The Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful celebrate Saint Trifun, the protector of winegrowers and field work. February 14th is also celebrated around the world as Valentine’s Day.
Saint Trifun was born in the village of Kampsada in Phrygia to poor parents. As a child, he watched geese and already had a great blessing from God upon him. He could heal people and livestock, as well as exorcise evil spirits.
Thus, he also healed the daughter of the Roman Emperor Gordian. The emperor richly rewarded Trifun, but Trifun distributed the gifts he received to the poor and returned to watching geese.
When Emperor Decius came to the Roman throne, persecutions of Christians, suffering and torture began. As he did not want to renounce Christ and his faith, Trifun was beheaded. He was executed in the year 250. He was buried in Kampsada where he was born.
It is not known exactly when, but the relics of Saint Trifun were transferred from Kampsada to Constantinople. From there, the head of Saint Trifun was brought to Kotor in the Church of Saint Trifun.
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This saint is very popular in our nation. It is said: “If it is clear on Trishindan, there will be drought” or: “Rain will fall on Trisha, it will be fruitful”.
He is mostly celebrated by winegrowers. Today, people go to the vineyards, prune the vines and water some of the vines with wine.
It is believed that winter ends with this holiday.
A period of four days called Trivunci begins.
Valentine’s Day
February 14th is celebrated around the world as Valentine’s Day. There are several legends about the origin of this holiday, but it is known to date back to the time of the ancient Romans.
According to the most common version, it is named after the priest Valentine from the third century AD, who, despite the ban, secretly married couples in love.
He was executed in 269 by beheading at the time when Emperor Claudius II ruled the Roman Empire.
It is believed that he was executed because Claudius believed that unmarried men were better soldiers and did not want them to marry while the wars lasted, while Bishop Valentine opposed this and organized secret weddings, which Claudius found out about. Because of this, he was thrown into prison and sentenced to death on February 14th.
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Source: RTS, Photo: Wikipedia