January 19 in the Orthodox calendar is marked with a special date - the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. As the Gospels and Testimonies of the apostles say, crowds of Jews were waiting for the coming of the Savior, and when Jesus entered the water, the voice of God sounded from heaven, announcing that this was his son, and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus' shoulder - a beautiful white dove. The water in the river became pure and cleansing people from evil and from sin. Epiphany or Enlightenment - this is also the name of this holiday in Orthodoxy, because it was on this day that people learned who their Savior was, who came to give them joy and light.
Instructions
Step 1
In Russia, it was not customary to celebrate this holiday magnificently, noisy fun and feasts were not arranged. On Epiphany Christmas Eve we went to church. And on the day of the holiday, after washing with blessed Epiphany water or bathing in a spring, they put on clean light clothes. Then, after praying, it was necessary to drink a glass of holy water on an empty stomach. And only after that did they start eating. Of course, now no one observes such traditions. But, nevertheless, true believers try to celebrate this holiday.
Step 2
If you want to put together a festive table at home, invite your closest and dearest people. And necessarily - your godparents or godchildren, because they are directly related to this holiday. Before starting dinner, you can also give them a drink of holy water, wishing each other health and goodness. Put a lighted candle on the table so that its flickering light warms your souls, filling it with joy and unity.
Step 3
Traditionally, pies or cookies in the form of pigeons or crosses were baked for family dinner. You can bake coins for good luck in pies, only necessarily according to the number of people at the festive table, so that no one is offended. Bad pastries were not supposed to be served at the table - this was considered a bad omen, and if something did not work out, the hostesses fed the unsuccessful rolls to birds and animals.
Step 4
If you want to present gifts to your loved ones or godparents on this day, take care of them in advance. You can go on a pilgrimage trip and bring a small miraculous icon as a gift. Present your godson as a gift a new cross (for example, gold or silver in exchange for the previous usual one), loved ones will be pleased with decorative candles (you cannot give church ones, as this is a bad omen). A children's Bible in pictures will be a good gift, and adults can be given a prayer book, amulets and aromatic oils, which can be bought in the church shop.
