tradition of bathing in the Jordan became widespread, but not everyone knows its origin and symbolism.Likewise, infant baptism is more like a fad than a part of a spiritual upbringing.Although it begins with this path of Orthodox children.
Epiphany
tradition of bathing in the water goes back to the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.The paradox of the ritual was announced by John the Baptist.When he saw the Messiah, he exclaimed in surprise: "I have need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Sinless Christ did not need cleansing.It is believed that when he made the water of the Jordan the sins of the world.
Baptism is also called Epiphany.During the term of Jesus the Holy Spirit descended like a dove.The voice from heaven testified: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."God revealed himself in three persons.Namely - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
This event was the starting point of Christ's ministry on earth.After his baptism, he developed the first apostles.At the same time according to the Gospels, Jesus went into the desert, to spend time in solitude and prayer, and to prepare for the execution of the mission.
Epiphany water
Honoring water dialed day Epiphany - January 19, goes back to ancient times.Like today, in the early centuries after Christ was believed to have medicinal properties do not deteriorate during the year and should be saved.The rite of consecration of its first runs on Christmas Eve on January 18, and then on the day of the Epiphany.Epiphany water is called Holy water in Eastern Christianity, which means "holy."
On Christmas Eve decided to keep a particularly strict fasting to prepare for confession and communion.And January 19 is the custom to dip into the hole in the form of a cross.It is called Jordan.In big cities or in places where there are no bodies of water, exhibited baptismal font.
Bathing January 19
Currently dipping January 19, has become widespread.Almost all cities are trying to organize a place to maintain this tradition.It is significant that on Epiphany in Moscow almost every park where there is a pond or pond, provide hole with a comfortable descent.Next to them, set the locker room and heated tents.Free tea campfires create a special atmosphere.This is how the Epiphany in Moscow marked the first year, making this part of the religious festival of contemporary urban culture.
as a rite of Baptism
At the dawn of Christianity, baptism is usually taken by adults.Rite was preceded by a long way to training.While it ought to attend services, to communicate with believers and read special prayers.Originally supposed to perform the baptism on Epiphany or Holy Saturday before Easter.Before the dedication required should repent of sins.
Since the early years of Christianity, believers were persecuted and tortured, it happened that they were killed by the pagans, without having to make the rite.In this case, they were considered a baptism of blood.After all, they have already adopted the doctrine and died for their faith.
Today, the baptism in the temple as a rite does not require such a long preparation.But its meaning remains the same.Dedication means a new spiritual birth.Man must change their way of life and way of thinking.From now on, he refuses to live for himself, and finds meaning and fullness of existence through the ministry of Christ and others.Epiphany Hot adult signifies spiritual revolution.If it subsequently continues to sin, it is regarded as a rejection of grace.
When can baptize their children?
According to the customs of the church communion of the child to the church should not be delayed.It is best to make the rite from the 40th day after birth.At the same time over the mystery of the child's mother should be read by the prayer of cleansing after childbirth.
baptized child can be on any day.But more often it occurs on a weekday or Saturday, since Sunday the Divine Liturgy, and the temple comes a lot of believers.
People choose godparents?
Going to baptize the child, parents should take the ritual with the utmost responsibility.The important point is the choice of the recipients.Godparents must be people close family and are able to take responsibility for the child's religious upbringing.Baptism - this is not a fad or amulet against misfortune.This is the way the kingdom of God through water and the Holy Spirit.Even the baby, who was born in sin, needs to be purified.After the baptism is necessary each year to make the sacrament.From the age of seven must also confess.
have godparents have three basic duties to the pupil: to pray for him, to teach the fundamentals of faith, by his own example to show the path of goodness, love and mercy.
believed that the recipients hold the answer before God for the sins of the child.In past centuries, when the father and mother died, his family was taken to the cross.And spiritual parents had two.Godfather is a person, who took first in the hands of a child.And in the tradition of the girl he took a woman, a boy - man.
preparation for baptism
If the rite is performed over a child, the thorough preparation for initiation must be on the part of recipients.This involves fasting, confession, communion.One of the most important prayers to the Cross is considered a "symbol of faith" - it sets out the basic tenets of the Orthodox faith.Required knowledge of the "Our Father."In addition, the recipients have to worry about the pectoral cross for the child and kryzhme - white cloth which wrapped the child after the ceremony.It should be stored.It is believed that kryzhma saves the grace of holy water, which keeps the baptismal font.
dedication to Orthodoxy adult includes a high level of awareness.He does not need spiritual parents and he is responsible for the way of life that leads.Before the dedication necessary to learn basic position and dogma of religion, to fast, to abstain, be reconciled with those with whom there was a quarrel.
Where to spend the baptism?
As a small child, some parents think, not to make any ritual at home, in a calm and familiar environment.But the baptism in the church is of particular importance to be attached to the faith.The solemnity and importance of the moment coincides with the atmosphere in the temple, which adjusts to the exalted mood.However, there are times when a person is sick.Then his baptism is only possible at home (or the hospital).
In the past century, often people took faith, being already on his deathbed.Accordingly, the rite was performed at home.This was done deliberately: to die without sin.Children are not baptized, believing that they are born pure.Later, the church began to condemn this attitude, calling baptized in infancy.This tradition is gradually established.And even if they were the children of noble families, the adoption of Orthodoxy still held in the church, only in your home.Other children were baptized in churches.
font in the temple
should know that if the rite of initiation into the faith occurs in the home, it should be a simple bath.Holy Hot is available only in the temple.In general, for the most important symbolic communion of the faithful through the water, but many want for their children the true baptism by immersion.
particularly acute, this problem for adults.Their baptism is most often limited to a triple dip of the head, as is usually the font in the temple is a large thicket.However, in some places set and Jordan.They are a full bath with a head can make adults and adolescents.
How is baptism?
Many people want to know how the baptism.Scenario rite awareness of its symbolism gives confidence.
Immediately before initiation person or, if the child is baptized, religious must renounce Satan three times, while turning to the west.Then you need to declare three of its desire to combine with Christ.After that read "Creed."Then the priest pronounces the Great Litany - Prayer, which consists of the petitions and responses cries of the people.This preparatory part.
After this begins the actual baptism.Script action is: the consecration of the water, anointing, triple immersion.During the reading of Psalm 31 is assigned to the cross and the chest worn white clothes, meaning the cleansing of sins, innocence and purity.Following this, the priest performs anointing to sanctify the soul and body.
oil come from many different parts and each has its own meaning.The anointing of the ears, eyes, mouth - not to have heard, seen or talked bad.Hands - to carry out the righteous work.Legs - that the person was pleasing to God dear.The anointing of the breast - to defeat the enemy force.Then, after the priest thrice costs baptismal font, which symbolizes eternity and the willingness to follow the path of orthodoxy.
The final part consists of a reading of the Epistle and the Gospel.Baptism is the veil of hair after washing and anointing.Then the priest reads augmented litany and the dismissal - the blessing of the output after the service.
"Silver Hot"
For any of the Orthodox Baptism of the Lord is a great holiday.Someone is not limited to one-time immersion in ice water and begins to practice winter swimming.
Over the last few years, fans of art song festival organized "Silver Hot."Its opening is marked by a dip in cold water.After that, the performers participating in the contest.This is usually several nominations such as "Poetry", "Composer", "Ballad song," "Duo" or "ensemble".Fans of the bard of winter swimming and enjoy their creativity.The scale of the event speaks of the importance of physical and spiritual development for the people.Therefore, as the symbolic name of the festival, and its attributes: creativity and physical rehabilitation are conducted through font.
So many centuries have passed since the time of Jesus' baptism.Changing attitudes to faith and baptism.Blind faith passed into atheism.Atheism was replaced religiosity.But in the folk tradition, and in any religion can be found through the water purification ritual.Therefore, even today, regardless of the severity of the observance of religious rules, good swim in the baptismal font, holy water to stock up, and my heart filled with kindness and mercy.
