Do's and don'ts on Epiphany Christmas Eve

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

Epiphany Christmas Eve is the time when our compatriots begin to prepare for the holidays. Many prohibitions are associated with this period, and therefore many are interested in what can and cannot be done on a given day. There is a separate list that provides for prohibited areas of activity. Let's take a closer look at it.

What is allowed and what is forbidden to do on Epiphany Christmas Eve

Shortly before Epiphany, people tried to spend as much time as possible surrounded by loved ones. During this period, people were preparing for the celebration. The hostesses were engaged in the preparation of lean food, which was supposed to decorate the festive table.

It is important to know what you can and cannot do on Epiphany Christmas Eve. Compliance with the recommendations on this day will avoid adverse consequences for believers.

The traditions of this holiday are as follows:

• Shortly before the celebration, they cook syrup. This is the name of a special dish, which contains sweet ingredients and cereals. This dish must necessarily be present on the table.
• Fasting is mandatory on the eve of Epiphany. How strict he can be, believers have the right to choose independently, focusing on their health. But it is important to understand that vegetable oil should be excluded from the daily menu and lean dishes should be preferred. Some citizens even refuse to eat and drink on Christmas Eve.
• For those who are interested in what can and cannot be done on this day, you need to know that after the first star appears in the sky on Epiphany Christmas Eve, you need to go outside and turn to the Almighty for help in fulfilling your most cherished desire.
• It is also important to collect blessed water. It contains healing energy. People spray the walls in their homes with healing water, thanks to which the whole house is cleansed of negative energy. You can also use it for washing and drink it neat. You can add water to any other liquid, due to which it will become in its properties, like a holy one.
• It is necessary to attend church on this day, to pray for yourself and your family members.

There is also a list of prohibitions on Epiphany Christmas Eve. It is imperative to learn them if it matters to you what you can and cannot do on this day:

1. You can not get drunk, take part in noisy parties and parties. On the contrary, this period should be spent as much time as possible in solitude, talking with God and showing modesty in everything.
2. Any quarrels and scandals are prohibited. It is necessary to restrain oneself in every possible way, and not only externally, but also internally.
3. Studying what the Epiphany Eve is, what you can and cannot do on this day, you should remember that gluttony is a great sin. Accordingly, overeating should not be allowed during the evening meal. Only lean dishes should be present on the table, and therefore fish and meat are prohibited.

Another important rule concerns garbage. On Christmas Eve, you cannot sweep it out of corners and throw it away. According to an ancient belief, the souls of the deceased, who after the holiday return to their home in heaven, gathered in the corners of the dwelling. That is why you should never touch them.

Can I work on Christmas Eve?

The clergy insist that on Christmas Eve any physical labor that is not considered compulsory must be abandoned. For example, this is construction, work in the garden and in the garden. This is the day when you need to devote all your strength and attention to preparing for the holiday. Rest and prayers are another imperative.

Is washing allowed?

The clergy say that it is not forbidden to do laundry on Christmas Eve. This is also allowed on any other Orthodox holiday. But there is an important addition here. The point is that the wash should be finished before lunchtime. Better yet, if you postpone it for some other date.

Please note that water is an important part of Baptism. That is why laundry cannot be carried out 2 days after the holiday.

Is the house cleaned?

You can do the cleaning, but you have to finish it before lunch. On the eve of the great holiday, it is not recommended to be distracted by any worldly affairs. The only thing that should keep you occupied on this day is the preparation of festive dishes, which will be served to all family members in the evening.

For this reason, if cleaning is required, try to do it in advance. If a lot of dust or dirty dishes has not accumulated at home, you can safely postpone household chores for another day.

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Bath visit

In modern conditions, the bath can be considered more as an element of entertainment. In older times, the bathhouse was a place that people visited solely to maintain personal hygiene. If you have the same goal, then washing in a bath is imperative, since the body must be cleansed of dirt. In ancient times, the Slavs specially melted snow, as it was believed that it has great power on this day. Then they washed in the bath with water obtained from the melted snow.

It was believed that this helps women maintain their beauty and youth.

Is fortune telling allowed?

The priests have a negative attitude towards fortune-telling on this day, and this opinion extends to any other days. The Church is of the opinion that divination is a pagan tradition. In addition, fortune-telling can be attributed to magic.

Fortune-telling can be regarded as a tool for contact with demons. But many people ignore this rule.

It is known that there are many different rituals that allow you to approximately know when a wish will come true, whether you will be able to get what you want in the future, meet love, improve your financial situation, and so on.

If you want to get truthful answers to your questions, take fortune-telling seriously and do not deviate from the rules for conducting them. Also, for those who nevertheless decided to carry out the ceremony, you should know that they must be done alone, and the information received must be kept secret.

Summarize

1. Epiphany Christmas Eve suggests a list of prohibitions that must be observed by all believers.
2. Orthodox Christians should observe restraint in everything, and also eat only lean food.
3. All efforts on this day and on the eve of the holiday should be aimed at solitude, prayer, and finding the right path in life.