Churches are unusually crowded on this day. Even those who did not remember God during the whole year go. And all because in the Baptism of the Lord there is a blessing of water. Everyone wants to have at least a little holy water, about the miraculous properties of which so much has been said. They even say that it is worth drinking medicines with it so that they work better. But what is really so remarkable about this day?
The Baptism of the Lord is the third most important holiday for Orthodox Christians. Only Easter and Christmas are more important. The holiday is also called Epiphany, because during the rite of baptism, which John the Baptist performed over the Lord Jesus Christ, a dove appeared in the air, and the voice of God was heard from heaven: “Behold my beloved son.” It is believed that it was at that moment that the triune essence of God manifested itself, in which Jesus is God the Son, a voice from heaven personifies God the Father, and a dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
In Russia, the Baptism of the Lord has acquired many of its own traditions. So, on this day it is customary to dive into the hole with freshly blessed water. At this time, there are the most severe frosts of the winter, but this does not stop believers. Holy water will not only prevent you from catching a cold, but will also protect you from diseases for a whole year.
As already mentioned, on Baptism they collect holy water in a special reservoir near the church. Where there are no rivers and it is impossible to cut a cruciform hole, water blessing is carried out in special reservoirs. But many argue that healing water on this day can be drawn literally at home from the tap. For one day, water becomes holy in all reservoirs, you just need to collect it and save it. If you dial it not in the temple, but at home, then you need to do this on the night before Epiphany.
The Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on January 19 (January 6, old style). The period from Christmas to Epiphany is called Holy Week. At this time, according to legend, evil spirits are released from Hell. On Holy Week, take fortune-telling and arrange masquerades - dress up. Previously, it was believed that devils can sometimes come in the form of mummers, and vice versa, evil spirits will take the mummers for their own and will not harm. It should be noted that the church condemned many folk entertainments taking place on Christmas week. Most likely, they came from ancient times.
Baptism is celebrated with a special service in the temple and a procession. On the evening of January 18, Epiphany Christmas Eve begins, when it is customary to fast. After the service, which ends on the morning of January 19, it is already possible to send each other congratulations on the Baptism of the Lord. Poetic congratulations are now popular, which can be written on a postcard or sent via SMS.
Congratulations on the Baptism of the Lord:
With poems we send to eachhouse.
With holy water today
We will bring he alth and good luck.
All hardships pass by, Arguing in the hands of our business, So that in frosty Epiphany weather
Faith is stronger in the heart came to life!
And according to the folk calendar, Epiphany is the beginning of the agricultural year. On this day, according to the weather, they noticed whether the year would be fruitful. A clear starry night foreshadowed a good harvest of berries and nuts, high snow drifts and generally bad weather during the day meant that there would be a high grain harvest. But according to signs, a clear and warm Epiphany day meant that the harvest would be poor.
