On January 19 (January 6, old style), Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of the Baptism of the Lord. On this day, the Orthodox Church remembers how John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.
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 Theophany. Then the feast of the Nativity of Christ was postponed to December 25 (according to julian calendar, or old style). So the beginning of the 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" (novel) 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, the 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 Charter, 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 christian doctrine). For the sake of this sacrament, the first great blessing of water was performed.
The difference between the first and second consecrations was 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 baptismal water bring home and store all year. And this water does not deteriorate and sometimes remains fresh 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, with prayers for exile. evil spirit and also as a cure for diseases.
As additional after- and extra-liturgical (and not at all obligatory) exercises in Orthodox and not only in Orthodox countries. In Russia, they plunge into the "Jordan" (a specially built font), in Greece, young men jump after the cross, which the priest throws into the waters of the sea, and compete in who will get it first. These are folklore continuations of the theological meaning of the holiday, which for Orthodox believers consists primarily in the remembrance of the Baptism of Jesus Christ from John in the Jordan River.
Immersion in water on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is a touch to a shrine, a Christian does not worship the watery nature, but strives to touch that consecrated water, which is consecrated by the touch of the Divine to this water. This is a spiritual act and should be associated with prayer. For a Christian, it will be more than enough to touch, taste the blessed water and reverently honor the holiday, and not show heroism by plunging into ponds in the cold.
The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources
The Epiphany (Theophany) is celebrated in Russia on January 19th. The meaning of the holiday, the history of its occurrence, the meaning, the consecration of water, other features of this day. Iconography and troparion of the Baptism of the Lord.
On January 19, 2018, according to the new style, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates one of the main master's, twelfth holidays - the Baptism of the Lord. Another name - Theophany, is directly related to the event that is remembered on this day. The baptism of Jesus Christ took place on the Jordan River. At that time, the coming of the Messiah preached there, called for repentance and immersed three times in water the prophet John the Baptist, who was later called the Forerunner. When Christ approached the Jordan, John was surprised and said that he himself must be baptized by Him. But the Savior answered that "all righteousness must be fulfilled."
This holiday is called Epiphany in memory of the miracle that happened during baptism. The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus Christ from heaven in the form of a dove and a voice was heard that he called Him the Son. Thus, the Holy Trinity was revealed to those present: the voice is God the Father, the dove is God the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ is God the Son. This confirms that Jesus is not only the Son of Man, but also the Son of God. God appeared to people.
main feature the liturgy of Baptism is the Great Blessing of Water. In this rite, water is consecrated only twice a year - on Epiphany Christmas Eve on January 18, and on the very day of Theophany, January 19, after Divine Liturgy.
Epiphany (Epiphany) water, consecrated by the Great Order, is called Agiasma. It is sacred and must be handled with special care. It is considered correct to drink baptismal water with faith, prayer and on an empty stomach. Only two days a year - on Epiphany Christmas Eve and on the Holiday itself - believers drink water without restrictions throughout the day.
The rest of the time, it is customary to drink baptismal water in the morning or, in case of illness, without a specific time. This is due to the fact that Agiasma is a shrine, and the attitude towards it is appropriate. Drinking in consolation Agiasma is blessed by people, according to grave sins or for some other reason are deprived of the opportunity to take Communion.
The Gospel tells us that after Baptism, Christ fasted for 40 days in the desert, where he was tempted three times by the enemy of the human race, like every person. Orthodox Christians remember this time during the days of Great Lent.
The celebration of the Baptism of the Lord was established in apostolic times. At first, this holiday was combined with the Nativity of Christ and was called the Epiphany. Only from the end of the 4th century the Baptism of the Lord in different places gradually becomes a separate holiday. Christmas Eve before Epiphany and before Christmas is an echo of a once-united holiday.
From the first centuries of Christianity on Theophany there was a tradition of baptism of those who passed the announcement. Therefore, this holiday was often called the "Day of Enlightenment", "Feast of Lights", or "Holy Lights", noting that the Sacrament of Baptism not only cleanses a person from sin, but also enlightens with the Light of Christ. It was then that the tradition of consecration on this day of water in reservoirs and bathing in them was established.
The most common type of the Baptism icon fully reveals the event of the holiday before us. Mandatory images of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan. Above Him one can see the sky, from which a dove in rays of light descends to the Baptized One - a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes the pointing right hand of God the Father is visible, often there are figures of angels on the icon.
The Baptism of the Lord is often referred to as Theophany. Many believe that the different names mean the same holiday, because both events fall on January 19th. Initially, however, the Epiphany had a completely different meaning.
history of the holiday
Epiphany is one of the oldest Christian holidays, formerly called "The Phenomenon" or "Enlightenment". It was devoted to three episodes of the gospel story at once: the birth of the Savior, the coming of the Magi and the baptism of Christ in the waters of the Jordan River. Epiphany was celebrated on January 6, and the main attention was paid to the fact of the birth of the Savior into the world - the appearance of the God-man in the earthly world.
At the same time, the arrangement of semantic accents varied among different Christian communities. Someone attached paramount importance to Christmas, someone singled out Baptism. That is why, over time, the Nativity of Christ was shared with the Epiphany, highlighting it as a separate holiday on December 25, and it is on this date that Christmas is still celebrated. catholic church. Theophany was still celebrated on January 6, celebrating two events on this day: the arrival of the Magi and the Baptism of the Savior.
The subsequent development of the holiday in Catholicism and Orthodoxy took place in different ways. AT Catholic tradition Epiphany was increasingly associated with the offering of gifts by the Magi, and in the Orthodox - with the Baptism of the Lord.
The essence of the Epiphany in the Orthodox tradition
Today, Epiphany and Theophany are one and the same holiday. The essence of the Epiphany, compared with the meaning that this holiday had in antiquity, has changed significantly. Now the word “Theophany” means that at the moment of the sacrament of baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on the Savior in the form of a dove, and with a Divine voice announced that the Son of God had come into the world. Thus, during the washing of Christ in the waters of the Jordan, the Lord revealed himself in three forms: God the Son, God the Father, who sent down his voice from heaven, and the Holy Spirit, who descended in the form of a bird. The mystery of the Divine Trinity was revealed to believers.
Celebration of the Epiphany
Festive services begin on the evening of January 18, on Epiphany Christmas Eve, also calledEve of the Epiphany . At this time, the blessing of water takes place: the clergy bless the water in the Jordans - cruciform ice holes, where believers on the night of January 18-19 and throughout the holiday plunge for spiritual cleansing. It's believed thatEpiphany water has special healing properties , and therefore washing with it helps to get rid of moral and physical ailments. Also on Epiphany, you should collect baptismal water home. A small container with it should be placed in a red corner, and some should be kept for the whole year - Epiphany water cannot deteriorate.
Baptism, or Epiphany, -the most important holiday for every believer. Meet him with joy in your heart and peace in your soul, do good and give to others positive emotions- on bright dates of the calendar, this is especially important.
Epiphany is big celebration celebrated by all Christians. Many do not know what it means, what its purpose, meaning and history are.
Most Christians who do not delve into religious knowledge give Special attention only Christmas, Easter and Lent. Few people remember the Epiphany, because not many people regularly attend church. To understand the meaning of important holidays, you need to familiarize yourself with biblical history. Epiphany, which is celebrated on January 19, is no exception, because in order to understand the essence of this holiday, you need to know its background.
History of the Feast of the Epiphany
This event has alternative names: Phenomenon, Enlightenment. The beginning of the celebration dates back to about the second century, that is, this holiday is as ancient as Christmas or Easter is ancient.
When the holiday first appeared, its meaning was not the same as it is now. He reminded people about the birth of the Son of God, about the worship of the Magi and about Baptism. By the 4th century, Epiphany was already celebrated in all parts of the world, where Christianity was recognized as a full-fledged religion. It was then that the spiritual split of the churches into those that continued to celebrate the standard Epiphany and those that celebrated it in a new way took place.
Until now, there are denominations where the Epiphany is a holiday-symbiosis of Baptism and the Nativity of Christ. These are two holidays in one, as it was at the very beginning of post-Biblical events. Catholics share Epiphany and Epiphany, celebrating them separately from Christmas. In Orthodoxy, Epiphany and Baptism are just two different names for the same holiday. That is why many people simply do not know about the alternative name and only remember Baptism. So if you think that you miss the great feast every year, then you are mistaken: Epiphany and Baptism are one and the same.
Biblical Events of Baptism
When Christ was 30 years old, he had to take the rite of initiation into the faith and baptism. He went to John the Baptist to do what was destined for him in advance. When John the Baptist, also called the Forerunner, saw Christ, about whom ancient writings spoke, he said that he should not baptize Christ, but Christ should baptize him, for the Messiah stands before him.
Jesus said that the truth must be fulfilled, because this is what the Lord, His Almighty Father, wants. John the Baptist continued his mission by baptizing many people in other cities and places. Jesus went into the wilderness to fast and pray. That's what it is great post, which we also observe year after year.
In the place where Jesus himself was supposedly baptized, a temple was erected in honor of John the Baptist. Each person can make a pilgrimage to the holy lands to see this place with their own eyes, to become spiritually closer to it.
The meaning and traditions of the holiday
The Church notes that this celebration glorifies the power of God and all three of his essences: the Holy Spirit, the Father and the Son. This is a time that shows people their equivalence before God, no matter what title or position they have. Everyone is equal before God, even those who profess a different faith. No one can put themselves above someone else. 
This is a celebration of gratitude to our Father for his mercy. The fact is that the church interprets this holiday not as an opportunity to remember the communion of Jesus Christ to the faith by baptism in the Jordan, but as the blessing of all the waters of our world on that day. It was Jesus Christ who sanctified the water with himself so that we could partake of his grace.
As for traditions, on January 19 it is customary to bless the water and swim in the hole. Many people come to the temple in order to bless the water or collect water already blessed at the service. This tradition, as well as bathing, are optional.
The holiday itself is the twelfth and is always celebrated at the same time, that is, the date is not passing. The clergy advise every person to visit the church on this day to listen to the festive service. it Holy holiday, but with a touch of sadness, because Jesus Christ knew that he would have to give his life for the benefit of all people who lived before, now living and future. Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and
15.01.2018 05:34
There are many icons in Orthodoxy that are dedicated to various events and holidays. One of them is "Epiphany". ...
The feast of the Baptism of the Lord is called the Epiphany in a different way, since it first appeared to the world Holy Trinity It was on this very day that God the Father proclaimed the Son from heaven, the Son received Baptism in the Jordan River, and the Holy Spirit descended on the Son in the form of a dove.
All four Gospels testify to this: "... Jesus came in those days from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John, and when he came out of the water, John immediately saw the heavens open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending on Him. And a voice came from heaven : "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Sputnik Georgia asked about the history of the feast of the Epiphany and what traditions, customs and signs are associated with it in Orthodoxy.
Epiphany
Christians have been celebrating the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ from the prophet John the Baptist in the Jordan River since ancient times.
One of the very first Christian holidays began to be celebrated during the life of the apostles - it is mentioned in the apostolic decrees and rules. The Baptism of the Lord and Christmas until the 4th century were a single holiday, which was called the Epiphany.
On Epiphany, in the first centuries of Christianity, new converts were baptized - they were called catechumens. As a sign that the Sacrament of Baptism cleanses a person from sin and enlightens with the Light of Christ, this day was often called "the day of Enlightenment", "the feast of Lights", or "holy Lights". The custom to sanctify water in reservoirs was already then.
© photo: Sputnik / Yuri Kaver
The separate celebration of the Nativity of Christ and the Baptism of the Lord was first introduced around 377 in the Church of Constantinople. Later, the custom of celebrating the Nativity of Christ on December 25 spread from Constantinople throughout the Orthodox East.
On Epiphany Christmas Eve, fasting is strict, and, in principle, it is not supposed to eat until the blessing of water. This is the first fast day, in fact, after Christmas, since before that Christmas time is celebrated in the church when there is no fasting.
In some Eastern churches, the ancient combination of holidays remains. For example, Armenians continue to celebrate Christmas and Epiphany on the same day - January 6th.
The meaning of the feast of the Epiphany is explained in liturgical texts as follows: the Lord accepted baptism for the salvation of people, not for own cleansing which he did not need. The modern Sacrament of Baptism gives the grace of God because the water of baptism is sanctified by the Lord.
Traditions
Agiasma or Epiphany water is one of the main shrines in Orthodox churches Every year the Great Blessing of Water is performed on Epiphany and on the eve of the holiday - on Epiphany Christmas Eve.
The tradition of blessing water on the eve of the holiday is believed to go back to the ancient Christian practice of Baptism after the morning service of the Epiphany of the catechumens.
The blessing of water on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is associated with the custom of the Christians of the Jerusalem Church to march to the Jordan, to the traditional place of the baptism of Jesus Christ, on the day of Theophany.
© photo: Sputnik / Alexander Kryazhev
The special healing properties of holy water, which replenishes the spiritual and bodily strength of a person who accepts it with faith, were noticed even in the ancient Church.
And today, after a special prayer service, during which the healing grace of the Holy Spirit is called to the water, according to tradition, believers in the temple drink baptismal water, wash their faces with it, fill their bottles with agiasma and take them home.
The supplies of holy water, which should be kept at home by every Christian, are replenished by believers once a year. A special property of agiasma is that, in a small amount, even added to ordinary water, it transfers beneficial properties to it, so baptismal water can be diluted with plain water in case of its shortage.
Customs and rituals
AT deep antiquity the traditions and rituals of this holiday are rooted. The feast of the Baptism of the Lord ended with Christmas time, which was a period of "without a cross" according to popular belief because Jesus Christ, who was recently born, had not yet been baptized.
On this day, "terrible evenings" also ended, during which otherworldly forces roamed freely in the world of people. On Epiphany Christmas Eve, it was believed that this evil spirits became especially dangerous. Accordingly, many rites and traditions in the old days were carried out in order to cleanse ourselves of evil spirits and lock the boundaries between the living and the dead.
People were preparing for the feast of the Baptism of the Lord very carefully - perfect order they pointed in the house, swept and washed the floors, as they believed that the devils could hide in the rubbish.
They fumigated with incense smoke, sprinkled with holy water and drew crosses with chalk in all places where devilry could lurk - corners, windows, doors, cellar, oven, outbuildings and gate.
Per festive table people sat down with a prayer when the first star lit up in the sky. On Epiphany Christmas Eve dinner, which consisted of meatless dishes, had its own name - "hungry kutya".
The whole family gathers at the festive table, as before Christmas - in the old days it was believed that if all generations of the same kind come together, then big family the whole next year live in the same composition, and most importantly, in good health.
Kutya and uzvar, as well as fish, dumplings, pancakes, vegetables and sweet pastries were always served on the festive table. According to tradition, after dinner, so that the year was fruitful for bread, all the spoons were put in one bowl, which was covered with bread.
In order to find out their future, people on the night of Epiphany listened to cattle, as they believed that on Epiphany Christmas Eve, pets acquire the ability to speak human language.
Epiphany Christmas Eve was also the last day on which they spent Christmas divination- on this night, the youth spent their last gatherings with fortune-telling, games and songs.
According to tradition, the girls wondered about the betrothed, about the future - on this night, the same rituals are suitable for fortune-telling as on Christmas Eve before Christmas and the Old New Year.
Other traditions and customs
On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, in the morning we went to church, where, after mass, the water is blessed with the Great rite. The blessing of water both on the eve and on the day of the holiday is carried out in the same order, so the water blessed on these days is no different.
Then the whole family had a meal - according to tradition, 12 different dishes were served on the festive table - cereals flavored generously with butter, jelly, baked pork, sausage, pancakes and so on. By the way, in some places in Russia, "square" pancakes were prepared so that "there would be money in the house."
After the meal, the whole family thanked the Almighty together for the bread present on the table, and set off to "let go" of the Christmas holidays - they released white dove from the cell.
Sputnik
During all the holidays before the Epiphany of the Lord, women tried not to go for water, as this was considered a purely male work, and did not rinse clothes in the river, because they believed that devils were sitting there and they could cling to them.
At the Baptism of the Lord, women must put viburnum or corals into a vessel with holy water and wash themselves, so that their cheeks are rosy.
At Epiphany, the girls also tried to find out their fate - from the very morning on a holiday, they went out onto the road and waited for a passerby. If a healthy economic man was the first to pass, this meant that they would soon meet their soul mate. But what if the child old man- they will not meet their beloved in the near future.
Signs
In the old days people baptismal signs, including those related to the weather, tried to find out what the coming year would bring them and what kind of harvest awaited them.
A snowstorm at the Baptism of the Lord - to be a harvest. If the branches on the trees bend the snow, it will good harvest, the bees will swarm well. Little snow on the branches of trees indicated that there would be few mushrooms and berries in summer.
The snowstorm also indicated that it would be cold on Maslenitsa, and strong southerly winds predicted a thunderous summer.
The old people predicted the fertility of lambs if the stars on Epiphany evening shine and burn.
Starry sky on Epiphany night - true omen the fact that spring will be early, and summer and autumn will be very warm and rainy.
Spring can begin with strong floods and flooding of rivers if the Epiphany of the Lord coincided with the full moon.
A calm year without any unpleasant upheavals is predicted by calm weather and a clear sky on the feast of the Epiphany. This sign indicates that you can safely start something new - build a house, open your own business or start a family. Accordingly, everything is weighed decisions made will bring only positive results.
Large snow cover or snowfall is a good sign, which indicated that no terrible epidemics and diseases were foreseen until the next Baptism of the Lord.
And rain or very strong wind at the Baptism of the Lord, indicated that the coming year would be very turbulent both politically and economically.
On the night of Epiphany, a silver bowl was placed on the table, filling it with water. Exactly at midnight, the water should sway, and what desire you have time to shout over the bowl at that moment will come true.
Girls collected in open field Epiphany snow and ice, with which they wiped the face so that it was white and ruddy.
Material prepared on the basis of open sources
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