Baptism of the Lord (Epiphany) - great Orthodox. It is believed that this is how the Kingdom of Heaven became closer to the common people. On this day, by tradition, they plunge into consecrated ice holes or open water bodies. Bathing for Epiphany is not a church ritual, but a folk ritual, therefore, the clergy in no way urge to dive into the icy water. It is much more important on this day to visit the church, receive communion and confess, wash or drink a sip of consecrated water.
What does this Epiphany tradition mean?
The Christian holiday is celebrated in honor of the sacrament of the baptism of Jesus Christ, which took place on the Jordan River. The thirty-year-old Jesus was baptized by John, who later became known as the Baptist.
It is not known for certain exactly where the sacrament of the baptism of Jesus Christ took place.
The Gospel says that immediately after the procedure, Jesus retired into the wilderness and prayed fervently for 40 days, observing the strictest fast. The devil tried in every possible way to tempt and seduce the Son of God, pushed him to commit sins, but he remained unapproachable, continued to fast and pray. Jesus Christ, after 40 days spent in the wilderness, was ready to fulfill his mission on earth, for which he was sent by His Father.
The holiday begins the night before on Epiphany Christmas Eve. The believers spend the day preceding Epiphany observing a strict fast. It was named Christmas Eve in honor of the main dish, which is prepared on the eve of Epiphany.
The following ingredients are used to prepare the sychic:
- 200 g of cereals (rice, wheat);
- nuts, raisins;
- honey, sugar, jam;
- fruits, berries.
Step by step preparation of sochi:
- Rinse the groats thoroughly under running water.
- Pour boiling water over, put on fire, cook until tender.
- Add sugar or honey, dried fruits to the finished porridge.
- Top up with ½ cup boiling water, stir thoroughly.
- If desired, you can add nuts, fruits, berries.
- Serve chilled in a ceramic bowl.
On Christmas Eve, Orthodox Christians go to church for a festive liturgy. An obligatory part of the service is water lighting. In Baptism, water is blessed twice:
- On Christmas Eve, the baptismal font is illuminated, which is placed in the church.
- After the service, the priest goes to the nearest reservoir, which is located not far from the temple, reads prayers over the hole cut there in the form of a cross. There can be a wooden cross and a lectern nearby.
After the festive service is over, the parishioners go to the ice hole. The priest reads a prayer service, dips the cross into water three times, thus, as if turning to God with a request for a blessing. After that, believers can wash themselves with Epiphany water, drink it or bathe completely.
The priests say that swimming in an ice-hole for Epiphany is not a church tradition, therefore it is not at all necessary to test your body for strength. Many priests are ambiguous about swimming in ice water. They believe that Orthodox people should first of all come to church, attend the festive service, receive communion, and confess. Some lay people assure that immersion in cold water will help get rid of sins, cleanse the soul. The priests warn that this is a delusion. If a person does not go to church, does not read the Gospel, ignores confession and communion, then swimming in an ice-hole will not bring him closer to God.
Properties of baptismal water
Each believer with an overflowing heart goes to church for the baptismal service.The liturgy in honor of the great day is a great holiday, so parishioners in all cities gather in churches to sing the glory of the Savior Jesus Christ, who was baptized in the waters of the Jordan. After the service, people line up in long lines in order to collect baptismal water, which has healing powers.
Consecrated water is considered Epiphany if it is collected on January 18 or 19.
Even medical workers agree that water baptized in Baptism has a beneficial effect on the human body. It strengthens the nervous and cardiovascular systems, has a positive effect on the work of the endocrine glands. There are many examples when Epiphany water worked miracles: it brought people out of coma, healed serious illnesses. For preventive purposes, they wash their face and take a couple of sips to improve health.
Believers bring baptismal water home. Priests advise during illness to drink a couple of sips and wash your face, since the consecrated liquid is endowed with powerful healing powers. They believe that the secret of healing properties lies in the divinity of holy water. But people are often suspicious of such information and try to obtain scientific confirmation of any facts.
One day, scientists in the laboratory decided to conduct an experiment. Epiphany water, collected in an ice-hole, was kept for four years, after which its properties were checked. Surprisingly, the liquid retained all its unique qualities. At the same time, it did not bloom and did not deteriorate, as it happens a few weeks later with a regular tap. There was no scientific explanation for this phenomenon.
When in 2020 to swim for Epiphany?
Orthodox Christians celebrate the great feast of the Epiphany on January 19 (January 6 according to the old calendar). Bathing in an ice hole is a fairly young tradition, not related to religious dogmas. Bathing does not wash away sins from the body and soul of a person, but water is an integral part of the holiday, so many people who wish every year go to the font, plunge into an ice hole for cleansing.
The holiday is celebrated annually on January 19. Before that, the believers keep a strict fast for 24 hours, and after the night liturgy, the clergy bless the ice-hole, after which you can drink water, wash your face or dip completely. On Epiphany, it is recommended to visit the church, take communion and confess, as well as collect blessed water.
It is important not only to plunge into the ice hole on January 18 or 19, but to attend the festive liturgy and feel the importance of the holiday. Those wishing to visit the font go to the reservoir on the night of January 18-19. All day on the 19th, the hot tubs are also open for those who want to take a full dip or just wash their face.
Is it obligatory to swim in the ice-hole?
This question is most often asked to clergy by parishioners. The priests explain that on Epiphany it is important to visit the church, to realize the importance of the holiday. Orthodox Christians prepare for it in advance: they fast, pray fervently, receive communion, and confess. Plunging into an ice-hole is not a church rite, it is not necessary to do it in order to cleanse oneself from sins and bad thoughts.
Those wishing to immerse themselves in the icy substance must do it wisely. If you have health problems, it is best not to take risks. It is not necessary to swim in the consecrated water, it is rather a tribute to fashion and modern traditions. In search of extreme sensations, people often forget the true essence of a great holiday.
Fonts in Moscow
Every year more and more of our compatriots want to feel vivid sensations and descend into the ice hole. In 2020, about 60 hot tubs will be organized and equipped in Moscow. It is planned that more than 180 thousand people will try to enter and plunge into the consecrated water. Ambulance brigades, rescuers, police patrols will be on duty at the sites.
Catering points with hot food and drinks are organized.The hot tubs are equipped with everything you need: anti-slip coating, changing rooms, flooring. Bathing in Epiphany should be as safe as possible, for which all possible measures will be taken. The hot tubs will open on January 18 at 18 o'clock and will operate 24 hours a day - until 18 January 19
What to do to avoid getting sick?
It is necessary to swim in the ice-hole according to all the rules, since being in ice water is a serious stress for the body. The human body experiences tremendous stress when immersed in such a cold environment, so you need to be very careful and think carefully before deciding on such a thing.
For what diseases is dipping into an ice-hole contraindicated:
- hypertension;
- heart diseases;
- arrhythmia;
- obesity;
- neurological disorders;
- gynecological and urological diseases;
- diabetes;
- ulcer;
- infectious diseases.
If "walruses" are accustomed to staying in icy water for a long time, then people who first plunged into the ice-hole should be there for a short time.
It is strictly forbidden to even try to swim in the font while intoxicated.
Immersion in cold water is permissible only with appropriate preparation. Preparation should begin several days, and preferably weeks before Epiphany. First, they wash their face with cold water, then pour over their feet in the shower, gradually rising higher. The duration of the procedure is slightly increased every day.
Tips from professional walruses:
- It is better not to sink into the water on an empty stomach. The body will need a lot of energy to endure such a serious ordeal. But you should not overeat before dipping.
- You will need warm clothes that can be easily removed and put on.
- Before diving into the water, run a little, warm up, pat on the body. After leaving the font, do the same set of exercises.
- The main thing is to set yourself up positively. If you are sure that after the ice bath you will get sick, so it will happen, because our thoughts are material.
- Bring a thermos with a hot drink, a change of warm clothing, a towel, rubber slippers and a hat. Don't forget to be in a good mood!
- After bathing, rub thoroughly with a towel, put on dry warm clothes. Warm your chest first.
Epiphany bathing is a folk tradition that has nothing to do with the church. The clergy say that the main thing for Epiphany is to visit the church with good thoughts, and even a sip of consecrated water will have healing power.
