Traditions and rites of the Lord's Baptism

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-12 17:37

The Baptism of the Lord is the most revered holiday among Orthodox Christians. The history of its origin is rooted in the distant past. On this day, Christians remember an important event - the baptism of Christ. John the Baptist became Jesus' Baptist.

Celebration date

This holiday falls annually on January 19th. According to legend, at this time the Old and New Testaments are united. The holiday has 3 names: Baptism, Jordan, Epiphany. It is endowed with a certain meaning and has interesting traditions. Many of them arose a very long time ago, but are revered by the Orthodox today.

history of the holiday

The word "baptism" is translated from Greek as immersion. On this day, cleansing procedures are carried out for people who have decided to become Christians. The meaning of bathing is spiritual cleansing of a person.

According to legend, Jesus was baptized on January 19. In addition, the Almighty appeared on Earth and told that Christ is his son. Hence another name for the holiday - Epiphany.

On January 18, Christians must fast before taking out the candle. The eve of the holiday is called Christmas Eve, just like the Baptism of the Lord, it has a rich history and traditions. On this day, it is necessary to serve wheat porridge on the table, you can supplement the dish with the help of honey and raisins.

Epiphany customs

What are the customs associated with Baptism? On the holiday, Christians consecrate water, bathe in an ice-hole, sprinkle water on their dwellings. Also, in many homes, believers open a window or door. Such a ritual helps to cleanse the room from evil spirits.

Interesting! What are the rituals for Epiphany on January 19

Girls, wanting to remain beautiful, wash themselves with snow right on the street. It is believed that such a ceremony will help restore a woman's attractiveness and youth.

After attending the service, the whole family gathers at one table. The menu can be anything you like, but housewives often make cookies in the form of crosses. Sweets are given special importance. For each family member, they make one cookie, and then see how it turns out. If the baking comes out smooth and ruddy, then the year will be successful. Burnt cookies - to illness and trouble.

On Christmas Eve, it is customary to bring all shoes into the house. If the boots remained outside the threshold, it was a bad sign. This means that someone from the family will start having health problems. It is also forbidden to lend money, otherwise financial troubles are expected.

Especially unmarried girls were waiting for the holiday. At this time, the bride was held. It was believed that an engagement for Epiphany was a good sign. A prosperous and happy life awaited the newlyweds.

What can and can not be done for a holiday

Basically, Epiphany traditions are associated with water. On this day, it is allowed to perform the following actions:

• swim in the ice hole;
• attend church;
• sprinkle the house with blessed water;
• draw crosses on doors, vents.

What actions are considered prohibited:

• fortune-telling for the betrothed;
• housework;
• repair work;
• needlework.

It's easy to follow the rules. The main thing is to find out in advance what things can be done and which ones you will have to refuse.

Epiphany traditions

After reviewing the history of the holiday, it becomes clear that the Baptism of the Lord is associated with many traditions. Already on January 18, the Orthodox go to church and ask the Lord for protection. In addition, before sunset, believers should draw a cross with chalk over every window and door in their home. Such a ceremony will help protect the home from evil and evil spirits.

Interesting! When to swim for Epiphany in 2020

The eve of the holiday was named - Epiphany Christmas Eve. On this day, believers fast, and can start eating only after the setting of the evening star. At the same time, all food should be lean, and it is imperative to put kutya and uzvar on the table.

On January 19, Christians visit church, consecrate water. The most courageous go to a special ice hole and plunge into it.

When to draw water

You can come to the church for holy water on January 18 and 19. Services are held on these days, and each believer can visit the temple at any convenient time. If it is not possible to come to church, you can collect tap water in a bottle. It is advisable to do this on the night of 18-19, between 00.10 and 01.30.

Where to put water

Not all believers know where to store baptismal water in the future. It is best to place the liquid bottle in the Red Corner. You need to take it without swearing, and at the moment when your thoughts are pure. It is customary to sprinkle holy water on an apartment and all household members. This will cleanse the house of negative energy and make all family members healthy.

Epiphany bathing

On a holiday, any water is healing. Therefore, for Epiphany Christians go to church and pour it into various containers. Some believers add a drop of water to their food, trying to strengthen their immunity. But the holiday is better known for Epiphany bathing. Not everyone can decide to take such a step, but every year more and more people want to plunge into the reservoir.

The ice-hole is called Jordan, it is customary to cut it in the shape of a cross. According to legend, a person who plunges into an ice hole gets rid of sins and diseases for the coming year.

When does the bathing take place? The church has no specific recommendations regarding this action. This is not a canon of Christianity, but has become a good tradition. Each city has special places for the holiday. Where exactly they are, you can ask the clergy.

Folk omens

The Baptism of the Lord is the most beloved holiday among the Orthodox, which has a rich history. In addition, this event is associated with many folk signs. Even in ancient times, people noticed how this day affects the harvest, the weather.

So, the most popular folk signs:

1. Snow and blizzard are the harbingers of a rich harvest.
2. If the sky is starry on Christmas Eve, then there will be a good harvest of berries and peas.
3. The hunters also celebrated this day. The louder the barking of the dogs was, the more they managed to collect the game. Today, this sign has changed a little. It is believed that the barking of dogs is an auspicious sign. It means profit.
4. If birds knock on the window on this day, it means that deceased relatives remind of themselves. It is imperative to visit the church and help those in need.

Divination for baptism

Girls who want to know the future often wonder. The easiest way to divine baptism is to make a dream. What has dreamed, then you can expect in the future.

Another interesting option for fortune telling. For him, you need to prepare 6 cups. Each container needs to be filled. Water should be poured into the first glass, a coin should be put in the second, a ring should be placed in the third, sugar should be added to the fourth, salt is in the fifth, and a match is in the sixth.

Then fortune-tellers with closed eyes should choose one of the glasses, and explain the future:

• water portends a calm, measured life;
• coin - to well-being;
• ring - for an imminent wedding;
• sugar - to success;
• salt - to failures, losses;
• a match foreshadows the birth of a child.

There is one more fortune-telling, with its help you can find out whether a cherished wish will come true or not. To do this, you need to scatter a handful of seeds on the table, and then count them. If there is an even number of seeds, everything will come true, if there is an odd number, then the wish will not come true.

The Baptism of the Lord is a favorite holiday of the Orthodox, its history is rich and very interesting. The event is celebrated annually on January 19. On this day, all believers remember the baptism of Jesus, and the most courageous swim in the ice hole.

Summarize

1. The Baptism of the Lord has 3 names, in another way it is called the Epiphany. On this day, God came down to Earth and told people that Jesus is his son.
2. The holiday begins to be celebrated on January 18, this day is called Christmas Eve. Believers prefer lean food; millet porridge with raisins and honey should be on the table.
3. On a holiday, water has healing powers. Even one drop is enough to illuminate the house. Therefore, believers collect water in bottles and sprinkle the entire apartment with it.