on holidays they performed certain rituals. There are also many traditions associated with the Trinity. It was believed that a walk in the rain would help gain strength and get rid of negative energy. It is good for your health to walk barefoot through the dew in the morning. If there is a lot of it, it’s a good sign. This means the whole year will be successful.
On holiday, herbs have healing powers. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a herbal mixture, dry it, and then use it to make tea.
Important! Herbal decoctions prepared for Trinity help strengthen the immune system and cope with diseases.
Another unusual sign related to health is the giving of alms. This must be done on Monday, after the holiday. First, you should go to the temple, read a prayer, then distribute change to those in need. This will help protect yourself from trouble.
Rituals for wealth
There are many traditions associated with a fresh flower wreath. To live in abundance, you need to consecrate the holiday symbol and bring it home with holy water. You should spray the corners of the house clockwise with a wreath, put coins in the corner and say a spell. As soon as the wreath dries, it must be put away in a secluded place and stored for a year.Another sign that promises good luck is a rainbow in the sky. If you get caught in the rain, the year will be favorable.
Trinity is a sacred holiday that is revered by all Christians. It is shrouded in many beliefs and customs that have come down to us from our ancestors. Many of them are still very popular and help change fate.
Long before the advent of Christianity, Slavic peoples celebrated Green Week. It marked the end of spring and the beginning of summer. To this day, some pagan rituals and fortune telling have been preserved, which are carried out on the holiday of the Trinity. The customs of ancient times are based on the renewal of life - this is the time when the first leaves appear on the trees and flowers bloom. And for the holiday of Trinity, churches and houses were decorated with greenery - a symbol of the growth and renewal of the Christian faith.
Trinity or Pentecost?
The Feast of Trinity is one of the most beautiful holidays in Orthodoxy. It always falls at a time when the first leaves on the trees begin to bloom. Therefore, on this holiday, people decorate houses and churches with green branches of birch, maple, and rowan.
Trinity Sunday does not have a fixed date of celebration. It is scheduled for the fiftieth day after Easter. The Bible says that it was on this day that the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. The disciples received the ability to preach the word of Christ. Therefore, this holiday is otherwise called Pentecost or the Descent of the Holy Spirit.
Only in the 14th century did they begin to celebrate the Trinity holiday in Rus'. The customs and traditions on this day have been observed since ancient times. The founder of the holiday was St. Sergius of Radonezh.
Old Testament holiday
Pentecost is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated on the 50th day after. According to legend, on this day the people of Israel received the Law of Sinai. Traditionally, in honor of the celebration, entertainment for the people, mass celebrations, and sacrifices are organized.
He did not give the Law of God to his people. This happened on the fiftieth day after the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Since then, Pentecost (or Shavuot) began to be celebrated every year. In Israel, on the same day, the festival of the first harvest and fruits is celebrated.
When did the Trinity appear in Christianity? The customs and traditions of the celebration originate from the Old Testament Pentecost.
Orthodox holiday
The apostles retired to celebrate the Jewish Pentecost. The Savior, before his martyrdom, promised them a miracle - the coming of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, every day they gathered in one of the Zion upper rooms.
On the 50th day after the Resurrection, they heard a noise that filled the small space of the house. Flames appeared and the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. He showed them three hypostases - God the Father (Divine Mind), God the Son (Divine Word), God the Spirit (Holy Spirit). This trinity is the basis of Christianity, on which the Christian faith firmly stands.
People who were not far from the upper room heard a strange noise - the apostles were speaking in different languages. Jesus' disciples received amazing abilities - to heal, prophesy and preach in different dialects, which allowed them to carry the word of God to all corners of the world. The apostles visited the Middle East, India, and Asia Minor. We visited Crimea and Kyiv. All the disciples, except John, suffered martyrdom - they were executed by opponents of Christianity.
There is only one God. The customs of the church holiday began in the morning. The whole family went to church for worship. After which people returned home. They held a gala dinner, went to visit, congratulated friends on the bright holiday, and gave gifts.
Slavic holiday
In our country, the holiday of the Trinity began to be celebrated only 300 years after the baptism of Rus'. Before this, the Slavs were pagans. But even today there are rituals and signs that originated in those times.
Before Trinity, this day was considered the border between spring and summer. Its name is Semik (Green Week), or Triglav. According to pagan religion, three deities ruled all humanity - Perun, Svarog, Svyatovit. The latter is the keeper of light and human energy. Perun is the defender of truth and warriors. Svarog is the creator of the Universe.
In Semik, people held merry celebrations and danced in circles. Houses were first decorated with greenery, from which medicinal tinctures and decoctions were then prepared.
Thus, from the pagan celebration, a church holiday arose - Trinity. The customs and signs of those ancient times are still relevant among the people. For example, the greenery that was used to decorate the church on Pentecost was taken home and dried. It was sewn into canvas bags. This sachet served as a talisman for the home.
Celebration traditions
How is the holiday of Trinity? The customs of most holidays begin with cleaning the house. Only after the room was sparkling clean did the women decorate the rooms with green branches and flowers. They are a symbol of fertility and wealth.
The housewives prepared the festive table - they cooked pies and gingerbreads, cooked jelly. There is no fasting on this day, so Orthodox Christians are allowed any food. In churches, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated on Trinity Sunday, and immediately after it, the evening liturgy. During it, kneeling prayers are read. The clergy ask for the granting of grace to all those present, for the sending of wisdom and reason to the believers.
After the service, people sit down at the festive table, invite guests, give gifts and congratulate each other. According to tradition, it was customary to get married on this day. It was believed that if the matchmaking took place on Trinity and the wedding on Pokrov, a happy life awaited the young family.
How is Trinity celebrated in other parts of the world? Traditions, customs, and rituals from different countries are united by festive services. And in England, religious processions are even held on this day. In Italy, rose petals are scattered from under the ceiling of a church. In France, trumpets are blown during worship, which symbolizes the descent of the Holy Spirit.
Folk customs for Trinity
According to folk legends, mermaids wake up on Pentecost. In this regard, the villagers have several customs.
- In the villages they made a stuffed mermaid and danced around it during festivities. Then it was torn into small pieces and scattered across the field.
- Before going to bed, women ran through the village with a broom to protect themselves from mermaids.
- One girl was dressed as a mermaid, taken to a field and thrown into a grain harvest. After which everyone fled to their homes.
What other folk practices are the Trinity famous for? Traditions, customs, rituals consisted of driving away evil spirits from the gates of the house. According to legend, on this day the merman woke up, and the villagers burned fires along the shore to ward off evil spirits.
Much attention was paid to decorating the house. Only branches of maple, birch, rowan, and oak could protect people and give them strength and health.
Another custom was to water the branches and flowers that were in the temple with your tears. Girls and women tried to cry harder so that drops of tears would fall on the greenery. This method helped the ancestors get rid of the summer drought and autumn crop failure.
First day
All festive events were divided into 3 days. The first was called Green Sunday. On this day, icons were decorated with birch branches, and a special prayer was said for Trinity.
Folk festivities were held in forests and fields. People danced, played, and sang songs. The girls wove wreaths and lowered them down the river. Such fortune-telling helped to find out what fate awaited in the coming year.
People remembered their deceased relatives. In the cemetery they swept crosses and monuments with a birch broom to ward off evil spirits. They left treats for the deceased at the graves. That night, according to folk tales, people had prophetic dreams.
Second day
Feast Monday is the second day of the celebration of Pentecost. People were rushing to church in the morning. After the service, the priests walked through the fields with blessings. This was done in order to protect the crop from drought, rain and hail.
The third day
Girls celebrate God's Day most of all. They organize celebrations, games, and fortune telling. According to folk tradition, a fun activity is held - “Drive Poplar”. The most beautiful girl was dressed up, decorated with greenery and wreaths - she played the role of Poplar. Then the youth took Topolya home, and each owner gave her a delicious treat or gift.
Holiday symbol
There is still a ritual of curling a birch tree. During the process, the girls wished good health to their mother and other relatives. Or, while curling the birch tree, they thought about the young man they loved - thus tying his thoughts and thoughts to themselves.
During the festivities, a small birch tree was decorated with ribbons and flowers were flown into it. After round dance chants, they cut it down and began a triumphal procession through the village. An elegant birch tree was carried around the entire village, attracting good luck to its residents.
In the evening, the ribbons were removed from the tree and a traditional sacrifice was performed. The branches were “buried” in the field, and the birch itself was drowned in a pond. So people asked for a bountiful harvest and protection from the spirits.
Early dew was collected on Trinity Sunday - it was considered a strong medicine against illnesses and illnesses. Such rituals existed among our ancestors. Some of them can still be found today. What can't you do on Trinity Sunday?
What is forbidden to do on Pentecost
On this holiday, it was strictly forbidden to work in the garden or around the house. Therefore, zealous housewives carried out general cleaning before Trinity. And on the holiday itself they only decorated the house and prepared a rich meal.
What other prohibitions exist? What not to do on Trinity Sunday? All home repairs are best left for another day. You can't sew. Do not wash, cut or dye your hair.
On this day you cannot think about bad things or talk about someone in a negative way. It is forbidden to swim - otherwise the disobedient person will die in the near future (according to one version, he will be tickled by mermaids). And the one who remained alive after swimming on Trinity Sunday was declared a sorcerer.
You should not be offended or swear on this day - Trinity is a bright holiday. Signs and customs (what you can’t do and what you can do) - it all comes down to prayer and kind words. Trinity is a holiday of renewal of life, so you should surround yourself only with positivity on this day.
Parents' Saturday
The day before Trinity began, people went to the cemetery and commemorated their deceased relatives.
Since ancient times, a funeral dinner was prepared on parents' Saturday - cutlery was set out for the deceased. The deceased was invited to a meal.
On this day the bathhouse was heated. And after the whole family had washed, they left water and a broom for the deceased.
On Trinity Parents' Saturday they remember suicides and ask for repose for their souls. It is read on Trinity. But the Holy Church claims that this is a delusion - suicides will not be able to find peace after death. Therefore, only in home prayer can you ask for them.
Signs for Pentecost
The Trinity is rich in beliefs and signs. The customs and traditions of the holiday carry many centuries-tested omens.
- Rain on Pentecost means an abundance of mushrooms and close warmth.
- If the birch is fresh on the third day after the holiday, it means wet haymaking.
- They get married on Trinity, they get married on the Intercession - for love and harmony in the family.
- To attract wealth into your home, you need to place several
- The heat on Trinity means a dry summer.
The entire week of celebration was called Rusal Week. Thursday was considered especially important - on this day the mermaids tried to lure people into the water. Therefore, in the evenings people tried not to leave the house. Swimming was prohibited for the entire week. And you should definitely carry wormwood with you - this herb repels evil spirits.
Nowadays, the Trinity holiday is celebrated in nature, with songs and fun. Customs and signs of ancient times become irrelevant and gradually disappear. But people still decorate their homes with greenery so that peace, tranquility, happiness, health and prosperity reign in it. And the girls carry wreaths to the reservoirs and, holding their breath, set them afloat: wherever the wreath floats, wait for the betrothed from there, and if it washes up to the shore, you know it’s not your destiny to get married this year...
There are quite a lot of interesting folk signs, traditions and customs associated with the Trinity holiday. For example, if it rained on this day, it was considered a very good sign - the year would be fruitful and satisfying.
There were also a lot of popular beliefs associated with fortune telling and rituals for health, wealth and marriage. Some of them have even survived to this day. This is discussed in detail and in detail in our article.
Of course, health is the basis, and our ancestors paid a lot of attention to this issue. Almost every church 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 lightly hit each other with willow branches. As for Trinity, the following interesting traditions existed on this day:
- You should definitely take a walk in the rain (if it falls). Firstly, 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 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.
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 that 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, what they always do on 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 preserve birch branches for a whole year - then they will protect the house from troubles, and will also 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 they remained green, there may be heavy rains, and difficulties will arise with the preparation of hay.
And one more interesting sign for health, a real folk custom associated with the Trinity. This is a distribution of alms that needs to be done on Spiritual Day, Monday. First you need to go to the church, pray or 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.
Be loved
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. Our ancestors believed that mermaids and goblin come out of rivers and lakes to lure unlucky travelers there, mostly, of course, young people.
But a mermaid can also give something good - for example, answer girls’ 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.
- The wreath has drowned - wait for trials.
- If you swam, you will soon meet your loved one with whom you will have a wonderful marriage.
- There is a wreath left by the shore - it’s too early to dream, try next year or at least for Christmas.
- And if the wreath floated against the current, there will soon 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 women who have already chosen the man of their hearts or at least accurately imagine 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.
CONSPIRACY 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 all 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.
Be rich
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 one or more coins are placed in each corner. At the same time the following words are pronounced:
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 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 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.
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?
Great Trinity Saturday: remember the departed
Oddly enough, the Trinity holiday is associated with many customs and signs for remembering 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 we lift the veil of those distant times when not only Christian, but also pagan traditions coexisted harmoniously among the people.
As already mentioned, the celebration of this celebration coincides with the onset of Rusal Week. Our ancestors believed that these days were significant not only for the emergence of mermaids from natural bodies of water, but also for the departure of the souls of deceased ancestors. The fact is that previously the beginning of the new year was celebrated not on January 1, but with the onset of the agricultural cycle.
Therefore, the time of Trinity is a time of renewal, when the new year finally comes into its own. And the souls of all those who died over the previous 12 months finally go to their heavenly abode, i.e. leaving our sinful land. That is why on the day of the Holy Trinity there was and still is a sign according to which one must definitely 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 Trinity is a celebration of the life-giving power of the Lord, who, by his mercy, not only sacrificed his only Son Jesus Christ, but also sent the Holy Spirit to help every person.
It is clear that this celebration is bright, and the palette of emotions on such a day simply should not contain dark colors, bad thoughts and painful thoughts. In addition, on the eve of the holiday there is a special one - then you can go to the cemetery to remember your deceased relatives.
And on Trinity itself, it’s better to go to church, get imbued with bright feelings, and then spend the day with your loved ones, go on a visit and do some kind, pleasant things.
What not to do on Trinity: signs, traditions and customs
The question of how to celebrate Trinity, what signs need to be observed, is closely related to what generally should not be done on this day according to popular traditions and ideas. Looking ahead, we can say that the church does not provide for any 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 difficult life. And of course, sincere prayer creates a kind of energy impulse that can make any good wish come true.
Thus, history really connects many interesting folk signs with the feast of the Holy Trinity. Whether to believe in holiday traditions and customs for Trinity or not is everyone’s personal choice.
But one thing is clear: it is useful for each of us to dream. And if you need to perform some simple rite or ritual to recharge your soul, why not do it? The main thing is that the desire is pure and selfless. Dream boldly - and you will succeed!
Trinity is one of the main Christian holidays, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, which is why it is also called Pentecost. In this holiday, in addition to directly Orthodox traditions, there are also features of ancient pagan rituals. The official church, of course, has always protested against such heresy, but such dualism is not uncommon among the Russian people.
The peasants celebrated Trinity noisily and cheerfully. It was a special holiday for farmers, a time when the sowing season is already over, preparations are underway for haymaking and the first harvest, and therefore a few free days without hard work should have been celebrated. People associate many signs and rituals with the Trinity.
Signs for Trinity
Trinity always took place at the beginning of summer. For the peasants, this time was very important: good rain guaranteed thick grass, which means excellent haymaking, moist, nutritious soil, which means a good harvest. Therefore, the signs of the Trinity were treated very carefully, passing them on in the family from adults to children.
One of the most ancient signs is the custom of bringing to church for consecration, and then hiding in the house behind a frame or later behind an icon, bunches of “tear” herbs - grass that was specially mourned, since tears symbolized rain. Thus, people begged from nature, and later from God, for a good summer without drought, with rain and a rich harvest from the soil saturated with moisture.
Birch branches inserted behind window frames, platbands, shutters, green grass scattered around the room also symbolized a good, fruitful summer, because this was the case in every village house.
In the village, any peasant labor on Trinity Day was condemned: neither in the field nor in the house was it possible to do anything other than cooking. It was also impossible to swim, because this time is the time of mermaids, when mermaids can lure you to the bottom.
The day before Trinity, on parental Saturday, everyone went to the cemetery - to remember relatives; if someone did not make it on this day, it was believed that he was inviting the dead to come to him, and they, in turn, would take someone away from home (then there is a relative who will die). Therefore, before Trinity, a funeral dinner was left, and the clothes of the dead were hung on the fence - both to remember, and to push away death, to drive away.
On Trinity Sunday, old women went to the cemetery to sweep the graves with birch brooms - it was believed that evil spirits retreated, and the dead rejoiced and promoted peace, harmony and wealth throughout the village.
Matchmaking was a good omen. It was believed that if they wooed on Trinity and got married on the Intercession, it means that these spouses would have a long, happy life, in love and harmony.
Among the agricultural signs, we can note the well-known “rain” ones: rain on Trinity - for the harvest, for mushrooms, for warm weather, without frost.
And the next day after Trinity is Spiritual Day. The earth was considered the birthday girl, they also did not work on it, but in the morning they went in search of treasures, because on its name day the earth would definitely reveal something valuable to a good person.
Fortune telling for Trinity
The Church rejected all kinds of fortune-telling, but it so happened among the people that between Christmas and Epiphany, the major Christian holidays, there was a long period of Christmastide - the time of fortune-telling, and on Trinity, during the Rusalia, the girls told fortunes about fate, about their betrothed, and waited with trepidation for matchmakers .
The most common fortune telling is “curling” a birch tree and weaving wreaths. On the eve of Trinity, the girls went into the forest, bent the tops of young birch trees and wove a wreath from the branches - “curled”, if upon arriving at Trinity the girl saw that it had developed or withered, good things would not be expected. If she remains the same, there will be a wedding, a beloved betrothed, and wealth in the house.
Weaving wreaths is also a custom on Trinity Sunday. Girls weaved in a group; men were not allowed in; if a guy saw someone’s wreath, it was a bad omen, the “evil eye” of the girl. Wreaths were woven directly into Trinity and went with them to the river. There they launched it into the water: wherever it swam, the groom will be from there; if he stayed by the shore, the girl wouldn’t get married, and if she drowned, she would die this year. Moreover, the wreaths were not removed from the head by hand, but bent so that they themselves fell into the water.
To make the betrothed dream, they put birch branches under the pillow.
Trinity conspiracies
The culture of Russian people is rich - in church on Trinity Sunday he prayed to God with his right hand, and at that time he could hold a bunch of grass with his left. Then, leaving the church, bow to the four cardinal directions, weave a wreath from this bunch at home, speak the cherished words on it and put it behind the icon - for a happy and rich year, until the next Trinity. Thus, both the Christian and pagan views of the Russian people merged into one whole. And there was no contradiction here, everything was harmonious and coherent.
Even food for Trinity was sometimes prepared with a conspiracy and in a special way. In the pre-Christian world, everything round was valued - pancakes on Maslenitsa - the same tradition, since the circle is a symbol of the sun. So on Trinity Sunday they baked a round loaf and made fried eggs in a frying pan from two eggs.
A round fried egg is both a symbol of the sun and a friendly married couple, “without corners,” that is, without quarrels and disagreements. While the scrambled eggs were baking, the hostess always said the cherished words over them, salted them with Thursday salt, and did not tear the greens, but laid them out with twigs and onion feathers, which also signified the unity and strong bond between husband and wife. The husband himself did not participate in this, but waited for his wife to perform all the sacraments, put scrambled eggs on a rye loaf and go with her husband to the grove, to the birch tree decorated in advance with bright shreds - to celebrate the Trinity and eat the enchanted dish together - a talisman against all evil.
To cast a love spell on a loved one, take grass blessed in the church, weave it into a wreath and place it under the pillow, while saying:
“I go to bed without praying and without crossing myself, Lord, forgive me, Christ. I put a wreath of holy herbs under my head. As these herbs twisted 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), not with food. eats, doesn’t drink, doesn’t 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 lose 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 ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."
A spell for good luck, for success in business, was done at dawn, always on the street on the morning of Trinity:
“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."
