The Baptism of the Lord is beautiful, one of the main holidays of Christians all over the world. It is celebrated on January 19 according to the Orthodox calendar. This day is filled with joy and love. It is distinguished by a special celebration, and they try to celebrate it magnificently, beautifully and richly. But no less important is the Christmas Eve before the Baptism of the Lord.
Epiphany Christmas Eve and its secrets
The Epiphany Eve is celebrated on January 18th. This is a strict, solemn day. It is the last day of fasting, the observance of which is most important on this day. On this day, it is necessary to repent with all your heart, strictly observe all the prescriptions of fasting and carefully prepare for the holiday. On the night of January 18-19, the first consecration of water takes place.
Preparing for the holiday was a must. On Christmas Eve, a strict fast was observed (here is the fast food calendar). The table was necessarily attended by:
- Kutia. Rice porridge with raisins.
- Pancakes as a symbol of eternal life.
- Oatmeal jelly as a symbol of a rich and well-fed life.
The brownie was treated to pancakes, leaving them in the barn so that he would save the cattle.
Holy water was collected in the church. On this day, she acquired special strength, healing properties. Epiphany water is able to heal, cleanse the soul and body, heal the mind, drive out demons.
Rites and signs of Epiphany Christmas Eve
Signs on Christmas Eve take a special place. Using them, they tried to predict fate, correct important events, warn themselves and their families from trouble. All this knowledge is the result of many years of observation. That is why it is worth treating them with due attention and respect. Folk signs and rituals on Christmas Eve were strictly observed.
- Protection from evil spirits. To protect housing from demons and evil spirits, crosses were painted on doors and windows. The cross is a powerful sign. Even a tiny, barely noticeable cross is able to protect housing from "uninvited guests." The old people strictly observed that baptismal crosses were painted everywhere. They entrusted this occupation with small children, whose souls and hearts were not yet spoiled by the "unclean".
- Livestock and barns were sprinkled with holy water. It was believed that if this ritual was not carried out, then the pets would be sick, and the devils would torment them all night out of anger that they could not get into a house protected by crosses. This sign appeared due to the fact that the owners found their animals in soap and sweat in the morning.
- Collected snow. It is believed that on this day it has healing properties, like holy water. It was used to treat sick and weak family members. They washed the healthy. The water from the melted snow collected on Christmas Eve was stored as well as the consecrated water brought from the church.
What is prohibited on this day?
Since Christmas Eve is a strict and solemn day, you cannot pamper.
- Alcohol. January 18 is the day of strict fasting. There can be no talk of any libations.
- Gluttony is one of the deadly sins. And even more so on Christmas Eve you shouldn't overeat.
- Rubbish cannot be swept away. It is believed that on this day the dead come to the living and stand in the corners so as not to interfere. Wiping dirty linen out of the corner, and even throwing it over the threshold - this meant sweeping away the soul of the deceased.
- We did not work that day. On January 18, preparations are underway for the great holiday, therefore, if there is an opportunity to refuse work, then this must be done. Better to devote this day to rest and prayer.
- You can do sewing, embroidery and knitting on Christmas Eve, provided that it is fun, not work.
- Any cleaning and cooking should be completed before lunchtime.
Signs for the weather
- What the weather is on Christmas Eve, the same on Shrovetide.
- The snowstorm that took place on January 18 will be repeated in three months, but the summer will be hot.
- A clear, clear sky is an excellent harvest of peas.
- Morning snow - warm spring and a rich harvest of buckwheat and bread.
- Snow at lunchtime is a warm summer.
- The snow falling in the evening predicted a warm autumn.
- It snows all day - a rich harvest of bread.
- Strong wind from the south - in summer there will be a lot of rain and thunderstorms.
- A cloudy day and a cloudy sky - few mushrooms.
- There is no snow on the trees or there is little of it - there will be no berries.
- The snow is a rich harvest.
Signs on animals
- Bright stars - sheep will give a good offspring.
- Dogs bark loudly - successful hunting and fishing all year round, abundance of game.
- Feed the cattle by adding snow to the feed - to ease the Epiphany frosts.
- Feed the chickens with snow - provide yourself with a lot of eggs.
- The rooster sang at the wrong time - for warm days.
Signs on health
- The sick person was wiped off with snow. It is believed that this procedure will heal the patient, improve his health.
- To swim in the bathhouse on Christmas Eve - to save yourself from ailments for the whole year.
- Throw snow into the well - to protect the water from damage.
- Washing with melt water is to preserve beauty and get rid of freckles.
- To cook food only on holy water from a natural source so that diseases are bypassed.
- If a seriously ill patient asked for water and sweets - to recovery, if bitter and salty - to death.
- If a child is born, it will be strong and healthy.
- Getting burned by a candle is to be sick, but quickly recovered.
- The child will overturn the water on himself - he will be strong and healthy all year round.
Signs for girls on Epiphany Christmas Eve
- A thread tangled when knitting - to a quick relationship.
- The cat jumped to its knees - to the appearance of the groom.
- The dog barked - a fast wedding.
- Splashed water - there will be no wedding
- If she stumbled on the threshold of her home, she will stay in this house for another year.
- Stumbled over the threshold in the groom's house - you can get ready for the wedding.
- Choking on water - to an unexpected pregnancy.
- Girls in baptism wondered. Although this is not welcomed by the church, this tradition still exists.
Signs for pregnant women
- Snowstorm and blizzard - easy childbirth.
- Snowfall on this day - long hours of childbirth.
- Scattered cereals - the baby will be healthy.
- The wind howls in the chimney - an imminent birth.
- Needlework - the child gets entangled in the umbilical cord.
- Get burned - the child will have a birthmark on the face.
- Step through a broom - difficult childbirth.
Those who could not conceive for a long time were advised:
- Defend the entire service in the church.
- Swimming in the ice-hole.
- Eat as many spoons of kutya as the woman is old.
- Welcome stray animals and feed them generously, and if the animal reaches the very house, be sure to pick it up.
Signs on Epiphany Christmas Eve for good luck and money
Everyone wants to be successful in life. Luck - it is nimble, it just doesn't come into your hands. Only a select few can count on the kiss of fate. Therefore, people turned to heaven with prayers for a successful year.
- The house was sprinkled with holy water, and a little snow was brought on the threshold.
- To meet a minister of the church - to the patrons.
- To slip and fall into the baptismal hole - the year will be successful, and difficult cases will be solved quickly and successfully.
- Sprinkle kutya from a spoon - financial problems.
- Accidentally pouring holy water on yourself - to wealth.
What icons should be in the house?
Every believer should have icons in the house. They should be located in the eastern part of the house. In a modern dwelling, the eastern corner can be inconvenient for praying, therefore it is allowed to place icons in other places.
In every house there should be icons with the image of Jesus Christ, with the face of the Mother of God and Nicholas the Pleasant.
- The icon of Jesus Christ should be in a place of honor. It heals the sick, calms and pacifies. Protects from troubles and misfortunes, enlightens the lost. Supports, shows the right path.
- Virgin Mary, Mother of God, helps women. They ask her for peace and harmony in the house, health for relatives and children. She is the patroness of every woman. The Mother of God gives love and peace. She forgives and teaches patience and humility.
- Nikolay the Pleasant solves all problems and hardships.In special cases, they turn to him for the healing of seriously ill patients.
On Christmas Eve, the corner with the icons is thoroughly cleaned. All dust must be thoroughly cleaned out. Clean the candlesticks of wax, replace the candles. Put a pure god: a napkin under the icons. The iconostasis must be carefully monitored, but older people may not do it well, so you need to come to such relatives or neighbors and put things in order. They, too, should celebrate the holiday in cleanliness and comfort.
How to baptize another person?
On Epiphany I want to protect my loved ones. The sign of the cross has the greatest protection. If you can easily cross yourself, then what about children or seriously ill people? How do you baptize another person with your hand?
It is important to observe the rule: the direction of the cross should be such as if the person applies it himself. Just mirror it. If a person baptizes himself from right to left, then another should be baptized in the opposite direction: from left to right. In this case, you need to be face to face with the person being baptized.
Before applying the sign of the cross, you need to wipe the person with holy water, read a prayer, and perform baptism. The table and food prepared on the occasion of Baptism are also covered with the banner of the cross.
Signs on Christmas Eve are in many ways similar to signs on Christmas days. Therefore, they are quite valid for January 18.
