This morning Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II has conducted a service in Russia's spiritual center Trinity Cathedral of the Troitse -Sergieva Lavra (Sergiev Posad, 60km northwest of the capital).
Trinity Day is also known as the Fiftieth Day, for it is celebrated on the 50th day after Easter.
The day was called so after the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon Apostles, which Jesus had promised them before the Ascension.
The Descent of the Holy Spirit embodies the three faces of God: Father - creating the world, Son - saving the people from Devil's slavery, and Holy Spirit - consecrates the world through the Church.
The New Testament describes the Descent of the Holy Spirit as a flame that surrounded each of the Apostles and enabled them to speak languages they had never spoken before to promote Christianity across the world. Therefore the Holy Trinity Day is also called the birthday of the Christian Church.
On the eve of Trinity Day the Church has established Trinity Saturday, and the following day is called Holy Spirit Day. Trinity Saturday is for commemoration of the dead.
