Spirits day - what is possible and what is impossible on this day according to signs. Spirits day - the most important signs and customs, what is possible and what is prohibited

Spirits Day or Holy Spirit Day - Christian, folk holiday, which is celebrated according to the Orthodox church calendar on the fifty-first day after Easter - in 2018 it falls on May 28.

Spirits Day is a holiday dedicated separately to the Holy Spirit - the Third Hypostasis of the Triune God, which is always celebrated on Monday, the day after the Holy Trinity.

In different denominations, the feast of the Holy Spirit is celebrated in different days- in the Catholic Church, this holiday is celebrated simultaneously with the Trinity - on the fiftieth day after bright resurrection Christ.

History of the Christian holiday

According to Holy Scripture, on the fiftieth day after Easter, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of Christ, giving them the opportunity to heal the sick and speak different languages so that they can carry the Word of God in different countries, preach and spread the new faith.

On the Day of the Holy Trinity, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity was revealed to the world - the Holy Spirit in a visible way - by noise from heaven, wind, fiery flames. It is in honor of this event that Spirit Day is established the day after the Trinity.

Icon "The Descent of the Holy Spirit", Prokhor from Gorodets, 1405

And it happened like this - in Jerusalem on this day they celebrated the Old Testament Pentecost - a holiday established in honor of Moses receiving the commandments given to him by God on the fiftieth day after the Jews left Egyptian slavery.

This holiday was especially revered in ancient Israel, so people "from every nation under heaven" gathered in Jerusalem.

In the Upper Room of Zion, where after the Ascension of Christ the apostles were in constant prayer, at the third hour of the day there was a noise from heaven, as if from a strong storm, and filled the house, and the Holy Spirit descended on each of the apostles in the form of fiery tongues and filled their souls with Himself.

From that moment on, the disciples of the Savior had the opportunity to speak all the languages of the world in order to bring the light of Christian teaching to all peoples.

Having received from God Himself the gift of prophesying, healing, and most importantly, bringing the Truth to people, the apostles dispersed throughout the world and preached in its farthest corners. Of the twelve apostles, only John the Theologian died a natural death, the rest were executed.

Spirits Day is considered the birthday of the Church. Generations of people, rulers, and even entire states have disappeared from the face of the earth, and the Church has existed for almost two thousand years, starting sometime with that very small group of people in the Zion Upper Room.

Traditions and customs

Like many Orthodox holidays, Spirits Day has pagan roots. In Russia, it has long been strictly forbidden to work on Monday after the Trinity - this was primarily due to agricultural work.

In pre-Christian times, right before the start of summer, the name day of the Earth was celebrated - a kind of birthday of mother earth, the breadwinner of the peasant. On Spirits Day, it was forbidden to dig the ground, plant plants, in a word, perform any actions related to working on the ground, even stick stakes into it.

People believed that the Earth on this day was pregnant with a future harvest, and to violate the integrity of the earth's cover meant risking the future harvest, causing serious harm to the Earth. Therefore, folk customs and traditions forbade touching the ground.

On Spirits day in the evening, women performed the ritual of feeding the earth. To do this, they went out into the field, spread out tablecloths and arranged a festive dinner and from time to time laid out small pieces of food on the field and sprinkled them with earth on top. In the old days, they believed that this enhances fertility.

On Spirits Day, it was customary to go around the plowed fields with a procession of the cross - this custom clearly testified to the junction of the pagan and Christian beginnings of the holiday. The procession was held in order to call for a blessing on the birthday Earth. The Earth, overshadowed by God's grace, in response gave a rich harvest of wheat, rye, and barley.

On this day, it is also impossible to sew, wash, clean, and so on.

Spirits day in Russia, like Troitskaya parent saturday, was considered in the villages as a day when it was necessary to remember with a kind word not only the departed relatives, but all other deceased Christians. They also commemorated the dead or those who died in a foreign land without repentance and a funeral service in an Orthodox church and lit a candle for the repose of the soul.

On the Day of the Holy Spirit, the Orthodox took birch branches consecrated for the Trinity from the temple, which they placed at home next to the icons. This custom has been preserved to this day. Some believe that on this day the souls of the dead flock to the ground and sit on these birch branches.

Usually this day was dedicated to collecting bouquets of medicinal herbs - mint, sedge, lemon balm. People believed that the herbs consecrated in the church had a special power.

It is also advisable to collect and dry all the greens that have been laid out for the Trinity around the house. A decoction of these herbs was brewed like tea and given to the patient to drink. They can also be used to fumigate a sick person, people believed that this helps to speed up recovery.

By tradition, on Spirits Day, families gather at large friendly richly laid tables, which must be decorated with loaves, pies, pancakes. And sometimes these feasts are organized in nature.

The church does not impose special prohibitions on the Day of the Holy Spirit - the clergy say that a person is valued not only for honoring holidays, but also for work. They believe that a true believer, a parishioner, will definitely find time to devote to attending a service, praying, but there are no penalties for urgent matters.

Signs and beliefs

Spirits day was considered the day of mermaids who came out of the water and swayed on the branches of a willow or birch. It was believed that where the bare foot of a mermaid stepped, the grass began to grow greener and thicker. Therefore, the youth of the village that night went out into the field "chasing mermaids" - running through the meadows, quilting the air with birch twigs.

In order to wash away all the ailments and misfortunes that evil spirits could send to a person on the eve of the holiday, in the early morning after the Spirit of the day, it was necessary to wash with cold well or clean river water.

birch played big role in rituals for Trinity and Spirits Day. They decorated the gates and walls of the hut with birch branches, they guessed at the birch. From the branches and grass, the girls wove wreaths and threw them into the water: if it floats - fortunately, it sinks - unfortunately.

The birch also served as a haven for spirits - according to legend, on the day of the Spirits, the souls of the dead, who had not yet gone to heaven, circled around places that were somehow important and memorable for them. And from the attentive eyes of the soul hid in birch branches.

By folk omens what kind of weather will hold that day, such must be expected for the next six weeks. In the old days, it was believed that summer began on this day.

And the spring was seen off with special rites, which were called the rite of "the funeral of Kostroma", which were accompanied by songs, games and general fun.

Holiday "Spirits Day"

It was believed that "evil spirits roaming the earth are afraid of this day like a fire," since "a sacred fire descends from heaven, which incinerates evil spirits."

It was undesirable to run that day - you can run away from your fate. But in order to bring the meeting with happiness closer, on Spirits Day it was necessary to walk barefoot in the dew in the morning.

Material prepared on the basis of open sources

Monday after Trinity Orthodox Church celebrates Spirits Day. This year, the date of the holiday falls on May 28. Catholic Church it is celebrated the day before, hence coinciding with the celebration of Trinity.

Spirits Day carries a special meaning for the Orthodox. On the holiday, they also honor certain traditions, adhere to rituals, and believe in omens.

On Spirits Day, even in modern times, unusual traditions are honored

The New Testament says that on the 50th day from Easter, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of the Lord, endowed them with the ability to speak different languages, heal, and prophesy. They received such gifts to tell about Christianity all over the world, to carry the Word of God.

The holiday has pagan roots, because some of its traditions are completely unrelated to Christianity. For example, some believe that on Spirits Day the name day of the land pregnant with the harvest is celebrated, therefore land work is prohibited on the holiday. On such a day, you need to rest and pray.

On Spirits Day there are unusual traditions. For example, in the evening a group of women goes out into the field and “feeds” the land. Food was laid out on it so that there was a rich harvest. Women also led round dances, sang, attracting good luck. At dawn, they began to listen to the earth, consecrated wells, birch branches.

There are many interesting signs on Spirits Day.

The people say:

after a rainy Spirit day, the weather will be warm, many mushrooms will appear in the forest;
these days they woo, on the Pokrov - they play weddings so that the married life is happy.

Most women dream of children, and in order to get pregnant, they not only listen to the recommendations of doctors, but also observe some traditions, customs on holidays, rely on help higher powers. For example, on Trinity days they drink a decoction of thyme, put Trinity bouquets consecrated in the temple near the beds. Girls bake pies, buns, distribute to the poor, pray in churches.

There are a huge number of church holidays that have their own history, traditions and superstitions. After the Trinity, it is customary to celebrate the Spirits of the day, the signs and customs of which were formed in ancient times. The people believe that the energy of this day has great power and it can be used for your own good.

What is Spirit Day?

This is a significant church holiday and is considered the beginning of the formation of the church. People believe that on this day Jesus delivered his Sermon on the Mount, and descended on the apostles. Finding out what Spirits Day is in Orthodoxy, it is worth pointing out that it is celebrated every year on the day after the Trinity. In the people this holiday is still considered the name day of the earth. Associated with him a large number of signs and traditions.

Spirits day - what can you do?

The holiday must begin with a trip to the church for the service, which is dedicated to the Most Holy and Life-Giving Spirit. In the church, you can pray for deceased relatives and friends. After the temple, you can go to the cemetery to decorate the graves with birch branches. In the evening there was a festive meal. There is a special list of traditions related to this holiday:

On Spirits Day, signs and customs indicate that on a holiday it is necessary to stock up on herbs and flowers. This is due to the fact that the collected and dried plants will have healing properties. Herbal healers prepared a powder with which they cast out demons.
People believed that Spirits Day is a women's holiday and to show respect for the earth married women gathered on the outskirts and arranged a celebration.
It was a common tradition to wash away sins from oneself, but it is only forbidden to do this in open water. Well water was used for washing. A person must first throw a coin into the well, read a prayer and wash.
It is important to know that if the day of the Holy Spirit has come, what should not be done, so on this holiday you cannot sweep, so as not to sweep away happiness from your family along with garbage. You can not do housework and gardening, and even get married.
From the church, you need to bring home the consecrated birch branches that were used as powerful protection from evil forces.

Is it possible to clean on Spirit Day?

If we turn to Orthodox scriptures, then there are no prohibitions associated with this day. Believers are sure that Spirits Day and the Trinity are holy holidays and it is impossible to do household chores. All free time it is best to devote to prayer and going to church. If there is an urgent need for cleaning, then there is no serious sin in this.

Can I wash on Spirit Day?

All church holidays for believers, these are the red days of the calendar, during which you need to devote all the time to yourself, going to church, studying the Word of God and praying. Since washing is not an urgent matter, it is recommended to postpone it for another time. In the list of what is done on Spirit Day, there is no mention of washing, also due to the fact that according to folk beliefs from the rivers where things used to be washed, goblin, mermaids and other evil spirits come out. In addition, it is believed that washing can wash away all happiness.

Is it possible to bathe on Spirits Day?

The clergy say that if there is no obvious need, then water procedures should be abandoned. According to popular superstitions the week that begins on the Spirit of the day is called the “mermaid”, therefore, on the holiday, mermaids are active and can drag a person under water, so you can’t swim in open water. In order for the day of the descent of the Holy Spirit to pass without incident, people tied linen ribbons on the trees, which were located close to the bathing place. They served as a kind of ransom for the mermaids.

Is it possible to plant on Spirits Day?

Believers are sure that in the morning the Holy Spirit descends to the earth and stays on it during the day. Since ancient times, it has been believed that on a holiday it is recommended to walk barefoot on the ground, but working in the garden and harvesting is strictly prohibited. Spirits day among the Slavs is revered as the name day of the earth, so it is important to protect it and show your reverence and respect.

Is it possible to sew on Spirits Day?

It is believed that this day is not intended for any work, and the free time is to pray to the Lord. People who are interested in whether it is possible to embroider on the Spirits of the day and engage in other types of needlework, so you should know that work on this day is undesirable, but if there is a need to sew on a button, then this can be done. In this matter, it is important not to go to extremes, so after attending worship in the morning, in the afternoon you can go about your business.

Spirits day - signs

A large number of superstitions have survived from ancient times to the present day, and what is most interesting, many of them still have their power. Known on Spirits Day signs of the weather and not only:

It is believed that only from this holiday you can trust the warmth and there will be no more frosts.
On Spirits Day, omens and customs are based on folk wisdom, it is forbidden to look at your reflection in the water, as this can cause a person to lose his true love.
To protect yourself from evil spirits, it is necessary to carry plants with a strong aroma during the holiday, for example, get or garlic.
You can’t run during the day, because you can run away from your fate, but if you run barefoot through the dew, you can bring your happiness closer.
Folk signs on Spirits Day say that girls on this holiday can learn about their future. It is necessary to weave a wreath of wild flowers and put it on the water. If he sinks, then you should expect trouble, and if he landed on the shore, expect. A floating wreath prophesies a long and happy life.

Rain on Spirits Day - signs

Since ancient times, people have paid attention to changes in the weather, by which they judged the events of the future. If it's Spirits Day it's raining, which means that in summer and autumn it will be possible to harvest a large crop of mushrooms. Bad weather on this church holiday was a good omen, but it was believed that such weather would continue for another six weeks. Rain on the Spirits of the day promised warm weather summer and autumn. If a thunderstorm breaks out and lightning is visible, this is good sign, indicating that the earth drives away evil spirits.

Money signs for Spirits Day

To improve your financial situation, on this holiday you must definitely show your generosity. Leaving the church after the service, you should give to those in need. Signs on Spirits Day indicate that on this holiday, mother earth reveals all secrets to a person and treasures can be found. In ancient times, the Slavs, after visiting the temple and praying to the Holy Spirit, went to "listen to treasures", for which they crouched their ear to the ground.

Conspiracies for Spirits Day

Since ancient times, many people have used church holidays to read conspiracies aimed at changing life in better side. Among the most popular and accessible rites are the following rituals for Spirits Day:

Prayers on Spirits Day

On a sacred holiday, it is customary to turn to the Holy Spirit to express one's joy and ask for help. The presented text is universal and is more related to morning addresses. Prayers for the day of the Holy Spirit are a request from God to inhabit us and cleanse us of all negativity that can become an obstacle to reuniting with him. A short prayer appeal bestows seven blessings: intelligence, wisdom, steadfastness, conscience, piety and fear of the Lord.

Judging by the name, we can conclude that this is the Day of the Holy Spirit for Orthodox Christians. In all churches, a service is held with the consecration of birch branches, which are then carried home to decorate the house. In ancient times, for this, they specially went along with the priest, so that he sprinkled one tree with holy water, from which subsequently all the women plucked a branch and carried it into the house. It was believed that this is how you can drive away evil spirits from your family.

However, not everything is so simple, because most Orthodox holidays pagan roots are present, which is proved by the rites that we perform on this day. Even before the baptism of Russia, this day was also dedicated to spirits, but already to the spirits of the earth. Our ancestors believed that the Earth also has a certain spirit, which has a huge impact on the fate of each person and humanity as a whole. Therefore, it was Mother Earth's name day. This day was also soaked huge amount superstitions, for example, they used to believe that various evil spirits wake up on Spirits day - mermaids, mermen, and so on. Perhaps that is why the coming week was called Mermaid.

Traditions and customs in Spirits day

It seems that such a day should begin with a service in the temple or prayer. However, according to ancient belief, on Spirits Day, many tried to listen to the earth. To do this, even before sunrise, they went outside, put their ear to the ground and listened. Such a rite was performed in the hope that in this way great secrets would be revealed to them. But at the same time, everyone sincerely believed that this could happen only to the elect.

As we have already mentioned, on this day they went to the forest together with the priest to sprinkle birch with holy water. However, this ceremony was also performed over the well. Our ancestors sincerely believed that in this way they save it from drying out, and this sprinkling of the well helps keep the water clean and fresh.

There are many signs and rituals for the Spirits of the day. What can and cannot be done on this holiday, we learn from ancient legends and modern Orthodox rules.

Spirits Day is celebrated on the Monday immediately after Trinity and on the fifty-first day after Easter. Like other Slavic holidays, the day of the holy spirit has pagan roots. It has various popular names: the Mermaid, the name day of the earth, seeing off the mermaids, Ivan da Marya.

The celebration of the day of the holy spirit falls at the beginning of June, and folk traditions it is believed that during this period the mother earth is pregnant with the future harvest. In the evening, the holy spirit descends from heaven to Trinity to bless the earth and everything that grows on it. In all Orthodox churches On this day, a service is held in honor of the life-giving spirit.

On this day, it is customary for believers to visit a church decorated with birch branches and freshly cut herbs. Be sure to pray on Holy Monday for the souls of the dead. You can commemorate the dead at the cemetery and at home, arranging memorial meals.

What can be done on spirits day

Women traditionally had to perform the ritual of feeding the earth on the evening of the day of the holy spirit. For this custom, they went out into the field, spread out a large tablecloth and laid out various dishes on it, arranging a festive dinner. Young girls dispersed across the field and laid out pieces of food, sprinkling them neatly with earth. This was done so that the harvest of this year would especially please with its fertility and no element would destroy it.

The pagan and Christian beginnings of the holiday are strongly intertwined. This is evidenced by procession who led the church through the plowed fields. It was a call of blessing to the land and the people who cultivate it. After such prayers, the land was sure to please with a large harvest of wheat, buckwheat, and barley.

One of the obligatory ceremonies was considered to be the remembrance with a kind word of all the deceased relatives and friends, even those who were buried without a funeral service and repentance. Candles were placed in the temple for the repose of the soul. And the parishioners left after the service with birch twigs, consecrated and free from various misfortunes and ailments. At home they were placed next to the icons. Some believed that the souls of deceased loved ones flocked and sat on birch branches.

It was traditional to collect medicinal herbs, but without damaging the land cover. Herbal preparations on this day had a special healing power. They were brought to the temple for consecration and then used for a whole year, brewing infusions and teas for the family.

All the grass, laid out on the Trinity around the house, was also collected on the spirits of the day. They could fumigate seriously ill and suffering people, this contributed to a speedy recovery.

Families gathered for dinner, covering the rich and full tasty food tables. Pancakes, pies and loaves with meat and fish were an indispensable treat for a friendly feast. Often such feasts were organized in nature, thanking the earth for everything that she sent them for dinner.

At that time, young people went out into the fields to chase mermaids, running along the grass and waving birch twigs in the air. It was believed that mermaids came out of the reservoirs during this period and swayed on the branches of a birch or a weeping willow.

Another of the traditions was the morning washing with well water. This relieved ailments, misfortunes and gave vigor and energy to the believer.

The birch was the main attribute of the rituals for the day of the holy spirit. Young girls wove wreaths from branches and let them into the river. If the wreath immediately began to swim far away, to be a beauty married to a good and wealthy person. And if you stood still and unraveled, it means expecting a series of obstacles this year, with which the girl will have to cope. The wreath sank - wait for misfortune or deep shock.

If the weather pleased with the sun and a warm, pleasant breeze, such grace could be expected for the next six whole weeks. It was on this day that people met summer, seeing off spring with songs, dances, games and general fun.

It was undesirable for the girls to run fast on the spirits of the day. It threatened that you could run away from your fate. And in order to bring their female happiness closer, young ladies walked barefoot through the dew at dawn. This foreshadowed an early meeting with the betrothed, to which bare feet would find their own path.

But the most important thing to do Orthodox person on this day is to keep faith in the soul, to strive for good intentions, creative beginning, mandatory attendance temple and prayers for the bestowal of the grace of the Holy Spirit.

What is not allowed on the day of the holy spirit

On this holy holiday, in the first place, any agricultural work was prohibited. Digging the earth, planting plants, sticking stakes, weeding the grass and somehow disturbing the earth-breadwinner was considered a great sin. People believed that by violating the integrity of the earth cover, it meant losing the future harvest, causing serious harm to the Earth.

All homemade women's work were also banned. This concerned cleaning and mopping, washing linen, sewing and embroidery. Women behaved especially meek and modest this Monday. It was not customary to talk loudly, provoke quarrels, conflicts and showdown.

It is not customary to overeat and abuse alcohol on the spirits of the day. This is a holiday of the soul, a kneeling prayer for the forgiveness of sins and commemoration of the departed.

It was dangerous to swim at this time. It was believed that mermaids are especially mischievous on spirits day and can drag a bather underwater. This was especially true of young unmarried fellows, whom girls with a fish tail could easily seduce with their long hair and rounded shapes.

Not going to church was a bad sign. No matter how busy a person is in his affairs and worries, he must definitely go to the service in the temple.

Modern omens for spirits of the day

Many signs have also remained revered and traditional today. On the days of Pentecost, it is customary to decorate an apartment with freshly cut grass and birch branches, pray in the temple and light candles for deceased relatives.

As for restrictions in work, this is already at the discretion of the believer. AT modern world many duties, the fulfillment of which is extremely necessary on time. Therefore, if circumstances do not add up in favor of rest, you should simply remember your loved ones and, if possible, order a prayer service for the repose of their souls.

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