Epiphany: signs and history of the feast

The cycle of Christmas holidays ends with the Baptism of the Lord. It is a holiday when the 30-year-old Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the waters of the Jordan. He substantiated one of the main church ordinances through which man is born anew in Christ. Since then, the baptized receive the remission of sins and are reborn for a new, spiritual life.

In carols there are mentioned three holidays: the Nativity of Christ, Saint Basil and the Epiphany. Signs say that on this day you can not do anything around the house, especially it is forbidden to take scissors. Our ancestors strictly adhered to prohibitions and sacredly believed in signs.

history of the holiday

January 19 celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. The history of the holiday begins with the time of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. During the sacrament of baptism, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven. In honor of the appearance of the Lord in the fullness of the Holy Trinity, the holiday is usually called the Holy Epiphany. God the Father proclaimed the words from heaven: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," the Son was baptized on earth, the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. On this day Jesus Christ began to serve people and preach.

Since then, water is considered a symbol of purification. On the feast the procession is made, in the Christian churches, on the rivers and lakes, the rite of the water consecration is performed. It is believed, who thrice dips into the Jordanian water in the ice-hole, that will not be ill all year.

The Magic Properties of Epiphany Water

On January 18 and 19, Christians go to church to pray and recruit Jordanian water. It is necessary that the house always has holy water, it is preferable to start each prayer from it. Signs on Epiphany say that if you wash the children of Jordan with water, they will grow up healthy and happy. She is sprinkled with a dwelling, given to domestic animals, so that the litter is good. It improves mood, relieves anxiety, heals the wounds of body and soul. Girls wash to be beautiful.

The priest bypasses the parishioners' houses so that with the help of prayer and water they can be cleansed of all evil forces and blessed. It is not good to lock the door in front of him. How to meet the Baptism of the Lord without receiving a blessing from him for the family and home? It was believed that such a family for a year will be accompanied by trouble.

Bathing in the ice-hole

On the morning of January 19, there is a tradition of bathing in the ice hole, which was cut out in the form of a cross on the eve of the holiday. The very same cross was installed side by side. Sometimes it was decorated with fir or pine branches. And also watered with beet juice, painted in red, which symbolized the fire. On Baptism, signs and beliefs say that these days there is a double cleansing - fire and water.

Doctors are supporters of that only healthy people swim in the ice-hole. Do it right. You should bring a large towel, change clothes and shoes, a hat.

It is not recommended to participate in baptismal bathing to people prone to the following diseases: obesity, arrhythmia, hypertension, respiratory diseases, reproductive system. It is forbidden to swim during women's days.

Signs associated with the font

Strict restrictions and regulations regarding bathing in the Jordanian water are not present. Correctly to fall into the water, looking to the east, and in no case to turn your head to the west. According to the beliefs, the east is the place of God and good, the west is the side of the devil and evil. Dipping into the water face in this direction is equated with a deal with evil forces.

Diving in the hole women need in a shirt. Signs on the Epiphany of the Lord explain this in order to protect oneself from other people's sins, which can disappear from one and stick to other bodies. Women should be with a head covered, men, on the contrary, without headgear.

Crossed himself, go into the water on the chest. It is symbolic to triple dip into the water with faith and prayer. This is done in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. After the done, you must immediately go ashore, dry yourself with a towel, dress, drink hot tea with honey, pre-brought in a thermos. Categorically contraindicated alcoholic beverages.

The Epiphany Menu

The celebration begins on 18 January. Supper is called Epiphany Eve. People call him Hungry or Poor Kutya.

Waiting for the first star, the whole family gathers at the table for dinner, adhering to a strict fast all day. 12 dishes are laid on the table, the main one is kutya (osovo). Hence the name of the evening - Epiphany Eve. This is a porridge made from whole wheat, which symbolizes the wealth, generosity of the future harvest, unity and well-being in the family. It is with kutya that signs are connected to Epiphany - on January 19. If it turns out delicious, life will be easy and sweet. Burnt porridge indicates trouble this year.

We cooked it with special love and prayer. In kutiu added symbolic ingredients: honey for sweet life, poppies, which for a long time drove away the evil spirit, nuts, so that life's difficulties are easily overcome, raisins for abundance in the house. In no case can not throw out kutyu, it is better to give to birds or pets.

Dumplings with potatoes and cabbage, cabbage rolls, fish, mushroom soup, pancakes, and uzvar - compote from drying were also served on the table.

And on January 19, a rich table with various dishes, meat casseroles, sausages, chilled, baked. It is recommended to start a festive meal with prayer and sacred water.

Signs and beliefs associated with Epiphany

The people considered: how to meet the Baptism of the Lord, so the year will pass. If you hold a fast, prayer and obedience on January 18, take part in the procession on the 19th of January, swim in the ice-hole, having purified yourself with Jordanian water, then the Lord's blessing will not leave the whole year.

On Baptism, signs and beliefs are filled with mystical meaning, connected with otherworldly forces. According to legend, this is the time of the revelry of demonic power, which tries to penetrate the house in any image and likeness.

People in every way tried to protect themselves from evil forces. For this, on the doors and windows, crosses were painted with chalk, they put a bouquet of last year's whole wheat in the house, cloves of garlic were placed under the tablecloth at four corners, poppy seeds were added to the kutya.

Epiphany "hydrometeorological center"

At the Epiphany Epiphany, signs are associated with the phenomena of nature and weather conditions:

1. If the weather is clear and cold - to be an arid summer, and fresh and cloudy prophesies a rich harvest.
2. The south wind will bring a thunderous summer.
3. What is the weather on January 19, such will be the beginning of the next winter.
4. The full moon on Epiphany night meant possible floods in the spring.
5. The starry sky was predicted by dry summer and abundant harvest of berries.
6. Snow during the dipping in the ice hole prophesied a high yield of bread.

Wisdom of the people

People watched what most excited them. On the Epiphany of the Lord, signs are associated with life:

1. If you give holy water to all pets, they will bring a good offspring.
2. On this day it is not customary to feed chickens - to a bad harvest.
3. Three days after Baptism you can not rinse your clothes. Water is considered sacred these days, and it can not be defiled with dirty laundry.
4. If you wash these days - your hands will hurt.
5. If there was a fruit tree in the garden that did not give birth, they came to him with sacred water, watered to heal him. It was believed that it will start to bear fruit.
6. The baptism of a child on January 19 promises him a happy life and a Lord's blessing.

Epiphany Divination

Do the signs on Baptism speak the truth on January 19? Everyone can check for themselves. But from ancient times the night from 18 to 19 January (the Epiphany evening) was considered the most suitable for fortune-telling.

To check how rich the year will be, you need to take three plates and a coin. In this fortune-telling, you need an assistant who will put a coin under one of the plates. Guessing the first time where the money is hidden, prophesies a rich and carefree life. If the second time - there will not be big money problems either. And if you do not guess three times, you have to sweat to earn a living.

To guess fate can 6 glasses. In each of them it is necessary to put a thing that symbolizes something: sugar is a sweet life, salt is sorrow, a coin is wealth, a piece of bread is prosperity, a pea is the birth of a child, a ring is marriage. The choice determines the events in the year.

The most mystical and quivering guessing with a mirror and candles. On the table to put dishes with water, on three sides - to light the candles. Behind the decanter is a mirror, peering into which one can see the future.

At the Epiphany of the Lord, signs say that girls can see a future husband. To do this, pour a glass of ¾ of water in the bottom, lower the ring, placing it exactly in the center, and carefully peer.

To see a sucker in a dream, you need to eat something salty in the evening. Laying themselves to bed, turn to the future groom: "Serve-mummified, bring me water to drink." Who will dream, so to live destined.

Road to a happy family life

All fortune-telling is connected with the desire of the girls to marry successfully. Everyone wanted a good groom, a beautiful wedding and a happy life. To be lucky with her husband, the girls tried to stick to a strict fast.

The guys, having bathed in the ice-hole, having got drunk of the sacred water, were going to get married. If a couple is planning a wedding for Epiphany, the signs prophesy to the young a happy life full of joy.

The Lord Himself blesses the young family with sacred water, washing away the sins of their ancestors, for which they will not have to pay the young ones. At Epiphany, signs, customs say that this is the most suitable time for starting a family life.

Not knowing the alien and traditions, people are not worthy of the future. One of the most revered Christian holidays, which is associated with customs, beliefs and traditions, is the Baptism of the Lord. The history of the holiday begins more than 2 thousand years ago. It collects tribute and worship of the Holy Trinity, faith in the healing power of the sacred Jordanian water, secret mystical connection with the other world and the remnants of pagan beliefs. And it depends on each of us to what extent this priceless national wealth will reach future generations.