www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall White Birches for Pentecost

Dear Friends,

I don't know if this is where such a topic should be raised.

I learned that it is a Russian tradition to bless white birch branches for Pentecost.

This is the first time I've come across this, as I've seen all manner of green branches used.

The birch branches are placed over icons or kept much as the pussy-willows are from the Feast of the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem.

Does anyone know anything further about this?

Do the Ruthenians and others use birch branches for Pentecost?

Alex

Cogratulations Alex , that is the first mention of Pentecost.

On another Topic comments had been made about early Christmas decorations , slow postage cos of the run up to Chritmas, Valentines cards , I brought up Hot Cross buns and now Pentecost pops up.

Ah well they say the seasons are telescoping

Alex, I am suprised that you ask what kind of "branches" are blessed for Pentecost/Ruslja. I know that Rusyn Churches in Europe and America have always blessed the "green" branches of the Linden trees. "Lipa stromki" (Linden trees) have both an outer green leaf plus a inner flower blossom and it is usually in full bloom in early May, about the time Pentecost usually falls. It has always been a Slavic tradition, even among Roman Catholic Slavs to refer to Pentecost as "Zelenie Nedilju" Green Sunday. In the Slavic tradition, green has always been the color that represents the Holy Spirit. I have been fortunate to be in my Dido's village church for Pentecost/Ruslja Sunday twice. His church even has a Lipa tree that is over 125 yrs. old and every year the Priest and villagers use it's branches on Ruslja.

Dear Ung-Certez,

Sorry to disappoint you!

I really don't know everything there is to know about our Church and traditions, contrary to popular belief .

And when I come across something that is new, I just want to see what others think before I form my hard and fast conclusions forever and ever!

I did NOT know that the branches of the Lipa/Linden tree are used. My people used whatever as long as it had green leaves.

It is apparent that in eastern Ukraine and Russia, white birch branches are popular.

As you know, the Lipa/Linden tree has always been considered sacred in Slavic cultures.

The Poles consider it to be a tree dedicated to the Mother of God and there are stories of the Theotokos appearing to children in Lipa trees, teaching them and giving them sweets etc.

Also, it was popular to bring Linden honey to church to be blessed at the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration.

That feast followed closely after that of Sts. Savvaty and Zossima of Solovetsky, the traditional East Slavic patrons of beekeepers.

Other patrons are Job the Prophet, Ambrose of Milan, John the Baptist, Modomnoc and Gobnet of Ireland, Bernard of Clairvaux and Peter the Apostle.

So, you see, I don't know everything.

If I did, it would be a very boring existence!

Alex

Alex, didn't mean to chastise, you have a great wealth of knowledge concerning both the Eastern and Western Christian Churches, prebachte proshu!
I just thought you would know Pentecost/Ruslja Lipa tree tradition. What type of "green" branches do most Ukrainian and Rusyn Churches in Toronto bless on "Zelenie Nedilju"?

Prebachte!
Ung-Certez