What is Epiphany Christmas Eve information. Epiphany Christmas Eve: traditions, rituals, conspiracies and divination
Icon of the Epiphany of the Lord - Baptism of the 19th century in the Yelokhov Epiphany Church.
On January 18, on the eve of the Epiphany, we celebrate Epiphany Eve. The traditions and rituals of this holiday are rooted in antiquity.
Epiphany Christmas Eve 2016 falls on a Monday.
Christmas Eve - the meaning of the word
The name "Christmas Eve" (or Sochevnik) comes from the name of the ritual dish of this evening - sochiva or kuti, i.e. soaked wheat grains with dried fruits and honey. Another version - this is how the Slavs called a round pie made from unleavened dough.
Epiphany Eve ends Christmas time
Konstantin Makovsky. Holy divination.
The Feast of Epiphany ended Christmas time, which, according to popular belief, was a period "without a cross", because the recently born Jesus Christ had not yet been baptized.
The "terrible evenings" also ended, during which otherworldly forces were distinguished by special freedom and revelry in the world of people.
It was believed that on Epiphany Christmas Eve, the otherworldly force is especially dangerous, because. this is the last night before the upcoming water blessing. Therefore, many baptismal traditions and rites were carried out in order to cleanse ourselves of evil spirits and close the borders between the living and the dead.
Preparing for the holiday: what to do on Christmas Eve
People carefully prepared for the Feast of Epiphany and tried to clean up on Christmas Eve. The houses were put in order, the floors were washed and swept, it was believed that devils could hide in the litter.
Also all the places where she could hide devilry- corners, doors, windows, a stove, a cellar, outbuildings and gates - were fumigated with incense smoke, crosses were drawn with chalk and sprinkled with holy water.
Throughout the day on Epiphany Christmas Eve, right up to the first star, the Orthodox observed a strict fast, and also stood in the church for prayer.
On the evening of January 18, a church service was held on Christmas Eve, after which it was necessary to bless the water on the Baptism of the Lord. Thus, the solemn ritual of the great blessing of water was performed in memory of the baptism of Christ on the Jordan River. By the way, the word "I baptize" in Greek means "I immerse in water."
Kustodiev Boris Mikhailovich - Winter. Epiphany Consecration. 1921
In the Baptism of the Lord, holy water has the greatest symbolic meaning. Water is used to wash in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, cleanse a person from sins, relieve ailments. And after returning from the service, believers also performed cleansing rites at home: they gave blessed water to drink to all family members, they sprinkled housing and pets with it.
Dishes on Epiphany Christmas Eve: gala dinner
When the first star lit up in the sky, Orthodox believers sat down at the festive table with prayer. Dinner on Epiphany Christmas Eve was called "hungry kutya", because. consisted of fast food.
What do they eat on Christmas Eve? The meal of the Epiphany evening necessarily included kutya and uzvar, with which dinner began, as well as pastries, pancakes, dumplings, fish, cereals, and vegetables.
After dinner on Epiphany Christmas Eve, it was customary to put all the spoons in one bowl and cover it with bread so that the year was fruitful for bread.
Traditions, rituals and miracles of Epiphany night
According to popular belief, on the night of Epiphany, at the moment when Christ enters the water, the miracle of the opening of heaven takes place. Significant is the excitement of water in some container. And if at that moment you go outside, you can see "open skies."
Epiphany Christmas Eve was the deadline Christmas divination. The youth that night spent the last Christmas gatherings with fortune-telling, games and songs.
People also believed that on the night of Epiphany, domestic animals acquire the ability to speak human language, so on Epiphany Christmas Eve, peasants listened to cattle in order to find out their future.
Icon of the Baptism of the Lord. 15th century, Andrei Rublev's school
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Under the Palestine sky Trees along the coast Forerunner lived in the desert Because he was the Forerunner, "Repent and be baptized I baptize you with water He will baptize with the Spirit People came to John from everywhere. A little, someone's quiet steps ... “You are the Lamb of God, without sin. |
"Fulfill the righteousness of God Christ entered the stream of the river, Day is called Epiphany In Russia this time of year And on the eve of Saint's Day At Baptism in Jordan, maybe And in churches this water is consecrated. The priest baptizes with holy water, He protects from misfortune |
Ariadna Leshchinskaya, parishioner January 2003
"Theophany of the Lord" ("Baptism of the Lord"), Russia, II half of the XIX. (auction)
Once the Epiphany or Baptism of the Lord was celebrated together with Christmas, since the names of both holidays are the same in meaning. At Christmas, the Son of God descends to earth, is born as a man. In Baptism, the First and Third Persons of the Holy Trinity appear: immediately after John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, he heard the voice of God the Father: "This is My beloved Son" and saw the Holy Spirit descending on Him in the visible form of a dove. On Christmas Eve - the eve of the holiday and on its very day - a great consecration of water is performed, which, according to the ideas of believers, becomes incorruptible, that is, it does not deteriorate for a long time, even if it is kept in a sealed container. It is on January 19, according to one of the church stichera, that “the nature of all the waters is sanctified,” therefore, not only the water in the church, but all the waters acquire the original property of incorruptibility. It is believed that even tap water on this day becomes "Epiphany", the Great Agiasma - the Shrine, as it is called by the Church.
Giotto di Bondone (1267 - 1337). Epiphany
Christians began to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord in apostolic times. The testimony of St. Clement of Alexandria from the 2nd century about the night vigil performed before this holiday has been preserved. Starting from the 3rd century, Gregory the Wonderworker, the martyr Hippolytus and all the great Fathers of the Church held special conversations with the flock on the day of the holiday, in which they explained its meaning.
The baptismal site on the Jordan River is a sacred place for believing Christians and one of the must-see places visited by pilgrims. Every year it becomes a traditional center for solemn worship. Similar celebrations have been held in Jordan every year since 2000, when, after the completion of archaeological excavations and the visit of John Paul II, the Vatican recognized that it was here that Christ was baptized by John the Baptist. During the sacrament of the blessing of water, the clergy bring a wooden cross to the banks of the Jordan River, in order to then plunge it into the water three times, as if reproducing the moment of the baptism of Christ in this place by John the Baptist.
Altar of the Baptism of Christ. 1502-1508. Municipal Art Gallery. Bruges
The greatest attention in all the images of the Epiphany is attracted by the figures of the Savior and St. John the Baptist, who places his right hand on the head of Christ. In the hymnography of the holiday, as in the icons, the theme of the Lord's acceptance of Baptism from His servant is accentuated: "how the servant lays his hand on the Lord" - is sung in the troparion at the consecration of water. The posture of Christ is different. In the early monuments, His figure often appeared strictly frontally; later on, images in a slight turn and movement become the most popular, as if Christ is taking a step. This is directly related to the gospel text, which says that, having been baptized, Jesus "ascended abie (that is, immediately, immediately) from the water" (Matt. 3, 16).
Andrea del Sarto (1486-1530)
Double-sided tablet icon, late 15th-early 16th century, Novgorod Museum
Painting of the Church of the Savior on Nereditsa, 1198, Novgorod (lost)
18th century icon, Selezenikha village, Tver province
Epiphany water, traditions on the day of the Epiphany...
The Feast of Epiphany is preceded by a day called Epiphany Eve. On this day, as on Christmas Eve, a strict fast is required, which ends Christmas time - 12 holidays after the Nativity of Christ
These days - January 18 and 19 - the consecration of water is performed in churches with a special, Great rite. The consecrated Epiphany water is a shrine, or, as it is called, the Great Agiasma.
Epiphany water has special beneficial properties, imparts spiritual and bodily healing to any person who uses it with faith. There is a custom, after typing this water after a prayer service, to sprinkle it on your home. Epiphany water is reverently kept for a whole year and is treated like a great shrine.
Today, the custom of consecrating natural water sources, immersing in the Jordan (an ice hole in the form of a cross) is also being revived. It must be remembered that swimming in the Epiphany hole is not mandatory for everyone. You need to correctly assess the capabilities of your body and not take on a feat beyond your strength.
It is believed that in Epiphany night all the waters of the Earth are sanctified, and even the water in the tap is holy for a while. Of course, this does not mean that instead of attending the Epiphany prayer service, you can draw water from the water supply. But if there is no way to get holy water on this day, then you can take a bath in memory of the holiday. The Lord, according to our faith, will supply this water with the beneficial properties of the Great Agiasma.
Epiphany. Meaning and meaning...
The Lord's Baptism is an event from the Gospel, a Christian holiday. It is associated with the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The gospel tells us that when Jesus was baptized, a holy spirit descended upon him, dressed in a dove. Along with this dove, a voice was heard saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." It is on this day that it is believed that the son of God will begin to serve on our earth for the benefit of all mankind. Water is the beginning of all life on this earth. Immersion in water is considered a sacred custom, and this is how people began to be baptized.
Signs, conspiracies and rituals on January 19 on the day of the Epiphany (Theophany)
The feast of the Epiphany is preceded by Christmas Eve, the service of which is similar to the rite of Christmas (royal hours, liturgy from vespers). By the end of Vespers, the first consecration of water is timed.
This ancient rite Christian tradition closely associated with the sacrament of the Eucharist. Just as the mystery of the Incarnation continues in the liturgy, so the water of the Epiphany marks spiritualization and transfiguration. elements. The Church testifies that the whole created world will have participation in the Kingdom of God, the Rite is repeated on the very day of Theophany. Consecrated water is called in Greek agiasma, that is, a great shrine. Believers keep it with reverence throughout the year.
Water blessing was often carried out on the river (holes were made where the water froze).
According to Greek customs, the baptismal rite is performed by the sea. The priest throws the cross into the waves. The one who, diving, finds it, is considered lucky man. Surrounded by the crowd, he carries the cross through the streets of the city.
At Epiphany in churches, water is blessed, which then cures various ailments throughout the year. The snow collected for Epiphany is also considered healing. With this snow (or the melt water left from it), dizziness, numbness of the legs, and convulsions are treated.
January 18
- Eve of Theophany, Epiphany Christmas Eve. The Feast of Epiphany, like the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, is preceded by a day of strict fasting. On this day, a great consecration of water takes place. On this day, just as on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord itself, a special rite is performed in churches - the great consecration of water. The water consecrated these days is called Epiphany and has special beneficial properties: it is used for sprinkling temples and dwellings, it is prescribed to drink it to those who cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. Epiphany water should be reverently kept and treated as a great shrine.
On January 19, a great (according to the special solemnity of the ceremony) consecration of water is performed in churches. Many mistakenly believe that the water consecrated on Epiphany Eve and the water consecrated on the very day of Theophany are different, but in fact, when consecrating water, the same rite of the great blessing of water is used. Like Holy Communion, baptismal water is only taken on an empty stomach.
The main tradition of this day is the consecration of water, as well as immersion in it.
How is the dive
The believer plunges into the water with his head for a minimum time, that is, crouches and immediately emerges. And so 3 times. Before this, each person must cross himself and say "In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." From time immemorial, it has been believed that bathing in an ice hole at the Epiphany of the Lord heals diseases and improves health.
At the same time, it is necessary to enter the water at Baptism in a shirt. Thus, you will not cause sinful thoughts in other believers and not lead into temptation of those present.
The ice hole for swimming should be cut in the form of a cross, and before immersion in the water, the priest must conduct a service. Do not forget that swimming in the hole for Epiphany is not entertainment. You can not associate this rite only with the interest of diving into the hole or do it only for the company. This attitude towards the holiday is a sin. Before diving, you should say a prayer, as well as observe the traditions of this day.
Only such bathing will bring cleansing not only to the body, but also to the soul. In addition, such bathing in the hole brings health and longevity. But not everyone should rush to get into the water on January 19th. Faith in God is wonderful. But health is also important.
Epiphany rites and conspiracies
On the night of the 18th to the 19th, all water in taps and reservoirs is considered holy.
If you wash yourself with this water, the most terrible diseases will leave a person.
Washing yourself with water at night, it should be said
“Voditsa from the street, a likhovka from me
Do not leave shoes outside the threshold on Epiphany night, otherwise you will get sick.
If there are problems in the house, draw water at night, leave it open at the threshold, and in the morning wipe the shoes of each family member with this water. Then pour water into the latrine with the words:
« Evil spirit underground, kind to the earth"
Conspiracy for Epiphany, on Epiphany night for the whole year.
It is done on the night of Epiphany, or Epiphany (from January 18 to 19). Exactly at 12 o'clock at night, you need to collect a can of water on the river, in a well or in an ordinary tap. The can must be made of unpainted metal (aluminum or steel).
On the edge of the can, you need to strengthen a wooden cross made of coniferous wood - spruce, pine, cypress or juniper. The cross can be made independently by cutting with a knife or by bandaging two branches crosswise. Also, along the edges of the can, three church candles need to be strengthened. Throw three coins of different denominations and, preferably, different metals into the water. In the old days they threw copper, silver and gold. It is difficult for a modern person to get them, especially gold. If you cannot find three coins of different metals, you can take coins of two metals (but not one). Read the plot twelve times over this water:
I get up at night, I take holy water. Holy water, holy night, sanctify your soul and body, come on, angels, overshadow with quiet wings, bring the peace of God, bring God to my house. I welcome God, I seat God at the table, I pray to the Most Holy Theotokos and John the Baptist: the Baptist of Christ, an honest Forerunner, an extreme prophet, the first martyr, mentor of fasters and hermits, purity teacher and close friend of Christ! I pray, and resorting to you, do not reject me from your intercession, do not leave me fallen by many sins; renew my soul with repentance, like a second baptism; purify me, the sins of the defiled, and compel me to enter, even though it enters badly, into the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
After that, a prayer to the Epiphany of the Lord is read over the water and coins.
“Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-Begotten Son of God, born from the Father before all ages, Light from the Light, enlighten every one, in the last years from the Blessed Virgin Mary, incorruptible incarnate and come to this world for our salvation! You didn’t suffer if you saw from the devil the tormented human race, and for this reason, on the bright day of Your Theophany, you came to the Jordan as a sinner and a publican to be baptized from John, sinless, yes, fulfill all righteousness and take the sins of the whole world in the waters of the Jordan, like the Lamb God, in a hedgehog I bear on Myself and redeem with the Baptism of the Cross, Your pure Blood. For this sake, I will plunge into You in the waters, opening the heavens to You by Adam, and the Holy Spirit descending on You in the form of a dove, bring enlightenment and deification to our nature, and Your Most Divine Father proclaim His good will to You with a heavenly voice, for You have done His will and man has taken sins and you have already prepared for the slaughter, as if you yourself said: “For this sake, the Father loves me, as if I believe my soul, but I will receive it again,” and so on this all-bright day, You, Lord, laid the foundation for our redemption from the fall ancestral. For this sake, all the powers of heaven rejoice and all creation rejoices, expecting its liberation from the work of corruption, saying: Enlightenment has come, grace has appeared, deliverance has arrived, the world is enlightened and people are filled with joy. Let heaven and earth rejoice now, and let the whole world play; let the rivers splash; springs and lakes, abysses and seas, rejoice, as if by Divine Baptism their nature was sanctified today. Let the council of men rejoice today, as if their nature is now packed to the first nobility, and let everyone sing with joy: Theophany is the time. Come mentally to the Jordan, we will see a great vision in it: Christ is coming for baptism. Christ comes to the Jordan. Christ buries our sins in the water. Christ the sheep of the kidnapped and erring comes to seek and find it, and introduces it into paradise.
We celebrate the remembrance of this Divine sacrament, fervently pray to You, Humane Lord: vouchsafe us who are thirsty, according to Your voice, to come to You, the Source of life-giving water, that we draw the water of Your grace and the remission of our sins, and that we reject impiety and worldly lusts; we will live chastely and virginally, and righteously and piously in the present age, waiting for the blessed hope and the manifestation of Your glory, the Great God and our Savior, but not from our deeds save us, but according to Your mercy and according to the renewal of Your Holy Spirit by the bath of resurrection, It is plentiful thou hast poured out, that, having been justified by His grace, we will be the heirs of eternal life in Your Kingdom, where with all the saints, grant us to glorify Your all-holy Name with Your Father without beginning and with Your Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit now and ever and forever and ever. Amen"
On the eve of Epiphany, you cannot eat until the blessing of water.
On the eve of Epiphany, the hostess should draw crosses over the doors and windows with chalk or a pencil in order to protect her house from Satan
Whoever dreams of not aging for a long time should bring a basin of pure snow into the house, melt it, wash himself with this water with the words:
Water from the sky will fix everything.
And I (name) will add beauty to my white face.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
On the eve of Epiphany (January 18), all household members should count money with the words:
The Lord God will appear to the world
And the money will show up in my wallet.
Key, lock, tongue.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Many baptismal observations have developed into sayings:
. If the stars are very shining on Epiphany night, the bread will be good.
Blue clouds at noon - for the harvest.
. If dogs bark a lot at Epiphany, there will be a lot of animals and game.
. If someone is baptized on this day, be happy for him all his life.
. To agree on Baptism, on a wedding - a good sign, to a happy family.
. There is a custom to ask the name of passers-by: what is the name of the first person you meet, that will be the name of the bride or groom.
. On a clear moonlit Epiphany evening, the girls went to the doors of the locked church and listened to the silence: if a choir or a bell is heard, then there will be a wedding.
Epiphany divination
On the evening before Epiphany, various desires should be written on twelve pieces of paper. Put them under the pillow In the morning, wake up at random, pull out three pieces of paper. They will tell you what wishes will come true this year.
Fortune telling on bulbs will tell you what the weather will be like next month. You need to take an onion, cut it into twelve slices, put it in a row on any board, ruler or cardboard (each slice will mean a month of the year). Sprinkle the slices with salt. If drops appear on the surface, then the month will be rainy, if the bulb is dry, the weather will also be dry.
The most common divination for Baptism is divination for a betrothed. The easiest way to get an answer to the question: "Will I get married this year?" - this is to go out into the street on Epiphany night, go to any fence and wrap your arms around it as much as possible. After that, count the number of boards in your hands: even - this year there will be a wedding, odd - there will not be.
What to cook for baptism
The eve of Epiphany is also called Hungry or Poor (second) kutya. This name can be explained in different ways: on this day, before the first star, a very strict fast was observed, and after the first star, they sat down at the table and ate Lenten dishes. It is also believed that various dark forces want to enter the house on this night, so let the evil spirits remain hungry! On Epiphany Christmas Eve, there should be traditional ones on the table: broth, kutya (lean, seasoned with vegetable, most often hemp, oil, poppy seeds, nuts and honey) and, of course, consecrated water, with which the meal begins.
Epiphany kutya
Each family probably has its own recipe for kutya, which is passed down from generation to generation. But you can very well bring something new to family traditions: believe me, if there is a sweet tooth in the house, they will appreciate it.
Wheat (2 cups), rinse and pour cold water, leave for an hour. Drain the rest of the water, add boiling water and cook for an hour over low heat. Put washed raisins, honey, chopped nuts, dried apricots into the porridge to taste. You can pour it with grape or cherry juice, to which you can add 1-2 tablespoons of red wine. The sweetness of kutya can be given not only with honey, but also with grated chocolate or fresh halva [50 g each]. It turns out divinely delicious!
According to an ancient tradition, kutya is eaten from a common bowl, then spoons are put in a common bowl, and a loaf of bread is placed on top, “so that bread gives birth.” Now you can proceed to the rest of the meal: cookies in the form of crosses, lean pies and donuts, oatmeal and wheat pancakes, dumplings, cabbage rolls, cabbage rolls, fish dishes and lean borscht with beans.
What is Epiphany Christmas Eve
The eve of the Baptism of the Lord (Epiphany Christmas Eve) is the last day before the great feast of the Theophany, or, as it is called, the Baptism of the Lord. This holiday, like the preceding Christmas, is one of the Twelve in its significance.
It was founded in remembrance of the baptism in the Jordan River of our Lord Jesus Christ by the Baptist John, called the Forerunner.
The Feast of Baptism is also called the Feast of the Epiphany, since on this day God revealed Himself clearly to the world in three persons of His Divinity: God the Son - Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove, God the Father testified Jesus Christ with a voice from heaven .
The meaning of the name of the holiday
Let's try to answer the question, why, in fact, did the Son of God receive baptism from a man? Why did the Holy Spirit come upon Him after His baptism? And what do the words of the Savior mean: “We must fulfill all righteousness”?
When translating into Russian the Greek word for the coming holiday, there was some inaccuracy. In the Church Slavonic vowel, it was designated by the word "baptism", although it should have been more accurately called "immersion". This would reflect the meaning of the holiday much more correctly, for the Baptism of John had, first of all, the meaning of a spiritually cleansing action, that is, it was a cleansing bath, while we perceive baptism primarily as a voluntary taking on the cross.
Holy Scripture testifies: when Jesus Christ came to be baptized, John at first began to hold Him back, saying: “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
To these words the Savior replied: “Let it go now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:14,15). Let's try to figure out what, in fact, the truth He spoke about and how these words of Scripture should be understood.
Epiphany
What truth did Christ come to fulfill?
The traditional interpretation in Protestant (and not only) churches is this: Jesus gave us all an example that we need to receive baptism, that it is true. However, remember that before Him people were baptized in the Jordan for the remission of sins, which they confessed with the firm intention not to commit any more, and the Son of God was sinless, and He did not need to confess. Therefore, He was baptized to take away all the sins of the world, as John the Baptist testified: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29).
In other words, Christ came into this world according to the law Old Testament as the sacrificial, immaculate Lamb of God. Came to fulfill the Law. “Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).
What were the Old Testament sacrifices?
In the book of Leviticus, starting from the 1st chapter, the order of sacrifices established by God is described in detail, without which the sacrifice had no effect. First of all, a priest was needed for the sacrifice, for according to the law, only priests who came from the line of Aaron had the authority to perform sacrifices.
In addition, an innocent animal was to be sacrificed, on which the sins of the person who offered this sacrifice were laid. This happened through the laying on of hands by the priest on the head of the sacrificial animal and its subsequent sacrifice. "For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (Heb. 9:22)
Once a year, according to the Law, the High Priest sacrificed two goats for the sins of the whole people. The high priest took two goats (Leviticus 16), one he offered as a burnt offering for sin, and the other, having previously laid his hands on him and thus confessing all the sins of the people, let go into a deserted place where he died. Thus the priest cleansed once a year all the people from all sins.
The Old Testament sacrifices, which still could not completely cleanse the conscience of people, were a kind of symbol, a prototype of that true future sacrifice that Christ performed. Those sacrifices and they constantly had to make the same sacrifices over and over again. “The law, having a shadow of future good things, and not the very image of things, by the same sacrifices continually offered every year, can never make perfect those who come with them” (Heb. 10:1). “But he, having offered one sacrifice for sins, sat down forever at the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:12).
In the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, all the conditions of the Law were fulfilled
His sacrifice covered all the flaws of the Old Testament, because of which people living under the Law could never be freed from guilt. She gave them permission from all sins, as the Apostle clearly testifies.
“Therefore, God, desiring to show the heirs of the promise the immutability of His will in the first place, used an oath as an intermediary, so that in two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have firm consolation, who have come running to take hold of the hope that is set before us, which is, as it were, a safe anchor for the soul. and mighty, and enters into the innermost veil, where Jesus entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Heb. 6:17-20).
Strict post
As noted above, the word "eve" means the eve of a church celebration, and the second name - Christmas Eve (or nomadic) is associated with the tradition of cooking sochivo on this day - a wheat broth with honey and raisins. In view of the importance of the event that took place on the coming day in the life of Jesus Christ, the Church established a fast.
On this day, as on Christmas Eve, they do not eat food until the candle is taken out after the Liturgy in the morning and the first communion of Epiphany water.
Great blessing of water
The All-Night Vigil of the Feast of Epiphany consists of Great Compline, Litiya, Matins, and the First Hour. On the day of the holiday and on the day of Epiphany Christmas Eve, the Great Blessing of Water is performed.
On the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, water in churches is consecrated according to a special order - the great Jordanian consecration and is called Epiphany. Epiphany water is eaten on an empty stomach, a spoonful, a little bit at a time. A man got up, crossed himself, asked for blessings from the Lord for the day that had begun, washed himself, prayed and accepted the great agiasma (“agiasma”, Greek - “shrine”). If the medicine is prescribed on an empty stomach, then first they take holy water, and only then the medicine. Ascetics of Christian piety call blessed water the best cure for all spiritual and bodily ailments, so experienced confessors advise their sick children to drink baptismal water, wash themselves with it, and sprinkle their bed and home.
Holy water does not deteriorate, so it is not necessary to put it in the refrigerator, but it should be stored in the Red Corner, next to the icons. People say that a drop of a shrine sanctifies the sea, so you can add a small amount of baptismal water to the unsanctified one.
There is a pious tradition to sprinkle one's dwelling with Epiphany water on this day while singing the troparion of the Epiphany. Often a priest is called for this.
It is celebrated on January 18 by the entire Orthodox (and not only!) world. The Eve of the Baptism of the Lord is also called differently. It is one of the most revered by the church and the people of the twelfth holidays. Believers need to know about them. And we call them.
Twelfth holidays
There are exactly twelve of them after the Feast of the Feasts of Easter or the Bright Resurrection of Christ. The first is the Nativity of the Virgin - 8 (September 21). Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord -14 (September 27). Introduction to the temple Holy Mother of God- November 21 (December 4). Christmas - December 25 (January 7). Baptism of the Lord - 6 (January 19). The Presentation of the Lord - 2 (February 15). Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin - March 25 (April 7). The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem is the Sunday before Easter, a passing celebration. Ascension of the Lord - the 40th day after Easter, is always celebrated on Thursday. Holy Trinity Day - the 50th after Easter, is always celebrated on Sunday, a passing celebration. Transfiguration of the Lord - 6 (August 19). Assumption of the Virgin - 15 (August 28). We emphasize once again - of the twelve holidays mentioned, the main one is Easter - the Bright Resurrection of Christ.
Vespers before Epiphany
It so happened in Orthodoxy that Epiphany Christmas Eve is most closely connected with another most important twelfth holiday - the Theophany of the Lord or widely spread under a different name - the Baptism of the Lord, which falls on January 6 (January 19). Figuratively speaking, the first flows into the second. And Epiphany Christmas Eve is the evening of preparation before the Bright Day of the Theophany of the Lord, that is, before Baptism, which Jesus Christ received in the Jordan River, and John the Baptist performed the sacrament of the Baptism of the Savior.
John the Baptist
Another name is John the Baptist. Known, in particular, from the mention of him by the Gnostic Heraclion (Herakleon - philosopher), whose excerpts from the interpretations of the Gospels of Luke and John, dating from the second century, have survived to this day. According to the Gospels, John is the closest predecessor of Jesus Christ. And it was he who foretold the coming of the Messiah. He led an ascetic life and lived in the desert. performed ablutions of the Jews, dipping them in water for cleansing from sins and repentance. Somewhat later, washing began to be called the sacrament of Baptism. John the Baptist dipped Jesus Christ into the sacred waters of the Jordan River, in other words, baptized him. The fate of John the Baptist was sad: by the will of the queen of the Jews Herodias and her daughter Solomea, he was beheaded. According to his status, he is a historical personality. His name is mentioned in almost all the manuscripts of the Antiquities of the Jews by Josephus, who called him the Baptist, the Forerunner of the Savior.
Baptism is translated from Greek as immersion in water, dipping, cleansing washing from sins and violations of moral standards. For Christians, it's like taking on the Cross. The baptism of the Jews by John the Baptist had the meaning of a spiritually cleansed action. When the Savior passed the sacrament of Baptism, John began to hold him back with the words: "I need to be baptized by You!" As we said above, the Baptism of the Lord is also called the feast of the Epiphany: God revealed himself to the world in three persons - His Divinity (God the Son Jesus Christ received Baptism in the Jordan River), and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. God the Father witnessed Jesus Christ with a voice from heaven.
As for the word "Forever", it literally means the eve of a church celebration, and its second name is Christmas Eve (Novel) and is associated with the tradition of cooking sochivo - wheat broth with honey and raisins. In view of the importance of the celebrated event, the church established a strict fast for this day. As well as on Christmas Eve, they do not eat food until the candle is taken out after the Liturgy in the morning and the first communion of Epiphany water.
Sochi recipe
He is widely known among the Orthodox and is simple. A glass of wheat grain. As many vegetable oil, as many walnuts, 50 grams of poppy seeds, the same amount of pitted raisins (raisins), two or three tablespoons of honey, sugar. At the same time, the peeled wheat grains are carefully washed, boiled until fully cooked, cooled, honey and sugar are added. Poppy is poured with boiling water for 10 minutes. Then the water is drained. Steamed poppy is crushed in a mortar until soft. Raisins are also poured with boiling water, it is allowed to swell, the water is drained. The ingredients are mixed. The peeled walnuts are lightly toasted and added to the sochivo, everything is thoroughly mixed again and served to the table. Delicious and nutritious!
Great blessing of water
With it in mind, it should be said that the Holy Church sanctifies with the word of God, prayers, and sacred rites not only the person himself, but also everything that he uses - water, air, the earth itself, objects, things, overshadowing them with the blessing of Heaven - for communication through them grace and blessing to man. Along with the great there is a small blessing of water. It is held at the beginning of every month. And believers, coming to temples, collect holy water from special containers. The great consecration of water takes place exclusively on the eve, on the very day of the feast of the Epiphany. That is, on the day of Epiphany Christmas Eve. At the same time, the water in the temples is consecrated according to a special order - the Great Jordanian Illumination and is called baptismal. The consecrated water is tasted on an empty stomach and in a spoon, a little bit. A man got up in the morning, crossed himself, asked for blessings from the Lord, prayed and accepted the great agiasma - from the Greek "shrine". Holy water, by its miraculous effect, is the best medicine from all diseases on earth. She can wash the sick, and sprinkle the bed. But women are not blessed to take baptized water on critical days. However, it is quite possible if she is basically healthy. If she is sick, let the Epiphany water be to her aid! It is believed that consecrated water does not deteriorate. Therefore, there is no need to put it, for example, in the refrigerator. True Orthodox keep it in the Red Corner, next to the icons. It is well known that a drop of holy water sanctifies both the whole sea and any terrestrial body of water. But on the day of the Great Blessing of Water, in no case should one quarrel, swear, commit unseemly acts, allow impious thoughts. From this, the water loses its holiness or most often spills. The Church recommends that you sprinkle your dwelling with holy water while singing the troparion of the Epiphany. Saves from troubles, from evil spirits! And you need to know that from January 19, after zero hours fifteen minutes, a water pipe, a lake, a river, a spring, even ordinary bottled water can serve as sources of holy water. Medicinal properties holy water backed by science.
Prayer when taking holy water
It is pronounced like this: "Lord my God, may Your holy gift and your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and weaknesses by Thy boundless mercy through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints! Amen!"
Epiphany Christmas Eve is closely intertwined with pagan and Orthodox rites
Hence the different signs and beliefs. In the old days, for example, they put a bowl of water on the table to see the Baptism of the Lord. At the same time, they used to say: "The water will stir itself!", And this will be a good sign. If at midnight the water really swayed, they ran to look at the open Heaven in order to pray to the open Heaven, and then all desires would come true. In the villages on the Epiphany of the Lord, old women and girls collected snow from haystacks. He made white canvas. Bleached the skin of the girls from which they became even more beautiful. Snow, like holy water, in the Baptism of the Lord has healing properties. And even in deep wells in a drought, it retains water throughout the year. And let us remind you once again - on Epiphany Christmas Eve, the Orthodox must observe a strict fast, they are allowed to eat only lean porridge, vegetable pancakes or juicy. Honey pancakes are not forbidden, juicy with eggs.
To Jordan with a prayer!
Accepting Jordan is a very significant concept. In order to remove spiritual and spiritual sins, it is not at all necessary to go to the place of the Baptism of the Savior. By the way, the Jordan River has been mentioned in chronicles since the thirteenth century BC. It runs in the Middle East. It is 252 kilometers long. It flows into the Dead Sea. The place of baptism of Jesus Christ is called Yardenit (Heb.) - from the diminutive word Jordan. And it is located at the exit of the river from Lake Tiberias. For more than two thousand years, people from all over the world have been flocking here not only to see the biblical place of the Savior's baptism, but also to plunge into the Jordan themselves, be baptized and be freed from their sins. It is supposed to dip seven times, with the head and with prayers. By the way, in the place of Christ's baptism, the water always remains clean. It even contains catfish and muskrats that cannot stand pollution.
As for the optionality of long-distance travel, one can say this - not everyone has the material opportunity to visit the legendary place. Yes, and by age, some good Orthodox long-distance paths are not quite suitable. Therefore, you can take Jordan in every body of water directly in the places where you live. Whether the sea, lake, river - the essence is not important. At midnight, when the water becomes holy, you can even plunge into the hole. Christians give it the shape of a cross. There are priests, doctors, and people from young to old. The Jordan is dipped seven times. In Russia, you can three, but each time, overshadowing yourself with a cross, and with a prayer. Surprisingly, even with a strong cold when taking Jordan, everyone remains healthy and unharmed. Even small children. And the collected holy water stands for itself in the Red Corner, and does not deteriorate! Happy Epiphany Eve!
Among the Orthodox, the feast of the Epiphany is one of the most important religious events of the year, and with it the eve of this day - Epiphany Eve. By church calendar the holiday is called - the Eve of the Epiphany ("eve" - the evening before the great church phenomenon) and it is always celebrated on January 18th. Sochivo (better known as kutia), traditional on this day, is made from wheat with the addition of fragrant honey, poppy seeds, raisins and dried apricots, which gave the name to the holiday - Christmas Eve.
The Feast of the Epiphany is one of the twelve and is dedicated to a significant biblical event - the baptism of Jesus Christ. For the purpose of great spiritual cleansing, the preacher John the Baptist baptized everyone on the banks of the Jordan River. Thirty-year-old Jesus Christ asked to be baptized also. At first, John refused to perform the ceremony, fearing that he was not worthy of such an honor. But, Christ insisted, the Law of God must be fulfilled before the eyes of people. At the end of baptism, a miracle happened, the Lord appeared to the world in three persons: the Son, the Spirit of God (in the form of a dove) and the voice of God the Father, who blessed the son.
In the church, on this day, they read fragments from the books of Holy Scripture, conduct the liturgy of Basil of Caesarea. A very large service, entirely devoted to the Theophany and the Baptism of the Lord. Liturgy begins with Vespers, a service of this magnitude is held only 4 times a year.
On Christmas Eve, it is obligatory to observe the fast established by the church. During the day, it is not allowed to eat food, you can only drink water. After the morning church service, the housewives clean the house and prepare dinner. All dishes must be lean, the consumption of meat or milk is prohibited.
Kutia is the main dish of Epiphany Christmas Eve, as a drink, they prepare a broth - a compote of dried fruits with honey. The number of dishes on the table must be odd. Often they put dumplings with mushrooms on the table, sauerkraut, baked potatoes without butter.
In the evening, a liturgy is held, it must be fully defended, the mind must be rid of evil impious thoughts and completely cleanse the soul, let the sacred holiday into your heart. At the end of the service of God, the great Jordanian consecration of water takes place, in memory of the gospel event, as a symbol of the washing away of sins.
The great consecration of water is performed only twice a year - on Epiphany Christmas Eve and the next day, on the feast of the Epiphany on January 19 - the amazing healing power of water manifests itself precisely on these days.
The water consecrated on Epiphany Eve is called Agiasma (from the Greek word - shrine) or Epiphany, and therefore they treat it in a special way with trepidation. keep her better near with icons, in a specially designated place. Epiphany water does not deteriorate and can retain its healing properties long years. And just one drop of it is able to consecrate a whole container of plain water.
In the evening on Christmas Eve, returning home from church, the owner of the house sprinkles the dwelling with sacred water. All households take a spoonful, and only after that, you can proceed to the evening meal.
It is believed that baptismal water is capable of curing many ailments. You can take it all year round on an empty stomach, with words of prayer and sincere faith. Even if medicines are prescribed by a doctor, they first take the blessed water, and then the medicine. In no case should one have impure thoughts when drinking water. Otherwise, all its wonderful properties will be lost.
Epiphany Christmas Eve 2018: fortune-telling, signs, customs
On Christmas Eve, the atmosphere of mystery and magic reigns. There is a belief that even pets acquire the ability to speak and can, prompt the owner, solve important problems. It is worth learning in advance about the traditions of the holiday that have developed over the centuries in order to celebrate Epiphany Christmas Eve in 2018 in accordance with all the rules and call good luck to your home.
Even the water collected on this day from lakes, reservoirs or rivers, although not considered sacred, still does not deteriorate and stays at home for a long time. And with snow, girls wash their faces to whiten their faces, make their skin glow and become more beautiful. Housewives use snow to bleach bedding to a snow-white state. If you throw snow into a well, then for a whole year, the water in it will definitely not disappear. Anyone who dares - waiting for a swim in the ice hole. It is believed that by plunging into the hole, a person will be rejuvenated and cleansed, both spiritually and physically. And all even the most terrible ailments will recede. It is necessary to dive at least three times, completely with your head, reading the prayer "Our Father". Most auspicious time for swimming in the hole - the evening or night of Christmas Eve, when the first star lights up in the sky and the Epiphany of the Lord in 2018.
To prevent evil spirits from entering the house, all rooms are fumigated with incense and crosses are drawn with chalk in all corners and on the windows, then sprinkled with baptismal water. During dinner, they put a bowl of water on the table and carefully watch it all evening. As soon as she sways, around midnight, they run out into the street and ask heaven to fulfill their cherished desire. It is believed that it is at this time that the heavens open and the most amazing things happen.
There is a huge amount folk signs on Christmas Eve, and as the old-timers say, they always come true:
- Severe frost and a lot of frost on the trees - by the harvest year.
- If there is little snow, then there will be almost no berries in the summer.
- A starry, clear sky means the fertility of livestock and dry, hot summers.
- A cloudy sky, without stars, promises a large number of mushrooms.
- Blizzard and strong wind- Summer will be rainy and not much heat is expected.
- For hunters, barking dogs mean a lot of prey on the hunt.
- Fog will fall on the water - bread will be in abundance.
- If a person was baptized on this day, happiness will accompany him all his life.
- On Christmas Eve prophetic dreams.
- You can not remember the dead on a holiday.
- Shed tears - call trouble and frustration for the whole next year.
The people believe that divination for baptism is the most powerful. After all, it is on this day that the forces of heaven turn to a person directly, talk about his fate and give advice to turn life for the better. They tell fortunes in different ways and in all sorts of ways: for love, happy marriage, they ask the higher powers to give answers to everyday everyday questions.
Fortune telling in the snow
It is necessary, on the night of January 18, to take off all the chains and rings, loosen your hair and go outside. Without crossing your arms and legs, lie down in a large snowdrift and look at the sky. After 5 minutes, get up and go home without looking back. And in the morning, you can already return to the snowdrift, see what kind of track you have.
- Not a clear smeared trace - a jealous husband.
- The result is a perfectly contoured silhouette - life with a loving and caring spouse.
- A very deep trace indicates that there will be several husbands.
- If in the snow, it is generally impossible to distinguish any traces, then in the near future there will be no marriage.
Divination by the window
At night, sitting by the window, you need to call your betrothed and carefully look at the road. If the first car passes at high speed, also with loud music, then marriage promises to be cheerful and carefree. A slow passing car - to a modest, not rich life.
Divination by shadow
A crumpled sheet of paper is placed on a saucer and set on fire. On the one who received the ashes, candles shine, so that a shadow appears on the wall. She is carefully examined, trying to make out what her outlines look like and what fate will present in the near future.
Divination with a walnut shell
Leaves with desires are attached to the basin with water, on the sides. A small piece of a candle, an impromptu "boat", is placed in a half of a walnut shell, placed in the middle of a container of water. And they watch where he swims and what piece of paper he sets on fire, then the wish will come true.
Divination with a mirror
In the evening before midnight, you need to take a small mirror and write your cherished desire on it with your finger. Put it under the bed and cover with spruce branches. If in the morning the inscription disappears, then everything planned will come true.
The main thing is to spend the holiday in a world of peace and quiet. Open to meet pure good thoughts and be sure, the year will bring only joy and prosperity.