The Day of the Spirits is a holiday celebrated by Christians, both Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. It is most common among Slavic peoples.
When is Spirits Day this year? The holiday falls on the day after. In 2017, the celebration falls on June 5th.
It is believed that on this day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles, after which they began to realize many things that they had not previously suspected, they also developed knowledge about the languages of the world, thanks to which they were able to spread the knowledge transmitted to them about the origin of the world and the commandments according to to the whole world. The second name of the holiday is “Day of the Holy Spirit.”
On this day, festive liturgies are held in churches and cathedrals in honor of the descent of the Holy Spirit. People also call this holiday “Name Day of the Earth,” as the name suggests, on this day the earth has a kind of holiday, it is strictly forbidden to carry out any economic work on it, you should give it a rest.
Signs for Spirit Day
Based on the fact that the holiday began to be celebrated in those ancient times, when people had just changed paganism to Orthodoxy, many signs have survived to this day.
Here are some of them:
Traditions and rituals
The most famous rituals:
What can you do on Spirit Day?
The following actions are not only possible, but also necessary to be performed on the Feast of the Spirits:
- Collect medicinal herbs, because on this day the Holy Spirit cleanses everything from evil spirits and otherworldly forces; it is believed that decoctions prepared from herbs collected on this day can drive out demons.
- Show respect to the earth, treat it. You should lay out a tablecloth or blanket on the ground, lay out treats, sing songs, and praise the earth. The ritual must be performed by women.
- Wash with well water. It is believed that by washing your face with water from a well, you can wash away your sins.
- Bring birch branches into the house. It is believed that they protect the house from evil spirits. When the branches are dry, they should not be thrown away; they should be stored in a secluded place.
- Look for treasures. You need to go out into the wasteland, lie down on the ground, listen. Many said that the earth suggested where the treasure was kept.
What should you absolutely not do?
The following actions should never be performed on this day:
- Carry out work on the ground: planting, digging, loosening, hilling, etc.
- Do housework. Since Spiritual Day is also a church holiday, homework should also be postponed. You can't clean, sew, or wash. You are only allowed to prepare treats.
- Swim and plunge in rivers and lakes. It is believed that in large bodies of water on this day there is a risk of drowning, since mermaids live there and they can pull a person towards them.
- You cannot cut your hair, dye your hair, or wash your hair.
Holy Spirit Day (Spirit Day) in 2017 - June 5
In some countries, for example in Ukraine, Spiritual Day is considered a day off, since this holiday always follows Trinity. In Russia, everyone will work on June 20, but despite this, the holiday does not lose its value for Russian citizens.
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 blessing of birch branches, which are then taken home to decorate the house. In ancient times, for this purpose, they specially went with a priest so that he would sprinkle one tree with holy water, from which all the women would subsequently pick a branch and carry it into the house. It was believed that in this way one could drive away evil spirits from one’s family.
However, not everything is so simple, because most Orthodox holidays have pagan roots, as evidenced by the rituals that we perform on this day. Even before the baptism of Rus', this day was also dedicated to spirits, but already to the spirits of the earth. Our ancestors believed that the Earth also possesses a certain spirit, which has a huge influence on the fate of each person and humanity as a whole. Therefore, it was Mother Earth’s name day. This day was also saturated with a huge number of superstitions, for example, they used to believe that various evil spirits woke up on Spirits Day - mermaids, mermen, and so on. Perhaps that is why the coming week was called Rusalya.
Traditions and customs on Spiritual Day
It seems that such a day should begin with a service in the temple or prayer. However, according to ancient belief, on Spiritual Day many tried to listen to the earth. To do this, even before sunrise, they went out into the street, put their ear to the ground and listened. This ritual was performed in the hope that in this way great secrets would be revealed to them. But at the same time, everyone then sincerely believed that this could only happen to a select few.
As we have already mentioned, on this day we went into the forest with the priest to sprinkle the birch tree with holy water. However, this ritual was also performed over the well. Our ancestors sincerely believed that in this way they saved it from drying out, and also this sprinkling of the well helps to keep the water clean and fresh.
If on the feast of the Holy Trinity women did not have time to collect medicinal herbs, then on Spiritual Day they corrected this. After all, according to beliefs, on this holiday all herbs do not lose their special power, and are also capable of healing, like herbs collected on Trinity.
Since Spiritual Day is strongly associated with paganism, even after the adoption of Christianity our people tried to appease evil spirits. To do this, women went into the forest, to the river and hung old children's clothes everywhere. At the same time, it was believed that if you meet a mermaid, then in this case there is a huge chance of gaining wealth and prosperity, but there is also a risk of getting misfortune and misfortune on your head. After all, at the same time, there was a belief that mermaids could tickle you to death, or carry you away in a round dance. Girls and children had to be especially wary, so during Rusalya Week they were not allowed into the forest.
It was also common practice to feed the earth on this day. To do this, women went out into the field, laid out a blanket and had a meal. If this ritual is performed, then, according to our ancestors, there will be a good and rich harvest all year. And some of the food was either carried to different parts of the field, or they tried to bury some food, saying: “Birthday Earth, give us a harvest.”
The well, which was consecrated, was constantly visited throughout the day. They washed, left funeral food, threw a coin and prayed. Thus, in ancient times in Rus' they tried to wash away all sins and cleanse themselves.
After the temple, many hurried to the cemetery to decorate the graves with birch branches. There was also a meal there. However, they did not take all the remaining food home, but left it in the cemetery.
The holiday ended with the symbolic burial of Kostroma, the role of which was most often taken by a young girl. She was dressed in white clothes, and then laid on boards, after which they carried the girl to the river and performed the “awakening” ritual. Then everyone swam together and had a party. This ritual symbolized that Kostroma resurrects after death and bestows fertility and a good harvest.
Signs and beliefs on Spiritual Day
Our ancestors believed that under no circumstances should you look at your reflection in the water on this day. This could lead to the girl or guy losing their true love.
If this holiday was rainy, then, according to signs, the next six weeks will also be the same.
On this day, when going to get water, they always said, “I went on water.” If you say “let’s go get water,” you can easily drown.
They also believed that the mermaids and mermaids that can be met on this day are people who died before their time or committed suicide.
On Spiritual Day, all the dead gather near birch trees or sit on their branches. Perhaps for this reason, the birch tree was appointed as the symbol of this holiday.
Since our ancestors believed that the earth had a name day on this day, it was forbidden to work, sew, sow, or dig.
And in order to protect themselves from evil spirits, in ancient times they wore fragrant plants on this day, such as wormwood, garlic or onions.
Whatever the weather will be on Spiritual Day, the same is expected for the whole summer.
But thunderstorms and lightning on this day are a good sign, because in this way the earth drives away evil spirits, because since ancient times it was believed that it is fire that can get rid of them.
Despite the fact that the mermaid is the embodiment of an evil spirit who needs to be feared and feared, there is still a good omen associated with her. So, in the old days they believed that wherever a mermaid set her foot, there would be a rich harvest of wheat and rye.
They also used to say: “Don’t trust the heat until the Spiritual Day.”
But it was undesirable to run on this day - you could run away from your fate. But in order to bring the meeting with happiness closer, on Spiritual Day it was necessary to walk barefoot in the dew in the morning.
The two-day Christian holiday associated with the Holy Trinity ends. Second day Trinity in Rus' it is called Whit Monday. There are many popular beliefs associated with this day.
When is Spiritual Day celebrated in 2017?
In 2017, Christians of all faiths celebrate Holy Spirit Day at the same time - June 5. This is due to the fact that this year all Christians celebrated Easter at the same time, April 16, and Trinity and Spiritual Day are “tied” to this main Christian holiday.
What is Spiritual Day
Trinity, which was celebrated on June 4 (read more about this holiday Federal News Agency) and Spiritual Day in Christianity is considered a single holiday Pentecost- the descent of the holy spirit on the apostles on the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ.
According to gospel sources, after his Resurrection, Jesus appeared to the apostles for 40 days. On the day (in 2017 this holiday fell on May 25) Jesus rose above the earth, giving the apostles hope for the help of the holy spirit, which in Orthodoxy is considered to come from God the Father.
On the tenth day after the Ascension, when the apostles and the Virgin Mary were in the Zion Upper Room (where the Last Supper took place during Holy Week), they heard a loud noise. Bright flashes of fire appeared in the air, shining but not burning. The divine fire fell on the heads of the apostles and went out, after which everyone in the upper room felt the action of a powerful force. So the holy spirit descended on the apostles, and they spoke in different languages, which they did not know before, in order to spread the light of the Gospel throughout the world.
How to celebrate Spiritual Day
The Day of the Holy Spirit, which in popular tradition is called Spirits Day, is celebrated the day after Trinity; this holiday always falls on Monday, the 51st day after Easter.
Since in Slavic mythology this is the day when summer comes into its own, the holiday has other popular names: the name day of the Earth, Farewell to the mermaids, Rusalnitsa, Ivan da Marya.
In folk tradition, it is believed that in the evening of Trinity the holy spirit descends from heaven to bless the earth and everything that grows on it. On this day, services are held in Orthodox churches in honor of the most holy and life-giving spirit. On this day, it is customary to visit temples to pray for the souls of the dead. On Spiritual Day, just like on Sunday, it is customary to visit cemeteries, commemorate the deceased at the grave, and then hold funeral meals at home.
What you can and cannot do on Spiritual Day
According to the Slavic tradition, on Spiritual Day the earth should not be disturbed, therefore all work in the field, garden, vegetable garden, etc. was prohibited. In Rus', on this day they did not sow, did not plant flowers and vegetables, did not dig up plants, did not weed, and generally tried not to disturb Mother Earth once again. It was believed that otherwise the birthday land might be offended and punished with a bad harvest.
Also on this day, some women's work was prohibited: sewing, dyeing fabrics, washing, and cleaning were not recommended. In addition, everything related to washing and swimming, especially in open water, was prohibited. The ancient Slavs believed that this was the last day when mermaids play various pranks and can drag a bather under water out of mischief.
On Spiritual Day it was not customary to harvest birch brooms, but it was possible to collect medicinal herbs, the main thing was not to disturb the cover of the earth. Healing herbs collected on Trinity and Spiritual Day were considered especially powerful; they were consecrated in churches, dried and stored for a whole year.
According to folk tradition, on Spiritual Day one could try to look for a treasure; it was believed that the birthday land could please those who respect and protect it.
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The Medvedev-Nadal match will begin at 23:00 Moscow time .
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On June 5, Orthodox Christians celebrate the second day of Trinity - Spiritual Day. What kind of holiday is this, what you can’t do on this day, read in our “Question and Answer” section.
history of the holiday
Trinity and Spiritual Day are considered by the Orthodox Church as a single holiday of Pentecost - the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, which occurred on the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ.
After the Resurrection of the Lord, his disciples lived in anticipation of the holiday. For 40 days the Lord appeared to them one by one and when they gathered together. In front of the disciples, he rose above the ground, giving hope that on the last day of the world he would return. When saying goodbye, the Lord promised to send them a comforter - the Holy Spirit, coming from God the Father.
On the tenth day after the ascension of Jesus Christ, when the disciples and the Virgin Mary were in the Zion Upper Room, they heard a loud noise. Bright, flickering tongues of fire appeared in the air, which was of the same nature as the Holy Fire. It shone without burning. Rushing over the heads of the apostles, tongues of fire descended on them and went out.
After this, everyone who was in the upper room felt an extraordinary force acting in them. The Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. They spoke in languages they had not previously spoken. This was the gift needed to preach the Gospel throughout the world.
When and how is Spiritual Day celebrated?
Holy Spirit Day 2017 falls on June 5th. Every year this holiday is celebrated the day after Trinity, and it always falls on Monday, the 51st day after Easter.
The Orthodox holiday is also called Spirits Day. Its other names have also been preserved: Name Day of the Earth, Birthday Earth, Seeing Off the Mermaids, Ivan da Marya, Rusalnitsa.
According to legend, in the evening on Trinity Sunday the Holy Spirit descends from heaven, sanctifying and blessing the earth and everything that grows on it. On this day, services are held in churches in honor of the Most Holy and Life-Giving Spirit, who fills the soul with kindness, love, joy, faith and patience.
On Holy Spirit Day, believers visit church to pray for deceased relatives and friends. After the temple, they visit the cemetery to decorate the graves with birch branches. There was also a meal there. And in the evening the whole family gathered at the table.
What should you not do on Holy Spirit Day?
It is believed that on Spiritual Day one should not disturb the earth and do work in the garden. It is not recommended to dig the ground, plant plants, weed beds, or perform any work that violates the integrity of the earth's cover. Since ancient times, there has been a belief that this can harm the future harvest. Also on this day you cannot sew, dye, wash, or clean. You should not prepare birch brooms on this day.