What date to celebrate baptism and what traditions to follow so that the year is happy. Calendar issue, or does it matter when to celebrate Christmas

The Orthodox feast of the Epiphany is celebrated on January 19. Why is this holiday extremely important for Christians? The thing is that on this day Christians remember the event recorded in the Gospel - the baptism of Christ. This happened in the waters of the Jordan River, where at that time the Jews were baptized by John the Baptist or the Baptist.

history of the holiday

The Orthodox feast of the Baptism of the Lord is also called Theophany as a reminder of the miracle that happened: the Holy Spirit descended from heaven and touched Jesus Christ as soon as he came out of the water after immersion and a loud voice said: “Behold my Beloved Son” (Matt. 3:13 -17).

Thus, during this event, the Holy Trinity appeared to people and it was testified that Jesus is the Messiah. That is why this holiday is also called the Epiphany, which refers to the twelfth, i.e. those celebrations that are designated by the doctrine of the Church as events connected with the life of Christ.

The Orthodox Church always celebrates Epiphany on January 19 according to the Julian calendar, and the holiday itself is divided into:

• 4 days of pre-feast - before the Epiphany, on which liturgies dedicated to the upcoming event are already heard in the temples;
• 8 days of afterfeast - days after the great event.

The first celebration of the Epiphany began in the first century in the early apostolic church. The main idea of ​​this holiday is the memory and glorification of the event in which the Son of God appeared in the flesh. However, there is another purpose of the celebration. As you know, in the first centuries there arose many sects that differed in dogmatic principles from the true church. And the heretics also celebrated Epiphany, but they explained this event differently:

• Ebionites: as the union of the man Jesus with the Divine Christ;
• docets: they did not consider Christ a half-man and spoke only about His Divine essence;
• Basilidians: did not believe that Christ was half-god half-man and taught that the dove descended was the mind of God that entered into a simple man.

The teachings of the Gnostics, who had only half-truth in their teachings, were very attractive to Christians, and a large number of them turned into heresy. To stop this, Christians decided to celebrate Epiphany, along the way explaining in detail what kind of holiday it was and what happened at that time. The Church called this holiday Theophany, confirming the dogma that then Christ revealed himself to be God, being originally God, One with the Holy Trinity.

In order to finally destroy the heresy of the Gnostics about Baptism, the Church combined Epiphany and Christmas into a single holiday. It is for this reason that until the 4th century, these two holidays were celebrated by believers on the same day - January 6, under the common name of Epiphany.

For the first time they were divided into two different celebrations only in the first half of the 5th century by clergy under the leadership of Pope Julius. Christmas began to be celebrated on January 25 in the Western Church, so that the pagans would turn away from the celebration of the birth of the sun (there was such a pagan celebration in honor of the sun god) and begin to cling to the Church. And Epiphany began to be celebrated a few days after, but since the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas in a new style - January 6, then Epiphany is celebrated on the 19th.

Important! The meaning of the Epiphany remained the same - this is the appearance of Christ as God to his people and reunion with the Trinity.

Icon "Baptism of the Lord"

Events

The Feast of Baptism is timed to coincide with the events that are set forth in the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew - the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River, as it was written by the prophet Isaiah.

John the Baptist taught the people about the coming Messiah, who would baptize them in the fire, and also baptized those who wished in the Jordan River, which symbolized their renewal from the old law into the new one that Jesus Christ would bring. He spoke of the necessary repentance and washing in the Jordan (which the Jews used to do) became a type of Baptism, although John did not suspect this at the time.

Jesus Christ at that time began his ministry, He was 30 years old, and he came to the Jordan to fulfill the words of the prophet and announce to everyone about the beginning of His ministry. He asked John to baptize Him too, to which the prophet, very surprised, replied that he was not worthy to take off his shoes from Christ, and He asked him to be baptized. John the Baptist already knew then that the Messiah himself was standing before him. Jesus Christ replied that they should do everything according to the law so as not to embarrass people.

During the immersion of Christ in the waters of the river, the sky opened up, and a white dove descended on Christ, and everyone nearby heard the voice "Behold my Beloved Son." Thus, the Holy Trinity appeared to the people in the form of the Holy Spirit (dove), Jesus Christ and the Lord God.

After that, the first apostles followed Jesus, and Christ himself went into the wilderness to fight temptations.

Holiday traditions

The Epiphany service is very similar to the Christmas one, since when the Church adheres to strict fasting until the very blessing of the water. In addition, a special liturgy is served.

Other church traditions are also observed - the consecration of water, the procession to the reservoir, as did the Palestinian Christians, who went in a similar way to baptism to the Jordan River.

Liturgy on the day of the Epiphany

As on any other important Christian holiday, a festive liturgy is served in the temple, during which the clergy put on festive white robes. The main feature of the service is the blessing of water, which occurs after the service.

On Christmas Eve, the liturgy of St. Basil the Great is served, after which the font in the church is blessed. And at Baptism, the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is served, after which communion is performed and the water is re-blessed and the procession to the nearest reservoir for consecration is performed.

About other significant Orthodox holidays:

The troparions that are read tell about the division of the Jordan by the prophet Elijah and about the baptism of Jesus Christ all in the same river, and also point to the fact that believers are spiritually renewed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scriptures are read about the greatness of Christ (Act, the gospel of Matthew), the power and authority of the Lord (28 and 41, 50, 90 psalms), as well as about spiritual rebirth through baptism (prophet Isaiah).

Episcopal Service at the Baptism of the Lord

folk traditions

Today, Orthodoxy resembles the mixing of two rivers with clean and muddy water: clean is doctrinal Orthodoxy, and muddy is folk Orthodoxy, in which there are extremely many admixtures of completely non-church traditions and rituals. This happens because of the rich culture of the Russian people, which is mixed with the theology of the church, and as a result, two lines of traditions are obtained - church and folk.

Important! Knowing folk traditions is worth it, because they can be separated from the true, church ones, and then, knowing the culture of your people is simply a must for everyone.

At Baptism, according to folk traditions, the end of Christmas time fell - at this time the girls stopped fortune-telling. Scripture forbids divination and any witchcraft, so Christmas divination is only a historical fact.

On Epiphany Christmas Eve, a font in the temple was consecrated, and on the 19th, reservoirs were consecrated. After the church service, people went to the hole in the procession and after prayer dipped into it to wash away all sins from themselves. After the ice-hole was consecrated, people collected water from it in containers to take the consecrated water home, and then dipped themselves.

Bathing in an ice hole is a purely folk tradition, unconfirmed by the doctrinal teaching of the Orthodox Church.

What to put on the holiday table

Believers do not fast at Epiphany, but do it in advance - on Epiphany Christmas Eve, the eve of the holiday. It is on Epiphany Christmas Eve that it is necessary to observe strict fasting and eat only lenten dishes.

Articles about Orthodox cuisine:

On Epiphany, you can put any dishes on the table, and on Christmas Eve only lenten ones, and the presence of sochi is mandatory - a dish of boiled wheat grains mixed with honey and dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, etc.).

Lenten pies are also baked, and everything is washed down with uzvar - dried fruit compote.

water for baptism

Water has a special meaning during the Epiphany holiday. People believe that she becomes pure sanctified and holy. The church says that water is an integral part of the holiday, but you can consecrate it with prayer anywhere. Priests bless the water twice:

• on Epiphany Christmas Eve a font in the temple;
• water brought by people to temples and reservoirs.

In the troparion of the Epiphany, the necessary consecration of the dwelling with holy water is recorded (a church candle is also used for this), but swimming in the hole is a purely folk tradition, optional. You can consecrate and drink water for a whole year, the main thing is to store it in glass containers so that it does not bloom and deteriorate.

According to Tradition, all water on the night of Epiphany is sanctified and, as it were, acquires the essence of the waters of the Jordan, in which Jesus Christ was baptized. All water is sanctified by the Holy Spirit and it is considered holy at that moment.

Advice! It is recommended to drink water during communion along with wine and prosphora, as well as to drink several sips every day, and especially on sick days. It should be remembered that, like any other object, it is consecrated in the temple and requires a respectful attitude towards itself.

Is it holy water for baptism

Priests answer this question ambiguously.

The consecrated water brought to temples or in reservoirs before bathing, according to the Traditions of the elders, is consecrated. Traditions say that on this night the water becomes like the water that flowed in the Jordan at the moment when Christ was baptized there. As Scripture says, the Holy Spirit breathes where he wants, so there is an opinion that at Baptism, holy water is everywhere where they pray to the Lord, and not just in the place where the priest performed the service.

The process of consecrating water itself is a church celebration that tells people about the presence of God on earth.

Epiphany hole

Swimming in the hole

Previously, on the territory of the Slavic countries, the Epiphany was called (and continues to be called) "Vodohreschi" or "Jordan". The Jordan is the name given to an ice-hole, which is carved with a cross in the ice of a reservoir and which was consecrated by a clergyman for Baptism.

From ancient times there was a tradition - immediately after the consecration of the hole, to swim in it, because people believed that in this way it was possible to wash away all sins from oneself. But this refers to worldly traditions,

Important! Scripture teaches us that our sins are washed away by the Blood of Christ on the Cross and people can only receive salvation through repentance, and swimming in an icy pond is only a folk tradition.

This is not a sin, but there is no spiritual meaning in this action. And bathing is only a tradition and should be treated accordingly:

• it is optional;
• but the performance can be held reverently, because the water was consecrated.

Thus, it is possible to swim in the hole, but this must be done with prayer and after the festive service in the Church. After all, the main sanctification occurs through the repentance of the sinner, and not through bathing, so do not forget about personal relationships with the Lord and visiting the temple.

Watch a video about the feast of the baptism

On January 19, all Orthodox people celebrate one of the brightest and greatest holidays, namely, the Baptism of the Lord, which has another name - Epiphany. It is believed that on this holiday, all water after consecration has healing properties and can surprise everyone with its capabilities.

It was at Baptism that Jesus Christ declared himself to everyone as the Son of God, at the same time John the Baptist was baptizing people in the waters of Jordan. Jesus approached him and asked him to baptize him too.

After the rite of washing, a miracle happened, the Most Holy Trinity appeared before the people. At the same time, the heavens opened and a dove appeared, everyone heard the voice of God, who informed everyone that Jesus had become the son of God.

This holiday is celebrated every year at the same time - on January 19, it is not transferable. According to a long-established tradition, the rite of consecration of water takes place on Epiphany. But the consecration begins on January 18 and ends the next day.

Most people think that water blessed on the 18th and 19th has different properties. However, this is not at all the case, since it does not make any difference, its properties are the same.

Swimming in the hole is a folk custom. It is on this day that all water becomes consecrated, both in the hole and in the tap. Therefore, it is not at all necessary to go to the river and plunge into the icy water, because you can take a shower in the bathroom at home.

If a person decides to plunge into the hole, then he should know:

It is necessary to plunge into ice water only in specially designated places, the site informs the site. Before entering the water, you must read a prayer. Entering the water, you need to plunge three times with your head, and then cross yourself and say: "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Swimming in the hole should be in shirts, and not in swimsuits, as many people do.

It is forbidden to plunge people who have chronic diseases. It is better to contact your doctor the day before and consult.

On January 18, on Epiphany Christmas Eve, fasting should be observed. This evening is also popularly called "Hungry Kutia". Before the holiday at home, you need to cook 12 Lenten dishes. On the holiday itself on January 19, a generous table should be set on which there will be meat dishes. After the service is over, you need to take holy water and sprinkle it on all the corners of the house, this will help protect the family from all diseases for the whole year.

Those who were baptized on January 19 will live happily ever after. In addition, on the holiday it is customary to put up with those with whom they were in a quarrel. It is forbidden to cry and be upset at Epiphany, because the whole year will be in tears. Also, do not scandal, quarrel and hold a grudge.

On the holiday it is forbidden to wash, wash the floors, as this can defile the water. You should also not sew, knit, clean, gossip and complain. All work on this day must be abandoned. It is not recommended to guess on a holiday, because you can guess fate for the worse.

Since ancient times, there has been a tradition according to which people plunge into the hole. Our ancestors called this ceremony Vodokreschi. Everyone knew and believed in the healing properties of water, which helps to wash away all sins and bad thoughts.

After the end of the service on this day, they begin to bless the water. To do this, a hole is made in advance in the river in the form of a cross. The tradition of dipping into ice water has survived to this day and many people try to adhere to it.

The authorities of many cities know how important this holiday is for people, so they specially prepared all the conditions for this ceremony. An ambulance is on duty near all reservoirs to prevent accidents. During severe frost it is not recommended to plunge children.

Before bathing, in no case should you drink alcoholic beverages, it is better to eat tightly. You should not be in the water for more than three minutes, during this time you need to dip and cross yourself three times. After leaving the water, you should dry yourself with a dry towel and put on dry clothes, as well as drink hot tea.

On Epiphany night, many girls try to spend various fortune-telling. They believed that they could predict their fate and find out who would become their betrothed.

In nature, there are many signs on this day. If the snow on the ground shines, then the year will be successful. A large amount of snow indicates a good harvest and well-being. Severe frost, as well as the wind will not bode well, and the summer will be hot and dry.

On January 19 (January 6, old style), Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of the Baptism of the Lord. The Feast of Epiphany, like the Feast of Easter, is the most ancient Christian holiday.

Until the age of thirty, Jesus Christ lived with His Mother in the small town of Nazareth, helping his aged stepfather Joseph in carpentry work.

Jesus almost did not show Himself as the messiah, and people considered him one of the children of Joseph. When the time came for Him to begin His public ministry, God in a special vision commanded the prophet John the Baptist, who lived in the wilderness, to come out with a public sermon of repentance and baptize all penitents in the Jordan River as a sign of their desire to be cleansed from sins.

John was the son of the priest Zechariah (from the family of Aaron) and the righteous Elizabeth (from the family of King David). It was just wonderful. Elizabeth and her husband, the priest Zacharias, spent their whole lives praying to God for the gift of a child to them. And only when the pious parents were already in very advanced years, they finally had a son, whom they asked in prayers. John was born six months before Jesus Christ.

The place where the prophet John began his ministry was called the wilderness of Judea, located on the western coast of the Jordan and the Dead Sea. Evangelists call John the Baptist the voice of one crying in the wilderness, because he loudly called out to people: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make His way straight," calling all people to repentance. John baptized those who responded to this call, in the words of the Evangelist Luke, "with the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." It was not yet Christian baptism, but only immersion in water as a symbol of the fact that the penitent wants to be cleansed of sins, like water cleansing him from bodily impurity.

John the Baptist was a strict ascetic who wore coarse clothes made of camel hair and ate locusts (a kind of locust) and wild honey. He was the opposite of the leaders of the Jewish people of his day, and his preaching of the approach of the Messiah, whose coming so many expected, attracted everyone's attention. The Jewish historian Josephus Flavius ​​testifies that "the people, delighted with the teachings of John, flocked to him in great numbers."

Then, among other people, Jesus Christ from Nazareth of Galilee also came to John to be baptized by him. John had never met Jesus before and therefore did not know who He was. But when Jesus approached him for baptism, John, as a prophet, felt His holiness, sinlessness and superiority over himself, so he objected in bewilderment: "I need to be baptized from You, and are You coming to me?" “Thus it behooves us to fulfill all righteousness,” Jesus Christ meekly answered. By this He confirmed the holiness and greatness of John's actions, and gave future Christians an example of obedience to the will of God and humility.

After being baptized, Jesus, according to the evangelist, prayed that God would bless the beginning of His ministry. At that moment, the heavens "opened" and John the Baptist saw the Spirit of God descend on Jesus in the form of a dove. The people also saw the dove, since the purpose of this miracle was to reveal to the people the Son of God in the unknown Jesus Christ. At the same time, everyone heard the words of God the Father: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." They pointed John the Baptist and the people present to the Divine dignity of the baptized Jesus Christ. These words were the answer of God the Father to the prayer of His Son for a blessing on the feat of saving mankind.

The Orthodox Church calls the Baptism of the Lord Theophany, because Jesus Christ, after baptism, showed Himself to the world as the Savior and Messiah. In this event, the Holy Trinity was revealed to people: God the Father - by a voice from heaven, God the Son - by baptism from John in the Jordan, God the Holy Spirit - by a dove descended on Jesus Christ.

For a Christian, the sacrament of Baptism is the door to the Kingdom of Light. “You have been baptized into Christ, you have clothed yourself in Christ,” is sung at the festive service. This means: whoever is baptized into Christ is clothed in the robes of Christ's righteousness and, becoming like Him, becomes a participant in His holiness. The power of baptism lies in the fact that the baptized person receives the ability and strength to love God and his neighbors. This Christian love draws a Christian to a righteous life and helps him overcome sins.

The beginning of the feast of the Epiphany dates back to apostolic times. It is mentioned in the Apostolic Constitutions.

Until the 5th century, it was customary to remember the birth and baptism of Jesus Christ on the same day - January 6 - and this holiday was called Epiphany. Then the feast of the Nativity of Christ was moved to December 25 (according to the Julian calendar, or old style). So the beginning of Christmas time was laid, ending with the Eve, or Christmas Eve of the feast of the Epiphany. The word "eve" means the eve of a church celebration, and the second name "Christmas Eve" (competition) is associated with the tradition on this day to cook wheat broth with honey and raisins - sochivo.

In view of the importance of the event that took place on the coming day in the life of Jesus Christ, the church established a one-day fast after Christmas time. It was from here that the tradition of brewing sochivo came, which is not mandatory, but is so convenient that it has become a tradition everywhere. Believers determine the measure of fasting individually and according to their strength. On this day, as on Christmas Eve, they do not eat food until the candle is taken out after the liturgy (service) in the morning and the first communion of baptismal water.

On Christmas Eve, after the liturgy, a great consecration of water is performed in churches. Blessing of water is called great because of the special solemnity of the rite, imbued with the remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord, which became not only an image of cleansing from sins, but also the actual sanctification of the very matter (nature) of water through the immersion of God in the flesh into it. This water is called Agiasma or Epiphany water.

Under the influence of the Jerusalem Rule, from the 11th-12th centuries, the consecration of water takes place twice - both on Epiphany Christmas Eve and on the feast of the Epiphany. Consecration on both days takes place in the same order, so the water consecrated on these days is no different.

In the ancient church, this was due to the fact that on the eve of the holiday, the catechumens were baptized (those who accepted and assimilated the Christian dogma). For the sake of this sacrament, the first great blessing of water was performed. The difference between the first and second consecrations is that on the eve of the Epiphany, the blessing of water was performed in churches where the catechumens were baptized, and on the day of the feast of the Epiphany, Christians went to the Jordan River.

In the first centuries (including the 4th and 5th centuries), the great blessing of water took place only in the Jerusalem Church, where it was customary to go out onto the Jordan River to the place where Jesus Christ was baptized. Later they began to arrange "Jordan" in other places where there were rivers or lakes.

Since ancient times, Christians have had great reverence for the consecrated epiphany water, it is a shrine.

Christ was baptized and sanctified the nature of the waters, and therefore the baptismal water is brought home and kept all year long. And this water does not deteriorate and sometimes remains fresh and undamaged for two or three years.

In the Russian Orthodox Church and the people, there is such an attitude towards Epiphany water that it is accepted only on an empty stomach as a great shrine. It is used for sprinkling temples and dwellings, in prayers for the expulsion of an evil spirit, and also as a cure for diseases.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

The date of the Baptism of the Lord in 2018 will, as before, be the most important of Orthodox life. This celebration appeared a very long time ago, according to historical events, it was noted that it was celebrated even earlier than the Nativity of Christ. The most revered Christian holiday comes on the night of January 18th to January 19th. This date is full of various rituals and traditions, but the most important thing to remember on this holiday is that all water acquires amazing properties and becomes sacred and healing.

Another name for the holiday is Epiphany. The story describes that it was on this date that the Triune God appeared from heaven and announced the holy appointment of his son. At the same time, the holy rite of Baptism took place in the flowing Jordan River.

You can send a beautiful congratulation on Epiphany 2018:

Story

In real modernity, almost every person knows what date the Baptism of the Lord is in 2018. The date of the most important event of each year in the calendar is marked on January 19. What is the history of the holiday? Where did the great celebration of a significant day come from?

Jesus was sent to our sinful earth in order to protect his faithful people from the onslaught of sins and the actions of an evil force. In the name of faith, various rituals were designated, which people performed with pleasure. Jesus became the protector and savior of all true Christians. At the time when Christ was 30 years old, he accepted the rite of Baptism. At that time, he approached the Jordan River and asked John the Baptist to perform the sacred rite of Baptism. After such a ceremony, Jesus could begin his sacred ministry.

The second name of the Orthodox date is Epiphany. This day is called so because at the moment when the sacrament of the rite was performed, the voice of the Almighty was heard from Heaven, who declared Jesus to be his son. In order to strengthen people's faith, an image of a dove was sent to earth, in the body of which was the Holy Spirit.

In the most ancient times, the date of the holiday was different - January 6th. Orthodox believers celebrated the holiday, including two main events in it. The first event is Christmas, where the image of Christ was proclaimed in the physical body. And the second event is the Epiphany, where the same image of the Savior was designated in the image of the Holy Spirit. Later, the main date was divided into 2 parts, and believers began to celebrate the events of January 7 and January 19.

Now the date when the Epiphany of the Lord will be in Russia is celebrated in a new style, that is, on January 19th.

In the holy rite, the Jordan River is very important, it personifies the fact that with the help of washing, all sins and evil thoughts or human passions are removed from a person. Jesus, after his entry into the river, did not cleanse himself of all evil, but sanctified all the water. Nowadays, in order to sanctify water, a sacred cross is lowered into it in church churches. After its threefold immersion, the water acquires holiness, and takes on the form of Epiphany water.

Traditions

Like any other Orthodox holiday, many rituals and traditions are associated with Epiphany. Before the holiday, Christmas Eve is celebrated, when believers go hungry and prepare for the celebration of an important date.

The main traditions of the Baptism of the Lord 2018 include Orthodox customs. On the night of the celebration of the event, a sacred and prayer service is necessarily held in the churches; anyone who adheres to the Orthodox faith can visit it. After the end of the service, the clergy release doves into the clear sky, which circle at a height and personify the power of Heaven.

It is obligatory in all temples to perform the rite of consecration of water. The Baptism of the Lord in 2018 is directly related to washing in holy water, so ice-holes in the form of crosses are cut near the churches, where every believer can bathe. According to popular wisdom, such washing in running water promises a person health, longevity and deliverance from sins and mental suffering. The consecrated water has healing properties, it is recommended to drink a small spoon every morning of the miraculous liquid in order to remain a pure, bright person.

The people have come up with a lot of entertainment on the occasion of the beginning of the solemn day, young girls and boys go skating, play various games with snow. The holiday has several signs behind it.

• The person who was baptized on this day will certainly be happy.
• The proposal to play a wedding, expressed on this day, promised the young a successful family union and a faithful and happy marriage.
• The snow that fell on Epiphany portends a great harvest.
• If you wash yourself with baptismal water, then a person receives beauty that cannot be gently complemented with any paints and cosmetics.
• All dreams that appear on a holiday are called prophetic. Not without reason, after the celebration of the Orthodox celebration, the rites of divination and prediction of the nearest fate began.

The feast of the Baptism of the Lord is widely celebrated by the Orthodox Church. Don't miss this solemn event in 2017.

When is Epiphany celebrated?

Baptism is perhaps the most important sacrament of the Church. Through it, a person joins the church and God. Therefore, the day when Jesus Christ passed through the rite of Baptism became so significant for all believers.

The Feast of the Epiphany refers to the non-transitory church celebrations. This means that in the Orthodox calendar, its date remains unchanged. In 2017, Epiphany should be celebrated on January 19th. But already on the 18th, evening services dedicated to this day will be served in temples and churches.

When to swim in the hole for Epiphany

According to the old tradition, it is customary to plunge into an ice-hole at Baptism in order to temper the soul against all evil and symbolically repeat the washing of Christ in the Jordan River. The hole, which is specially made for this purpose in all reservoirs suitable for ablution, is called the Jordan.

Although the holiday itself is celebrated on January 19, Epiphany bathing takes place on the night of January 18-19. The church especially notes that it is not necessary to go into the ice water, especially if you feel a weakness in health, for example, have a sick heart, other dangerous predispositions, or simply have a cold. And certainly you should not rush into the hole for the company, heating yourself with alcohol.

Before Baptism, you can simply wash yourself with blessed water. The essence of the sacrament is not in immersion in the hole, but in the consecration of water. The main act for a true believer is to attend the evening service on January 18th.

Traditions and rituals for Baptism

Many rituals, traditions and beliefs are historically associated with Baptism. For example, it is believed that Epiphany frosts are one of the most severe during the winter. Epiphany signs say: the amount of snow at Epiphany depends on what the harvest will be; if there is a lot of snow, then plentiful.

The most important baptismal rite is, of course, the blessing of water. The priest lowers the cross into a font specially carved for this occasion, and it becomes the Jordan. Holy water helps from ailments, protects the house from evil, and it is advised to keep it for a whole year, then the next Epiphany.

Are Baptism and Epiphany the Same?

In the Orthodox tradition, this is true: in Russia, the Annunciation was combined with the celebration of the sacrament of the Baptism of the Savior. In the Catholic Church, it is customary to celebrate these holidays separately. Initially, the feast of the Epiphany was associated with the birth of Christ and his Baptism, but then Christmas began to be celebrated separately. Now the name “Theophany” is associated with the fact that during Baptism God revealed himself to the entire Trinity: the Savior was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, and God the Father recognized his son from heaven.

Anyone can start 2017 with a visit to the church for Baptism and communion with the faith. On our site you can. Good luck, strong faith, and don't forget to press the buttons and

13.01.2017 07:22

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