Baptism of the Lord: traditions and customs of the holiday. Epiphany Christmas Eve: Orthodox traditions, signs and rituals

Baptism is popularly called Epiphany and is celebrated annually on January 19, in 2018 this date falls on Friday. In Russia, this event is not classified as a non-working day, although it is an official holiday.

The ancient and revered by all Christians feast of the Baptism of the Lord is becoming one of the most anticipated events in the entire church year. Everyone knows about this holiday who has ever heard of Orthodox faith, which is why it is not surprising that even in modern world people continue to adhere to the strict canons of celebrating this wonderful day.

Epiphany 2018: The history of the holiday

This church holiday has been celebrated exactly since more than 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the waters of the Jordan River. It is believed that after the baptism itself, the holy spirit descended from heaven in the form of a white dove. All heard the voice of God, which said: “You are My Beloved Son; My favor is in you!" Starting from that day, Jesus began his earthly mission, which ended, as everyone knows, with the resurrection, which became the progenitor of the Easter holiday. After baptism, Jesus Christ went into the desert, where he remained for 40 days and nights, preparing himself for the fulfillment of his sacred duty.

Epiphany 2018: Traditions of the holiday. Do's and Don'ts

Over time, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord has grown huge amount traditions that are sacredly revered by people to this day. Perhaps the most significant of them is the rite of bathing in the hole, the features of which should be known to everyone who wants to perform this action. Before bathing, a hole is cut through the ice, which is commonly called the Jordan in honor of the river in which Jesus was baptized. The priest dips the crucifix into the water and reads a prayer, which sanctifies given place for the next ceremony. You should plunge three times with your head, after which it is customary to read a prayer and get out of the water. It would seem, why expose your body to such stress on days when the Russian winter is especially fierce? However, bathing in the hole at Epiphany is an ancient and wise tradition. It is believed that on this day, the water in natural sources acquire special properties: after bathing in such water, not only diseases, ailments, evil eye are washed away, but also sins, of which a lot could have accumulated by this moment ...

1. People with diseases of the heart, nervous and vascular systems, as well as pregnant women and children should not enter the water. This is especially true for the latter, since childhood the process of thermoregulation has not yet been formed, which is why the children's body is at risk of getting serious complications.
2. You can not swim while intoxicated - because it is life-threatening!
3. You can have a hearty meal before diving, but at the same time - do not overeat, and after that - drink hot tea.

If you follow all the rules, then this procedure at the Baptism of the Lord will certainly have a beneficial effect on your well-being: both physical and spiritual.

Epiphany 2018: Tradition to recruit baptismal water

Of course, not everyone will be able to plunge into the hole on January 19, 2018, but at the same time, each of us will be able to collect holy baptismal water for ourselves, and we will tell you further how, where and when it is best to collect baptismal water.

It should be noted that the consecration of water in churches takes place both on January 18 on Epiphany Eve (after the Divine Liturgy), and on the feast of the Epiphany itself. On these two days, you can collect baptismal holy water, while there is no difference when it is collected in the temple - on January 18 or 19. If you decide to draw water from the tap, then, accordingly, the best period for this will be the time interval from 00:10 to 01:30, which falls on the night of January 18 to 19, while water you can also dial later, throughout the 19th (until 24:00).

It is forbidden to quarrel and do bad deeds when holy water is in the hands.

Baptism 2018: Signs

This holiday has many signs, both in relation to life and nature:

It is bad luck to dilute holy water;

Starting from Christmas Eve, it is not advised to lend money. Otherwise, the culprit may be short of money for a year;

You can not perceive the holiday, only as entertainment to plunge into the hole;

A good sign for Baptism is the completion of some business;

Any agreement on this day necessarily ends in success;

Nature at Baptism also says a lot:

Heavy snowfall and dark clouds at Epiphany portend a rich harvest in autumn;

Barking dogs at night is good news;

A cross painted on the doors can protect the house from evil spirits;

On holidays, nothing can be taken out of the house, otherwise there will be material losses.

Epiphany is one of the main holidays of Christians, completing the Christmas festivities (Christmas). It was on January 19 that John the Baptist called to cleanse the souls of people from sins and diseases in the waters of the Jordan. At the same time, the baptism of Jesus took place, in whose honor this holiday was approved.

Epiphany Christmas Eve begins on January 18, which is a strict fast before a big holiday, the name of which is the Epiphany of the Lord. This day is marked by the illumination of water in churches, which the Orthodox keep at home all year round, giving it in case of illness, sprinkling clothes and their home, and also perform the ritual of bathing in the hole. It is believed that holy water heals the body and soul.

Traditions and signs for Baptism

Epiphany signs:

clear and cold weather promises a poor harvest due to a dry summer.

If the weather is snowy and cloudy, then the year promises to be fruitful.

· Blizzard and snow in Epiphany promises a rich harvest year.

· Dogs bark - this year the hunters will be lucky, as there will be a lot of game.

If a bird knocks on the window, then you need to pray for the dead relatives, as they ask for help from the living and deeds that are pleasing to God.




These are old Russian signs, but there are also more modern signs of the feast of Epiphany:

Meeting on the street with a person carrying a bouquet of flowers - fortunately.

To meet a man in red means to fall in love.

· Meeting with a man in black clothes, so you should not indulge in novels this year, as only deceitful people will come across.

A broken plate - for the wedding (of one's own or loved ones), and dropping it, but not breaking it - to new perspectives.

Burn yourself on this day - to move. If the burn fell on the upper body - to move of one's own free will, and if on the lower - move under duress.

Acquaintance with new people during the period of the Epiphany holidays promises to be good friends. The Lord blesses the relationships created on such a day.

· If you were lucky enough to get into a blizzard at Epiphany, then there will be money and prosperity all year.

An interesting sign for girls. If a girl had to festive feast wash all the dishes, then this year she will be married. The groom is already on the doorstep.

Epiphany traditions:




· Since ancient times, at the Epiphany of the Lord, housewives baked cookies for breakfast in the form of crosses for each household. If the cross turned out to be lush and fried, then the person was waiting for successful year if the pastries are a little burnt, then the year will be unfavorable. An uneven cracked cross meant serious problems for the family member to whom it was intended. Burnt pastries were not given to anyone, but simply given to the birds.

· On the day of the Epiphany, priests bless the water in the rivers, lowering the cross into it. By dipping into holy water three times, the Orthodox are cleansed of diseases and sins. But it is advisable to plunge not in a bathing suit, but in a shirt, and then, without washing, dry it and store it. During an illness, you need to dress it and the illness will recede.

· On January 19, the Great Blessing of Water takes place on Epiphany. People line up for holy water in temples, and then they keep it at home all year, considering it a cure for all ailments.

· The great celebration is traditionally accompanied by the release of doves into the wild as a sign of the ending Christmas holidays.

· Epiphany frosts have always been strong since ancient times. On Christmas Eve, it was customary to put kutya on oneself before dinner, and the owner of the family, looking out the window, called the frost to taste the treats. At
he always said: “If the frost does not come to my house, let it not go to the harvest either.”




· Interesting fact! Now this tradition is no longer observed, but earlier it was customary to put a bowl of water on the table. The ripples on the surface of the water meant that the sacrament of baptism had come to pass.

· Divination has long been a tradition. You can guess from January 6, before Christmas and until January 18. On January 19, fortune-telling is banned.

Cleansing the home with holy water.

After quarrels in each house, negative energy accumulates in the corners, which is capable, if you do not periodically clean the housing, again and again provoke household members into conflicts.

To cleanse the house, it is necessary to constantly ventilate, releasing negative energy, do wet cleaning with the addition of salt to the water. It is believed that salt helps to "dissolve" the negative. This should be done at least once a week, but cleansing the house for Epiphany is of particular importance. On this day, such a ceremony is performed: with the help of holy water, with the right pinch, they sprinkle each corner in a cruciform movement, passing clockwise and starting from front door with the words: "By sprinkling this sacred water, let every unclean and demonic action be turned into flight." The ceremony ends at the door.

These traditions and signs Orthodox people revered from the time Ancient Rus'. Much is allowed on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, but there are also prohibitions.

What is allowed to do at Baptism

Important! Most often, the hole is made in the form of a crucifix, and you should enter the hole strictly from the west, and exit to the east side.

2. Keep fast before the holiday.

3. For the hostess of the house, draw crosses with chalk over windows and doors to protect housing from troubles.

4. Sprinkle housing with holy water from evil spirits.

6. On this holiday, you can baptize children and get married. Such events on this day promise great happiness.

What is forbidden to do at Epiphany on January 19

2. You can’t just quarrel on this holiday, but even more so, holding holy water in your hands. It is believed that from negative energy she loses her power.

3. You can not draw a lot of baptismal water.

Although it has a double power in Baptism, it must be treated as a spiritual medicine.

4. You can not be greedy when collecting sacred water. It is believed that greed brings trouble to a person.

5. Do not dilute holy water with water. Because of this, she loses her magical properties.

6. Divination on the feast of the Epiphany is strictly prohibited. It is necessary to hide all the items with which fortune-telling was carried out during the Christmas season. Guessing after the holiday is also prohibited.

7. You can't get drunk. You are allowed to drink a glass of wine, but you should not get drunk.

8. Starting from Christmas Eve and until the end of January 19, you can’t take anything out of the house and lend money, otherwise you can bring need to the family for the whole year.

9. Physical labor in Baptism is prohibited.




You can have fun, visit, relax. Physical labor is allowed only on Christmas Eve and only before lunch.

10. You can’t cry on Epiphany, otherwise tears will flow all year.

Fortune telling on the feast of Epiphany is prohibited, but various ceremonies are allowed. All of them are carried out using sacred water. It is believed that the rituals performed on Epiphany have special power.

The main rituals performed at the Baptism of the Lord:

1. Ritual for physical health and peace of mind.

It is best to perform the ritual on the night of January 18-19. Need a full bath hot water, add a little holy water, then lower your cross into it and lie down in the bath so that the water covers the body completely. You need to lie down like this for about 15 minutes and get out without wiping yourself.

2. Ritual for the fulfillment of desires.

On the evening of Epiphany Christmas Eve, you need to pour holy water into a bowl, then lower a silver-colored coin there and put the bowl under the moonlight. It is necessary to make a wish and whisper it 3 times over the bowl. In the morning, the water should be poured out, and the coin should be hidden in a secluded place and not told to anyone about it. The rite takes on double strength if Baptism coincided with the full moon.

3. Ritual to attract wealth.




On the night of January 18-19, you need to take holy water in the church, bring it home and go around all the rooms clockwise (without sprinkling) with the words: “Holy water came into the house and brought well-being. Losses will pass this house, and prosperity will arrive every day. Good luck will accompany me in everything, I will not know failure in anything!

Water must be left overnight in the most important place of the house, according to the hostess, and washed with it in the morning.

4. Ritual for marriage.

On the night before Epiphany, a girl who wants to get married should go to the crossroads and say the following words to all 4 sides:

“Soul of a man, my betrothed, Follow me and come to my home. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".




5. Ritual of purification.

You need to bless the water in the temple and buy 3 candles there. It is not allowed to talk to anyone on the way home. At home, in the center of the table on a new white tablecloth (this is important!) You need to put the brought water. One candle should stand behind a vessel with water, the other two on the sides. Then you need to light all the candles one by one with the help of one match and look through the water at the fire of the candles, clasping the vessel with your hands, feeling how the flame warms and cleanses. After the words are spoken:

“How pure are the thoughts of Christ, so be my soul pure. As holy water is pure, so be my body pure. I wash myself, remove damage, cleanse my spirit and body. Amen."

Then the hands should be wetted in water, and the rest should be poured over the head, feeling the rush. divine energy and cleansing from everything bad. During the next week, you can not give anything to anyone from your home and take from others yourself.

The merry mosaic of post-Christmas holidays is crowned by the great twelfth feast. On January 19, the Orthodox commemorate the Baptism of the Lord or, as it is also called, Holy Theophany.

We all know that at midnight it is customary to draw water, and in the morning, after the service, to plunge into the hole. True believers embody these rituals in order to be cleansed of sins, and cunning people - in order to "stock up" with health and simply, just in case.

There are many more signs and traditions that our ancestors have been collecting for centuries, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the main and most interesting of them.

The meaning of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord

The essence of this religious holiday is clear from its name. The events to which, in fact, this day is dedicated are described in detail in the gospels (from John, Luke, Matthew). We will not retell the holy books, but only briefly dwell on the main facts.

On the day of his thirtieth birthday, the Son of God came to the Jordan and was baptized in the waters great river from John. There is another important moment that gave the second name to the holiday (Theophany): when Jesus went ashore, the Holy Spirit descended to him in the form of a dove, the heavens opened up and the voice of the Lord was heard, announcing that this is his beloved son.

According to legends, after these events, Christ spent 40 days in the wilderness, praying and fasting, not succumbing to the devil's temptations. Upon his return, he embarked on a great mission to save mankind.

Historically, this holiday is one of the first to which church services are dedicated (references from the 2nd century AD). Initially, he united several important moments for Christians: Christmas, the appearance of the trinity of God and the Baptism of Jesus.

The division occurred in the 6th century, but not in all branches of Christianity, there are also some differences in dates (other options: January 6th or the closest Sunday to this date).

On the feast day, the ministers of the church put on solemn white clothes, conduct the blessing of water (January 18 - in the temple, on the 19th, after the Liturgy, at a nearby reservoir). Recently, a new rite has appeared - the release of white doves into the sky, symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

Baptism of the Lord: traditions, customs

The day before Christmas is called Christmas Eve. Believers fast until the evening, “hungry” kutya is supposed to be for dinner. According to the canons, the dish is prepared from steamed wheat and uzvar (unsweetened compote), additional components: honey, ground poppy, walnuts.

At Epiphany, they sit down at the table after attending the service and swimming in the hole. The menu is at the discretion of the owners. However, according to tradition, it is customary to cook cookies in the form of crosses. By the way, in some houses these sweets were given special importance.

The hostesses thought of a cookie for each member of the family, and then watched how a year will pass household members: if after baking the cross turned out to be even and ruddy - everything will be fine, burnt - to illness and trouble.

It is not allowed to work on Epiphany.

In the evening on Christmas Eve, all shoes were brought from the hallway into the house, boots or felt boots forgotten behind the threshold foreshadowed health problems. They did not lend money during all the Christmas holidays, otherwise the family would be in need all year.

With special trepidation, unmarried girls were waiting for the holiday, the reason for this was the bridegroom, which was held in the church or near the hole-Jordan. The engagement, which took place on Epiphany, was considered the key to a long and prosperous life. family life.

signs and divination for baptism

Our ancestors noticed the features of this day, predicting various future events, weather, harvest.

We present several examples:

• Snow and a snowstorm at Epiphany are the harbingers of a good "bread" year.
• The clear starry sky on the night before Epiphany symbolizes the rich gathering of berries and peas.
• The hunters paid special attention to the barking of dogs, the better you can hear it, the more game there will be. The modern interpretation of this sign is curious: barking and yapping mean profit, as such.
• The birds that knocked on the window on this day are identified with the souls of deceased loved ones. Such an event happened, it is necessary to distribute a commemoration.

The young ladies, watching their appearance, collected snow at night, and then washed themselves with it so that “the skin would shine and cheeks would blush.”

The easiest way to baptismal divination is to think of a dream. Another interesting option to predict events current year- prepare 6 cups with symbolic items:

1. water - calmness, routine;
2. a coin - to financial profit, well-being;
3. ring - of course, this is a wedding, well, or big love;
4. sugar - success in everything, "sweet" life;
5. salt - sadness, failure, loss;
6. match - the birth of a child.

Fortune tellers blindfolded make a choice, and then interpret the future.

You can also pour a handful of crumbs or seeds on the floor, while making the most cherished desire. After collecting and counting, an even number - everything will come true, and vice versa.

Great water blessing and baptismal bathing

Even ardent skeptics do not argue with the fact that ordinary water on a festive night acquires special properties. It is customary to collect healing liquid at midnight, and in the morning it is consecrated in the church. Houses to store separately, it is better near the icons.

Many are interested in permissible volumes, churchmen usually answer this question: at least a barrel, at least a bottle, but after that they remind you that greed is a sin.

Let's see how this special water is used:

• sprinkle the dwelling;
• before breakfast on January 19, everyone at home is given a spoonful to drink;
• added to medicine if someone gets sick.

Some people start each morning with a sip of the consecrated liquid and a slice of prosphora.

Today it is fashionable to swim in an ice-hole at Epiphany in order to wash away all sins from oneself. Jordans are cut down in the shape of a cross, a priest is usually present nearby, who reads prayers, so the people have a misconception that a three-time ablution (you must dive with your head) - church rite. In fact, this is a near-pagan tradition, and sins are forgiven only after repentance.

For those who nevertheless decided to improve their health in this way, we present a list of simple security measures:

• Do not drink alcoholic beverages before bathing.
• Do not jump into the hole with a run, first undress, warm up with physical exercises.
• A minute of ablution is quite enough, and plunging to the very top is not required at all - it is enough to enter the reservoir up to your shoulders.
• After intensely rub yourself with a towel, immediately get dressed and drink hot tea.
• Hypertension, rheumatism, ulcers such experiments are strictly prohibited.

Soaking in your own bathtub at night is a worthy alternative, and from the point of view of the church, too.

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The Christian sacrament of immersion in water, which means communion with the church, is called Baptism. Rites and traditions on this great day - January 19 - are held in all Orthodox homes where people believe in God. On Epiphany (its other name is Epiphany), people perform various rituals in order to gain strength in spirit and body. Today we will learn about the most popular rituals on this day and about the traditions observed by believers.

The Baptism of the Lord: the history of the holiday

Another name for this great feast is Theophany, and why exactly such a synonym, we will explain below.

At the baptism of Jesus Christ, a real miracle happened - God the Father appeared to mankind, notified from heaven about the Son, whom the ordinary mortal John the Baptist baptized, and in the form of the Holy Spirit a dove descended from heaven. Therefore, the name of this holiday is Epiphany, that is, on that day the Trinity appeared to the world for the first time. After the Epiphany, Jesus went into the wilderness, led by the Holy Spirit, and in his prayers and thoughts began to prepare for the great mission for which he came into this world. Enticed by the Unclean Force, like all ordinary people, Jesus still restrained himself and spent 40 days without food and water. That is exactly what happened with the participation of John the Baptist. significant event in the history of all mankind - the Baptism of the Lord. History shows that this was the first important event in social activities Jesus.

Sacrament of Baptism

This phrase denotes the spiritual rebirth of a person, this is his birth for Orthodox Church, where he gets access to Confession, where he unites with God. The peculiarity of the ceremony lies in the threefold immersion of a man, woman or child, or pouring water over them while reading prayers. After that, a personal cross is put on the Christian, and then the person changes into white clothes. The meaning of this sacrament is that after it a man, woman or children can live according to Christian laws - commandments.

Signs

An important and first Christian sacrament is Baptism. Rites, traditions on this day must be observed by all people who have become members of the church. On this day, Christ gave a person who has fallen in sin the opportunity to gain the grace of the Holy Spirit after the rite itself.

Signs for Baptism are considered the most accurate and truthful. Here is some of them:

If it snowed heavily that day, then you should expect an excellent harvest in the summer.

If on Epiphany the day is clear and very frosty, then summer months will be hot.

If the stars on the eve shine brightly, then spring will begin early. And it also means that the year will be calm, without any upheavals.

An actual sign for Baptism today: if the Epiphany falls on the full moon, then you need to be afraid of floods and river overflows.

Holiday symbol

All the rites and rituals for Baptism are associated with water, which has extraordinary power on this day. First of all, it retains absolute freshness for 3 years. You can also dilute ordinary water with it, adding only a drop of baptismal water. On a holiday, all Christians should go to the temple and bless this healing liquid. Also, for this purpose, people go to the river, the reservoir. There it is consecrated in special ice holes, called "Jordan", in honor of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.

Water in Baptism is further used to heal people from any illnesses, it can be used to heal various wounds and drink just every day in the morning on an empty stomach. They also sprinkle it on every corner in their apartment so that no one enters the dwelling, and order and peace always remain in the house.

Ritual for physical health

This event must be held on the first day after the Baptism of the Lord. Need to take to the bathroom warm water, add a few drops of the sacred and immerse yourself there completely, leaving no part of the body dry. Even the face for a few seconds is desirable to dip. In complete calm, you need to lie down for 10 minutes, and then get out of the bath and, without wiping yourself with a towel, wait until the body dries itself. Similar ones are held not only in relation to sick people for their speedy healing, but also for the whole people. Even if a person is healthy and nothing bothers him, for his further excellent well-being, it is advisable to perform this event.

For the recovery of a lying person

The great feast of Epiphany, celebrated on January 19 by all Orthodox Christians, is not only the healing and healing of people who came to a healing pond or river. Some patients, due to their various ailments, simply cannot get out of bed and go out for a swim. For such unfortunate people there is a special ritual for recovery. To do this, one of the relatives needs to collect sacred water, come to the house and consecrate every corner of it, and then sprinkle the sick room three times. But the weak close person should be given to drink crosswise 3 times from a separate container. Then it is imperative to wash the relative and wipe it with the undershirt with the back side. After that, change clothes, and wash the shirt on the same day - January 19 in the pond. Then let it dry and put it back on the person. After such a ceremony, a sick relative will recover very soon.

Ritual for the fulfillment of cherished desires

This ceremony is carried out as follows: on the eve of the holiday, you need to collect the sacred water left over from past years in a cup, and then lower it there. Then you should put the cup with the contents on the windowsill so that the moon shines on the container (it is advisable to carry out this Then you need to say softly 3 times and in the morning you should go outside and pour water under a tree, and hide the coin in a secluded place so that no one else will find it. cherished desires were held before, and until now people believe in them and with special joy and trepidation are waiting for the feast of the Epiphany in order to take advantage of the opportunity and fulfill the sacrament of making their dreams come true.

Ritual for body tone

Of course, everyone knows where to start Baptism on January 19th. Traditions testify that the trip to the reservoir is the first event on the great feast of the Epiphany. During the ritual, for the tone of the body, you need to plunge into the consecrated river, the reservoir completely with your head, and you need to do this 3 times and you should definitely be baptized. But not all people know how to properly prepare for such an event. The rites for Baptism on January 19 must be performed according to the rules, so you should first gather and follow simple instructions, which are expressed as follows:

1. Most importantly, you need to fast for 3 days before the ritual of immersion in sacred water.
2. You should lead a correct lifestyle - give up alcohol, smoking, do not use foul language not to cheat, not to steal and, of course, not to commit adultery.
3. On the evening of January 18, you should go to church and collect sacred water, which you need to sprinkle yourself with, and in the morning just wash it.
4. Only after the actions described above can you go to a river or a reservoir, where, before taking a dip, you should read the prayer “Our Father” three times.

In no case at Baptism - Orthodox holiday- You can not go down into the water with someone's help. A person must do it on his own, because this is a kind of test for the strength of the spirit and body.

People who sincerely believe in the healing power of water will never get sick, even if there is a frost of -30 degrees. And those who decide to join and conduct such rites at Epiphany on January 19 for the sake of fashion or for other reasons can only harm themselves, and quite seriously.

Rite for childless spouses

Many couples want to hear children's laughter in their house, but they just can't get a baby. However, if they believe in God and in his power, then such unfortunate people should conduct a special ceremony on a holiday. Baptism (January 19) helps all childless spouses and gives them a chance to become parents. However, this case must be properly used, so you should first prepare. Husband and wife should not sleep together in bed three nights before Epiphany. On the evening of January 18, the spouse must definitely defend the service and leave after it, not talking to anyone until she dips three times in the pond (that is, on the morning of January 19). Her husband may not attend church, but if he also wants to defend the service, he should go to another temple. And in the same way, after that, he cannot talk to anyone until the dipping process. When married couple will descend into the water of Epiphany three times, only after that they can meet each other and be sure to spend the night together. And very soon they will have the opportunity to become loving parents. Such rites and rituals for Baptism should not be told to other people. Therefore, it is better not to tell anyone about such a sacrament.

Traditions

1. On the eve of the holiday, all believers fasted during the day, and in the evening the whole family gathered at the table and tasted kutya, as on Christmas.

2. On the day of the Epiphany, a service is held in the church.

3. On the eve of Epiphany, water is consecrated in churches, and on the holiday itself - in rivers, lakes, and seas.

4. The day before Epiphany, people cut a hole in the ice in the form of a cross, and a dove is placed next to it as a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

5. Above the river near the cross, a rite of consecration takes place. During it, the priest lowers the cross and the lighted three-candlestick into the hole 3 times. It turns out that water is baptized by fire.

6. The great feast of Epiphany is celebrated on January 19th. The traditions of youth on this day are entertainment on ice: young boys and girls skated and arranged carousels. And in the evening they began to go from house to house caroling, singing songs, congratulating all people on the great holiday. After Baptism, young people gathered again in the evenings, and then the girls and boys got to know each other, talked and soon chose a mate for themselves. And already from the moment of Epiphany until Great Lent, a new season of weddings lasted.

Now you know what the feast of Epiphany is. Ceremonies, traditions, rituals have been observed from time immemorial by our ancestors, and we, as believing Orthodox people, should not forget about such sacraments and be sure to go to church, pray, and on January 19, prepare in advance and go plunge into the hole to heal the soul and body.

On January 19, one of the main holidays of the Orthodox Church is celebrated - the Baptism of the Lord. According to legend, on this day Jesus Christ was baptized in the holy waters of the Jordan River. People believe that on this day water has unique properties thanks to which a person can heal not only the soul, but also the body. Water gives a person strength and vitality. On this day, it is customary to observe certain traditions that came to us from our ancestors. The rites that a person performs on this day have a special power. If you follow all the rules and signs, then the future of a person will be bright and happy.

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Bans on Baptism

Christians begin to celebrate baptism on the evening of January 18th on Epiphany Christmas Eve. On a holiday, it is customary to pray and ask the Lord for forgiveness for your sins. Since ancient times, signs and traditions for Baptism have come to us, which every believer must observe on a holiday. There are customs associated with prohibitions:

• 

  • You can't be stingy on holidays. This rule applies to holy water. People should not argue with each other in church for the right to score as much as possible. more water- it is unacceptable. Such actions can invite trouble on yourself.
  • Epiphany is one of the main church holidays. It has nothing to do with paganism, so it is forbidden to perform magic rites on this day. Fortune-telling, which was so loved in Ancient Rus', is also taboo. They should be held at Christmas time, but not on January 19. This prohibition is often ignored. Each person has the right to decide how to behave on a holiday. Most importantly, sincere faith in the Lord God must live in his heart.
  • The church does not approve of the drinking of alcoholic beverages. Alcohol should be kept to a minimum.

  On the holiday, it is customary to attend a church service, swim in the hole and gather the whole family for festive table. If a person is worried about some issue or he is in a difficult life situation, he should pray and turn to the Lord for help.

  

  Traditions

  Not only representatives of the older generation believe in omens. young girls are also interested in traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. There are a lot of them, but there are key ones that cannot be ignored. In particular, they relate to the weather on the day of the holiday.

  If there is heavy snow outside the window, then the harvest will be rich. Clear and cold weather bad sign. Even in ancient times, people believed that they portend a dry summer and crop failures. Since the Slavs were farmers and were engaged in gathering berries and nuts, for them great importance yields of these crops. At Epiphany, they peered into the sky. If it was clean and the stars shone brightly in the sky, then this was a good sign.

  Warm weather portends health problems. If there is a lot of snow on the street, then people's health will be strong. Hear the dogs barking financial well-being.

  

  Rituals for a rich life

  To conduct a ceremony for a rich life, a person must draw consecrated water into a small glass container on the night of January 19. With water in hand, you need to walk around your house. Important point: The liquid must not splash. Therefore, it is worth walking with a careful, measured step. On the threshold of the house, a person should ask that his house be full of prosperity, like a bowl of water. The request must be made sincerely, with the belief that the wish will come true. Drink holy water in the morning. This is one of the most popular rituals, which is not difficult to perform.

  The second ceremony is usually performed on the evening of January 18. Sacred water should be sprinkled on all corners of the house. At the same time, a person pronounces his request for material prosperity. After this procedure, the bowl of water should take the place where the family keeps their financial savings and jewelry.

  

  Conspiracy for health and youth

  Turning to God, people ask him for health for themselves and their loved ones. Therefore, a conspiracy that women use in order to maintain their health and youth for a longer time is widespread. For the ceremony, it is necessary to melt the snow from the yard. When it turns into water and cools down to room temperature, the woman should wash herself with it. During ablution, one must ask the water to smooth out wrinkles on the face, give it freshness and youth.

  For the second rite, you will need fresh milk (preferably homemade) and rose oil. For a liter of milk, you need 10 drops of oil. The liquid must be put on a slow fire. While the milk is boiling, you need to say the following phrase: let my beauty be more beautiful than a rose, and my skin be as white as milk. Then the liquid must be poured into a bath filled with water, and immersed in it three times.

  

  In order for a person to have good health, it is customary to make a conspiracy with the help of melted snow. auspicious time for the ceremony - the night of January 18-19. Snow has the same healing properties like water. It is necessary to collect it on the street and bring it into the house. All family members should wash themselves with warm water. In Rus', it was customary that the most revered (older) relatives wash themselves first. At the very end, small children are bathed. If water remains, then you can spend it light damp house cleaning. Pay special attention to windows and doors.

  How to make wishes?

  It is important not only to correctly formulate and pronounce your request on a holiday. Exist certain rules, observance of which guarantees the fulfillment of all desires:

  • Need to take a handful small items, for example, hazelnuts, and scatter them on the table. Then you need to clearly state your desire to yourself. If an even number of nuts fell out, then the dream will come true. But you should not rely on your Fate in everything. A person must make an effort to achieve what he wants. This increases his chances of success.
  • On the mirror with the help of a remnant, you need to write a desire. Then before going to bed, the mirror is placed under the bed. If by morning the inscription disappears, then the wish will come true.
  • The following method is suitable for people who have many desires and cannot choose the most important among them. Divide a sheet of paper into twelve equal parts. On each of them you need to write one wish. In the morning, you need to randomly draw out three pieces of paper. What is written on them will soon come true.
  • On the eve of baptism, people often see prophetic dreams. You can't miss this opportunity. Before going to bed, you need to remember your desire and mentally turn to St. Samson, ask him to show the dream. At night, the dreamer will see her future. To understand the meaning of a dream, in the morning she can turn to dream books. Based on the details that the sleeping woman managed to remember, a detailed interpretation can be made.
  • If a person has a cat or a dog in the house, then he can take advantage of quite in a simple way divination. Make a wish and invite pet. It remains to consider with which paw he crosses the threshold. If on the left, then the wish will come true.

  Thus, there are many ways that are designed to help a person achieve what he wants. But do not forget that the desire must come from the heart. On the holiday, the requests of kind and sincere people who want to change their lives for the better are fulfilled. Making wishes is a difficult process. On this important day, selfish desires or those that can harm people are inappropriate.