Each holy day has its own special ceremonies and authentic tradition.It is no exception and 19 January - an important event in the Orthodox world, when the faithful go to church early in the morning with a carafe filled with water, decorated with green branches and ornate ribbons.How to celebrate the Epiphany?What you need to do on this day?Now just try to reveal all the secrets of the holiday.
little history
often styled People Epiphany Epiphany.As the solemn event, Christians, Orthodox everyone knows someone who regularly attends church.On this day the Church celebrates Jesus Christ, which took place consecrated water and embraced the faith.Baptism - one of the oldest holidays: written records of it date back to the II century.Previously, he celebrated with Christmas - December 25th.Nowadays, in some countries there is a combination of dates.For example, Indians and Armenians continue to celebrate Epiphany on January 6.
Bible says that the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist spent.During the sacrament in the Savior Holy Spirit descended like a dove, at that moment a heavenly voice proclaimed that this man - the Son of God, love, and the only one that brings the world of His grace.Therefore, if you do not know how to celebrate the Epiphany, refer to the Gospel.There's talk in detail that the holiday is closely associated with water, so it is sanctification, and swimming in the hole - the main traditions of the grand event.
Eve
That's called the night before the momentous day when the mark Epiphany.How to celebrate this event, which is also important for Christians?Firstly, the traditions of Christmas Eve is very similar to Christmas: walk the streets entertainers and singing carols.People fast all day and in the evening the family gathers around the table, which shows the meatless dishes.The main remains kutia traditionally made from rice or wheat, honey, raisins, poppy and nuts.Girls guess betrothed to young people satisfied with seeing the so-called Christmas Carols.
Secondly, it is believed that the night before the baptism in the street you can find evil spirits.She tries to break into the home in any guise.To avoid this, the Orthodox draw chalk crosses on the window frames and doors.The sign has long been considered a reliable protection against all other world.Our ancestors said that very dangerous werewolf "fiery serpent": it is usually unmarried girls in the form of a nice guy.He captivates his victim, and this love is considered incurable.
Epiphany water
it - a symbol of the holiday.From early morning January 19 people rush to the church for the consecration of the source of life.Pour it into a specially prepared jars that decorate the ribbons and flowers.Some people use for this purpose the rain Christmas tree, shot with a Christmas beauties.Epiphany - the last day, when it pleases the household for its beauty.Right after the Epiphany tree made to burn, and toys to hide in the attic until next winter.
If possible holy water on the river, people try not to miss it.Father sends the service just outside the hole, and then people get out of it liquid.They carry her into the house, and start a real treat.At work no one goes, as work on this day is considered a great sin.After the consecration of the water Orthodox celebrate Epiphany at the table, in the center at the place of honor is fertile water.She takes a sip of his throat every member of the family and guests.Hostess treats present a delicious meal: cereal, flavored butter, aspic, nourishing soup and square pancakes - that money were carried out.
How to draw water
Sanctified Water On January 18, Christmas Eve, and the number 19 after the Divine Liturgy.A real treat for all the faithful becomes a service on Epiphany in Russia.Tradition, as noted by the event that you need to do that day, says the father on the sermon.He also focuses on the people that typed water in these two days has special properties, and there is no difference, did you take it 18 or 19 of January.
By the way, if you can not cherpnut sanctified liquid from the river or bring out of the church, you can use ordinary water tap or cistern.Dial it must be on the night of the Epiphany in between 00:10 to 01:30.Remember: Be sure to stock up on it before you celebrate.Epiphany - religious holiday, so sincere prayer is an essential part of the rite.Pouring water into a jar or jug, read the sacred words of the Bible.Before the procedure should also pray, asking the Lord for forgiveness for their sins, and because of his mercy.
Healing properties
Epiphany water has a special power.Firstly, it does not deteriorate.Try to pour plain water and keep it in a sealed container month: sipping a breath after a while you will feel bitterness or hints of mold in the liquid.But water, typed on the eve of January 19 will be fresh even after years.Second, it protects from impure force.Having brought her out of the church, people are primarily liquid sprinkled the walls and corners of the home to protect him from the devils and demons.
Third, the water has healing properties.Reading the old historical data on how to celebrate Epiphany in Russia, you can find evidence of the application of the liquid in the hospitals.Patients were allowed to drink three sips, to rid them of the hated ailments.Also during the year the water consumed by those who are victims of any illness: and not only physical, but also spiritual.Liquid relieves people from the evil eye and spoilage, soothed with nervousness and insomnia, withdrawal from the state of apathy and depression.
Swimming
dive into the hole - another popular tradition that came to us from time immemorial.In Russia, are preparing for the holiday about three thousand so-called Jordan, dive into that believers begin as early as Christmas Eve.During the procedure, all participants are smiling, plunging three times.After basking in the bath or with hot tea, which bring with them carefully in a thermos.Often the hole made in the shape of a cross, which gives the procedure a great atmosphere of the Christian holiday.
Severe frosts are usually hit on the Epiphany.How to celebrate a significant event, and in the polynya to go, and it does not catch a cold?Experts recommend to start to consult a doctor.For example, people suffering from arrhythmia, kidney disease and diabetes, to jump into the icy water can not.If you're completely healthy, and there is no specific contraindications, prepare the body for a possible stress still needed: a month before the swim start to harden, enrich the diet of foods rich in vitamins and trace elements.And yet, read the how to go into the icy water and what to do after swimming in the ice-hole.
Traditions
them very much.Learning about how to celebrate the Epiphany in Russia, foreigners usually shrug: so rich in events of different rituals and distinctive rituals.One is deflation pigeons loose.Opening the cages in which birds have been concluded, specially prepared for the holiday, people say, thank God for his mercy and protection.Also, birds are a symbol of God's grace that descended on the savior of mankind - Jesus - on the day of his baptism in the Jordan.
the morning of 19 January in the church as soon as the first bell rings, the Orthodox are bred on the banks of the pond nearest fire that Christ could warm up by the fire after bathing.Girls on the run as the dawn to the river or lake to wash ice water.It is believed that it gives youth and beauty.After Baptism is also forbidden to wash in water bodies.There is a belief that by immersing the cross into the water, the priest casts out demons out of the water, which, after sitting on the bank waiting for a man with dirty laundry.As soon as it is immersed in water, the devils return.Therefore, said the later women start to erase, the more evil forces will die from Epiphany frosts.
Divination
very popular entertainment, without which it is difficult to Epiphany.According to archival sources, the ritual is not religious and pagan.Despite this, the girls prefer this pastime, using any object: the wax, coffee grounds, mirrors or snow.For example, a very famous Christmas divination on a shoe, they enjoyed more our grandmothers in ancient times.They went out into the yard and turn his face to the threshold, throwing his boots over his left shoulder, which way pointed toe, and there will come matchmakers.
instead tried to know the future with the help of paper and a candle.Leaf tightly clutched in his hands, put on a saucer and burned.When the paper burned, for its shade, located on the wall, trying to find out what surprises prepared the fate of the next year.
In short, such a lot of divination.The accuracy of the rites, of course, not necessarily to believe, but it's worth it: it's fun and entertaining.The Russian remote places still do not understand how to celebrate the Epiphany no mysterious rituals and divination.After all, they are - an important part of the holiday.
Folk omens
Being observant, our ancestors also developed a system for predictions of normal weather.They argued that the summer will be dry, if Baptism cold and clear, and rich in harvest, when the sky overcast.The full moon presaged a great spring flood, and nightlights - good berry picking and peas.On stormy summer said the south wind, a prosperous year - snow, especially when it began during the Divine Liturgy.Barking dogs signaled hunters about the successful season that awaits them in the near future.
Let's make a conclusion.As Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany?A fun and ease.They use not only the Christian tradition, and pagan rites, which makes it even more colorful and unusual.Epiphany - the last major event, the final day of a cycle of winter Christmas holidays.After him, there came a lull, people are preparing for Lent and waited for the next significant date - the light of Easter, which is also linked to many signs.But that's another story ...
