What does the Holy Epiphany - Baptism of the Lord?The history of the holiday, its ancient and altered the meaning will be discussed later in this article.We also tell you about how to celebrate this day is different Christian nations.What to say and what to do in this holiday?What ritual foods to eat?Should the day of fasting?Particular attention will be celebrating this festival in the eastern Slavs.
Holy Epiphany - Epiphany: description
What does this event the New Testament?All four canonical Gospels mention the Baptism of Christ.The history of the Epiphany is described as follows.Being around the age of thirty years, the Savior has decided to open people - reveal His divine nature."In those days - says the Evangelist Matthew - John the Baptist preached and said:" Predugotovte direct paths to the Lord and repent of their sins, for the kingdom of heaven is near. ""There was a man of God - echoes John - He was sent to testify about the Light, that all believed in him."When Jesus approached the Jordan River, where a crowd of Jews came, John the Baptist said, "I ought to be baptized by you," thereby implying that the material sprinkling water - nothing compared to investment in the Holy Spirit.But the Lord said, "ought to fulfill the truth."And when John the Baptist was sprinkled with water, "the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and a voice said, This is my beloved Son."
Holy Epiphany - Epiphany: the history of the holiday
first mention of the celebration of this day dates back to the second century.About the festival say the Gnostics, and a prominent theologian, Clement of Alexandria.Initially, the event was interpreted as the "Opening of Christ to the people."The celebration has acquired a mass character, first in the East Roman Empire, and then - to the west.On this day - sixth of January - were honored just three events in the life of Jesus in our world: Christmas, Adoration of the Magi and the Baptism of the Lord - Holy Epiphany.And it recently has been interpreted as the beginning of service to others, the execution of the mission.After this, Jesus removed the desert and fasted forty days, being tempted by Satan.And then he makes his first miracle - at the wedding at Cana.That is why the early church that day was baptized novices (they were called "catechumens").They first baptized with water, and then - with the Holy Spirit.But over time the holidays are divided.Christmas was celebrated on 25 December and the coming of the Magi and the baptism - January 6th.
celebration in the Middle Ages
Over the centuries, the meaning of the events described in the books of the New Testament, began to be perceived differently.Emphasis was placed on the value of water baptism.While John the Baptist himself denied that he is a prophet or a messiah.He said: "Someone will come, more than I, whose shoes I am not worthy ... I indeed baptize you with water, earth.He will do this by the Holy Spirit, and even fire. "However Epiphany - Holy Epiphany received another interpretation - honoring the Trinity.It was considered that during this event the people of Moses, God the Father opened.Son has set an example in the washing of the sins of the flushing water.And was the Holy Spirit as a dove.However, the old "rudiments" celebration persisted.For example, in the Baptism of Christ have taken kutyu (sochivo), as well as on Christmas.With the division of the Churches in Western (Roman) and Eastern (Byzantine) festival received different interpretations in their traditions.In Orthodoxy, he was called Epiphanes, or Theophany (from the Greek "Epiphany." Also, this holiday was called "Holy Light". Thus, the most important in the described Gospels event Church saw the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God the Father. InCatholicism celebration called Manifestatio - a phenomenon approval.
Late interpretation
Once the feast of the Nativity and Baptism of Christ separated in time (December twenty-fifth, and sixth of January), the meaning of the last event was to rethink the theologians of both Churches. Back in the sixth century inByzantium as history proves, Epiphany Epiphany meant the beginning of the execution of the mission of Christ. And after the thousandth, the focus has shifted to miraculousness bathing church font. The entire tradition of celebration of this holiday now is the dedication of the priests of water. In the Western tradition, "Manifestation" gained understanding of the phenomenon of peoplePersons of the Trinity - that is, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.In addition, this day is also commemorated the arrival of the Magi ("Adoration").In countries where speaking in Spanish, is the feast of the "Three Kings» («Los Reyes Magos») decided to make gifts to the children, not on Christmas.The real value - "hast prepared his soul to the service of God," as John the Baptist called - has been forgotten.
Interpretation of the Epiphany in the Qatari tradition
At the turn of two thousand years (about 1000), when the Roman and Orthodox Church actively fought for power in this world, there was a monastic order whose members are literally stuck to the commandments of Christ.They taught that "The world lieth in wickedness" (1 John. 5:19), and that the material water does not create any miracles.This good Christian Church, which opponents call Qatari heresy and physically destroyed in XIII-XIV centuries, did not celebrate Epiphany - Holy Epiphany.The path to the soul - that is the main message that the monks saw an event described by the Gospels.Before you take up the cross of good deeds and follow Christ (Mark 10: 21), you need to cleanse your heart from sin.They are not material removes water and sincere repentance.After all, as John the Baptist taught.He said: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven."Before you take the soul of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, to become the "temple of God", it should be free from sin.For if the blind lead the blind, both will be in the pit.
Baptism of Christ in the church's canon
In the Orthodox tradition is twelve great feasts of the Lord.So honored days associated with events in the life of Jesus Christ in the world - from the Nativity to the Ascension.Epiphany celebrates the Holy Epiphany is now 19.01.According to the Julian calendar, this date corresponds to the sixth of January.On the eve of the clergy and believers must observe a strict fast.Therefore kutia supplied to this day is called "hungry".In the holiday clergy clothed in white garments.The priests consecrate water twice.For the first time, the day before the Great Holy water in Eastern Christianity (special rite of baptism), and the second time - during the Divine Liturgy.Therefore, the festival in the Ukrainian language called "Vodohrescha" or "Jordan" (in honor of the river, where the Cross of the Saviour).It marks the end of the celebration of Christmas Christmas holidays.
celebration in the folk tradition
And as noted Baptism of Christ - Holy Epiphany at Eastern Christians?In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, on this day the priests "consecrated water."This is like a church - in the vats, and on rivers or lakes.Where very cold and ponds freeze, specially made hole, called "Jordan".It is believed that dipping into such wells washes away all sins and brings the body to health.Especially it is necessary to plunge into the "Jordan" those who used enchantments at Christmas.As the Church considers a sin divination.In Ukraine, the first person in the country to this day, bathe in the river.A Bulgarian priest throws a cross into the water.Believers (mostly young men) dive for it.It is believed that the one who will raise a cross on the surface, waiting for luck.Lay people from the church are water and drink it slowly throughout the year, believing that it treats various illnesses.
celebration in Western Europe
In Catholicism Day January 6 Epiphany - Holy Epiphany, now fully associated with the arrival of the Magi.In the churches bless the incense, chalk and water.The children go to their homes and their owners give as gifts, but for the kids it is painted on the doors of "C + M + B".This is the initial letters of the names of the three kings - Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.However, the inscription may be interpreted as «Christus mansionem benedicat» («Christ bless this house").Even in this day traditionally prepared "pie of the Magi."The dough is baked coin, bean or figure.The cake is cut and distributed to members of the family.Those who went to the "surprise" will be happy throughout the year.
