The times when the church was under the strictest ban have passed. Today, most Russians know the number of Epiphany, Christmas, and other great church holidays. Sometimes it happens that the feast of the Epiphany is confused with the day of the Baptism of Russia, which is celebrated on July 25. Hence the confusion arises with the number of baptisms. In addition, today not everyone knows the meaning and traditions associated with the Epiphany.
The history of the origin of the holiday
The feast of the Baptism of the Lord was born during 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 christened Christ in the waters of the Jordan River. Legend has it that at the time of Baptism a ray of light fell on Jesus, a heavenly voice proclaimed him the Son of God.
Initially, the holiday was called Epiphanius. This word means "Epiphany." Another name that Baptism bore was the feast of the Light. These names are explained by the fact that on the day of the Light holiday, God comes to the earthly world to give its inhabitants light.
The very word "baptism" in Greek means "immersion in water." It is from here that the most important tradition of the holiday comes - swimming in the consecrated reservoirs. Today, every year, more and more Russians rush to the hole in Epiphany, the number of people swimming even in severe frosts is constantly growing. Water represents life and helps to wash away sins. But before plunging into the Jordan, it is important to observe other traditions of Baptism.
Holiday traditions
The Baptism of the Lord is the sixth of the twelfth feasts. These include the twelve most important events after Easter.
The church year begins on the first of September. Therefore, the countdown of the holidays starts from this date.
Questions about when to celebrate Baptism, what date should not arise. The fact is that this holiday is not transitory, which means that it is annually celebrated on the same day - January 19 (according to the old style - the sixth). It is worth remembering that the day before you should observe strict fasting, pray and repent of sins.
On January 18, the Orthodox call the Epiphany Eve. The name of this day comes from the food that can be used by believers on this day - comically. It is made from grain, cooked with the addition of dried fruits, poppy seeds and nuts. Only after observing the Epiphany Christmas Eve, you can go for a swim in Jordan.
It is important to understand that getting rid of sins by plunging into an ice hole will not succeed, because the church claims that it is possible to pray for sins only by confession. Despite everything, many believers have the following question: " Should you swim in the hole in ice ?" Baptism begins at midnight from January 18 to 19. And from that moment and all day of the nineteenth, Jordan lined up.
In addition, at Baptism it is important not to forget to draw holy water.
It will come in handy all year: to wash a child - from the evil eye helps, to drink it yourself - prevents diseases. Of course, holy water should be taken in the church, having defended the service. But many believe that the night before Baptism, holy water runs straight from the tap. And here's what's interesting - typed even in this way, it will stand up all year, without acquiring an extraneous smell, without spoiling.
The Feast of the Baptism of God has been honored by believers for more than a century. Therefore, overgrown with a huge number of traditions and signs. It is important to realize that knowing how many Baptisms to celebrate and what traditions to keep in doing so is unlikely to help get rid of sins. It is much more important to keep faith and pray throughout the year.