One of the largest and most revered holidays in Christianity is the holiday of the Trinity, but few people know and understand what kind of holiday this is and what the name Trinity, which is also used in the ordinary life of Christians, means.
Trinity Holiday - what is it?
The holiday of Trinity (another name for Pentecost) is dedicated to the memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit to Earth. It was on this day that the Lord God appeared to the world in his third hypostasis of the Holy Spirit, descending to Earth and appearing in this third hypostasis before the disciples of Christ, i.e. essentially in front of his disciples, since in Christianity the Holy Spirit, Christ and God are one whole entity.
Why is the holiday of Trinity called Pentecost?
Icon. Andrey Rublev. Trinity. Around 1422-1427
Minimum symbols: three angels (Trinity), a cup (Atoning sacrifice), a table (the Lord's table, the Eucharist. Among the recognizable realities - an oak tree (Mamre), a mountain (here is the sacrifice of Isaac, and Golgotha) and a building (Abraham's house? Church?) .
The answer to this question is very simple.
The descent of the Holy Spirit to Earth and the appearance of Christ to his disciples occurred exactly on the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ (Easter) or on the 10th day after the Ascension of Christ (Ascension).
This is where the name of this holiday came from - Pentecost. At the same time, this holiday of Pentecost should not be confused with another Jewish holiday, bearing exactly the same name Pentecost and celebrated on the same day, but dedicated to another event - the holiday in memory of the Sinai legislation (the holiday of Moses receiving the commandments of the Lord on Mount Sinai).
How did the Holy Spirit appear on Earth?
The appearance of the Holy Spirit happened unexpectedly and was attended by a limited number of people.
On this day, all the apostles, together with the Mother of God and with other disciples of Christ and other believers, were in the same upper room in Jerusalem. “It was the third hour of the day, according to the Jewish clock, that is, in our opinion, the ninth hour of the morning. Suddenly a sound came from heaven, as if from a rushing strong wind, and filled the whole house where the disciples of Christ were. And tongues of fire appeared and rested (settled) one on each of them. Everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to praise God different languages who were never known before."
So the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles as a sign that He gave the apostles the ability and strength to preach Christ’s teaching to all nations; He descended in the form of fire as a sign that he has the power to scorch sins and cleanse, sanctify and warm souls.
In Jerusalem at that time there were many people who came from different countries for the holiday. The apostles came out to them and began to preach in their native languages. The sermon had such an effect on those listening that many believed and began to ask: “What should we do?” Peter answered them: “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, then you too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Those who believed in Christ willingly accepted baptism; there were about three thousand of them that day. This is how the Church of Christ began to be established on earth.
It was on this day that the beloved children of the Lord, united with Him by the Holy Spirit, came out of the walls of the Zion Upper Room to fearlessly preach Christ's teaching about love.
Why did the Holy Spirit descend to earth?
The main reason why the Holy Spirit descended to earth was to motivate the disciples to build the Church of Christ: “...for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of ministry, for the building up of the Body of Christ.” It is for this reason that Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Christian Church.
How is the Feast of Pentecost celebrated?
On Pentecost in churches immediately after Divine Liturgy Vespers is celebrated in remembrance of the descent of the Comforter Spirit on the holy apostles. During the service, kneeling prayers are read for the sending down to us of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of reason and the fear of God.
The Church prays for the granting of the grace of the Holy Spirit to all those present, as well as to previously deceased relatives in the flesh, so that they too may become participants in the Kingdom of Glory in the land of the living - “not a single one is clean before God from filth, even if there is only one day in his life” ( kneeling prayer after “Grant, O Lord, this evening”).
On this day, Orthodox Christians decorate their houses and churches with green birch branches and flowers. This custom comes from the Old Testament Church, when houses and synagogues were decorated with greenery on Pentecost in memory of how everything bloomed and turned green at Mount Sinai on the day when Moses received the tablets of the law.
The Zion Upper Room, where the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, at that time, according to general custom, was also decorated with tree branches and flowers. On the feast of Trinity, the appearance of the Trinity to Abraham in the Mamvrian oak grove is also remembered, so the temple decorated with greenery also resembles that oak grove. And the flowering branches also remind us that under the influence of God’s grace human souls blossom with the fruits of virtues.
What does the word Trinity mean in the Bible?
The very word “Trinity” is of non-biblical origin and was introduced into the Christian lexicon only in the second half of the 2nd century, two hundred years after the ascension of Christ, by Bishop Theophilus of Sioia.
In his treatise “Against Autolycus,” Theophilus wrote: “The three days [of creation], which were before [the creation of] the luminaries, are images of the Trinity: God, His Word and His Wisdom.” This work has survived to this day only in one manuscript of the 11th century and was probably written no earlier than 180 AD. e., since it mentions the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Neither in the Old nor in the New Testaments is the concept of “Trinity” directly used, and according to biblical scholars, there are only isolated hints in Scripture indicating the trinity of God, but nothing more.
Doctrine of the Trinity
Non-canonical icon.
Holy Trinity with angels and saints. Master from Messkirch, early 16th century.
The doctrine of the Triune God comes down to three points:
1) God is trinity and trinity consists in the fact that in God there are Three Persons (hypostases): Father, Son, Holy Spirit. 2) Every Person Holy Trinity
there is God, but They are not three Gods, but are the essence of a single Divine being.
3) All three Persons differ in personal, or hypostatic, properties.
All three Persons of the Holy Trinity have the same Divine dignity, between them there is neither elder nor younger; just as God the Father is true God, so God the Son is true God, so the Holy Spirit is true God. Each Person carries within itself all the properties of the Divine.
They differ only in that God the Father is not born from anyone and does not come from anyone; The Son of God is born from God the Father - eternally (timeless, beginningless, infinite), and the Holy Spirit comes from God the Father.
How to understand the dogma of the Trinity?
Any educated Christian is well aware that the main dogma and cornerstone christian church is the dogma of the Holy Trinity, and without its correct understanding there is neither faith nor the Christian Church.
The dogma of the Trinity tells believers the following: God is one in essence, but threefold in persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Trinity is consubstantial and indivisible.
In other words, there is a God who has three essences, none of which is the main one and none of them can be divided.
Believers must clearly understand that the dogma of the Holy Trinity is incomprehensible, it is a mysterious dogma, incomprehensible at the level of reason. For the human mind, the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is contradictory, because it is a mystery that cannot be expressed rationally.
It is no coincidence that Pavel Florensky called the dogma of the Holy Trinity “a cross for human thought.” In order to accept the dogma of the Most Holy Trinity, the sinful human mind must reject its claims to the ability to know everything and rationally explain, that is, in order to understand the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, it is necessary to turn away from its own thinking.
Since when is the holiday of Trinity celebrated?
Christian Pentecost as a holiday of the Holy Trinity has been celebrated since the 4th century, when at the Second Council of Constantinople the dogma of the Trinity was finally approved in which one God began to officially exist in three persons - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
The Feast of the Trinity is not only the celebration of the appearance of the third Person of the Divine in a visible way, but also the birthday of the Church of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that the day will come when God will complete the formation of His Church here on earth, and She will be taken out of the earth to be with God forever. This moment is also called the second coming of Christ or the rapture of the Church, when God will return for those in whom His Holy Spirit lives.
Signs for Trinity
There are many signs and superstitions regarding things that should not be done on this day.
So, it is better not to set a wedding day on Trinity. Allegedly, those who tied the knot on this day will have an unhappy family life. It’s better to get wooed on Trinity and prepare for the wedding.
The ancient Slavs believed that on the day on which Christians later designated Trinity, fairy-tale creatures - Mavkas and mermaids - appeared. Therefore, you shouldn’t walk alone in forests and fields, because they can take a lonely traveler with them and tickle you to death.
According to ancient beliefs, it was forbidden to swim, because mermaids would definitely drag you to the bottom. There is a superstitious legend that there will definitely be a drowned person on Trinity Sunday, so you should avoid any bodies of water and not tempt fate. One of the largest and most revered holidays in Christianity is the holiday of the Trinity, but few people know and understand what kind of holiday it is and what the name Trinity means , which is also used in the ordinary life of Christians.
From time immemorial, it was considered a bad omen to play weddings on Trinity Sunday.
How to celebrate Trinity (Pentecost)
On Pentecost, houses, apartments and churches are decorated with greenery and flowers, as well as birch branches, because the birch tree was the main symbol of this holiday in Rus'.
Before Trinity, it is customary to clean up the house and visit the cemetery to pay tribute to the deceased.
On the morning of Trinity Sunday, people go to the temple and consecrate birch branches, greenery and flowers. It is generally accepted that greenery illuminated on Trinity Day can be stored throughout the year - in Rus', greenery blessed on this day replaced people with a talisman that protected their home from evil spirits and troubles.
On Trinity Sunday, girls often wondered about their future groom.
How to tell fortunes about the Trinity
Of course, the church does not welcome fortune telling, but this tradition has been going on since ancient times.
It is customary to guess on Trinity from Thursday to Sunday.
The most common method for Trinity is fortune telling with wreaths - with their weaving and then floating on water.
On this day, irresponsible Christians tell fortunes using other objects - rings, chains, etc.
Fortune telling by wreath consisted of the girl weaving a wreath and making a wish for the groom, after which she went to the river and tilted her head to throw the wreath into the water.
Ideas based on the behavior of the wreath and fortune telling about the betrothed:
If the wreath floated calmly, then its owner expected a calm year
If the wreath floated under water or sank, then the girl had to be afraid of illness, death of loved ones or other troubles
If the wreath unraveled, then this promised the girl separation from her beloved
If the wreath quickly floated away, then this promised the girl a groom from the far side
A wreath stuck near the shore meant that there was no need to wait for the groom until the next Pentecost.
Films on the theme of the Trinity holiday
Not many films have been made about the Trinity, but nevertheless on the Internet you can find the following films:
Film by Metropolitan Hilarion “Trinity”;
Film "Holy Trinity"
Genre: Documentary
IN last years Interest in Orthodox holidays has noticeably increased among Russians. On such days it is customary to go to church, cover festive table for their loved ones, and in some cases take part in folk festivities that last until the evening. The Orthodox holiday of Trinity is especially revered by the people. This day was one of the most important holidays of the year even among our ancestors, who called it “Green Christmastide”. Subsequently, the ancient traditions were superimposed on the Orthodox, which cemented them even more firmly in the memory of the people.
The traditions of the Trinity holiday are rooted deep in history, today we will talk about them and everything connected with this important day for every Orthodox Christian. Surprisingly, many Russians still have difficulty imagining where this holiday came to us from, as well as what it consists of. main meaning. Let's figure it out together.
Trinity: what kind of holiday and meaning
All Christians in the world celebrate Trinity Day on a grand scale. It belongs to the list of the most important Orthodox holidays, therefore, in addition to special church services, all kinds of folk festivals are held, during which people should have fun with all their hearts.
Often this day is also called “Pentecost”. It is noteworthy that modern church traditions are very closely intertwined with the customs of the Eastern Slavs, who also widely celebrated this day. So what kind of holiday is Trinity? Its importance for every Christian is difficult to overestimate. After all, it was on this day that the Holy Spirit descended to earth and Christians received proof of the trinity of God. From that moment on, they carried the news of Christ around the planet, telling everyone about the Savior of mankind.
Orthodoxy
The history of the Trinity holiday begins in those days when Christianity was just beginning to emerge. It is believed that on one significant day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, descending from heaven in the form of tongues of flame and endowing the apostles with incredible power. She gave them the opportunity to carry the good news throughout the world and preach about Christ to anyone who is ready to hear about the Savior.
It is believed that this particular day is the day of the founding of the Church on earth. In addition, the holiday symbolizes the fact that God is one in three persons. This truth is one of the most difficult to understand in Orthodoxy. Not every believer can realize from the first days that God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit exist in unity and do good on earth, illuminating all living with divine grace.
It is interesting that the foundations for how the holiday of Trinity is celebrated were laid by the apostles themselves. They annually organized magnificent celebrations on this occasion and bequeathed to all their followers not to miss this day under any circumstances.
Pagan roots of the holiday
We have already mentioned that the history of the Trinity holiday goes back centuries, when Christianity had not yet come to Rus'. The first week of summer was considered a period when life-giving natural forces completely conquer darkness and evil. At this time, the hot weather finally set in, which signaled the arrival of best months in the life of the Slavs, when it was possible to forget about the long and cold winter, taking away many souls with it.
It was this deep meaning that gave rise to a number of customs for the Trinity holiday, which are still observed today. Of course, most of our compatriots no longer remember why they need to do this or that way, but they still clearly adhere to established customs and rituals. We will also definitely talk about them in the following sections of the article.
Holiday date
Every year, all Orthodox believers discuss what date the Trinity holiday will be celebrated this year. After all, like many other church holidays, it has a floating date. It directly depends on what day Easter falls on.
The fact is that Trinity comes on the fiftieth day after this bright and great holiday for all Christians. An indispensable condition is the day of the week - it is always Sunday. In order to better navigate the dates of Orthodox holidays, many purchase church calendar, where all the important days for Christians are indicated.
On what date was Trinity Sunday celebrated this year? It fell on the fourth of June, and in 2018 we will celebrate it on the twenty-seventh of May. Each time this day is accompanied by an abundance of events held by city authorities. After all, every mayor strives to do everything to ensure that its residents truly relax during public festivities. But we should not forget about the traditions of the Trinity holiday, which must be observed without fail.
When did the holiday begin to be celebrated in Rus'?
It is noteworthy that only three hundred years after the baptism of Rus', Trinity became a great holiday. For a long time The traditions of the Trinity holiday were not consolidated in any way and did not become familiar and familiar. But thanks to the efforts of Sergius of Radonezh, this day gradually became one of the most significant of the year.
Since the fourteenth century, the Trinity has been celebrated everywhere, and some time later the people combined pagan and Orthodox traditions, forming unique rituals for Trinity, which are still observed today. I would like to talk about them in more detail.
Orthodox traditions
The Trinity service is considered one of the most solemn. The holiday begins on Sunday and lasts three days. The most beautiful service is performed on the first day; it consists of liturgy and vespers, when the descent of the Holy Spirit is glorified in every possible way. It is noteworthy that all church ministers dress in green clothes and read prayers while kneeling. During the Trinity service, traditional prayers for the Church, the salvation of all Christians and the repose of the souls of the dead are considered obligatory. They are read all three days.
Following the ancient tradition of the Trinity holiday, churches across the country are decorated with birch branches and the floors are covered with fresh grass. All this symbolizes the power of the Holy Spirit, which renews and gives life to every Christian.
Rituals
The customs of the Trinity holiday were formed in the pagan period. It was especially loved by the girls, who celebrated it not for three days, but for five. The first celebrations began two days before Sunday and were accompanied by mass celebrations.
The holiday itself had a deep sacred meaning; the Slavs associated it with the cult of nature and its renewal. All sorts of maiden rituals for Trinity were also adopted. The holiday could not happen without mentioning all the dead, and especially those who died from drowning.
In all the villages and hamlets of Rus', before the holiday, girls aged seven to twelve years old went in a noisy group to a birch grove. There they broke branches with young leaves and decorated the huts with them. The Thursday before Trinity belonged to children and young people. them from the very early morning were fed a traditional dish symbolizing sunshine and the arrival of warm days - scrambled eggs. After a hearty breakfast, the group of children went into the forest. There they found the most beautiful birch tree and began to decorate it. The tree was wrapped in multi-colored ribbons, braids were woven from them, and beads and flower wreaths were fastened on top. The children sang songs and danced in circles, and the day ended with a joint meal. It usually consisted of what was taken from the house. But every mother tried to give her child something tasty and special, because eating under the ritual tree was a very important part of the holiday.
On Saturday it was customary to remember deceased relatives, and on Sunday the whole family had to go to the temple, which was decorated in advance with green branches for the holiday. After the end of the service, the young people again went into the forest to remove all the decorations from the birch tree. This action was also accompanied by singing and dancing, after which the children and adolescents began eating again. At the end of the day, the ritual tree was cut down and shown to the whole village, sometimes it was floated down the river. It was believed that this would help rapid growth crops in the fields.
Traditions
The Orthodox holiday of Trinity has many traditions that have come from time immemorial. For example, after leaving the church, people collected grass that fell under their feet and leaves from the trees in the courtyard of the temple. Grass was often mixed with hay to keep livestock healthy, or brewed as a healing drink for family members. But wreaths and figurines were woven from leaves and branches. They were considered amulets for the house and were hung in different parts of it.
Birch is traditionally used to decorate one's home and temples. It is often compared to a Christmas tree, without which a holiday is unimaginable. However, in different parts Branches of other trees are also added to Russia. This is quite acceptable, the main thing is that they are in sufficient quantity. After all, vegetation symbolizes the life given to people through their Creator.
Trinity has always been considered a great holiday, so housewives treated it very seriously and responsibly. They put the house in perfect order, decorated it and made dough for various delicacies. It was considered especially successful if many guests gathered in your house.
Youth folk festivities on Trinity also had their purpose. The girls specially sewed new outfits for this day and decorated themselves with wreaths of flowers and branches. While walking with their girlfriends, they were admired by guys who sent matchmakers to the beauty they liked. It was believed that those who were matched on this day would definitely live a long and happy life.
Housewives baked roe deer for their unmarried daughters on Trinity Sunday. These products made from dough and eggs were shaped like a wreath, and they definitely had to be taken with you into the forest. Without them it was difficult to imagine a meal under a birch tree.
Prohibitions
Modern people have a rather poor understanding of the list of prohibitions characteristic of the Trinity holiday. What can and cannot be done on this day so as not to frighten away your luck? We will now reveal these secrets to you:
- Among the people there was a ban on work on the most important three days of the Trinity. Any work on the land was especially prohibited, but cooking was encouraged in every possible way.
- Under no circumstances should you make brooms from birch branches on this holiday.
- Fences should not be repaired during the week; according to legend, this will cause the birth of pets with deformities.
- There was a strict ban on swimming in lakes and rivers. It was believed that on the days of Trinity, mermaids and all kinds of aquatic evil spirits came to land. She lures young people to her and takes them forever. Therefore, they avoided the banks of rivers and lakes, fires were lit on them for protection, and wreaths with wormwood branches were placed on the boys’ heads.
Folk signs
The Slavs came up with a lot of signs that were attached to the Trinity great importance. For example, dreams on the night of a holiday were considered prophetic. Therefore, they were a great success for the whole family. Many housewives collected medicinal herbs on Trinity Day; on this day they were filled with strength and turned out to be most useful.
If you want to protect yourself from misfortunes and hardships on this holiday, then pay attention to the poor. Walk around and give them some change, this action will be the best protection for you and your loved ones.
Rain on Trinity means a rich harvest of mushrooms; besides, after the holiday one could no longer wait for cold weather and enjoy truly summer warmth.
Holiday in the modern world
How is Trinity celebrated today? Of course, in such a way as to completely immerse yourself in this incredible atmosphere, which is difficult to confuse and compare with anything else. Naturally, traditions and rituals have not been observed in cities for a long time, but in villages you can see the holiday in all its glory. Residents of remote corners of Russia carefully preserve all the rituals characteristic of the Trinity and pass them on to their children. Therefore, a village festival is always so different from what is held in the city.
However, here too people celebrate Trinity on a grand scale. Naturally, every Christian’s morning begins with going to church. On this day, all Orthodox Christians come here, because the service itself takes place in a surprisingly festive atmosphere.
But after going to the temple, real folk festivities begin. Some housewives prefer to prepare a delicious table and invite guests to their home. Mandatory dishes include meat pies, pancakes, eggs painted in green color, and wine. Most often it is red, but a white drink is also allowed.
If you don't want to spend the whole day at home, then go to the city streets. There will certainly be a lot of interesting and fun things there. Usually, in honor of the Trinity, folk festivities are organized with fairs and all kinds of entertainment events. People participate in competitions, buy crafts and delicious pies. Girls and women dress up in the most beautiful outfits, and men compete in strength and dexterity. The holiday lasts until the evening, but the young people do not leave until dawn. After all, Trinity is considered a holiday of strength and youth, as well as love. Of course, if you believe folk beliefs and traditions.
This year Orthodox Church celebrates the holiday of Trinity on May 27. In the life of believers, this is one of the significant holidays in the calendar, when it is worth going to church, turning to the Almighty in prayer, reconsidering your actions and repenting. The history and essence of the Trinity must be understood by every Orthodox family in order to pass on this knowledge to their descendants.
Trinity holiday, what does it mean, essence, history, meaning in Orthodoxy: the history of the holiday
Trinity Day is one of the most important holidays in Christianity. It falls on the fiftieth day after Easter. Consequently, every year, like Easter Sunday, the date of the celebration of the Trinity differs from the previous one.
As you know, every believer from the Holy Scriptures, on the 40th day after the miraculous Resurrection, the spirit of Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, and on the tenth day after this event, the Holy Spirit descended on his apostles. The Feast of the Holy Trinity occurs exactly seven weeks after Easter.
Holy Scripture tells about a miracle that happened to the apostles of Jesus Christ. On that day, all the disciples of the Savior, together with the Mother of God Mary, gathered in one house in Jerusalem. In the city there were many representatives of the Jewish people from different countries who gathered on the occasion of the holiday of Pentecost, which is dedicated to the day when the Torah was given to the Jews on Mount Sinai during the exodus from Egypt.
Suddenly the apostles heard a strong noise, reminiscent of wind, coming straight from the sky. Flames appeared in the room and froze over each of Christ’s faithful disciples. The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and acquired previously unknown knowledge of the languages of the world in order to glorify the name and deeds of the Savior for different nations.
According to the Jewish reckoning of time, this miracle happened at three o’clock in the afternoon; for the believers of our country it was ten in the morning.
When the guests of the city heard an extraordinary noise, they gathered with curiosity at the house with the apostles. Many Jews from other countries were amazed to hear him speak in their own language. native language. Someone in the crowd suggested that the disciples of Jesus who left the house were not sober. Then the Apostle Peter told those gathered that the prediction of the prophet Joel had come true and the Holy Spirit had descended on them to carry the word of God and glorify Jesus Christ.
The words of the sermons of the enlightened apostles in different languages of the world so excited those listening that many accepted faith and were baptized. About three thousand people that day became part of the Church of Christ.
Trinity holiday, what does it mean, essence, history, meaning in Orthodoxy: the meaning of this day for believers
When the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, it confirmed to them the trinity of God, which Jesus Christ preached to his disciples during his lifetime. The essence of the Trinity lies in the concept that God is one in his three manifestations: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Every believer knows that all prayers end with the words “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
The flames that sanctified the faithful followers of the teachings of Jesus carry their own special meaning. According to John Chrysostom, “fire serves as a sign of abundance and strength.” The power of fire is capable of scorching sinful deeds, purifying thoughts and consciousness, warming and sanctifying the souls of people who have come to faith.
Flames and fire can be interpreted as a source of light and heat, the destruction of everything bad and clearing the place for the new.
The day of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles is considered the beginning of the formation of the New Testament Apostolic Church.
Trinity holiday, what does it mean, essence, history, meaning in Orthodoxy: display in icon painting
The familiar plot on the icon, which is known to believers as the Trinity, depicts another story from Scripture. The 18th chapter of the book of Genesis describes the meeting of the forefather Abraham with three angels, who were invited to the house and at the table told him and his wife Sarah about the miraculous birth of their son Isaac and that from Abraham would come “a great and strong nation.”
Three angels, which, according to many Christians, are a prototype of the most holy and consubstantial Trinity, are depicted at a meal at a table in the house of Abraham.
The icon, which conveys the essence of the approaching holiday, has a different plot. Icon painters depict the apostles, and in the upper part of the icon there are rays of light and flame that descend on the heads of the Savior’s disciples. An icon with such symbols is called “The Descent of the Holy Spirit.”
The holiday of Trinity is very revered by the church and true believers. On this day, houses are decorated with green tree branches and flowers, as a symbol of life and the blossoming fruits of virtues, as well as in memory of the grove where Abraham met three angels. In the church, after Sunday liturgy, Vespers is traditionally celebrated with the reading of kneeling prayers for the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of reason and the fear of God to believers.
Trinity Day does not have an exact date - it is usually celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. Thanks to this, this important church holiday has a second known name - Pentecost. Where did this holiday beloved by Christians come from, and what are its traditions?
History of origin
Pentecost is an ancient Old Testament holiday, traditionally celebrated on the 50th day after the Jewish Passover. The Jews attributed this day to three great celebrations, closely linking it with the acquisition by the people of Israel of the Sinai Law, received 50 days after the day of their exit from Egypt. The celebration of Pentecost has always been accompanied by mass fun, general rejoicing and sacrifices.
Orthodox Pentecost, also known as the Day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, is celebrated on the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ; this great holiday represents the beginning of new era existence of humanity. Moreover, an important date is considered the day of the creation of the Christian church. But the most important thing is that on this day the Holy Spirit descended on the 12 apostles and revealed to them that God is one and three at the same time. This is how events unfolded according to the Bible.
On the day of the celebration of Jewish Pentecost, 12 followers of Jesus retired from the mass fun in one of the Zion upper rooms. The disciples of Christ gathered together daily at the request of their mentor. Even during the life of the Savior, they knew about the coming event and were waiting for a new miracle. The Son of God informed them of the coming of the Holy Spirit before he died on the cross. On the 50th day after the Resurrection of the Savior, the participants heard a heartbreaking noise that, like a hurricane wind, filled a small house. Then tongues of fire appeared, they touched everyone present and seemed to separate those who were nearby.
The Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus in the form of God the Father (Divine Mind), God the Son (Divine Word) and God the Spirit (Holy Spirit). This Holy Trinity is the fundamental basis of Christianity, on which the Orthodox faith firmly rests. The Holy Trinity is one God who is also trinity. God the Father is without beginning and creation, God the Son is born of the Father, and the Holy Spirit comes from God the Father.
People who approached the house from which incomprehensible sounds were heard were very surprised that the apostles spoke to each other in different languages. At first they doubted the sobriety of those inside, but the Apostle Peter dispelled the doubts of the unwitting witnesses to the miracle that had taken place. He said that the Holy Spirit had descended on them, and through them it would touch every Christian. God specifically gave the chosen ones the opportunity to speak previously unknown languages and dialects, so that they could go to different countries and tell their inhabitants the Truth about Christ. It is believed that the Holy Spirit descended to the apostles in the form of a cleansing and enlightening fire.
The preachers chosen for an important mission scattered throughout the world. They preached Christianity in different parts of the world, easily communicating with residents of unfamiliar cities in their native languages. The disciples of Christ reached the countries of the Middle East and Asia Minor, baptized people in India, Crimea and Kyiv. Of the 12 apostles, only one survived - John; the rest were executed by opponents of the new faith.
Features of the celebration of Holy Trinity Day
Pentecost always falls at that wonderful time of year when nature generously gives fragrant herbs and fragrant flowers. The green leaves do not yet have time to become covered with road dust and enliven the young branches of the trees. They decorate churches and homes, thereby demonstrating the flourishing of the human soul and the renewal of people. The aroma of herbs mixes with the smell of incense, creating a festive mood and evoking joy. And the faces of the saints, surrounded by fresh greenery, look as if they were alive.
In churches, Trinity is celebrated with special respect. This is the most important and one of have the most beautiful holidays. On the eve of Pentecost, the universal parental Saturday is celebrated, commemorating those who could not be buried according to Christian customs, including those who drowned and disappeared. On the night before the celebration, a night service is held in churches.
On the Day of the Holy Trinity, Sunday hymns are not performed; instead, special holiday songs are sung. The solemn service takes place according to a special festive rite. After the liturgy, Vespers follows, during which the descent of the Holy Spirit is glorified and three special prayers are read. Priests always wear symbolic emerald robes on Trinity Sunday. Parishioners come to the temple in high spirits with flowers and birch branches.
The week after Pentecost does not have fasting on Wednesday and Friday, and immediately after the holiday there follows an important holiday closely connected with the Trinity - the Day of the Holy Spirit.
Russians began to celebrate Holy Trinity Day only in the 14th century - 300 years after the Baptism of Rus'. The holiday was introduced by St. Sergius of Radonezh.
If we know a lot about Easter, then what does the Feast of the Holy Trinity mean? At first glance, everything is quite clear: believers celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Christ.
However, what does the Day of the Holy Trinity mean for us, people of the 21st century, what is its tradition and history? A detailed answer to this question, a comment from the clergyman - all this can be found in the article.
Trinity in Orthodoxy: one holiday - three names
First of all, let's look at the names. There are simple cases when everything is clear: Christmas is Christmas, and Easter is Easter (or the Holy Resurrection of Christ). But with Trinity, things are a little different - the holiday has several names:
- Trinity Day (Holy or Most Holy Trinity Day, Trinity Day) – i.e. a holiday in honor of the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Pentecost - this word has exactly the same meaning in the world. It simply reminds us that the descent of the Spirit took place on the 50th day after Easter. Therefore, the celebration always falls on a Sunday: June 16, 2019, June 7, 2020, etc.
- Spirits Day, or the Day of the Holy Spirit - this name emphasizes the key event in honor of which the holiday is celebrated.
By the way, Spiritual Day falls on Monday, and Pentecost itself falls on Sunday. But what do the three days of Trinity mean? They symbolize the same holiday, it is simply celebrated for three days.
What does the Feast of the Holy Trinity mean for Christians?
The sacred meaning of the holiday is closely connected with its prehistory. The descent of the Holy Spirit was promised by Christ, who called him the Comforter. Why was it necessary to console people?
Everything is very simple. The Savior died, but rose again on the 3rd day, and in honor of this we celebrate Easter. However, after 40 days he ascended to heaven - he went back to his Father, since his earthly mission had already been completed.
And what about the believers, the followers of Christ, his disciples, who later became the apostles of the gospel faith? It was as if they were orphaned, because the Lord, although he had risen, still left them.
Very little time passed, only 10 days (not years, not decades or centuries!), and the promise was fulfilled - the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples in the form of tongues of unquenchable flame.
But what does the feast of the Holy Trinity mean for us? It is interesting that even after 20 centuries, the relevance of those events has not been lost: rather, on the contrary.
With the coming of the Spirit, a special period in human history begins - a time of grace. Now every person, even the most sinful soul, can come to the Lord, ask him for forgiveness with sincere prayer, and receive what he asks for.
The Holy Spirit is our Comforter, and besides, he is the third person of the Trinity. So it turns out that it was with his coming to earth that the triune God was revealed in all his fullness.
The Father created heaven and earth, the Son saved sinful humanity at the cost of his own life, and the Spirit remains with us today to maintain our spiritual strength.
What does the Trinity mean to the Orthodox: commentary from a clergyman
Church representatives give approximately the same answers to the question of what the holiday of Trinity means in Christianity. Traditionally, clergy tell about a story that happened almost 2000 years ago (how the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of Christ).
The priests also emphasize that the Spirit is an invisible force that is always close to the believer. Thanks to him, we can not only receive what we ask for in prayer. We are also capable of doing good deeds - helping people, teaching them and inspiring them, especially in situations where they have already given up and lost all hope.
The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, the Teacher, he personifies the power of God. Moreover: the Spirit is God himself, his third person. Therefore, there will be no mistake in saying that the Lord is always near us, because the Holy Spirit is still on earth.
And the question of what the Trinity holiday symbolizes can be answered this way: it signifies our unity with God. And this is expressed in the fact that we can always turn to him for forgiveness and help and will certainly be heard.
That is why Trinity is no less bright and important holiday than Easter or, for example, Christmas. And it should be celebrated in any home not only with respect, but also with great joy - that sunny feeling that especially often comes to us in spring and summer.