After the trinity, where to put the birch out of the house. Day of the Holy Trinity

Many interesting symbols are associated with the feast of the Holy Trinity (the Day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit or Pentecost). For example, why is the church decorated with birch trees on Trinity? And in general - what does the greenery and the Holy Spirit have to do with it?

Detailed answers to these questions, as well as explanations of the clergy, are presented in our article.

Trinity is always celebrated 50 days after Easter, which also falls on Sunday: June 16, 2019, June 7, 2020, June 20, 2021, etc. On this day, special festive services are held, when all the clergy wear special ceremonial green robes.

And it is customary to decorate the temple with birch branches, wildflowers and generally fresh greens. Why did it happen? The answer is quite simple, but it can't fit into one sentence.

During his lifetime, Christ promised that after his death God would send to earth the Comforter - the Holy Spirit. On the 40th day after Easter, the Savior ascended to heaven, and a decade later, the promised was really fulfilled: the Spirit descended on the followers of Jesus, who are in one of the houses of Jerusalem.

The appearance of the Holy Spirit means the onset of a graceful time when God himself is constantly present on earth (after all, the Spirit is the third person of the Trinity). Now he is always invisible with us, which means that each person can pray to him with a simple prayer, and he will be heard. This event is a symbol of life-giving faith, a great miracle and good that the Lord sent.

Even a sinful soul can sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness, after which he will receive it in full. It turns out that any person can, as it were, be reborn from an unrighteous life to salvation. Moreover, this invaluable gift can be received completely freely - personal merits and professional achievements do not play any role in this matter.

Thus, the feast of the Trinity symbolizes the rebirth of the soul and the fulfillment of the will of God. And what is associated with rebirth if you think about nature? Of course, spring is the time when the sun is shining brighter and the landscape outside is becoming greener.

Why on Trinity they decorate the temple with grass and birch: a commentary of a clergyman

Answers to this question have already been given by priests more than once. For example, Archpriest Boris Stark said back in 1981 that there are at least two reasons for this.

One of them is associated with a legendary historical event, while the other is purely symbolic, but no less important. Below is a rather detailed commentary on why the church is decorated with birch and grass on Trinity.

Why on Trinity they decorate the house with birch branches

Well, why on Trinity the temple and dwelling are decorated with birch branches - the answer is also obvious. Birch is generally a sacred symbol of our country, without any exaggeration.

This tree is one of the most common, and you can find it not only in the countryside, but also in the vastness of a bustling city. That is why many people on Trinity pluck young birch branches, make wreaths out of them, or simply gather them in an armful and carry them into the house.

Previously, you can consecrate greenery in the church, and then put this peculiar bouquet next to the icon or in the most prominent place in the house.

How to decorate a house with birch branches

So, it is clear why houses are decorated with birch branches on Trinity. But how to do that? Here you can give full play to your imagination. The branches can simply be placed in a vase and placed on the table.

You can put young herbs on the dining table. By the way, it is nice to decorate it with green napkins, dishes of the same color and decorative elements (figurines, vases).

You can also make a real green garland by hanging it from the ceiling, as it was customary to do for many centuries.

Birch twigs plucked on Trinity are usually stored for a whole year, and after that they can be replaced with new ones. By the way, this bouquet should not be thrown away like ordinary trash. You just need to carefully collect them and take them to nature or send them along the river - i.e. put where no one would stomp or drive over them.

IT IS INTERESTING

The tradition of decorating a dwelling with birch branches on Trinity closely intersects with the main symbol of Palm Sunday - a willow branch with swollen buds.

In fact, the willow personifies the coming spring, and the birch - summer. Whether these traditions developed at the same time or not, even if this is a mere coincidence, it is at least quite remarkable.

Birch branches on Trinity: folk traditions

It is interesting that greenery in general and specifically birch branches on Trinity have become an interesting symbol not only in church tradition, but also in folk rituals.

Girls, for example, weaved wreaths of greenery and wildflowers, let them flow through the water and wondered at their betrothed. The signs were as follows: the wreath will float - there will be a wedding soon, it will remain in place - you need to wait, it will drown - some difficult test is coming. And it was also customary to keep birch branches throughout the year next to the icon so that it would bring happiness and prosperity to the house.

Many housewives strove to make a broom out of them, which can be used to clean the room, as well as to the cemetery, where they also sought to get on the day of Trinity. I must say that this tradition hardly deserves attention, because on such a bright holiday it is not worth it to put things in order at the grave.

Moreover, on the eve of the celebration, there is a special Trinity parental Saturday, when you can remember your deceased loved ones and clean up the cemetery. And Trinity is a festive day: everything has its time.

The Feast of Pentecost almost always falls at the beginning of summer or the end of spring - the most cherished time of the year, when the warm season is ahead, the time for vacations and many bright moments. There is no such person who would not rejoice at the arrival of something bright and kind (both literally and figuratively). Therefore, Trinity is a holiday for everyone.

Trinity is a colorful, joyful Orthodox holiday, one of the most important. Almost all people celebrate it, but not everyone knows what it means, what its history, traditions, what kind of holiday it is in general. In addition, not everyone is aware of which herbs and when can be consecrated on a holiday.

Trinity is celebrated this year on May 27, and the next day, Monday, will be a day off. The holiday is also commonly called Pentecost, because it is customary to celebrate it on the 50th day from Easter. In churches, they remember the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. The Trinity is symbolized with three images: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. On such a holy day, everyone will free the soul from sins, everything bad.

There are several legends about the Trinity holiday

For an Orthodox person, Trinity is a favorite holiday. Various legends are associated with it, according to one of which God created the earth and sowed greenery. Another legend says that on this day Jesus Christ with Peter and Paul sat down under a green tree to rest, and on this day they began to celebrate the "green holiday" of Trinity. According to the third legend, Jesus Christ was unusually happy as the beggars met him with green branches in Jerusalem. However, the main one is the legend about the trinity associated with the Father, who creates the world, the Son, who redeems people from enslavement to the devil, and the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies the world.

On May 27, 28 and 29, you can commemorate the dead. At the same time, Trinity is the only day when it is allowed to light candles in churches for the repose of the souls of the unbaptized and those who committed suicide.

When greens are consecrated on Trinity, what herbs can be consecrated on this day

On Trinity, houses and churches are decorated with greenery, various herbs, flowers. Usually birch branches, calamus, any flowers are consecrated. On the eve of the holiday, general cleaning is carried out in houses and churches, unnecessary things are thrown away, all objects that resemble some bad events, life moments.

It is advisable to decorate each room in the house with young grass, various greens, branches consecrated in the church. Birch, oak, maple, rowan branches, mint, lemon balm are consecrated. Orthodox in the morning gather in churches for divine services, leave bouquets there for the priests to consecrate. These bouquets are dried and stored for a year as amulets.

After the service, relatives are invited to a festive dinner. The table is set with various dishes that are used to eating in the family - there are no restrictions. Be sure to bake pies, pancakes, boil jelly. By the way, pay attention to the weather on Trinity: if it is rainy, then the summer will be long, forest glades - mushroom, if hot - the harvest will be bad. If you saw a rainbow, there will be great happiness in the house. On this holiday, they woo, marry on the Pokrov, so that the marriage is happy, long, the spouses love each other.

On the streets on the day of Trinity, you can meet mummers. On a holiday, it is customary to lead round dances, dance, sing and guess. On Saturday, May 26, it is necessary to commemorate the dead. Swimming in reservoirs is prohibited on Trinity, otherwise the mermaids will be lured.

Popular names: Deaf birch, birch, white-bodied, birch, navier tree.
Linguists associate the Russian name for birch with the verb to protect. This is due to the fact that the Slavs considered birch to be a gift of the gods, protecting man.
In European languages, most of the names for birch come from the Indo-European "bhe" - light, sparkling.
Planet: Jupiter
Zodiac sign: Cancer (according to another version Sagittarius)
Basic properties: cleansing properties, health, love, protection

Birch is a favorite tree of the Russian people, personifying their soul, a tree of extraordinary kindness. It is also called the tree of life. Since time immemorial, birch has been associated with fertility and healing magic, birch branches were used to endow fertility not only on the earth, but also on livestock and newlyweds. Cradle for newborns was made from birch tree (in almost all European countries).

Symbolically and magically, birch figures as a defense against all misfortunes, both physical and spiritual. Birch is extremely useful and very beneficial in healing spells, spells aimed at strengthening the harvest. Birch branches (especially spring branches that have just blossomed) are rightly considered an excellent talisman that drives away sorrows and ailments, protects children from diseases and many other troubles). Birch is gentle and compassionate, has a very soft, affectionate and at the same time strong influence. In contrast to oak, birch should be addressed to sick, weakened, recovering people. It will alleviate suffering, help to regain lost strength, it is easier to endure the illness, and it will speed up the healing process. The patient is planted, leaning against the trunk, at the roots (birch is a female tree, the men turned to the oak). The patient's thing, which cannot be brought, or brought, to a tree, is hung on a birch branch with a request for help. In witchcraft practice, walking to a growing birch tree to “transmit” the disease to it was considered an effective method of healing magic: water left after bathing a sick child was poured under the birch tree. In the text of the Russian conspiracy from the angina pectoris, the motive of the threat in relation to the disease sounds: "I throw the toad under the birch bush, so that it does not hurt, so that it does not ache."

Communication with a birch tree is useful for people with upset nerves, who are in a state of depression. This tree relieves fatigue, neutralizes the negative effects of everyday stress, and helps to restore mental harmony. A birch tree growing near the house drives away nightmares. The impact of this tree is long lasting. It is better not to come to him, but to live nearby, then it can heal you. Birch has always been credited with the ability to drive away evil spirits.
Birch is used to make numerous magical artifacts: ogamic sticks (staves), magic wands, flying brooms (witch broomsticks are made from a bitch of ash and birch twigs fastened with willow), magic brooms (used in healing), charms of various kinds (from lightning, evil people and spirits).
Birch branches (especially spring branches that have just blossomed) are rightly considered an excellent talisman that drives away sorrows and ailments, protects children from diseases and many other troubles. A birch branch fused with an oak branch is used in love magic. Birch roots are used to cause harm, spoilage. Thin branches of weeping birch trees are used to knit "knots" - a form of charm. Runic spells are written on birch bark with ink from oak nuts and a feather from a raven's wing.

A symbol of fertility and light. Protects from witches, drives away evil spirits, so lazy people and lunatics were fed with birch porridge.

Among the Scandinavians and Teutons, birch is dedicated to Thor, Donar and Frigga. According to legend, the last battle will take place near a birch tree.

In shamanism, birch is the Cosmic Tree, and the shaman made seven or nine ascending notches on its trunk or birch pole, which symbolizes the ascent through the planetary spheres to the Supreme Spirit. In addition, birch is the emblem of Estonia.

In Celtic astrology, the Sun was identified with the Birch. This tree is the first to adorn itself with leaves, marking the beginning of all things.

In the Druidic tradition, birch is the tree of the beginning, a symbol of the first month of the year (December 24 - January 21). In a number of traditions, birch symbolizes light, radiance, purity, obscurity, femininity, fertility, growth and strength of life, etc. The birch twig was a distinctive sign of young druids or bards who attached it to their tunics.

In Rome, birch attributes were used when the consul took over.

In Scotland, birch was associated with the concept of the dead.

Birch, as a world tree upside down, also appears in Russian conspiracies: “On the sea on Okeyane, on the Kurgan Island, there is a white birch, branches down, roots up”.
The holiday of Semik (now Trinity), which is celebrated in June, was dedicated to birches.

It also helps in forecasting the weather: if the birch is pubescent in advance, then wait for a dry summer, and if the alder is wet.

Weeping birch was considered a special tree - it was sometimes called "navi tree", that is, the tree of the dead. Its sap, buds, bark, wood and leaves have never been used for medicinal purposes - only for magical purposes. They said that this tree has a connection with the world of the dead, that mermaids and drowned women love it. Therefore, weeping birch has always been decorated with a mermaid for a week to protect itself from the leprosy of spirits. They tried not to break this tree, so as not to incur the wrath of otherworldly forces. In the old days, people went to him, trying to enlist the help of their ancestors in some important matter or to ask for protection from trouble.

In general, there has always been a special attitude towards birch in Russia. They took care of it, looked after it, specially planted it, trying to "ring" the village with a protective belt of birches. Jewelry made of birch wood was used to protect against evil spirits. Long before the appearance of Christianity, at the time corresponding to the present Trinity, with brooms made from freshly cut branches of this tree, evil spirits were “swept out” of the hut. On this day, the whole hut was washed with a decoction of twigs from illness and misfortune. On the same day, women washed in a bathhouse with an infusion of birch leaves in order to remove external diseases from themselves, to restore lost strength and good spirits.
All Slavs believed that birch branches, which were tucked under the roof of a house, and left in the attic, protected from lightning, thunder, and hail; stuck in the middle of crops in the field, they drive away rodents and birds; abandoned on garden beds, protect cabbage from caterpillars.

With the help of birch branches and birch brooms, they tried to protect themselves from evil spirits, diseases, and the "walking" dead. On the eve of Ivan Kupala's day, birch branches were stuck over the doors of the barns to prevent witches from entering the cows and harm them; birch wreaths were put on the horns of cows to protect them from witches.

Among the Western Slavs, a birch broom leaned against the bed of a woman in labor or the cradle of a newborn was considered a reliable means of protection against evil forces. In many places, it was believed that when a sick child was beaten with a birch twig, the disease would immediately recede.

Birch is a tree that stays awake all day. She falls asleep just before dawn. As the first roosters sing, scattering evil spirits with their voice, the birch plunges into a sweet and deep sleep for 2 hours, so that, waking up at dawn, to give the world its pure strength. Her sleep period is approximately 3-5 in the morning, and the peak of vigor is at 6-9 in the morning.
Symbolically and magically, birch figures as a defense against all misfortunes, both physical and spiritual. Almost all parts of the tree are used in healing.

According to an old Belarusian legend, so that horses would not stop roaming in the new stable, it was necessary to bury a birch log under the threshold.

Conspiracies of a girl for the love of a good fellow
1. Take a birch twig, which is placed on Friday on the threshold, through which one must step over the one on which they wish to act. Having done this, the rod, which no one should see, is placed in a dry and hot place, saying: "Yes, you dry (name) from love for (name), as this rod dries." This spell is repeated three times.
2. From a fresh broom made of birch branches, take a bar and put it on the threshold of the door through which a loved one should enter. Putting the bar down, gently say the following words: "As this thin bar has dried, so let the dear friend (name) for me, slave (name), also dry." The bar, when the person being talked about passed through the threshold, is removed to a secret place, then the sauna is heated, this bar is put on the shelf on the upper shelf, more steam is given and, turning to the side where the bar is, they say: “Steam, bar , and be soft as a fluff, let the heart (name) be to me, slave (name), as soft as you. " After that, the bath is locked, and after a while they take a bar, take it to the water and let it go downstream. You need a rod to run along the river at dawn.
The same conspiracy, but only for the dryness of someone's heart, is done like this: the bar is placed on the threshold, sentencing, as mentioned above, then, after the one who is being talked has passed, the rod is placed on a hotly heated stove, saying: “Be dry , the bar is like a bird's marigold, let my friend (name) be just as dry, and when he gets closer to me, then let him turn red like a lumping apple and grow fat like a clear month after the new moon. "
Birch belongs to the zodiac sign Cancer. She broadcasts for us his power and the moving, unstable energy of the moon. Its energy is cold and refreshing, like clear water, and just like water after bathing, it plunges us into sleep, lifting people to the heights of heaven. She gives a person the support of his kind.

The essence. Birch deals with new beginnings and the acceptance or birth of things. Birch has the power to impart life. This life force gives birth to all things every year. The aspect of empowering and energizing provides a purifying effect. Birch has the power to drive out harmful or malevolent influences with the help of eternal vitality.

A little humor:

Patient: - I have a headache!
Physician:
500 BC - Here, eat this spine.
1000 year - These roots are witchcraft! Read the prayer!
1850 - These prayers are a stupid superstition! Drink this potion!
1940 - These potions are common quackery! Take this pill!
1985 - These pills are ineffective! Take this antibiotic!
2016 - These antibiotics are of artificial origin! Here, eat this spine.

One of the most important Orthodox holidays for believers is. On this day, a festive divine service is held in the temples, and the people themselves arrange magnificent feasts. It is important to know what is being done on Trinity, since several important and obligatory traditions are associated with this day.

What should be done on Trinity?

Many traditions are associated with this great church holidays, and many have survived to this day.

1. The Trinity is a great celebration, which is carefully prepared. In ancient times, girls put on their best outfits and decorated their heads with wreaths.
2. Describing what can be done on Trinity, it is worth mentioning another tradition that you cannot leave the house on this holiday without a cross, which is a talisman against various evil spirits. It is forbidden to walk into the forest alone, so as not to attack the goblin and Mavka.
3. Baking must be present on the festive table. The girls baked goats - round cakes with eggs in the form of a wreath. A traditional ritual meal was arranged near the birches, treating themselves to roe deer, scrambled eggs, pies and kvass.
4. It is also worth knowing what is not done on Trinity, since on this holiday it is forbidden to walk near the water and swim in open reservoirs, since mermaids can take you to the bottom.
5. In the evening, it is customary to arrange festivities, where they lead round dances, sing songs, dance and perform various rituals. Often before, fairs with numerous entertainments were organized for the whole week.

What should be done on Trinity at home?

The hostesses prepare for this church holiday in advance, bringing cleanliness to the house. They decorate their homes with flowers, young grass and green branches, which symbolizes the coming summer and prosperity. If you are interested in what to do on Trinity, then you need to talk about the tradition of arranging a festive dinner on this day, which is attended by relatives and friends. Unfriendly people were not invited to visit. Previously, the table was covered with a green tablecloth and baked goods and many treats were served, believing that the abundance on the table ensures a satisfying life throughout the year.

What is done on Trinity in the church?

All believers should definitely visit the church on this church holiday. During the service, the blessing of wildflowers and young tree branches takes place, which acquire special strength. The priests, answering the question regarding what to do on Trinity, talk about the need to place a service and read prayers in order to express their respect to the Higher powers and ask for happiness.

What do they do on Trinity at the cemetery?

Trinity Saturday, which is considered parental, is of great importance. People who want to know what they are doing on Trinity should take into account that on this day they must go to the cemetery. It is forbidden to drink alcohol on the graves, as this is a manifestation of disrespect. In church on Saturday, you can commemorate suicides by reading the conciliar prayer for the dead. Another important point worth dwelling on is what is done at the cemetery in Trinity, so according to the ancient tradition, the graves must be covered with birch branches. It was believed that this way you can scare away evil spirits and appease the dead.

What they are doing on Trinity - signs

From ancient times to the present day, a huge number of superstitions have survived, which contain the wisdom of more than one generation.

1. The best sign is the rain on Trinity, which symbolizes the purification of nature and the blessing of people. It is believed that if it rains, it means that the whole year will be happy.
2. It is important to know what pregnant women cannot do on Trinity, as women in a position are forbidden to go to the cemetery. To remember your relatives and loved ones, you can simply pray in church.
3. As for wedding signs, Trinity is considered one of the most successful days for matchmaking. Guys can propose to their loved ones without fear and ask their parents for blessings.
4. You cannot work on the Trinity, and any work other than cooking is condemned. On this day you need to rest and have fun.

What amulets are made for Trinity?

In ancient times, women from different plants and flowers made a talisman that helps to preserve beauty, improve health, attract love and cope with loneliness. To make it, you need to prepare peonies and lovage. Understanding what charms are made for Trinity, it is worth providing the following scheme for making a powerful talisman.

1. Three days before the holiday, you need to dry the herbs on your windowsill so that they absorb the three sunrises and three moons. Consecrate the plants in the temple for the feast.
2. At home, take a bath of water. Take a bouquet in your hands, stand on the threshold of the room that is closest to the exit. It is important that the center of the foot is right on the doorstep. Say these words "Pass Trinity my loneliness."
3. Put the bouquet in a bath and take it to saturate the body with positive energy. After this, the plants should be removed and buried. Throwing herbs is prohibited.

What are they doing on Trinity - conspiracies

There are many rituals that help change life for the better.

What to do with the grass after Trinity?

Traditionally, on this day in the church, it is customary to consecrate bouquets, moreover, consisting of simple wildflowers and marsh grass. After the service they are brought home and used as decoration. Also, believers must take with them the field herbs that decorate the church and even scatter them on the floor. At the same time, many do not know what to do with flowers after Trinity, so they are not thrown away, but used in several ways:

1. It is believed that consecrated plants have healing powers, therefore they are used as a healing agent. Dry grass is dried, pounded, and then, set on fire and fumigated with the fragrant smoke of a sick person.
2. In villages, grass is given to livestock so that it does not get sick throughout the year.
3. Finding out what is customary to do on Trinity from grass, it is worth pointing out that small bouquets dry them and store them for a year, as a powerful talisman against the evil eye and an accidental guest.

For Trinity, houses and temples are decorated with tree branches. / tatarstan-mitropolia.ru

Trinity is celebrated 50 days after ... Hence the second name of the holiday - .

By Trinity, houses and churches are decorated with branches of various trees - most often birch. We have already written about.

But what to do with them after the holiday?

Pious people in no way throw away such branches and grass, especially when it comes to greenery consecrated in the temple.

In the temple, after the service, such herbs (even those that were used to decorate the floor) are carefully collected and then used as a remedy.

However, animals are most often treated with such herbs. In the villages, they still do this: they will feed the livestock with such grass so that it does not get sick all year round.

Some people also treat people: they bring from the church a bunch of grass consecrated on Trinity, dry it and keep it for a whole year as a talisman against the evil eye of an accidental guest. Some are dried and pounded in a mortar, believing that it is enough to fumigate the patient with the smoke of such a powder in time - and he will recover.

What herbs are holy in the church on Trinity

Most often, lovage, wormwood, tansy, calamus, thyme, lemon balm and mint are collected on Trinity and then blessed in the temple. These herbs are healing in and of themselves, the rite of consecration only enhances their beneficial properties, people say.

Read more about the traditions and prohibitions of this day in the material of "Glavred" .