The day of the Holy Spirit is celebrated the day after the Trinity and has several important prohibitions.
The day of the Holy Spirit is dedicated to one of the hypostases of the triune God and is celebrated on the day after the Trinity. On this day, Christians remember the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus. All Souls’ Day is considered the birth day of the Christian Church. Symbolically, the Holy Spirit is depicted in the form of a dove.
When is All Souls Day 2023
All Souls’ Day is celebrated the day after the Trinity and always falls on a Monday. The Trinity, in turn, is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter. In 2023, the Orthodox Trinity is celebrated on June 4, and the Day of the Holy Spirit – June 5.
History of the Holy Spirit Day
The story of the Day of the Holy Spirit is told in the New Testament. After Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven, the apostles gathered in the Jerusalem temple and prayed. During prayer, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of Christ and endowed them with the ability to speak in different languages, heal the sick and prophesy.
The descent of the Holy Spirit was a gift from Jesus to his disciples so that they could preach the Word of God throughout the world. The apostles spread Christianity around the world, so the holiday is considered the birth day of the Church of Christ.
What you can and can’t do on Holy Spirit Day
As in other church holidays, the main tradition of Spiritual Day is prayer. Prayer to the Holy Spirit is said on the knees and is called kneeling. You can read a prayer on this day at home, if it is not possible to visit the temple.
The traditions of the Day of the Holy Spirit are similar to those of the Trinity. On this holiday, they continue to consecrate greenery in temples and decorate the house with living plants. They also sanctify the water in the well with holy water so that it does not dry up in the heat.
On the Day of the Holy Spirit, as on any other, you can meet with loved ones or invite them to visit. Loaves, pies, pancakes, dumplings are placed on the festive table. It is not a fasting day, so you can also cook meat. It will be good to do a good deed and help the needy.
This holiday has several prohibitions. Here’s what you can’t do on Holy Spirit Day:
- Since ancient times, it is believed that it is Spirit Day you cannot work in the garden. Our ancestors said that the earth is celebrating its birthday on this day and it is forbidden to disturb it.
- It is also strictly prohibited to treat the earth with contempt and to nature: trample grass, break branches, burn leaves, litter.
- You can’t on this day drink alcoholexcept for communion wine.
- Quarrelslandering, spreading gossip and telling other people’s secrets on the Day of the Holy Spirit is a great sin.
- As in other Christian holidays, do not do heavy physical workneedlework and cleaning.
In general, small chores around the house are not prohibited on this day, as long as they do not distract from prayer.