Epiphany Christmas Eve (18/01)

On January 18, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Day of the Eve of the Epiphany or Epiphany Eve.

Epiphany Eve — is an evening of preparation before a major Orthodox holiday called Epiphany or Epiphany. This holiday of the Orthodox Church belongs to the twelfths. On this day, the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist (Baptist) in the Jordan River is remembered.

The word «baptize», «baptize» translated from Greek means «immerse in water». John's Baptism was, in fact, a cleansing ablution. Christian baptism is understood as taking on the cross.

The baptism of John the Baptist had the meaning of a spiritually cleansing action. Therefore, when Jesus Christ came to be baptized, John began to hold Him back, saying: «I need to be baptized by You». The Feast of Baptism is also called the Feast of Epiphany, since on this day God revealed Himself clearly to the world in the three faces of His Deity: 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 to Jesus Christ with a voice from heaven.

The word «party» means the threshold of church celebration, and the second name — Christmas Eve (or nomad) is associated with the tradition on this day of cooking sochivo — wheat broth with honey and raisins. Due to the importance of the event that took place on the coming day in the life of Jesus Christ, the Church established strict fasting. 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.

The all-night vigil of the Feast of Epiphany consists of the great Compline, Lithium, 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. There are long queues for holy water in the courtyards of churches. If a person, for some serious reason, cannot go to work or lives a thousand kilometers from the nearest church, he can resort to the healing power of plain water taken from an ordinary reservoir on Epiphany night, although such water cannot be considered holy. On the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, water in churches is consecrated according to a special rite — by the great Jordanian consecration and is called Epiphany.

Epiphany water is tasted on an empty stomach, a spoon at a time, a little at a time. A man stood 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 taking the medicine on an empty stomach is prescribed, then first take holy water, followed by medicine. And only then breakfast and other things.

The ascetics of Christian piety call blessed water the best cure for all spiritual and bodily ailments. Often « confessors prescribe » Epiphany water to their sick children — every hour, spoonful, with faith, of course. You can wash the patient with it and sprinkle the bed. True, women are not blessed to take Epiphany water on critical days. But this is if the woman is otherwise healthy. And if she is sick, then even this circumstance does not play a role. May Epiphany water help her!

It is believed that holy water does not spoil, so there is no need to put it in the refrigerator. Orthodox Christians keep it in the Red Corner, next to icons. In addition, a drop of the shrine is consecrated by the sea. You can take ordinary, unsanctified water and add a drop of Epiphany water there, it will all be blessed.

It is strictly forbidden, when taking holy water or accepting it, to quarrel, swear, or commit pious acts or thoughts. This causes holy water to lose its holiness and often simply overflow. There is also a pious tradition of sprinkling Epiphany water on your home on this day with the singing of the troparion of Epiphany.

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