2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21
The times when the church was under the strictest ban are over. Today, most Russians know the date of Epiphany, Christmas and other great church holidays. Sometimes it happens that the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is confused with the day of the Baptism of Russia, which is celebrated on July 25th. Hence the confusion arises with the date of Baptism. In addition, today not everyone knows the meaning and traditions associated with the feast of the Epiphany.
History of the origin of the holiday
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord originated in the time of the apostles. At that time, a religious rite of baptism took place. Jesus was 30 years old when he came to John the Baptist. It was he who baptized Christ in the waters of the Jordan River. Legend has it that during the Baptism, a ray of light descended on Jesus, a heavenly voice proclaimed him the Son of God.
In the beginning, the holiday was called Epiphany. The word means "Theophany". Another name that Baptism bore was the Feast of Light. These names are explained by the fact that on the day of the Bright Holiday, God comes to the earthly world to bestow light on its inhabitants.
The word itself"baptism" in Greek means "immersion in water". It is from here that the most important tradition of the holiday comes - to swim in the consecrated reservoirs. Today, every year more and more Russians rush to the hole in Epiphany, the number of swimmers, even in severe frosts, is constantly growing. Water represents life and helps wash away sins. But before you plunge into the Jordan, it is important to observe other traditions of Baptism.
Holiday traditions
The Baptism of the Lord is the sixth of the Twelve Feasts. These include the twelve most important events after Easter.
The church year begins on the first of September. Therefore, the countdown of holidays starts from this date.
Questions about when to celebrate Epiphany, what date, should not arise. The fact is that this holiday is not passing, which means that it is celebrated annually on the same day - January 19 (according to the old style - the sixth). At the same time, it is worth remembering that on the eve one should observe the strictest fast, pray and repent of sins.
January 18 is called Epiphany Eve by Orthodox Christians. The name of this day comes from the food that believers can eat on this day - sochivo. It is made from grain cooked with the addition of dried fruits, poppy seeds and nuts. Only after observing Epiphany Christmas Eve, you can go swimming in Jordan.
It is important to understand that it will not be possible to get rid of sins by plunging into the hole, because the church claims: you can only atone for sins at confession. Despite everything,For many believers, the following question arises: "What number should you swim in the hole in?" Baptism begins at midnight from 18 to 19 January. And it is from this moment and all day of the nineteenth that queues line up at Jordani.
In addition, it is important not to forget to draw holy water on Epiphany.
It will come in handy all year round: washing a child - from the evil eye helps, drinking it yourself - prevents illness. Of course, holy water should be taken in the church, having defended the service before this. But many believe that on the night before Epiphany, holy water runs straight from the tap. And here's what's interesting - even typed in this way, it will stand all year without acquiring an extraneous smell, without spoiling.
The feast of the Baptism of the Lord has been honored by believers for more than one century. Therefore, it has acquired a huge number of traditions and signs. It is important to realize that knowing what date to celebrate Baptism and what traditions to observe at the same time is unlikely to help get rid of sins. It is much more important to keep the faith and pray throughout the year.
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