The Trinity and the Holy Spirit Day are two consecutive holidays. The Trinity (Pentecost) is on Sunday, the Holy Spirit Day is on Monday. Many confuse them or consider them one holiday. But there are differences. What is common? What is special? We tell about the meaning, traditions, and prohibitions. The Trinity: the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles Celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. In 2026, it is on May 24. On this day, according to the New Testament, tongues of fire descended upon the apostles, and they spoke in different languages. This event is considered the birthday of the Church. God revealed Himself as the Trinity: the Father (voice from heaven), the Son (Jesus), the Holy Spirit (tongues of fire). It is customary to decorate churches with birch branches, herbs, flowers in the Trinity. Greenery symbolizes life, renewal. The color of the clergy's attire is green. On this day, a kneeling prayer (the first after Easter) is read. Believers ask God for forgiveness and help. In the people, the Trinity was associated with the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Rituals with birch were conducted, divination took place. The Holy Spirit Day: the glorification of the Holy Spirit Celebrated the day after the Trinity, on Monday. In 2026, it is on May 25. This holiday is dedicated to the third person of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit. It is not considered the "birthday of the Church"? No, it is a continuation. The meaning: to glorify the Holy Spirit, who descended upon the apostles and acts in the Church to this day. The churches are also decorated with greenery on the Holy Spirit Day. However, there are no kneeling prayers. The clergy's attire is also green. In the people, the Holy Spirit Day was called "the names of the earth." They believed that the earth was an anniversary, and it could not be disturbed (digging, sowing, cutting wood). There was a custom of "hearing the earth" - putting an ear to the ground to find out about the futu ...
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