One of the most significant days in the Orthodox tradition is the feast of Epiphany.Signs and rituals, divination, held this day, considered to be particularly true.Predict their fate on the night of January 19, rural and urban residents for more than a century.And the story itself Baptism is rooted in antiquity.Today, this festival is recognized by all, without exception, the Christian areas.Celebrating its Catholics, Orthodox and Protestants.
Epiphany
Christian Epiphany - a holiday, which began with Jesus Christ himself.At the age of 30 he came to the Jordan River to wash away sins.While in the West there was such a custom.John the Baptist initially refused to carry out the rite of Jesus himself, believing himself unworthy of it.However, the Son of God insisted on the performance tradition.Since his example custom baptized with water brought many nations.
Epiphany celebration called because when Jesus came out of the water after being baptized, the heavens opened and a voice of God: "You, my beloved Son!In you my blessing. "After that, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus as a dove.Thus, on this day the people brought all the three persons of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
in different denominations Epiphany is celebrated on different days.It is believed that Jesus Christ was baptized on January 6.The Catholic Church, however, celebrates the Epiphany on Jan. 13.Orthodox celebrate Baptism 19 January - according to the Julian calendar.Old style this is January 6.Eastern Christian churches hold a solemn service of 6 new style.
In general, the holiday is actually very important - Epiphany.Folk omens, predictions ceremonies held January 19 - all this, of course, nothing more than echoes of the old pagan beliefs.Christian priests they do not approve, but also a special sin of the people had never considered.
Religious holiday
But first let's find out how is officially celebrated Epiphany.Traditions and rituals remained since pagan times, certainly interesting.But let's talk about them a little later.Yet at this point the majority of Russians profess the Christian Orthodox faith.
Ever since the baptism of Rus Epiphany was made precede a one-day fasting.That is not allowed January 18 there skoromnaia food.Traditionally, the holiday table, assembled on the eve of the Epiphany, put "hungry" kutyu.The Church at this time are the Liturgy, which ends the first great blessing of the waters.By 12 o'clock in the morning the faithful gather in the temple for the festive service.Last usually lasts until the morning.
Then begins the procession.All believers, led by priests, go to the nearest body of water column.Previously in the ice of a pond or lake ice hole is cut in the shape of a cross, called in honor of the events of the New Testament "Jordan."Here Father publicly consecrating the water, then spends the festive prayer service.Next believers wishing to dip into the hole, according to tradition, three times.
Epiphany water can collect in the church.No wonder it sanctify advance.Sometimes the water and gain directly from the hole.But more on the pond next to the "Jordan" simply set vats cleaner.Even the water from the tap is considered a holy and healing in Epiphany.Epiphany (signs that predict different events on January 19 is also often associated with water) - the day when all the lakes and rivers become sanctified.Of course, cleared of negativity on Baptism and wells.Bogoyavlenskoy water treatable disease or a family member, if necessary, pets.In addition, she sprinkled the home and outbuildings to remove all negativity.Its properties holy baptismal water retains for a year, and sometimes longer.
Folk rites
course, celebrated not only in church but also at home this holiday - Epiphany.Signs and ceremonies held on January 19 could be very different.On this day, the name of her spouse found out, their fate for the whole year in advance, and so on. D. Of course, the Christian Church of such rituals did not approve.That is why those who practice divination on the eve of Epiphany, was required to take a dip in the hole, to wash away the sin of communication with evil spirits.At the time of divination, it is nothing more than an echo of the ancient pagan beliefs, rural and urban residents in the mandatory shot off his pectoral cross, and unleashed on the clothes all nodes.Next, consider how to carry out some of these ancient rituals in detail.
a recognizable name and residence of the future husband?
In what could tell fortunes on the Epiphany of the Lord?Conspiracies, signs, rituals - they are there just a huge number.Traditionally, however, the eve of Epiphany is still considered by most as the holiday of young people.And wonder at this time girls and boys mainly on future husband or wife.To find out the name of a spouse, for example, came out of the gate and asked the first comer, his name.
Guessing with a rooster lets you know whether she will be released this year, married or not.Future bride had to wait until everything in the house was asleep.Then she slowly drifts into the house and put his cock in front of the table.If the bird was unfolding, and ran back to the street, which meant that no wedding this year will not be.If the cock went to the table, it was a very good sign.Gad could soon expect the matchmakers.
In order to know where they will arrive, it should go beyond the outskirts of the village, take off the legs of boots and throw it in front of him.There, where he pointed out the sock, and the groom lived.You could also go to the crossroads for the village, and wait until the dog barks.If this sound is heard nearby, and then the groom had to be from the same village or from the next.
Guessing welfare
Will people rich or expect in the coming year, financial problems - is also something that you can easily find on the Epiphany.Epiphany Eve, ceremonies which were performed sometimes older people, was celebrated in a rather dark and uncertain time.For the old year is gone and the new one just begun.Therefore, the welfare predictions rituals on this day were very popular and were performed often enough.We find out what awaits the family this year - poverty or wealth - a fairly simple way.To this end, the floor scattered grains and ran into the house of a rooster.The more he pecks better.If the bird would run back to the street, without touching any of the grain, it was a harbinger of serious problems and needs.
Guessing on the fate
The Epiphany ceremonies, traditions, popular superstitions took on special significance.This day is considered really a very strong energy.For example, on Epiphany, among other things, you can know what to expect family or a particular person in the coming year.To do this, there were also a variety of rituals.For example, it was possible to predict the future with the help of a cat.It carried out and were waiting when he wants to enter the house.At this point, we watched what he will bring his paw over the threshold first.If left, it means all the family members in the coming year will be happy.
City divination
course, a large village is difficult to find, such as a barn or a rooster.Therefore, the townspeople wondered a little bit different.For example, on the night of January 19, it was possible to roll a newspaper tube and ignite it.In the shadows falling on the wall and predict the future.To find out whether a desire to be fulfilled, it was also possible to cut out two squares of white paper and paint one of them black.Happy January 19 leaflets were thrown out the window and watched some of them fall to the ground first.If the black - the desire to be fulfilled.
Modern divination
Nowadays, urban dwellers can tell fortunes, and a little bit different.For example, go out at night or in the evening when it gets dark, and turned back to his own home, mentally ask questions.Then you need to get face-to-high-rise building and count the glowing window.An even number will mean a positive response, an odd - negative.
very interesting as a method of divination on the banknotes.In order to find out whether a desire to be fulfilled or not, should be placed in the right hand purse, and left to get out of it first got the bill.Tens, hundreds or thousands is a positive response, pyatisotke - negative.
Signs on Epiphany
Learn Epiphany future could simply observing the surrounding reality.Next, let's see what are the feast of Epiphany marks.And divination rites, rituals and spells require the performance of any and often complex operations.At the same signs could learn his fate much easier.So, for example, dogs barking, heard on Baptism was a very good omen, means wealth in the coming year.
a bad omen was also hit on the Epiphany under heavy snow.It means health and well-being.Epiphany snow, as well as lead, propelled holy and healing.This was collected from the roofs of both divination and rituals, and just to treat disease and get rid of negativity.It was believed that melt Epiphany water - a very good cure for skin diseases and joints.
Other signs
Well, we are with you in some detail figured out how to celebrate Epiphany.Rites, signs and divination held on this day, of course, extremely interesting.However, at the Epiphany of the environment could determine not only their own future or the fate of loved ones.According to various signs on this day, our ancestors also predicts the weather and just a year.
believed, for example, that if Baptism fell out of the full moon, you would expect a strong river flooding.Bright stars in the sky promised a dry summer, early spring and warm lingering autumn.If Baptism coincided with the full moon in the near future we expect a very severe frosts.Also in these years, most of the summer was cold, and spring - late and slushy.
probably taken at Epiphany signs and ceremonies held by many, in fact, may help to know the future.To believe or not to believe in such things - a private matter.In any case, these rituals and traditions, of course, extremely interesting, including as part of the history of our country.
