The priest spoke about the folk traditions unacceptable by the church on Whitsunday

The Church does not approve of folk signs and superstitions associated with the Day of the Holy Trinity, one of the main Orthodox holidays, which in 2026 is celebrated on May 31. The head of the youth department of the Stavropol Diocese, Priest Alvian Tkhelidze, told Izvestia about this.

According to him, the church also has a negative attitude towards divination of the betrothed, which is widespread in the folk tradition, and which is often associated with the Trinity.

"Of course, Christianity is always against fortune—telling," he stressed.

Commenting on the tradition of refusing to work on a holiday, Father Alvian noted that our ancestors really tried not to work on Whitsunday, but idleness was not an end in itself.

"Any Sunday, not only Trinity, is considered a day dedicated to God in traditional Christian culture. But this does not mean that a person cannot do some simple household chores, such as sewing on a loose button or loading things into the washing machine. Of course, such daily activities are acceptable. However, in general, on this day it is better not to plow until you lose your pulse, but to rest and pray," the priest noted.

According to him, on Holy Trinity Day, Orthodox believers first of all go to church to pray and receive communion. During the festive divine service, special kneeling prayers are read, which are performed only once a year.

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In 2026, Christians of the Eastern Rite will celebrate the holiday on May 31.

Temples are decorated with greenery on this day as a symbol of life and renewal. The clergy dress in green robes, and the church interiors are decorated with green fabrics.

"Many people come to the temple on this day with bouquets of flowers and greenery. This is a normal tradition, there is nothing wrong with it," the priest added.

Earlier, the rector of the church of the Apostle and Evangelist Luke in Tver, Anthony Rusakevich, told Izvestia the main prayers of the feast of the Ascension of the Lord. According to the priest, they are not related to earthly requests, but are aimed at the ascension of one's own mind and heart.