Church holidays have their names. What is this - the Epiphany of the Lord, you can learn by reading about the history of the origin of the celebration, and the events associated with the earthly life of Christ. The church rules for the celebration and the folk traditions that originated on its basis have differences and can not be confused.
What is the Epiphany?
On the day of the Baptism of the Lord on the Jordan River, the Trinity was revealed to the Most Holy in a way that was visible to the common man. Jesus Christ appeared as the son of God, the voice of his father, the God of heaven, who proclaimed Jesus as a son, was heard from heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove-the holy Epiphany happened-was witnessed and recorded in the Gospel. This holiday is called the twelve, which means - it is closely connected with the earthly life of the Savior. Baptism and Epiphany - are celebrated in one day.
The most accurate reproduction of the events that took place is depicted on the festive icon, it is displayed on the Epiphany for the worship of believers. In the center of the picture is a Savior standing in the waters of the Jordan, and above him is the mystery of Baptism, the prophet John the right-handed prophet, the Holy Spirit descending from heaven-the image of a dove radiating light from the sky.
Epiphany in Catholics
Celebrate the Catholic Epiphany Christians of the Western Church on January 6. The main meaning of the holiday for Catholics, associated with the events that occurred after Christmas. The celebration of the worship of the baby Jesus by the magi is called the feast of the "Three Kings". Pagan royalty - Caspar, Melchior, Valtasar came with gifts to the city of Bethlehem, where the Savior was born. They brought with them: gold is a gift to the tsar, incense is a gift to God, a gift to the world. The mass performed in the church has a solemn order - the consecration of chalk and incense takes place, which are brought to the house and stored for a whole year.
Theophany in the Orthodox
In the Orthodox context, the holiday is more important. He is closely associated with Christmas and is ranked among the "Christmas Eve". Jesus Christ was baptized at the age of thirty - which means the Epiphany is one of the main joyous celebrations associated with the life of the Savior, it follows in the midst of the Christmas holidays . Church hymns from January 14, the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, preach in their own words that the solemn hour will soon come - the Savior is baptized in the waters of the Jordan.
What is the eve of the Epiphany?
On the eve of the Epiphany on January 18 - the day of strict fasting, if on the eve falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the strict fast is substituted for permission to eat lean food 2 times a day. On the eve of the holiday - in the evening, in the churches serve the service of God, after which the Great Sanctification of the water takes place. The eve of the celebration of the Epiphany is also called the Epiphany Christmas Eve, which is associated with the preparation in the old days of dishes based on cereals, honey and raisins - ovov.
What is the difference between the Epiphany and Baptism?
Epiphany and Epiphany are one holiday. Until the fourth century, on January 6, all the earthly appearances of the Lord to people were celebrated in one day, that is, the holiday of Christmas and Epiphany were celebrated together, but later they were divided into separate holidays. It was not Christmas, but the day of the Baptism of Jesus, which was called by God's epiphany, because as a son of God he appeared to the people who were near him, at the baptism in the river, and not on his birthday. This is the answer to the question, the Epiphany of the Lord - what is it and what is the reason for this holiday.
Feast of the Epiphany
The Feast of the Epiphany is also called the Enlightenment or the Feast of the Lights. In the ancient church traditions on this day, baptized those who were announced (was a candidate who received oral instruction and explanation) on the day of the Epiphany. Baptism for each person is spiritual enlightenment, which gives an opportunity to achieve spiritual development, light clothing in which the soul is clothed.
What is the Epiphany Epiphany?
Epiphany Orthodox Church celebrates on January 19. After the solemn Divine service, the second time (the first consecration of water in the eve of the Epiphany on January 18), the water in the temples is consecrated. There is a folk tradition, after the morning service, to come to the ice-hole for Epiphany bathing. According to one version, the custom of plunging into an ice hole, on the day of the Epiphany, arose after the Christians of Palestine made solemn passages to the river where the Lord received baptism.
Fasting on the Epiphany
Preparatory stages of great church celebrations are fasting. The Epiphany of the Lord - what it is and how to eat these days: on January 18, the first fasting day after the Nativity of Christ, until this date - it is allowed to eat non-lean food on any day of the week. The Epiphany Epiphany (January 19) has no fasting according to the statute, even in those times when it falls on Wednesday or Friday, wine is allowed.
Consecration of water on the Epiphany
There is an opinion that water, consecrated on the day of the Epiphany and on the eve of the Epiphany Eve, has distinctive healing differences, but this judgment is erroneous, it is identical and has certain properties:
- The very fact that the sacred water preserves freshness for many years and has a pleasant taste (as it were gleaned from the source recently) is already a miracle that scientists try to explain.
- According to one of the theories put forward, water has memory - it retains the power of prayers read at the Divine service.
- Sanctified in the temples on the Epiphany, water has beneficial properties. She is sprinkled with dwellings, taken as an effective medicine. They cherish water as a shrine, carefully store.
- For several years, Epiphany water does not deteriorate, if necessary, it can be diluted - topping up to the desired volume, and the beneficial properties in the original form it retains.
- They take water on an empty stomach after morning prayers . But if a person needs help - is sick or feels a breakdown, water can and should be drunk at any time.
- It is considered that on the day of the Epiphany of the Lord all springs with water are healing. In the water, Jesus was baptized and invisible, for the human eye, in the way in the holidays it becomes sanctified.
Theophany - what can not be done?
Given that the celebration of the Epiphany to treat the great church festivities, one should visit the temple of God - take part in worship, bring home the consecrated water, if desired, if possible, swim in the Epiphany - Jordan. The holiday gives joy to the soul, it is a reminder that one has to face the Creator, praying for the salvation of the soul and for the health of people dear to the heart, therefore such actions are undesirable:
- On this day, if possible, do not engage in heavy physical labor, construction or repair work.
- The echo of paganism - on the Epiphany, the sky opens, therefore, on a holiday it is necessary to guess and remember the signs. The modern man, who sometimes does not believe in God's grace, is happy to take the opportunity to look into the foggy future with the help of incomprehensible rituals - which can not be done categorically.
Signs of the Epiphany
There are beliefs or signs on the Epiphany and Baptism - after bathing in an ice hole, a person flushes away all sins, but he is mistaken. For the remission of sins, one must come to church for confession and receive communion. Swimming in the ice-hole improves immunity - doctors confirm that not all believe, but to trust fortune-telling or invented signs is actually a sin. Many still listen to the wisdom of the people and do not consider this not pleasing to God. Among the signs on this day can be identified those that have been tested for centuries:
- If this day is frosty, then the harvest will be sunny and hot;
- a blizzard on the feast of the Epiphany speaks of a good collection of honey in the season;
- bright stars predict the increase in livestock and a good berry season;
- blue clouds speak of a good and rich harvest;
- to hear the barking of dogs on that day - to financial well-being.
Mysticism in the Epiphany
To connect the terms the magic of the Epiphany or the tradition of festive divination is not entirely appropriate. An adult should understand that the church is a place when coming to, he communicates with God, and a holiday is a reminder of the deeds of the Lord, specific events recorded in the pages of the Bible. He is given to man for the triumph of the soul - a special festive prayer, when God accepts the petitions that are offered to him.
The Epiphany of the Lord - what it is and what kind of spiritual grace brings the attendance of festive Divine services, you can feel when you come to the temple. The penetrating hymns and special state of mind on such holidays strengthens in vital concerns, gives the person an opportunity to communicate with God, express his prayers and bring home a piece of sacred water with healing power, which everyone so often needs. This is the mysticism of the Epiphany of the Lord.