Day of the Holy Trinity. Feast in Orthodox worship. Why temples are decorated with birches

Trinity is a great Orthodox holiday, symbolizing the fullness of God's grace, when the third Holy hypostasis appeared to people - the Holy Spirit, in 2019 is celebrated on June 16.

Before His ascension, resurrected and staying with the chosen disciples, the Apostles, Jesus commanded them not to leave Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit descended on them, after which He ascended to heaven.

Biblical Description of Pentecost

Trinity called this holiday in honor of the fullness of God, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with which the Creator baptized the Apostles on the fiftieth day from the Resurrection of the Lord. Hence the second name of this holiday - Pentecost.

The Holy Trinity

In prayer, daily communion were the Apostles and faithful followers of Jesus Christ, among whom were:

students;
the women who accompanied the teacher during His earthly life;
Mother Mary;
His brothers.

The Teacher did not say when the Holy Spirit would appear, and how it would be, only said that everyone should be in expectation.

The history of the holiday in Orthodoxy

From that day on, every Sunday every 50 days or seven weeks after the Apostles and the Christians around them celebrated the day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. The celebrations of the Week ended with the baptism of those added to the Church.

Quintus Tertullian, an early Christian theologian, writer of more than 31 preserved treatises, wrote in 220-230 that the feast of the Trinity eclipsed all the pagan rites of that time.

The Trinity in Orthodoxy denotes the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Pentecost received official recognition by the Church in 381 during the Ecumenical Council of Constantinople, at which a dogma was approved recognizing the equality of all three hypostases of the Holy Trinity.

At the Council, the Symbol of the Christian Faith was adopted - I believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Symbol of faith
I believe in God the Father, the Almighty Creator who created heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, the Savior of people, who was born of the Virgin Mary at conception by the Holy Spirit, was tormented during the time of Pontius Pilate, died through crucifixion, was buried and resurrected after descending into hell, ascended to Heaven, sat at the right hand of the Most High, so that with Him to judge people, living and dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Universal Church, eternal life through forgiveness and resurrection. Amen.

Amen in translation means the statement "So be it!"

The difference between the Trinity and other holidays

Easter services end with Pentecost, after which the weeks in the church calendar are numbered weeks after Trinity.

The Monday after the feast of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit is called the Day of the Holy Spirit. From it until Easter, the Creed is read, and after the Resurrection of Jesus and until the day of Pentecost, during church and home prayers, the hymn is read: “Christ has risen from the dead, overcame death by death, rose alive from the tomb”, which is not sung after the Day of the Holy Spirit.

Divine service on the Trinity begins with a prayer, it is read before the start at the end of every holiday and deed, when the Holy Spirit is called as a reliable helper.

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, dwelling everywhere and filling everything, Source of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell in us and cleanse us from all sin and save our souls, Good One.

St. John of Damascus and Cosmos of Maium compiled the canons of the holidays as early as the eighth century; they were set forth in the First Complete Byzantine Charter for the Service on the Trinity.

For information! At the evening service, there is no kissing of the icon; the parishioners venerate the Gospel.

At the vigil before the feast, the canon of Pentecost is read. The morning Liturgy is replaced by the feast of the Holy Spirit, on which prayers are read, kneeling.

The festive stichera helps to understand the meaning of this action. The Jewish people, in whose midst God the Son was born, is deprived of God's grace through their unbelief. Christians all over the world, pagans according to the flesh, are filled with Divine light. On our knees, as a symbol of a bowed heart, with deep faith we worship the third Hypostasis of the Divine Trinity - God the Spirit.

Compiled the first prayers:

The first petition is dedicated to the confession before the Creator of sins and the request for mercy in the name of the Sacrifice given to people by Jesus Christ, God the Son.
The second prayer is an appeal for the gift of the Holy Spirit to all people.
The third appeal to Christ, the Mission, God, who descended into hell and took the keys of life from Satan, to have mercy on our deceased relatives.

During the holiday, the Troparion is performed:

Blessed are you, Christ our God, who gave wisdom to the fishermen, making them Apostles, sent them the Holy Spirit and helped them win the whole world, glory to Thee, God is the Lover of mankind.

Traditions of decorating temples and houses on the day of Pentecost

According to folk tradition, on the Trinity, churches and houses are decorated with greenery; the people call this holiday green Christmas time.

Decorating the temple with greenery on the feast of the Trinity as a symbol of the flourishing of the Christian soul

On the one hand, this is a historical basis. God appeared to Abraham in the form of three elders who were reclining under an oak tree.

On the fiftieth day after the exit from Egypt, the Almighty on the green Mount Sinai gave the people 10 commandments, which are now the basis of Christianity.

According to custom, in honor of these events, all the temples were decorated before with greenery. Greenery at Pentecost symbolizes the flowering of the Christian soul, which was awakened by the Divine Spirit through the grace of God the Father and the Son.

The birches cut down on the Trinity symbolize the power of grace. While the tree was fed through the roots, grew in the ground, it lived, and as soon as it was cut down, it died. So the human soul lives as long as it is nourished by Divine power, but when a person departs from the Church, he immediately perishes. Jesus is the Vine, and we are His branches, feeding on mercy, forgiveness through confession and communion.

For information! The next week after the Bright Week is short, it ends with the Week of All Saints, after which Peter's fast comes.

The Almighty showed himself to be triune in the Trinity consubstantial and inseparable, you should not try to understand this dogma with your mind, explain it with the human mind. Each hypostasis of the Trinity has its own face, but these are not three Gods, but a single Divine essence.

Day of the Holy Trinity. Pentecost

The Day of the Holy Trinity, Pentecost, the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostle or simply the Trinity is the twelfth holiday celebrated on the 50th day after Easter, in 2019 - June 16.

Blessed ecu, Christ our God. Even the fishermen of the manifestations are wise, sending down the Holy Spirit to them, and by those catch the universe: Lover of mankind, glory to Thee.

The real beginning of the history of the Church, her birth was the feast of Pentecost 30.

Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims from all over the Roman Empire. Suddenly, the attention of the people was attracted by a group of Galileans: seized with inspiration, they addressed the people with strange speeches. Some considered them drunk, but others were struck that these people from Galilee were understood even by those who did not know the Aramaic dialect. Then Peter, the disciple of Jesus, came out and said that the time had come for the fulfillment of the prophecies, when the Spirit of God rested on all the faithful. "Men of Israel! he exclaimed. - Hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, the Man, testified to you from God by powers and wonders and signs, which God did through Him among you, as you yourself know, this one, betrayed by the certain counsel and foreknowledge of God, you took and, nailing with the hands of lawless , killed; but God raised him up, having loosed the bands of death: because it was impossible for her to hold him.”

The power of Petrova's speech was incomparable. On the same day, thousands of Jews were baptized in the name of Jesus...

What happened to the students? What suddenly turned them into bold heralds of Christ?

No research of historians can give an answer. Here is the mystery of the Spirit of God, which was sent by Jesus to strengthen His nascent Church.

From the moment when a mysterious sound like the noise of the wind swept over the disciples, and the tongues of heavenly flame flared up, they became different people. Those who recently fled Gethsemane in Fear begin the worldwide preaching of the Gospel.

Neither the threats of the bishops, nor tortures, nor prisons will stop them. New generations will follow. Rulers and philosophers, officials and police will arm themselves against them. But, crucified, Burned, perishing in the arenas of circuses, they will stand in the power of the Spirit.

Temptations and temptations will come in a muddy wave: imaginary Christians, imaginary Christian emperors, unworthy shepherds, false teachers and schismatics. But nothing can crush the Church of Christ.

The feast of Pentecost is the day of the manifestation of the Spirit of God in the Church. God the Father laid the foundation for it in the Old Testament, the Son-Logos created it, having incarnated on earth, the Spirit acts in it. Therefore, the feast of her birth is called the day Holy Trinity.

Holiday kontakion:

Whenever descended the tongues of the merger, dividing the tongues of the Highest; when you spread tongues of fire, the whole call is united, and according to we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.

On Saturday, the eve of Pentecost, the dead are commemorated.

After the Liturgy of Trinity Day, Vespers follows, at which the priest reads three prayers addressed to the Triune God. At this time, everyone kneels for the first time since Easter.

In the Russian folk tradition, the holiday of the Trinity was associated with the farewell to spring and the meeting of summer. On this day, temples and houses have long been decorated with birch branches and flowers in honor of the life-giving Spirit of God.

Books about Pentecost

John Chrysostom "Discourses on Pentecost"

What are the fruits of the Spirit? Listen to Paul who says: the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace” (Gal. 5:22). Look at the accuracy of his expressions, at the consistency of his teaching: first he put love, and then he mentioned what follows; put down the root, and then showed the fruit; established the foundation, and then erected the building, began with the source, and then moved on to the streams. No sooner can the foundation of joy be laid, than if we begin in advance to consider the welfare of others as our own, and taking the blessings of our neighbor for our own; and this can only happen if the power of love prevails in us. Love is the root, source and mother of all that is good.

Gregory the Theologian "Word for Pentecost"

The Holy Spirit has always been, and is, and will be; He did not begin and will not cease to exist, but is always one and indivisible with the Father and the Son. For it was indecent either for the Father to ever be without the Son, or for the Son to ever be without the Spirit; it would be extremely inglorious for the Godhead, as if, as a result of a change in His counsels, to come into the fullness of perfection. So the Spirit has always been acceptable, not accepting; doing, not being done; filling, not filling; sanctifying, not sanctified; leading to deification, and not introduced into deification. He is always the same for himself and for those with whom he is one; invisible, not subject to time, incapable, immutable, has neither quality, nor quantity, nor form, intangible, self-moving, ever-moving, free, autocratic, omnipotent (although, like everything belonging to the Only Begotten, so everything belonging to the Spirit, is elevated to the first Wine ); He is life and life-giving; He is light and light Giver; He is the source of goodness and the source of goodness; He - Spirit right dominating(Ps. 50:12.14), Lord(2 Cor. 3:17), sending (Acts 13:4), separating (Acts 13:2), building a temple for Himself (Col. 2:22), instructing (John 16:13), active as he pleases(1 Cor. 12:11), dividing gifts, The Spirit of Adoption(Rom. 8:15), truth(John 14:17), wisdom, understanding, knowledge and piety, advice, strength, fear according to the reckoning (Isaiah 11:3.4). Through Him the Father is known and the Son is glorified (John 16:11), and He Himself is known by them alone, one and indivisible, service and worship, one power, one perfection and sanctification. But why expand? Everything that the Father has belongs to the Son, except for the unbegotten; everything that the Son has belongs to the Spirit, except for birth. And unbegottenness and birth do not distinguish between essences, in my opinion, but differ in one and the same essence.

Leo the Great "Word for Pentecost"

is the inspirer of faith, the teacher of knowledge, the source of love, the sign of chastity and the basis of all moral perfection. Let the souls of the faithful rejoice in the fact that in the whole world there is one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, glorified by the confession of all languages; and also to the fact that this sign, which appeared in the form of fire, continues to this day in deeds and gifts. For the Spirit of truth Himself longs for the house of His glory and His light to shine, and desires that there be neither darkness nor cold in His temple.

Christos Yannaras "Faith of the Church"

The descent of the Holy Spirit is not some kind of magical addition to the abilities and gifts of a person, but the release of vital potentialities, in which there is nothing illogical and “supernatural”. "Outpouring" of the Spirit on human nature it is not its logos (that is, what nature is) that transforms, but the mode of its existence, the path of hypostatic self-determination. Acceptance of the gift of the Spirit of God means that the need for biological heredity and individual autonomy ceases to determine our hypostatic existence. The organic consequence of precisely this freedom from natural necessity and the power of causality are all the miraculous "signs" in the life of Christ and the apostles - "signs" constantly experienced by the Church and her saints.

Nikolai Afanasiev "Church of the Holy Spirit"

The Church is a fertile organism, not because she once received the gifts of the Spirit, which she keeps as in some kind of treasury, not because some in her receive charisma, but because she lives and acts by the Spirit. She is the place of His action. There is no life in the Church, no action in it, no service in it without the Spirit, and finally, there is no Church itself. Founded by Christ at the Last Supper, it was actualized at Pentecost, when the glorified Lord sent the Spirit to the disciples. From this day forward, the Spirit lives in the Church, and the Church lives by the Spirit.

Veniamin (Fedchenkov) "The Kingdom of the Holy Trinity"

Interpretation of the Liturgy of the Feast of the Trinity, Pentecost. This book has an amazing form: it is, as it were, the diary entries of Veniamin (Fedchenkov) "from the inside" of the holiday. It is clear that in interpreting the feast of the Trinity, Vladyka comes to the level of lofty theological themes.

Gregory (Krug) "Thoughts about the icon"

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the ultimate fullness of the fulfillment and crowning of the Church of Christ, like a dome that overshadowed the temple in the descent of the Holy Spirit. The whole Church was filled with the fullness of the Trinity glory, prophetically proclaimed by Joel - "and I will show miracles in heaven ..." - which is a hidden image of the Trinity. Everything in the Church was determined by the descent of the Holy Spirit, but this descent, I think, should not be understood as some one-time action of God's watching, which gave the Church a perfect dispensation and became a sacred remembrance of the Church. It seems that the descent of the Holy Spirit, which took place in a certain place and on a certain day, is in the Church an unceasing secret action, as if the breath of the Church. Arising under certain conditions, having its own beginning, it has no end. It is like a heavenly stream opened in the Church, the waters of which will never dry up.

Innocent of Kherson "The Feast of Pentecost"

The feast of Pentecost is celebrated by the Church on the fiftieth day, counting from the first day of Easter, whence its name comes from, in remembrance of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles in the form of fiery tongues (Acts 2; 1-14), why this feast was called and is still called Spirit in the afternoon (ημερα πνευματος), or the feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. It is also called the Trinity Day, or the feast of the Holy Trinity; because with the descent of the Holy Spirit, the sacrament of the Most Holy Trinity became clear and open to all. “Trinity ubo,” it is sung in the service for this feast, “divide grace, as if it would reveal three Hypostases to honor in the simplicity of power, but in the one day of the Lord, the Son, Father and Spirit are blessed.” - The moral idea of this holiday is that the Spirit of God alone gives strength and strength for Christian activity, that without Him not a single truly good deed can be accomplished, not only our salvation, and that, therefore, we must behave in such a way that the Spirit God has always dwelt in us.

Bible on Pentecost

Acts of the Holy Apostles

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together with one accord. 2 And suddenly there was a noise from heaven, as if from a rushing strong wind and filled the whole house where they were. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, and rested one on each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were Jews in Jerusalem, devout people, from every nation under heaven. 6 When this noise was made, the people gathered together and were confused, for everyone heard them speaking in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying among themselves, Are not these who speak all Galileans? 8 How can we each hear our own language in which we were born. 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and parts of Libya adjacent to Cyrene, and who came from Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them with our tongues speaking of the great things of God? 12 And they were all amazed, and wondering, they said to one another, What does this mean? 13 And some, mocking, said, They have drunk of sweet wine.

14 And Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said to them, Men of the Jews, and all who dwell in Jerusalem! this be known to you, and heed my words: 15 they are not drunk, as you think, for now is the third hour of the day; 16 but this is what was prophesied by the prophet Joel:

17 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters will prophesy;
and your young men will see visions,
and your elders will be enlightened by dreams.

18 And on my servants and on my handmaids
in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
and they will prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above
and signs on the ground below,
blood and fire and smoking smoke.

20 The sun will turn into darkness,
and the moon - in the blood,
before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

22 Men of Israel! Hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man testified to you from God by powers and wonders and signs, which God did through him among you, as you yourselves know, , killed; 24 but God raised him up, breaking the bands of death, because it was impossible for her to hold him. 25 For David says of him:
“I always saw the Lord before me,
for he is at my right hand, lest I should be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue rejoiced;
even my flesh will rest in hope,

27 for you will not leave my soul in hell
and you will not let your holy one see corruption.

28 You made me know the way of life,
You will fill me with joy in Your presence.”

29 Men, brethren! let it be allowed to boldly tell you about the forefather David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 And being a prophet, and knowing that God swore to him from the fruit of his loins to raise up Christ in the flesh and to seat him on his throne, 31 he said beforehand concerning the resurrection of Christ,
His soul was not left in hell,
and His flesh did not see corruption.
32 This Jesus God raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into heaven; but he says:
“The Lord said to my Lord:
sit at my right hand,

35 until I make your enemies your footstool."

36 Know therefore, all the house of Israel, that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 When they heard this, they were pricked in their hearts and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, what shall we do, brothers and sisters? 38 But Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted, saying, Save yourself from this perverted generation. 41 So those who willingly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added. 42 And they continued continually in the teaching of the Apostles, in fellowship and breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 There was fear in every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the Apostles in Jerusalem. 44 But all the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 And they sold their possessions and all property, and distributed to all, according to the need of each. 46 And every day they dwelt with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and being in the favor of all the people. The Lord daily added those who were being saved to the Church.

Trinity is traditionally celebrated on Sunday, the fiftieth day after Easter. Therefore, just like Easter, the Trinity is a "mobile" holiday. This day is a memory of the event when, after the crucifixion of Christ, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles.

There is no exact date for Holy Sunday, so the Trinity is celebrated every year at different times. For example, in 2018, the Orthodox will celebrate Easter on April 16, if you count 50 days from this date, you get May 27 - this will be the Day of the Holy Trinity.

Trinity in 2018: Pentecost always falls on that wonderful time of the year when nature generously gives fragrant herbs and fragrant flowers

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 the exodus from Egypt. The celebration of Pentecost has always been accompanied by mass joy, 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 a new era for the existence of mankind among Christians, the site reports. Moreover, an important date is considered the day of the foundation 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 things unfolded, according to the Bible.

Since the Trinity is a religious holiday, it is natural that this day is never complete without a service in the temple, which traditionally includes the Divine Liturgy and Great Vespers.

Moreover, it is customary to decorate churches on the Trinity with greenery: freshly cut grass is usually placed on the floor, icons are decorated spring flowers and young tree branches. Many believers on this day bring several branches of birch with them to church to consecrate them, and then put them at home (usually the consecrated branches were placed near the icons). It is believed that in this way you can protect your home and yourself at the same time from all evil. In general, the birch is the main attribute of the holiday, its branches symbolize the power of the Holy Spirit.

Another tradition of Trinity Day is to arrange a feast and invite all relatives, friends and relatives to the celebration. By the way, since Pentecost is not a fast day, the hostesses have the opportunity to demonstrate all their culinary skills and please their guests with a wide variety of treats. However, the traditional dish for the Trinity was and remains loaf.

Trinity in 2018: The Russian tradition of decorating churches and houses with birch branches is known to all

Since ancient times, the Trinity has been considered the day of the founding of the New Testament Church on earth, since the Holy Spirit endowed the apostles with special power so that they could preach the Gospel throughout the world and convey to everyone the message of Jesus as the Savior of all mankind.

In honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit, the holiday got its name: this event marked the trinity of God. The three hypostases of the Holy Trinity - God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit - exist in unity, creating the world and sanctifying it with divine grace.

The feast in honor of the Holy Trinity was established by the apostles - they annually celebrated the day of the descent of the Holy Spirit and commanded it to all Christians. There is also an indication of this in the Apostolic Constitutions.

The roots of the Trinity Day go back to the times when Rus' was still pagan. The week at the beginning of summer marked the final victory of nature over the forces of darkness, the victory of spring over winter, and the beginning of a hot summer.

Therefore, in addition to the church, there were many folk traditions and customs, which are closely intertwined with pagan ones, which have become an integral part of this day.

Rituals and beliefs

The celebration of the Trinity in Rus' lasts for several days, but on the first day, which is popularly called Green Sunday, people should be especially careful and careful.

Therefore, it is customary to decorate their homes with various fragrant herbs, and icons with birch branches in order to protect themselves from various mythical creatures, such as mermaids, mavkas, goblins and other evil spirits.

In the old days, they believed that these days the mermaids went ashore and lured the guys. To avoid this, bonfires were burned along the banks of rivers and lakes for several nights in a row - it was believed that the hot fire was supposed to stop evil spirits.

The symbol of the Trinity was wreaths floating on the river - so the girls guessed at the betrothed and, according to some beliefs, paid off mermaids and mawks, who also want to dress up. Because the wreaths were very handy.

On this twelfth feast, the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles in the form of fiery tongues is remembered and glorified (Acts 2:1-4).

This holiday received the name Pentecost, firstly, because it was celebrated in the Old Testament Church, and secondly, because this holiday falls on the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles is the "completion" of the new, eternal Covenant of God with man.

The Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost appeared in the world in a visible way and perceptibly for the human soul - with the gifts of saving grace.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the community of disciples, as the beginning of the Church of Christ, and it became, as it were, a single body, enlivened by the soul. Since that time, the Church of Christ began to grow through the assimilation and attachment of other souls to itself.

The Holy Spirit produced an extraordinary beneficial effect on the disciples of Christ and the apostles: they completely changed, they became, as it were, different people; they felt in themselves such a love for God and people that they had no idea about before. It was the outpouring of the love of Christ into their hearts by the Holy Spirit. They felt in themselves the strength and boldness to do everything, to give their whole lives for the glory of God and the salvation of people.

The Holy Spirit brings into existence (“realizes”) and animates all creation; everything lives and moves in Him: “everything that was created, as God He strengthens, keeps in the Father by the Son.”

The depth of gifts, the wealth of glory, theology and wisdom are given by the Holy Spirit. They are given to all the source of Divine treasures, holiness, renewal, deification, reason, peace, blessing and bliss, for He is Life, Light, Mind, Joy, Love and Goodness.

“The Holy Spirit gives everything, sharpens prophecies, priests perform, teach non-bookish wisdom, fishermen show theologians, everyone gathers the church council ...”.

On the day of Pentecost, for the first time, the mystery of the Divine Being, the mystery of the Holy Trinity, was clearly revealed. The dogma of the Holy Trinity is fundamental in Christianity. He explains the whole work of the redemption of sinful mankind. All Christian doctrine is based on faith in the Triune God.

All of our worship, public and private, begins with the glorification of the Holy Trinity. Prayers to the Holy Trinity accompany a person from his birth to death. The first words the Church addresses to a newly born baby are "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the sacrament of Baptism, the Church resurrects the baby "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the sacrament of Chrismation, the “seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit” is placed on him. From adolescence, the penitent is forgiven for confession of his sins "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." In the name of the Holy Trinity, the sacrament of Marriage is performed. Finally, the priest's prayer at the burial of the deceased: "For Thou art the Resurrection..." ends with an appeal to the Holy Trinity.

The feast of Pentecost, according to church hymns, is a feast "after-feast", the final one. It is the completion of all great holidays - from the Annunciation Holy Mother of God, until Easter and the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. The feast of Pentecost is the glorious end of the long, cross, thorny path of the salvation of the world by the God-man Christ, the day of the birth of the Church of Christ, within whose fence people are saved by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

history of the holiday

The feast of Pentecost was established by the apostles themselves. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, the apostles annually celebrated the day of Pentecost and commanded all Christians to remember it (1 Cor. 16:8; Acts 20:16). Already in the Decrees of the Apostles (book 5, ch. 20) there is a direct commandment to celebrate Holy Pentecost: “Ten days after the Ascension, there is the fiftieth day from the first day of the Lord (Easter), let this day be a great feast. For at the third hour of this day the Lord Jesus sent the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The feast of Pentecost, called the day of the Holy Spirit, has been solemnly celebrated by the Church since the earliest times. It was given special solemnity by the custom of the Ancient Church to perform the baptism of the catechumens on this day (hence the hymn of the liturgy: "They were baptized into Christ ..."). In the 4th century, St. Basil the Great, kneeling prayers read at vespers so far. In the 8th century, St. John of Damascus and St. Cosmas of Maium composed many hymns in honor of the holiday, which the Church still sings.

With fiery tongues the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in the upper room of Zion— so the ancient prophecy came true, which the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Joel: “And it will come to pass after that, I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy; your old men will dream, and your young men will see visions. And also on my servants and maidservants in those days I will pour out my Spirit” (Joel 2:28,29).

The grace-filled power of the Spirit helped the apostles to found the Church and carry the Christian sermon throughout the world, and the world has heard and continues to hear the call of Christ: "Whoever is thirsty, come to Me and drink" (John 7:37). And every person is free to respond to this call or not.

And in the Church, to this day, continues to operate Spirit Comforter, with no less force than in the time of the apostles. And the source of pure, transparent water of the grace of the Holy Spirit is open to everyone who is thirsty. May God grant everyone to be able to taste this water, so that they “thirst forever” (John 4:14).

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost is described in the Acts of the Holy Apostles (Acts 2:1-18). On the fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ (the tenth day after the Ascension), the apostles were in Jerusalem, “... suddenly there was a noise from heaven, as if from a rushing strong wind, and filled the whole house where they were. And divided tongues appeared to them, as if of fire, and rested one on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:2-4).

The Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost appeared in the world in a visible way and perceptibly for the human soul - with the gifts of saving grace.

It was the outpouring of the love of Christ into their hearts by the Holy Spirit.. They felt in themselves the strength and boldness to do everything, to give their whole lives for the glory of God and the salvation of people.

The depth of gifts, the wealth of glory, theology and wisdom are given by the Holy Spirit. They are given to all the source of Divine treasures, holiness, renewal, deification, reason, peace, blessing and bliss, for He is Life, Light, Mind, Joy, Love and Goodness.

On the day of Pentecost, for the first time, the mystery of the Divine Being, the mystery of the Holy Trinity, was clearly revealed.

History of the Holy Trinity

On this day, Jews from different cities and countries were in the city on the occasion of the holiday. Hearing the noise, they gathered in front of the house where the apostles were, and when they heard that inside they were speaking in various dialects, they were astonished. Some of them mocked the apostles and "said, they have drunk of sweet wine" (Acts 2:13).

Then Peter, standing with the eleven, proclaimed to them: Men of the Jews, and all who dwell in Jerusalem! this be known to you, and heed my words: they are not drunk, as you think, for now is the third hour of the day; but this is what was foretold by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and your youths will see visions, and your elders will be enlightened by dreams. And on My servants and on My handmaids in those days I will pour out My Spirit, and they will prophesy. (Acts 2:14-18)

Appearance of the Holy Trinity St. Alexander Svirsky

The disciples were gathered in prayer, in remembrance of their murdered and resurrected Teacher.. And suddenly tongues of fire descended upon them; The Spirit of God descended on them with fire, they were filled with inspiration - the apostles were no longer the same as they were fifty days before. Then, frightened, they huddled in fear that their Teacher had been defeated, killed.

Now the same people filled with this inspiration, this breath eternal life, filled with God's presence, went out to the people around them and without fear, with courage, which they themselves could not have had a clue about before, they began to talk about Christ as God who became a man, they began to talk about God as Love, love immeasurable , immeasurable, which embraces, embraces everything and everyone.

And the same inspiration filled them with such boldness and such courage, thanks to which they went not only to preaching, but to suffering, to beating, to torment and torment, to dungeons, and, ultimately, to death.

The Spirit of God was poured out on them; The spirit of sonship: as the Son of God, so they became the sons of God, and just as the Savior Christ came into the world to save people at the cost of His life, so they gave their life and their death to people so that they would hear that God is love that there is meaning in the world, that we are dear to God, and that human society must be built on new principles - not on the principles of violence, lies, oppression, but on the basis of love, mutual recognition, on the principles of the sacrifice of the one who knows, and for the sake of the one who does not yet know. Christ said to two disciples: As the Father sent me, so I send you: to death, to life, to victory.

The beginning of the church year in apostolic times was laid by the celebration of the Resurrection of the Savior. The second oldest Christian holiday was day of Pentecost into which the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles.

According to legend, on the site of the Zion Upper Room, where the apostles stayed on the day of Pentecost, the first Christian church was built, which survived even during the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 by Roman legionnaires. One fragment from the writings of Hieromartyr Irenaeus of Lyon contains a mention of the feast of the New Testament Pentecost (end of the 2nd century).

In ancient times it was also called feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit. On this day the Church was born. Since that time, the Holy Spirit has been gracefully present in the life of the Church and performs all her Sacraments. The divine service of the holiday was formed and enriched gradually by the works of St. Gregory the Theologian (4th century), St. Roman the Melodist (V - per. half of the VI century), Saints Cosmas of Mayum and John of Damascus (VIII century), Theophan, Metropolitan of Nicaea (IX century) and Emperor Leo (886 - 912).

Day of the Holy Trinity.

Stichira imp. Leo Come to the Trinitarian Deity let's worship marks the beginning of the celebration of Pentecost as a holiday in honor of the Trinitarian God - the Most Holy Trinity. The Lord Himself pointed out to His disciples the special theological meaning of this great New Testament event: When the Comforter comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me (John 15:26).

During the seven weeks of Pentecost, according to the charter, prostrations are not allowed. At the end of this period, three kneeling prayers are read, composed by St. Basil the Great.

But since it is forbidden to make great prostrations on Sunday throughout the year, and the feast of the Most Holy Trinity always takes place on Sunday, immediately after the Divine Liturgy, Monday Vespers Honoring the Holy Spirit. During this Vespers we kneel for the first time (after the burial of the Shroud).

The dogma of the Holy Trinity is the main dogma in Christianity. He explains the whole work of the redemption of sinful mankind. All Christian doctrine is based on faith in the Triune God. All of our worship, public and private, begins with the glorification of the Holy Trinity. Prayers to the Holy Trinity accompany a person from his birth to death. The first words that the Church addresses to a newly born baby are “ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit».

In the sacrament of Baptism, the Church resurrects the baby "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." In the sacrament of Chrismation, the “seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit” is placed on him. From adolescence, the penitent is forgiven for confession of his sins "in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

In the name of the Holy Trinity, the sacrament of Marriage is performed. Finally, the priest's prayer at the burial of the deceased: "For Thou art the Resurrection..." ends with an appeal to the Holy Trinity.

The custom of decorating the temple with branches, flowers and grass dates back to ancient times. The Old Testament Pentecost was the feast of the gathering of the firstfruits (Ex 23:16). In the courtyard of the Temple, people brought the first fruits of the harvest and flowers. In the New Testament time, the trees and plants in the temple symbolize the renewal of people by the power of the descended Holy Spirit.

Pentecost is the second of the three great holidays of the ancient Hebrew people, it was established in memory of the giving of the law to the people at Mount Sinai; celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter. Pentecost came at the end of the harvest and the gathering of fruits, the first fruits of which were sacrificed in the temple, where people from everywhere gathered in huge masses. On the day of Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit took place on the apostles, as a result of which this holiday passed to the Christian church, retaining the same name, sometimes replaced by others - the day of St. Trinity, the descent of the Holy Spirit, etc. From Pentecost, liturgical weeks are counted, with their ordinary gospel and apostolic readings, up to the week of the Publican and the Pharisee (32 weeks in total), before Great Lent.

Lopukhin A.P.

In ancient times, the name meant both the entire period of time separating the feast of Easter from the feast of Pentecost, and the feast in memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, or Pentecost in the proper sense. In the Apostolic Decrees there is a direct commandment - to celebrate Pentecost (book 5, ch. 20); in another place of the same Decrees (book 8, ch. 33), among the days on which slaves must be free from work, Pentecost is also mentioned after Pascha and Ascension.

In the IV century. Eusebius of Caesarea, St. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, Epiphanius, Chrysostom, blessed. Augustine and others often mention the feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit under the name of Pentecost. There is a legend that on the site of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, the first Christian church was built, which in the 4th century. was renewed by St. Elena. Fifty days after Easter already in the ancient church were distinguished by certain features; so, in these days, as now, it was necessary to read the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Special solemnity attached to the feast of Pentecost the custom of the ancient church to perform baptism on this day over the catechumens.

In the 8th century St. John of Damascus and Cosmas of Mayum composed many hymns in honor of the feast of Pentecost, which the church sings to this day. On the feast of Pentecost, immediately after the liturgy, vespers is performed, during which the clergyman reads in the royal gates, with kneeling, three prayers composed by St. Basil the Great.

On the feast of Pentecost, according to custom, churches and houses of believers are decorated with trees, grass and flowers. This represents the beginnings of a renewed spring, but at the same time indicates the renewal of people by the power of the descended Holy Spirit.

Dedicating the fiftieth day after Pascha to the memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, the Holy Church on the following day (Monday) especially glorifies the Most Holy Spirit.

Those who do not confess the Most Holy Trinity cannot have a part in the saving actions of Her Persons and, therefore, receive salvation.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity Consubstantial and Indivisible, who betrayed us the confession of Himself!

HOLY PENTECOST
Troparion, tone 8

Blessed art Thou, O Christ our God, / Who are the wise catchers of appearances, /
sending down on them the Holy Spirit, / and by them catch the world, /
Glory to Thee, love of mankind.

Kontakion, tone 8

When the tongues merged, / the Most High divided the languages, /
when you spread out tongues of fire, / in union the whole call, /
and in accordance we glorify the All-Holy Spirit.

magnificence

We magnify Thee, / Life-Giver Christ, / and honor Your All-Holy Spirit, /
Thou hast sent him from the Father / Thy divine disciple.

Honorer, voice 4

Apostles, the descent of the Comforter is sighted, surprised, /
how the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of fiery tongues.