TROITSA (THE TRINITY)
   Russians celebrate Troitsa on the 12th of June.
Troitsa (the 50th day after Paskha) is a traditional Russian celebration that is known by different names.
It always starts on a Sunday and ends on Tuesday. It is also known around the world as the Pentecost or Trinity holidays or celebrations. There is an interesting twist to this folk holiday, a story that has been told for generations. The folklore surrounding this time of year (the beginning of summer) in Russia has been passed down from the Pagan Slavs. It was once celebrated in spring, and was celebrated by cleaning and decorating homes and gardens. The Pagan Slavs believed that when the first signs of summer started to appear, the mermaids that lived in the lakes and rivers of the country would come on land. While walking among the people the mermaids would bewitch the men they came in contact with, and force the men to return with them to their kingdoms under water.
On Troitsa the houses were usually decorated with fresh green branches. The maiden's clothes were put on young birch-trees and songs and dances round the birch-trees took place. The garlands made of birch branches and flowers were put into water for fortune-telling.