The feast of the Baptism of the Lord is one of the most important for Christians. Orthodox celebrate it on January 19. Since ancient times, this holiday has its own traditions and signs. The event that happened that day had a special power. The signs that were noticed that day helped to predict future events.

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Epiphany customs have been collected for many generations. They have survived to this day and are still very popular today.

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Traditions

This holiday was named in honor of the baptism of Jesus Christ. The Gospel says that John the Baptist, calling on people to repent of their sins, baptized people in the waters of the Jordan River. The Son of God, in his humility, accepted Baptism, consecrating the water space with Himself. This holiday is also called the Feast of the Epiphany. It is named so because at the Baptism of Jesus Christ the Most Holy Trinity appeared to the world: God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

On the day of the Epiphany of the Lord, a dream, omen or fortune-telling - everything has a special power and often comes true. Like many years ago, they are always popular with people. The most accurate of them are passed down from generation to generation.

Among the most common traditions are: illumination of water, the ritual of protecting the house from evil spirits, divination for the betrothed, the rite of attracting money, and many others. There are also things that you cannot do on this day.

household

The Orthodox are accustomed to celebrating this holiday with their families at a modest table. On Epiphany, lenten food is served for dinner: uzvar, dumplings with cabbage, fried fish, buckwheat pancakes. And from honey, rice and raisins they make juicy (kutya). According to tradition, the first to taste the food is the one who last plunged into the hole.

After dinner, all the spoons were collected in one plate, and bread was placed on top, saying: “So that the bread is born.”

On this day, people went to visit each other with carols and songs.



Consecration of water and dipping into the hole

The most important custom of the Baptism of the Lord is the illumination of water. On the morning of January 19, the Orthodox go to church for a festive service. The priest sanctifies the water by placing the cross in a special hole. The sacrament takes place in the courtyard of the temple or at the springs. It is also believed that on this day all the water in the reservoirs also becomes holy. On Epiphany from midnight to midnight, the water has healing properties and keeps them for one year.

Holy water is given to drink to the sick, it is consecrated at home. For the scientific world, it is still a mystery that the water poured on the Baptism of Christ does not deteriorate. It is odorless and keeps for a year or more. On Epiphany, housewives sprinkle their dwelling with holy water in order to expel evil spirits from the house and attract the grace of God.

In ancient times, on the eve of baptism, a large cross was cut through the ice on the river and placed vertically next to the hole. An ice cross was decorated with spruce branches or doused with beet kvass, which made it red.

On Epiphany, everyone plunges into an ice hole or specially equipped fonts. It is believed that it cleanses from many sins. Both adults and children follow the tradition, you can often see a picture when babies are bathed in a font. Even in severe frost, there are daredevils who jump into the icy water. At the same time, women who are menstruating are not allowed to dip in holy water.



snow related

There are folk omens concerning snow. According to ancient beliefs, Epiphany snow has healing properties. Mistresses used it to clean white linen, and unmarried girls washed themselves with it - it was believed that this would add attractiveness and beauty.

If you melt the Epiphany snow and wash your face with it, you can get rid of convulsions and dizziness. First of all, they washed the children, and then they themselves, saying these words:

• “Faith is strong, the cross is strong, health is strong. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

In Rus', snow on the day of the Epiphany was added to the feed for chickens - so that they rush better, and horses - so that they are hardy.

It is also used to preserve female beauty. To perform the ritual, you need to bring clean Epiphany snow from the house and melt it. Wash yourself with the resulting water and say a conspiracy:

• “Water from the sky will fix everything. And (name) will add beauty to my white face. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

Exorcism

Traditionally, at Epiphany, a rite of cleansing the house of negative energy was performed. The dwelling was aired, and salt was scattered in the corners - an insurmountable barrier to evil spirits. Church candles were lit in each room and the fire was closely monitored. If the light was even and pure, it meant that there was peace and tranquility in the monastery. Blinking and smoke from the light is evidence that not everything is in order in the house.

That evening, people, returning from church service, put crosses with chalk over all the doors and windows in the house. If the dwelling was not protected by the cross in time, evil spirits could get into it.

You could get rid of them like this:

1. 1. A knot was found in the floor of the house or, if the floor was not wooden, then they drew it with chalk.
2. 2. With the ring finger of the right hand, the knot was circled into a triangle.
3. 3. After that, they stood on him with their left foot and said: “Christ is risen, and not you, demon. Amen".

Lure money

In ancient times, a ritual with coins was very popular, which served as talismans. On Epiphany evening, iron money was placed in a pot and placed on the table.

After that, they started dinner with three spoons of kutya - a traditional dish on the festive table. When all family members had tasted the treat, they had to take a coin and put it under their plate. Whispered 3 times a conspiracy to add money:

• "For money to flow, bless my luck."

After dinner, the coin was transferred to a purse and carried with them for a year. It was believed that she would bring prosperity and prosperity to the house. In no case should such a talisman be thrown away.

Divination for unmarried girls

On Epiphany evening, unmarried girls guessed like this:

1. 1. It was necessary to go outside.
2. 2. If the first passerby she meets is an elderly person or a child, then marriage will not happen soon.
3. 3. If a young man meets, then it is likely that the wedding will be this year.

At Epiphany there was also a special kind of fortune-telling - on kutia. Its essence was that the girls, taking with them a plate of hot kutya and covering it with a towel or apron, ran out into the street. They treated the first man they met with kutya and asked his name. What was the name of the one who met, so they will call the husband.

On Epiphany evening, the girls went to the church and listened. If the sound of a bell or a church choir was heard, it promised that love would soon be found. If it's a dull thud, it's a nuisance.

One of the most popular divinations for unmarried girls was tossing a shoe. The girls went out into the street and threw shoes from their left feet over their shoulders. In which direction did the nose of the shoe point - from there you need to wait for the future groom.

weather notes

Our ancestors followed the weather. She judged how the next year would turn out. If at Epiphany:

• Trees in hoarfrost, then in spring winter wheat should be sown on the same day of the week. The harvest will be rich.
• Blizzard - there will be bad weather before Maslenitsa.
• Severe frost and clear - to drought and crop failure.
• Starry night - there will be a lot of berries and nuts.
• There is heavy snow - to a bountiful harvest.
• There is a full moon in the sky - in the spring there will be a flood.
• The hostess went for water and snow began - the year would be fertile.
• There was a new moon at Epiphany - we watched the weather for the next 3 days. A clear day promised frosty and sunny weather until February. Snow promised blizzards before the end of the month. The rain foreshadowed a thaw.
• Dogs bark a lot - to a large number of game and animals in the forest.
• The stars are shining bright - spring will start early and summer will be hot and dry

It is believed that a marriage proposal on January 19 is a guarantee of a happy and long family life. On this day, the mothers of the bride and groom asked God to reward the couple with strong and healthy children, sewed undershirts for them. Babies born were baptized in these clothes.

dreams

Dreams on Epiphany night have always been considered prophetic, and predictions are the most accurate:

• According to the general rules, dreams in soft shades and light colors are symbols of imminent happiness and goodness.
• Turbid water, mountains, dark sky promised problems and illnesses. If people are fussing around, there will be unpleasant chores.
• The mood of sleep determines whether the year will be successful or not.
• For women, to see their pregnancy in a dream means an imminent increase in reality.

Dreams are considered prophetic on January 18-19 until 5 o'clock in the morning. It is also important to consider the phase of the moon. A dream on a full moon and the third lunar day comes true most often.

The day of the week also plays an important role. Dreams on Friday or Wednesday are usually fulfilled.

Other beliefs

In addition to signs and superstitions, there are other beliefs:

1. 1. On the night of Epiphany, the heavens open, so prayer and desire will be heard by God.
2. 2. You need to come to worship, and not come on foot.
3. 3. If you baptize a child on January 19, John the Baptist himself will be at the ceremony. If you buy a cross, then the guardian angel will rejoice. People baptized on this day are happy in life and carry a part of the grace of God.
4. 4. It is believed that if the birthday falls on January 19, then the person will be under God's protection.

What can't be done?

There are special superstitions that suggest what not to do at Baptism:

• There is no need to cry on a holiday, otherwise the whole year will pass in tears.
• You should not borrow money, otherwise you will have to give back many times more.
• On the eve of Theophany and on the holiday itself, matches, money, and bread should not be given away from home. Happiness and good luck can go with them.
• On Epiphany, after sunset, they do not cut an unopened loaf of bread, otherwise the grandchildren will live in poverty.
• On a holiday, you can’t talk badly about someone, swear. It will bring trouble.
• On this day, it is forbidden to leave shoes outside the threshold. This can make you sick.

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It all started when I ordered a personal...

Orthodox Christians traditionally celebrate Epiphany on January 18 and 19. This day has its own history dating back to ancient times, and church canons have been closely intertwined with folk beliefs for a long time.

The feast of the Baptism of Rus' is usually celebrated on July 28. This event, according to historical research, dates back to 988. However, the adoption of the Christian faith in Rus' was not a short-term action, but a long process that required rethinking by the inhabitants of the pagan state of new forms of life and interaction.

History of the holiday. Baptism

In Greek, the word "baptism" means immersion. This is how a cleansing bath is carried out for a person who has decided to accept the Christian faith. The true meaning of the water ritual is spiritual cleansing. According to Christian tradition, on January 19, Jesus Christ was baptized, and on this day, the Epiphany is celebrated, when the Almighty appeared to the world in three forms.

In the Baptism of the Lord (the history of the holiday tells so), God the Son passed the Sacrament in the Jordan River at the age of 30, where the Holy Spirit appeared to him in the form of a dove, and God the Father let know from heaven that Jesus Christ is his son . Hence the second name of the holiday - Epiphany.

On January 18, according to the Orthodox tradition, it is customary to fast until the removal of the candle, which follows the Liturgy, accompanied by communion with water. The feast of the Epiphany, or rather, its eve, is also called Christmas Eve, which is associated with the custom of cooking wheat juice with the addition of raisins and honey.

Celebration traditions

Baptism is a holiday whose traditions are associated with the extraordinary ability of water to heal, and it can be taken from the most ordinary reservoir. Even the one that is supplied to the apartments of our houses is endowed with this property. For healing, it is necessary to take consecrated baptismal water on an empty stomach in a very small volume (a teaspoon is enough). After taking it, you need to wait a while before eating.

Healing properties of baptismal water

Baptism is an Orthodox holiday and, according to the Christian faith, holy water is the most effective cure for all diseases. To get rid of bodily and spiritual ailments, you need to drink it hourly, deeply believing in the healing power. Women on critical days cannot touch holy water, it is possible only in exceptional cases, for example, in case of a serious illness.

In Orthodox traditions, the history of the holiday is well known. The Baptism of the Lord endows water with miraculous power. A drop of it can consecrate a huge source, and it does not deteriorate under any storage conditions. Modern research has confirmed that Epiphany water does not change its structure without a refrigerator.

Where to store baptismal water

The water collected on the day of the Feast of Epiphany should be stored in the Red Corner near the icons, this is the best place in the house for it. It must be taken from the Red Corner without swearing, at this moment one cannot quarrel and allow oneself impious thoughts, the sanctity of the magic drink is lost from this. Sprinkling the house with water cleanses not only the home, but also family members, making them healthier, more moral and happy.

Epiphany bathing

Traditionally, on January 19, on the feast of the Epiphany, water from any source has miraculous properties and the ability to heal, therefore, on this day, all Orthodox Christians collect it in various containers and store it carefully, adding, if necessary, in small drops, for example, into a glass of water. As you remember, even a small portion can consecrate huge volumes. However, the Feast of Epiphany is most widely known for mass bathing. Of course, not everyone can decide on this. Recently, however, baptismal bathing has become increasingly popular.

diving are held in a hole carved in the shape of a cross, which is called the Jordan. Having plunged into cold water on January 19 on Epiphany, an Orthodox holiday, a believer, as the saying goes, gets rid of sins and all ailments for a whole year.

When is it customary to collect water

People go to church for holy water on the morning of January 19th. There is a sign that you need to take it first. This makes the behavior of some parishioners unacceptable for the temple, because in a sacred place one cannot push, swear, and fuss.

Consecrated water can also be collected the day before, January 18, on Epiphany Christmas Eve. Services in the church continue on this day. As the priests say, the water is consecrated in the same way on January 18 and 19, so the time of collection is not reflected in its healing properties. If it is impossible to go to church, you can use an ordinary apartment water supply. It is better to draw water from the tap on the night of January 18-19 between 00.10 and 01.30. This time is considered the most favorable. When and where to swim on the feast of Epiphany? Regarding bathing, the church notes that it is not a canon of Christianity, but simply has become a tradition. You can plunge into Epiphany both on the night of January 18-19, and on the morning of the 19th. In each city, special places are organized for this holiday, you can find out about them in any church.

On the acceptance of baptism in the Orthodox tradition

In the Baptism of the Lord (the history of the holiday tells about this), God first appeared to the world in three hypostases (Theophany). Few people think that communion with the Lord is an important event in the life of every Orthodox Christian. On the day of baptism, a person is adopted by God and becomes a part of Christ.

Baptism, as mentioned above, should be translated as immersion or pouring. Both meanings are somehow connected with water, which is a symbol of the Orthodox Christian religion. It has tremendous destructive and creative power. Water is a symbol of renewal, transformation and spiritual purification. The first Christians were baptized in rivers and lakes. Subsequently, as at the present time, this action began to be performed in fonts. Orthodox baptism is obligatory for liberation from negative forces.

After passing the rite of baptism, a person is accepted by the Orthodox Church and ceases to be a slave of Satan, who can now tempt him only with cunning. After gaining faith, you can visit the temple and pray, as well as use other Sacraments of the Orthodox faith.

The adoption of Baptism by an adult is done consciously, so the presence of godparents is not necessary. A future Christian must definitely get acquainted with the basics of the Orthodox faith and, if desired, learn prayers.

When it comes to babies, they need godparents, who in the future should take care of the religious development of the child and, of course, pray for him. They should be an example of morality for their godchildren.

Before the Sacrament is performed, everyone who will be present in the church is recommended to fast and refrain from worldly entertainment. Babies themselves do not need any preparation.

Now in every church there is a record for baptism, where you can also find out what you need to take with you. Be sure to prepare a consecrated cross and, if desired, a baptismal set, which includes a shirt, cap, diaper. A cap is not required for boys.

After the ceremony, you will receive a "Certificate of Baptism". Keep it, if your child decides to enter the spiritual school, it will definitely be required.

It must be said that the baptism of a child is a holiday that is given increasing importance in Russia every year.

Folk customs and traditions associated with Baptism

The Feast of the Epiphany is, of course, less popular than the Nativity of Christ, but it is very rich in various rituals. Here are some of them.

On this day, it is customary to release doves into the sky during worship, which is a symbol of the Spirit of God, who appeared on earth in the guise of this bird. Also, this ritual "lets go" of the Christmas holidays.

Be sure to consecrate water in churches. On the eve of Epiphany, a cruciform hole is cut out in the reservoirs, while the cross is placed close to it and sometimes decorated. Water is baptized with fire, for which the priest lowers a burning three-candlestick into it.

To wash away sins during baptismal bathing, you need to plunge headlong three times.

In the old days, young people had fun on this day, riding on carousels and skating. Also, the guys and girls caroled - they went around with songs and congratulations at home, and the owners gave them treats.

After this holiday, fasting ended. Young people again began to gather together for festivities, where they could choose their soulmate. The period from the end of Epiphany to Great Lent is the time when a wedding could be played.

It is not customary to work on Epiphany and eat a lot.

Signs and beliefs

To agree on a wedding on this day - to a happy life for a future family. In general, any good deed begun on this day is blessed.

Snow in Epiphany - to a rich harvest.

The sun on this day is to be a bad harvest.

To wash with ice and snow on this day is to be beautiful, sweet and comely for a whole year.

On Epiphany night, dreams are prophetic.

Girls that evening gathered together and wondered.

Epiphany divination

The most popular, of course, fortune-telling on the betrothed. There are a great many ways to find out the name and see the future husband, some of them are quite creepy: with mirrors, candles, "spiritual circles" and the alphabet.

Almost every modern girl knows about divination by the groom according to the method of Tatyana Larina: to find out the name of the betrothed, you need to go outside at midnight and ask the first man who comes across his name.

And here is a very funny fortune-telling for the fulfillment of a wish. You ask a question, having a good idea of ​​what you are asking about (the question really should be important to you, but if you do it for the sake of a joke, then the answer will be untruthful), and then you scoop up grain (cereals) from a bag. Next, pour everything on a plate and count. If the number of grains is even, it will come true, if the number of grains is odd, it will not come true.

On Epiphany Christmas Eve, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and the rite of the great consecration of water.

On the very day of the feast of the Epiphany, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

After the prayer behind the ambo, a great consecration of the water was performed.

The consecration of water was performed throughout the day of Christmas Eve and the feast of the Epiphany itself, and also, according to tradition, will be performed as needed until the day the feast of Epiphany is given.

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

An incomprehensible mystery reveals to the mind now enlightened by the light of Truth the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The incarnate God - the Lord Jesus Christ, descends into the waters of the Jordan, sanctifying and restoring the watery nature once corrupted by human sin, imparting to him the Power and grace of the Holy Spirit, perceiving which in the baptismal font every Christian becomes a participant in imperishable eternity in the Kingdom of the Heavenly Father.

The feast of the Baptism of the Lord, or Theophany, is also called the Day of Enlightenment and the Feast of Lights - from the ancient custom to perform the baptism of the catechumens on the eve of it (on Eve), which is, in essence, spiritual enlightenment.

The description of the event of Baptism is given by all four Evangelists (Mt 3:13-17; Mk 1:9-11; Lk 3:21-23; John 1:33-34), as well as in many stichera and troparia of the feast. “Today, Heaven and earth, the Creator comes in flesh to the Jordan, asking for the baptism of the sinless ... and is baptized from the servant of the Lord of all ...”. “To the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord (i.e., to John), thou hast come, Lord, we accept the form of a slave, asking for baptism, knowing no sin.” The baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ is in the closest connection with all His Divine-human work of saving people; it constitutes the decisive and complete beginning of this ministry.

When John the Baptist preached on the banks of the Jordan and baptized people, Jesus Christ was thirty years old. He also came from Nazareth to the Jordan River to John to be baptized by him. John, however, considered himself unworthy to baptize Jesus Christ and began to hold Him back, saying: “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus said to him in response: “leave me now,” that is, do not hold me back now, “because this is how we need to fulfill all righteousness” - to fulfill everything in the Law of God and set an example for people. Then John obeyed and baptized Jesus Christ. After the completion of baptism, when Jesus Christ came out of the water, the heavens suddenly opened up (revealed) over Him; and John saw the Spirit of God descending on Jesus in the form of a dove, and the voice of God the Father was heard from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

The Baptism of the Lord in the redemption of the human race had a deep ontological significance. Baptism in the Jordan exudes forsaken mortals, remission of sins, enlightenment, the restoration of human nature, light, renewal, healing, and, as it were, a new birth. “Newly created earthly, New Adam was the Sodetel, by fire and Spirit and water, making a strange rebirth and a wonderful renewal ...”. The baptism of Christ in the waters of the Jordan had not only the meaning of a symbol of purification, but also a transforming, renewing effect on human nature. By plunging into the waters of the Jordan, the Lord sanctified “the whole nature of the waters” and the whole earth. The presence of Divine power in the watery nature transforms our corruptible nature (through Baptism) into incorruptible. Baptism had a beneficial effect on the whole dual human nature - on the body and soul of man. The baptism of Christ the Savior was in fact a prefiguration and foundation given after His Resurrection and Ascension of the mysteriously grace-filled way of rebirth by water and the Spirit in the sacrament of Baptism. Here the Lord reveals Himself as the Founder of a new, gracious Kingdom, into which, according to His teaching, one cannot enter without Baptism.

The threefold immersion in the sacrament of Baptism depicts the death of Christ, and the coming out of the water represents the communion of His three-day Resurrection.

At the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan, true worship of God (religion) was revealed to people, the hitherto unknown mystery of the Trinity of the Godhead, the mystery of the One God in three Persons, was revealed, the worship of the Most Holy Trinity was revealed. The hymns comprehensively and touchingly describe the experiences that the Forerunner experiences when he sees Christ coming to be baptized by him. John the Baptist to the people listening to him points to the coming Jesus as the Christ expected by all Israel - the Messiah: "This, deliver Israel, free us from destruction." And when the Lord asked him to be baptized, “The Forerunner trembled and exclaimed loudly: how can a lamp shine light? How will a servant lay his hand on the Lord? Savior, who took upon himself the sins of the whole world, You Yourself sanctify me and the waters. “Although You are the Child from Mary,” says the Forerunner, “but I know You, the Eternal God.” And then the Lord says to John:

“Prophet, come and baptize Me, who created you, and who enlightens with grace and purifies all. Touch My Divine top (head) and do not hesitate. Leave the rest now, for I have come to fulfill all righteousness.”

By being baptized by John, Christ fulfilled “righteousness,” that is, faithfulness and obedience to the commandments of God. Saint John the Baptist received from God the command to baptize the people as a sign of the cleansing of sins. As a man, Christ had to "fulfill" this commandment and therefore be baptized by John. By this He confirmed the holiness and greatness of John's actions, and gave Christians for eternity an example of obedience to the will of God and humility.

Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian celebrations, celebrated already in the 3rd century. At first, in various local Churches, memories of various events associated with the birth of the Savior, His coming into the world, baptism in the Jordan by John and the first miracle at the marriage in Cana of Galilee were associated with this holiday. In the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Church, this practice has been preserved to this day, and in the Latin liturgical tradition, on the day of Theophany, the adoration of the Magi to the Divine Infant Christ is commemorated, and the baptism of the Savior in the Jordan is commemorated on the next Sunday after January 6. The Feast of the Epiphany, as a memory of the baptism of the Savior in the Jordan, acquired significance after the feast of the Nativity of Christ was established on December 25, the day of the December calendars. Christmas was first celebrated in Rome (no later than 354), under Pope Julius, and later in the East. The "Apostolic Ordinances", a canonical monument of Syrian origin and dated by researchers around 380, commands to celebrate Christmas (December 25) and "The Day of the Appearance, on which the Lord showed us His Divinity" (January 6). In Constantinople, the feast of the Nativity was introduced by St. Gregory the Theologian in 379 during his short reign in the metropolitan see. Thus, the feast of the Epiphany, as a memory of the baptism of Christ and the appearance of the Holy Trinity, with which the emergence of the custom to bless water on this day, was established no earlier than the end of the 4th century.

In Jerusalem, the separation of the feasts of Christmas and Epiphany occurred somewhat later. Fragmentary information about the liturgical rite of the Epiphany consecration of water in the Jerusalem Church is given to us by the "Jerusalem Cannonary" (VII century), which has come down to our time in a Georgian translation. According to legend, the current liturgical rite of the Great Blessing of Water was composed by St. Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem (c. 560-638).

The great consecration of water, according to the church charter, is performed twice - on the day of eve (Epiphany Christmas Eve) and on the day of the holiday itself, it is performed in conjunction with the Divine Liturgy. Contrary to popular misconception, there is no difference in the "power of grace" between water blessed on a given day. Firstly, water is consecrated according to the same liturgical rite. Secondly, initially the consecration of water was performed on the eve of the feast, as evidenced by St. John Chrysostom, as well as the Typicon. The double consecration of water entered the practice of the Orthodox Church after the 12th century. However, it is interesting to note that the very tradition of consecrating water for purposes not related to the Sacrament of Baptism arose in ancient times, at the dawn of the history of the Church, long before the formation of rites. For example, the Holy Martyr Alexander, Pope of Rome (II century), introduced the custom of consecrating water so that believers would sprinkle their homes with it.

The Baptism of the Lord is one of the largest Orthodox holidays. This day in our country is celebrated annually on January 19.

In Russia, this important event is celebrated quite widely, services are held in all churches, and people, believers and non-believers, visit churches to pray and collect blessed water.

From the history of the event

According to the Gospel, when Jesus Christ was 30 years old, he found John the Baptist, who was in those days in the city of Bethabara near the Jordan River. Then many people were baptized by John in the Jordan River, as they believed in his prophecies, including the imminent appearance of the Messiah.

The rite of baptism in the Jordan River for John and his followers symbolized renewal, the replacement of the old law with the new one that the Messiah would bring with him.

On the day when Christ himself appeared to the prophet to undergo the rite of Baptism, John the Baptist did not believe that the Messiah himself had visited him. And Jesus humbly answered that he had to fulfill the truth and received Baptism from the prophet.

They say that on the Day of the Baptism of the Lord, unprecedented events took place, or rather, the sky opened, and a voice was heard from heaven.

It was after this event that Christ was followed by his first disciples Andrew, Simon, Philip, Nathanael, who later became apostles. And the baptized Jesus went to the desert for 40 days, where he fervently prayed and fasted, being tempted by the Devil. After that, he returned to the world to fulfill his destiny.

It is not known for certain when Jesus lived, was born and baptized. Theologians believe that he lived in the 1st century BC, was born from 12 to 4 BC, and was baptized 30 years after his birth. At 33, Jesus was crucified on the cross.

Christ was baptized in the backwaters of Yardenit, where the sacred Jordan River merges with Lake Tiberias. Many true believers now want to be baptized there.

The first mention of Epiphany as a holiday

But at first, two holidays, Christmas and Epiphany, were not separated, they were celebrated on the same day on January 6, and the event was called Epiphany.

Only at the end of the 4th century AD did the Baptism of the Lord become an independent date. But a certain unity between these two events has still been preserved, the day before Christmas and Epiphany it is necessary to observe fasting, and the evening on the eve of both church holidays is called Christmas Eve.

Good to know: Christmas and Epiphany are connected by the period from January 7 to 17, which is called Christmas time.

Traditions and customs of Baptism

On the eve of Epiphany, you need to fast all day, and in the evening, with the appearance of the first star, you can eat only fasting dishes. You should sit down to eat only after prayer.

On the eve of Christmas Eve, Christians thoroughly cleaned the house. They washed all the corners, and where, according to popular beliefs, there could be evil spirits, they painted crosses in the windows, corners. It is believed that on the evening before Epiphany, evil spirits are especially dangerous.

One of the main traditions on the Epiphany evening is washing in the hole. It is believed that in this way a person washes away all his sins with holy water, is charged with health and strength for the coming year. On this holy day, girls and women dipped viburnum or coral in the consecrated water and washed themselves with that water so that their faces looked healthy and their cheeks were rosy.

It is believed that from 00.00 at night until 24.00 on January 19, holy water comes from all sources, which has powerful healing properties. According to beliefs, holy water can cure many diseases, fight spoilage, the evil eye, etc. Services are held in the churches on the morning of January 19, the water is additionally blessed. Holy water retains its healing properties for exactly one year.

Believers traditionally go to church on this day, and not only in the morning for the blessing of water, but throughout the day. On this day, you need to pray and devote yourself to spiritual enlightenment. In the temple, people wash themselves, drink holy water.

On the table on this great feast, according to custom, it is necessary to put a dozen dishes. It can be cereals, jelly, meat, pancakes, etc. After eating, all family members, young and old, thank the Lord for the bread and set off to release the pigeons.

There are some prohibitions on this great divine holiday. So, on January 19, you can’t do physical labor, you should clean up in advance, in extreme cases, you can do this before lunch. But washing is strictly prohibited not only on January 19, but also within 2 days after.

On the day of Epiphany, you can not drink alcohol, it is permissible to use only a glass of Cahors. You should definitely not guess at Epiphany, be rude, greedy and rude on this day.

sermon for baptism

Traditionally, on January 19 in Russia, His Holiness the Patriarch celebrates a long solemn liturgy in the church and addresses the faithful with words of prayer and sermon. The service is televised.

The Epiphany of the Lord is one of the most revered religious holidays among Russians. Visiting churches, temples, jumping into the hole, collecting holy water have become folk traditions on this day.

On January 19, the Orthodox Church celebrates the great twelfth feast - the Baptism of the Lord and Theophany (Vodokreschi). On this day, the Orthodox people remember the Baptism of Jesus Christ from John the Baptist in the Jordan. The holiday got its second name - Epiphany - due to the fact that at the baptism of the Savior, "the appearance of three persons of the Godhead happened: the Father from heaven testified with a voice about the baptized Son, and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove, thereby confirming the words of the Father."

The people called the holiday Vodokreschi. The name appeared because of the main baptismal rites - water consecration, or water baptism.

In the folk calendar, the Epiphany of the Lord has been one of the most important holidays since the beginning of the year. From that day on, Christmas time ended, and people's contact with the other world was interrupted. In this regard, the main part of the baptismal rites had a cleansing character. They prepared for Baptism the day before: they washed the huts and carefully swept the rubbish, in which, according to our ancestors, the devil could hide. According to legend, in the morning before the consecration of water, all the little devils should drown in the water. In the evening, if possible, all the people went to the church for the service, at the end of which a great blessing of water was performed. His peasants considered a celebration of special importance.

Upon returning from service, people performed cleansing rites, the whole family drank holy water, sprinkled cattle, houses and outbuildings with it. Snow was collected at Epiphany, and the resulting water was poured into a jug and saved in case of illness. It is believed that this water heals cramps, dizziness, and numbness in the legs. If the canvas is sprinkled with snowy Epiphany water, then it will whiten it in such a way that neither ash nor the sun can do it. Epiphany snow was also added to the feed for horses so that they would not get sick, they were given to chickens so that they would start laying earlier.

According to folk beliefs, the night before Christmas, the heavens open. According to legend, this happens at the moment when the Savior enters the river. The sign of this event is the stirring of water in a glass or cup, which most often occurs at midnight. After waiting for this sign, you need to quickly go outside. If a person is lucky to see the "open heavens", then he can ask the Lord for whatever his heart desires.

Baptism: rites and signs on January 19

The main celebration of the holiday was the blessing of water and "going to the Jordan". For this, a hole was made in one of the reservoirs at a previously established place - Jordan. The whole day of Epiphany for Christians was full of special significance. They took part in the solemn procession and receiving holy water. After the prayer, they bathed in the river to cleanse themselves of sins and be cured of illnesses. Those who dressed up for Christmas time, swam in the hole in order to wash off the "demonic mask" from themselves.

The hole and the place near it are considered sacred. A stick was stuck into the hole so that doves and bees would breed. Cattle were driven to the Jordan, which the priests sprinkled with water blessed in the river.

After mass, the hosts laid out unthreshed sheaves of various crops in the yard, broken into pieces of bread and rye cakes left for Baptism from the holidays of the New Year and the Nativity of Christ. Cattle were released from the barns to the laid out food, and while she was eating, she was sprinkled with water brought from the hole. At the same time, the owner, who sprinkled the animals, put on a fur coat with the fur outside.

The use of New Year's and Christmas bread in the ritual, as well as a fur coat turned inside out, is associated with the idea of ​​offspring: in the traditional mind, fur and ritual food were endowed with producing power. Feeding various types of unthreshed bread was carried out so that the cattle would be full all year round.

As on Epiphany Christmas Eve, and on the day of Epiphany, after the blessing of water, a rite of purification of houses and households was performed. buildings to drive out the Christmas spirits from everywhere. For this, holy water was used. Young people rode horses around the yards, beat with whips and brooms in all back streets and dark corners, screaming and screeching, reciting a special spell.

From January 19 and throughout the week it was forbidden to rinse clothes on the river. According to popular beliefs, the evil spirit, leaving after Christmas time in the water, can grab onto the linen and get out.

The candle, which was brought along with holy water from the service on Epiphany Eve, was carefully kept. It was lit during a thunderstorm to prevent a fire. She was credited with protective power from evil spirits. On the day of the first cattle pasture, a piece of this candle was attached to horses under the mane or under the bangs, and to cows - between the horns. It was believed that this would help protect the cattle from the goblin and the water.

The people believed that a child baptized in Baptism would become a very happy person. And those who dreamed of becoming rich and successful, or acquiring a cap of invisibility, performed a special ritual on Epiphany. It was necessary to dress in everything new and, during the Epiphany consecration, dig into a haystack, which was mowed with a completely new scythe on the night of Ivan Kupala (from July 6 to 7). You need to collect such hay with a new rake and carry it on a new stretcher. While a person is in a shock, the unclean one will begin to lure him out of there with various promises. You should leave after the devil gives you an invisibility cap, otherwise he can stab a person with a pitchfork.

Immediately after Baptism, the meat-eater began - it's time for weddings. Therefore, the rite "Choice of brides" was popular on the day of Epiphany. The youth on this day dressed up in the best outfits. The girls put on several shirts with embroidered hemlines, whitened and blushed. A sundress was worn over the shirts, and on it were 3-4 aprons with rich embroidery. Over the clothes they threw a sheepskin coat trimmed with lambskin fur. Boys and girls from neighboring villages, planning to start a family in the new year, came to larger local centers on the occasion of the “Choice of Bride” rite for water blessing and festive service.

They began to look after the brides even in the church during the service, at the blessing of water, when the girls stood on a hill above the river, and the guys - from below. Directly the bride was held after dinner. The girls stood in one or more rows near the ice hole or near the church fence, and the guys walked between them.

In addition to the guys, the “brides” were also looked at by their parents. They evaluated not only the external qualities of the girl (beauty, height, fullness), but also her ability to weave, spin, sew, lace and embroider, which was found when looking at the outfits worn. Attention was also paid to the health of future brides. In addition to external data, warm hands were a criterion for good health: the mothers of the guys took the girls by the hands, which were left without mittens during the show (about 2-3 hours). If the girl's hands were cold, then she was considered sick and unsuitable for marriage.

Signs for Baptism (January 19)

1. If there is a blizzard at Epiphany, then expect a blizzard at the end of April.
2. Cold and clear weather - to a dry summer; snowy and cloudy - to a good harvest.
3. Overcast skies, large frost and falling snow herald a fertile year.
4. Clear day - to crop failure.
5. At noon, blue clouds - for the harvest.
6. Strong whirlwinds rise at Epiphany - to a good swarming of bees.
7. If the day is warm, then the bread will be thick.
8. Starry night - to the harvest of peas and berries. It is also a sign that the sheep will lamb well this year.
9. Full month - to high water in the spring.
10. If the day is sunny and warm, then the good weather will last for several more weeks.
11. If it rains, it will rain until the end of the month.
12. If snow rolled against the fence, the summer will be bad. If there is a gap, then fruitful.
13. Dogs bark a lot - there will be plenty of game.
14. The day is good for divination.

A person born on January 19 will live a long and happy life. He should wear jade.

Video: signs for the Baptism of the Lord (January 19)