Orthodox Christians prepare for Epiphany

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Orthodox believers are preparing for an important holiday - tomorrow, according to the church calendar, the Baptism of the Lord. On this day, the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist the Baptist in the Jordan River is remembered.

On the feast of Epiphany (Epiphany), celebrated on January 19, believers remember how, at the age of 30, Jesus Christ from Galilee came to the Jordan River to receive baptism with water from John the Baptist. Church tradition says that when Jesus came out of the waters of the Jordan, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove. “And a voice came from heaven: You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” says the Gospel of Mark.

Thus, the Holy Trinity was revealed to the world: God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, who descended on Christ in the form of a dove, and God the Father, testifying of Christ from heaven. Therefore, the feast of Epiphany is also called the Epiphany.

Doctors remind that to undress before swimming in the ice hole should be gradually: first take off your outerwear, after a few minutes your shoes, and only then everything else. In this case, you must walk in shoes to the very hole. According to the rules, it is enough to dive into the font three times with your head. At each immersion, you need to cross yourself and pray at this moment for yourself and your loved ones. After bathing, you must first rub yourself with a towel, then get dressed and drink hot tea.

Every year on Epiphany and on the eve of the holiday (Epiphany Christmas Eve), the Great Blessing of Water is performed in Orthodox churches. On Epiphany, after the service, the clergy of many churches consecrate nearby springs - lakes, rivers, ponds, since Christians believe that Epiphany water brings spiritual and physical health.

The tradition of bathing for Epiphany (it is believed that this bathing helps to heal from various ailments) exists in all Christian countries. This year in Moscow, swimming will be organized in specially designated reservoirs, located not far from temples or monasteries. In particular, in the center of the capital, a special font will be installed on Revolution Square.