The baptism of the Lord is the Holy Epiphany. history of the holiday

What does the Holy Epiphany means - the Baptism of the Lord? The history of the holiday, its ancient and later changed meaning will be discussed in this article. We will also talk about how different Christian nations celebrate this day. What is it customary to say and how to enter this holiday? What ritual dishes to eat? Should we fast on this day? We will pay special attention to celebrating this holiday among the Eastern Slavs.

The Holy Epiphany - Epiphany: description

What does the New Testament say about this event? All four canonical Gospels mention the Baptism of Christ. The story of the Baptism of the Lord is described thus. Being at the age of about thirty years, the Savior decided to reveal himself to people - to reveal His divine essence. "In those days," writes the evangelist Matthew, "John the Baptist preached and said:" Prepare direct paths for the Lord, repent of your sins, for the Kingdom of Heaven is approaching. " "There was a man from God," John echoed him. "He was sent to bear witness about the Light, so that everyone would believe on Him." When Christ approached the banks of the Jordan River, where the crowds of Jews came, John the Baptist said: "I should be baptized by You," meaning that sprinkling with material water is nothing before putting on the Holy Spirit. But the Lord said: "So it is necessary to fulfill the truth." And when John the Baptist sprinkled it with water, "the heavens were opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and a voice was heard: This is My beloved Son."

Holy Epiphany - Epiphany: the history of the feast

The first mention of the celebration of this day goes back to the second century. About the feast say the Gnostics and such a famous theologian as Clement of Alexandria. Initially, this event was interpreted precisely as "The Discovery of Christ to the People." The celebration took on a massive character first in the east of the Roman Empire, and then - and in the west. On this day - the sixth of January - three events from the life of Jesus in our world were honored: Christmas, the adoration of the Magi and the Epiphany - the Holy Epiphany. And this last was interpreted as the beginning of service to people, the fulfillment of the mission. After this, Jesus retires into the wilderness and fasts there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. And only then He does His first miracle - at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. That is why in the early Church on this day the novices were baptized (they were called "catechumens"). They first took baptism with water, and then with the Holy Spirit. But over time, the holidays were divided. Christmas began to be celebrated on December 25, and the coming of the Magi and baptism - on January 6.

Celebration in the Middle Ages

Throughout the centuries, the meaning of the event described in the books of the New Testament began to be perceived differently. The emphasis was on the value of baptism by water. Although John the Forerunner himself denied that he was a prophet or a messiah. He said: "Someone will come, bigger than me, whose shoes I am unworthy to untie ... I baptize you with earth water. He will do this with the Holy Spirit, and with fire. " Nevertheless, the baptism of the Lord - the Holy Epiphany received another interpretation - the celebration of the Trinity. It began to be considered that during this event the God-father was opened to the people of Moses. The son showed an example of washing in the water that washes away the sins. And the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. However, the ancient "rudiments" of the celebration continued to be preserved. So, for example, it is customary for the Baptism of Christ to eat kutya (osobovo), as it is for Christmas. With the division of the Churches into the Western (Roman) and Eastern (Byzantine) festivals, they received a different interpretation in their traditions. In Orthodoxy, it was called Epiphany or Theophania (translated from Greek as "Theophany." It was also called the "Holy Light." Thus, the Church saw the greatest importance in the event described by the Gospels in the opening of the heavens, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God the Father. Catholicism is called Manifestatio - a phenomenon, a statement.

Late interpretation

As soon as the holidays of the Nativity and Baptism of Christ were divided in time (December 25 and January 6), the meaning of the last event began to be rethought by the theologians of both Churches. As early as the sixth century in Byzantium, as history proves, the Epiphany Epiphany meant the beginning of the fulfillment of the Mission by Christ. And after a thousandth year, the emphasis shifted to the miraculous washing of the church font. The whole tradition of celebrating this holiday now consists in the consecration of water in priests. In the Western tradition, "Manifestation" received an understanding in the manifestation of the people of the Persons of the Trinity - that is, the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Son. In addition, this day is also commemorated the arrival of the Magi ("Adorazio"). In countries where they speak Spanish, it is on the occasion of the "Los Reyes Magos" festival that it is customary to make gifts to children, not Christmas. The true meaning, "Prepare your soul for the service of God," as John the Baptist called, was forgotten.

Interpretation of the Epiphany in the Qatari Tradition

At the turn of two thousand years (about 1000 years), when the Roman and Orthodox Churches actively fought for power in this world, there was a monastic order, whose members literally adhered to the Commandments of Christ. They taught that "The world is in evil" (1 John 5:19) and that the material water does no miracles. This Church of Good Christians, which opponents called Qatar's heresy and physically destroyed in the XIII-XIV centuries, did not celebrate the Epiphany - Holy Epiphany. The path to the soul is the main message that these monks saw in the event described by the Gospels. Before you take the cross of good works and follow Christ (Mar.10: 21), you need to cleanse your heart of your sins. They are removed not by material water, but by sincere repentance. After all, John the Baptist taught like that. He said: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Before the soul becomes baptized in the Holy Spirit to become the "temple of God," it must be free from sins. For if the blind lead the blind, both will be in the pit.

The Baptism of Christ in the Church Canon

In the Orthodox tradition, this is the Twelfth Lord's feast. So the days are celebrated, connected with the events of the life of Jesus Christ in this world - from Christmas to Ascension. The Baptism of the Lord The Holy Epiphany is celebrated now on 19.01. According to the Julian calendar, this date corresponds to the sixth of January. On the eve of the feast, the clergy and believers must observe a strict fast. Therefore, the kutya, served on this day, is called the "Hungry." On the holiday itself the clergy dressed in white robes. The priests consecrate the water twice. For the first time, on the eve, the Great Agiosma (special rite of baptism), and the second time - during the Divine Liturgy. Therefore, a holiday in Ukrainian is called "Vodohreshcha" or "Yordan" (in honor of the river where the Savior was baptized). It marks the end of the celebration of Christmas Christmas.

Celebration in the folk tradition

And how was the Baptism of the Lord - Holy Epiphany celebrated in the Eastern Christians? In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria, priests consecrate water that day. This happens both in churches - in vats, and on rivers or lakes. There, where it is very cold and the ponds freeze, they specially make a hole, which is called "Jordan". It is believed that dipping in such holes cleanses all sins and brings the body health. Especially it is necessary to plunge into the "Jordan" to those who gave fortune to the saints. Because the Church considers divination by sin. In Ukraine, the first persons of the state on this day make ablutions in the Dnieper. And in Bulgaria the priest throws a cross into the water. Believers (mostly young guys) dive after him. It is believed that someone who lifts the cross to the surface, is waiting for luck. Lay people carry water from the church and drink it quietly all year, believing that it treats various diseases.

Celebration in Western Europe

In Catholicism, the day of January 6, the Baptism of the Lord - the Holy Epiphany, is now completely connected with the arrival of the Magi. In churches, consecrate incense, chalk and water. Children go to their homes and the owners give them, and for this they are painted by the kids on the doors of "C + M + B". These are the initial letters of the names of the three kings - Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. But the inscription can also be interpreted as "Christus mansionem benedicat" ("Christ bless this house"). On this day, according to tradition, they are preparing the "Magician's Pie". In the dough, a coin, a bob or a figurine is baked. The cake is cut and distributed to family members. The one who got the "surprise" will be happy all year.