Society and Church: Orthodox believers celebrate Trinity Sunday

On the 50^th day after the Easter Sunday, on Sunday, Orthodox believers worldwide celebrated one of the most prominent feast days – Trinity Sunday (Pentecost). On this day the Church commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ.

Pentecost is considered to be the birthday of the Church and it is solemnly celebrated since the time immemorial. Already in the third century this day had special customs and acquired a status of a great holiday.

According to Russian Church tradition, on Pentecost the floor of the church is covered with new-mown grass, icons are decorated with birch branches. On this holiday Orthodox priests wear green vestments, which symbolize life-giving power of Holy Spirit. Today, that is the next day after Pentecost, Orthodox believers celebrate Whit Monday (Pentecost Monday, Monday of the Holy Spirit).