Trinity Sunday
The first Sunday after Pentecost, instituted to honour the Most Holy Trinity. In the early Church no special Office or day was assigned for the Holy Trinity.
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Since it was after the first great Pentecost that the doctrine of the Trinity was proclaimed to the world, the feast becomingly follows that of Pentecost.
-Catholic Encyclopedia: Trinity Sunday
Trinity Sunday also represents the beginning of the Church part of the liturgical year, continuing until Advent, where green vestments are worn by clergy; however, the colour for Trinity Sunday itself is white.
Trinity Sunday is celebrated in all the Western liturgical churches: Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Methodist.
In the Eastern Churches, Pentecost itself is considered the feast of the Trinity.
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Prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, it marked the end of a three-week period when church weddings were forbidden.
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Other times when church weddings were forbidden included:
The first Sunday of Advent to January 13, the end of the Octave of Epiphany.
Septuagesima to the Octave of Easter (the first Sunday after Easter).
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Trinity Sunday is... eight weeks after Easter Sunday.
The earliest possible date is May 17 as in 1818 and 2285. The latest possible date is June 20 as in 1943 and 2038.
-Wikipedia: Trinity Sunday
See also: Athanasian Creed
WHAT IS TRINITY SUNDAY?
The Sunday after Pentecost is the Festival of the Holy Trinity. On this day, the church rejoices in the impenetrable mystery that God is triune (three-in-one) - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How the Lord can be one God in three distinct persons is completely beyond the ability of any human to understand. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians accept this incomprehensible mystery as a fundamental article of faith.
WHAT IS THE ATHANASIAN CREED?
The Athanasian Creed is the Christian church's wonderful and profound confession of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. This creed takes its name from the influential Egyptian bishop and theologian of the 4th century, Athanasius, who was once thought to be its author. Because of its length, it is not recited in church on a regular basis. However, many congregations (including Saint Paul's) use it on Trinity Sunday. This creed, along with the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, is one of the three ecumenical creeds that have been universally accepted and confessed by the Christian church since ancient times.
WHY IS TRINITY CELEBRATED ON THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST?
How God can be one God in three Persons is a mystery. While it is taught in the Bible (for example, in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:14), it can never be understood or rationalized - it can only be accepted by faith. Since faith comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit, it is appropriate that this glorious mystery is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost, the great festival of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
WHY DOES THE CHURCH ASSIGN A SPECIAL FESTIVAL TO GLORIFY THE HOLY TRINITY?
From Advent through Pentecost, the church ponders with joy and thanksgiving what Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have done to accomplish the salvation of sinful humanity. During the Season after Pentecost, we focus on how we as Christians ought to respond to the love that God has shown us. Trinity Sunday is a transitional day that bridges these two parts of the liturgical year. This is the solemn day on which we praise and adore God both for what He has done for the world and for who He is:
SON - Our Saviour and Redeemer
HOLY SPIRIT - Our Sanctifier and Comforter
-Saint Paul's Lutheran Church: Questions & Answers about Trinity Sunday
We are all created by God the Father, saved by God the Son, Jesus, and guided by God the Holy Spirit. We are called to live a meaningful and fulfilling life here on Earth so that we can all return to our Creator, who has prepared an eternal home of glory and joy for us.
-Daily Email Reflection by Fr. Philip Heng, SJ
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