What is the date to celebrate Baptism and what traditions to observe, so that the year will be happy

Times when the church was under the strictest ban, passed. Today, most Russians know the number of baptism, Christmas and other great church holidays. Sometimes it happens that the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is confused with the day of the Baptism of Rus, which is celebrated on July 25. Hence the confusion arises with the number of Baptism. In addition, today not everyone knows the significance and traditions associated with the holiday of Epiphany.

History of the origin of the holiday

The Feast of the Epiphany was born in the time of the apostles. At that time, a religious rite of baptism was held. Jesus was 30 years old when he came to John the Baptist. It was he who baptized Christ in the waters of the Jordan River. The legend says that at the time of Baptism, a ray of light descended on Jesus, the heavenly voice proclaimed him the Son of God.

At the beginning the festival was called Epiphany. The word means "Theophany". Another name that baptized was the feast of Light. These names are explained by the fact that on the day of the Light Feast, God comes to the earthly world to give its inhabitants light.

The very word "baptism" in Greek means "immersion in water." It is from here that the most important tradition of the holiday takes place - to bathe in the sanctified reservoirs. Today every year more and more Russians hurry to the hole in Baptism, the number of bathing even in severe frosts is continuously growing. Water embodies life and helps to wash away sins. But before plunging into the Jordan, it is important to observe other traditions of baptism.

Traditions of the holiday

The baptism of the Lord is the sixth of the twelve Great Feasts. These include the twelve most important events since Easter. The church year begins on the first of September. Therefore, the countdown of holidays starts from this date.

Questions about when to celebrate Baptism, what number, should not arise. The fact is that this holiday is not a passing one, which means that it is celebrated on the same day every year - on January 19 (according to the old style - the sixth one). It should be remembered that the day before you should observe the strictest fast, pray and repent of your sins.

On January 18, the Orthodox are called the Epiphany Eve. The name of this day comes from the food that can be used by believers on this day - osobivo. It is made from grain, cooked with the addition of dried fruits, poppies and nuts. Only after observing the Epiphany Eve, you can go swimming in the Jordan.

It is important to understand that it will not be possible to get rid of sins by plunging into an ice-hole, because the church claims: it's only possible to pray for sins in confession. In spite of everything, many believers have the following question: "To swim in an ice hole follows what number?". Epiphany begins at midnight from 18 to 19 January. And it is from this moment and all the day of the nineteenth that the queues line up at the Jordan.

In addition, in Baptism, it is important not to forget to recruit holy water. It is useful all year: the child to wash - from a bad eye helps, most to have a drink - illnesses prevents. Of course, holy water should be taken in the church, having defended the service before it. But many believe that the night before the Baptism, holy water runs straight from the tap. And that's interesting - recruited even in this way, it will stay the whole year, without gaining an extraneous smell, without spoiling.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord has been revered by believers for more than one century. Therefore, and acquired a huge number of traditions and signs. It is important to realize that knowing about what number Baptism to celebrate and what traditions to observe at the same time is unlikely to help get rid of sins. It is much more important to keep faith and pray throughout the year.