On January 19, Orthodox churches celebrate the Great Feast of the Epiphany, which is often called Baptism by the people.
1. This is one of the three most significant holidays for Christians, along with the Resurrection of Christ and the Day of the Holy Trinity.
2. The first mention of him can be found in the III century by the Christian theologian Clement of Alexandria in his "Stromates", where he writes about the Gnostics, followers of the sect of Basilides, and their understanding of the Epiphany. In their opinion, it was at the moment of Baptism that Jesus became the Son of God.
3. Later the interpretation changed, and for a long time Epiphany was closely associated with Christmas. In particular, John Chrysostom objected to this, who wrote that the Phenomenon should be considered not the day when the Savior was born, but the day when he was baptized.
4. Another name for the holiday is Baptism. 30-year-old Christ was baptized in Jordan by John the Baptist. Then Christ offered up a prayer, during which the Holy Trinity first appeared to the people. They heard the voice of God the Father pointing to the Son of God Jesus, over whom a dove soared - the Holy Spirit.
5. There is another name - Enlightenment or the Festival of Lights, because Christ came into the world to illuminate those who were in darkness with light.
6. Because of the mentioned connection between Epiphany and Christmas, their celebrations are very similar.
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7. January 18 - Epiphany Christmas Eve (similar to Christmas Eve). A strict fast is prescribed on this day.
8. The fasting people made sure to prepare sochovo - a wheat drink with raisins and honey. Hence the name of Epiphany Eve - Christmas Eve, Oat, Generous or Rich evening.
9. According to an old tradition, believers put a bowl filled with water on the table, which allowed everyone to witness the miracle of Baptism. The ripples on the surface meant that the Sacrament had happened.
10. After the solemn liturgy, the Great Consecration of the water takes place. All Orthodox Christians know about this ancient tradition. Water is consecrated twice: on Christmas Eve and directly on the feast of the Epiphany itself, one order of the great consecration of water.
11. Agiasma - Epiphany water - is used by believers all year round. In particular, they drink it daily with prayer in small portions on an empty stomach. It gives strength, strengthens health, heals illnesses, "drives away demons and fends off enemy slander."
12. Epiphany water is unique. It does not deteriorate for a long time. Skeptics believe that one of the explanations is special natural processes that reduce the number of bacteria in the water at this particular time of year.
13. The Orthodox believe that even a drop of holy water is capable of imparting its qualities to unconsecrated water, therefore, if the agiasma ends, it is diluted with ordinary water.
14. If in Orthodoxy the Epiphany is inextricably linked with the Baptism of the Savior, in Catholicism - with the veneration of the Magi, who are often called "kings", hence the Catholic name - the Feast of the Three Kings.
15. In churches, besides water, chalk and incense are also consecrated, and the celebrations themselves fall on January 6th.
16. During thanksgiving prayers, Catholics in memory of the appearance of Christ to the pagans bring gifts to the Savior: gold - as the King, incense - as God, myrrh - as a Man.
17. Until now, in the West, for example, in the Czech Republic, the tradition of lighting bonfires is preserved, which symbolize the Epiphany fires that illuminate the path of the Magi.
18. In some Western countries, "CMB" is written on the doors of the front door with consecrated chalk - these are the initial letters of the words of the Latin phrase "Christus mansionem benedicat", which translates as "Christ will bless our home."
19. One of the Orthodox rituals is bathing in the Epiphany font - Jordan. Often an ice-hole is made in the form of a crucifix located at the cardinal points. You should enter the water strictly from the west, and exit - to the east.
20. Dipping in the font is not an obligatory attribute of the holiday. And not everyone can get a blessing for this from the priest. For example, infirm and children are advised to simply wash themselves with holy water. It is believed that bathing in itself does not cleanse from sins if it was not preceded by a righteous lifestyle.
21. One of the first images of the Baptism of the Lord can be seen on the Ravenna mosaics dating from the 5th-6th centuries.
22. Many icons depict the Savior in a "water cloud", which symbolizes the purity of Christ. He entered the Jordan and immediately left, unlike other baptized ones, whom, according to legend, the Forerunner immersed in water up to their necks and held them until they completely repented of their sins.
23. Angels are frequent figures in the composition of many images of the Baptism, offering Christ the robe of three colors. According to one of the interpretations, white symbolizes Divine Light, red - Divine Love, azure anticipate the suffering of the Savior on the cross.
24. The remains of the pagan tradition are Epiphany divination, which is still popular today.
25. Over the millennia, signs associated with Baptism took shape. So, they tried to predict the yield by the weather: if it is clear - expect a drought, if it is cloudy - the harvest will be rich.
26. One of the dubious traditions - to stick a stick into the bottom of the Epiphany ice hole, which supposedly will ensure success for beekeepers and those who breed pigeons - is nothing more than superstition.
27. Ancestors also used Epiphany snow, collecting it in special jugs. It was believed that melt water could heal the legs of a paralyzed person or help with epilepsy. Women used it as an analogue of modern bleach. Snow was added to pet food and poultry. People believed that the horses became more enduring from him, and the chickens ran better.
28. One of the baptismal amulets was a candle, bought during a church service. It was placed near the icons. It was believed that an unlit candle kept light and warmth in the house throughout the year.
29. Baptized people are considered the happiest people.
30. According to legend, on the night of January 18-19, before the morning service, "the heavens open", which means that anyone can offer a prayer with requests that will certainly be heard.