Holy Epiphany. Baptism of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ

Description of the holiday

Feast of the Epiphany celebrated on January 19 (New Art.), is one of the twelve feasts of the Lord and has 4 days of forefeast and 8 days of afterfeast.

• Bishop Alexander (Mileant)
• 
  Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov)
• Metropolitan Filaret (Voznesensky)
• Saint Ignatius (Brianchaninov)
• Metropolitan Kirill
• Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh
• Saint Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky)

The establishment of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ dates back to the first centuries of Christianity. Until the 4th century, in the Eastern and Western Churches, the feast of the Nativity of Christ was celebrated on January 6, was known under the name of Epiphany and initially related to the Baptism of the Savior.

The main and initial purpose of establishing the holiday is to remember and glorify the event of the appearance in the flesh of the Son of God. But there was another reason and purpose for establishing the holiday. Somewhat earlier than in the Orthodox Church, the celebration of Epiphany was introduced by the Gnostic heretics (Ebionites, Docetes, Basilidians), because they attached the most great importance in the life of the Savior to His Baptism. Thus, the Ebionites taught that Jesus was the son of Joseph and the Blessed Virgin Mary and that Christ was united with Him at Baptism; The Docetes recognized human nature in Christ as only illusory; finally, the Basilidians did not recognize the incarnation and taught that “God sent his Mind, the first outflow of the Divinity, and he, like a dove, descended in the Jordan on Jesus, who before was a simple man, susceptible to sin” (). But nothing drew Christians into heresy, especially into Gnosticism, so much as the Gnostic worship service, full of harmonious and beautiful songs. It was necessary to oppose the Gnostic holiday with one of our own.

And so, the Orthodox Church established in itself solemn holiday Epiphany and called it the Epiphany, instilling the idea that on this day Christ did not become God for the first time, but only revealed Himself as God, appearing as One of the Trinity, the Son of God in the flesh. In order to undermine the false thinking of the Gnostics regarding the Baptism of Christ, the Church began to add to the remembrance of Baptism the remembrance of the Nativity of Christ. And thus, in the 4th century throughout the East, Epiphany and Christmas were celebrated on the same day, namely January 6, under common name Epiphanies. The original basis for celebrating the Nativity of Christ on January 6 (as well as Epiphany) was not the historical correspondence of this date to the birthday of the Lord Jesus Christ, who was not exactly known in ancient times, but a mysterious understanding of the relationship between the first and second Adam, between the culprit of sin and death and the Director of life and salvation. The second Adam is Christ, according to mysterious contemplation Ancient Church, was born and died on the same day on which the first Adam was created and died - on the sixth, which corresponded to January 6, the first month of the year.

The Feast of the Nativity of Christ was first separated from Epiphany in the Roman Church in the first half of the 4th century (under Pope Julia). By moving the holiday to December 25, the Church intended to create a counterbalance to the pagan cult of the sun and protect believers from participating in it. Moving the holiday to the 25th and celebrating it solemnly was intended to provide a counterbalance to pagan superstitions and thereby turn the hearts of people to the knowledge of the true God. It is known that the Romans had a pagan holiday in honor of the winter solstice on December 25 - the day (birth) of the appearance of the invincible sun, which winter could not overcome and which from now on goes towards spring. This holiday of the renewed “sun god” was a day of unbridled amusements for the people, a day of fun for slaves and children, etc. Thus, this day itself could not be more appropriate for remembering the event of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Who in the New Testament is called the Sun of Truth, Light of the world, Savior of people, Conqueror of death.

The celebration of the Nativity of Christ on December 25 in the Eastern Church was introduced later than in the Western Church, namely in the second half of the 4th century. For the first time, separate celebrations of the Nativity of Christ and the Baptism of the Lord were introduced in the Church of Constantinople around 377 at the direction of Emperor Arcadius, according to the custom of the Roman Church and thanks to the energy and power of the eloquence of St. John Chrysostom. From Constantinople, the custom of celebrating the Nativity of Christ on December 25 spread throughout the Orthodox East.

The establishment of the celebration of the Nativity of Christ on December 25 had another reason. According to the thoughts of the Church Fathers of the 3rd and 4th centuries. (St. Hippolytus, Tertullian, St. John Chrysostom, St. Cyril of Alexandria, Blessed Augustine), the 25th day of December historically most corresponds to the day of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Of the stichera and troparions considered in this service dedicated to the Nativity of Christ, the most ancient, presumably, are the 1st stichera on “Lord, I cried,” kontakion and ikos. Kontakion and Ikos were composed in the 6th century by St. Roman Sladkopevets. He compiled 24 ikos, of which the modern service retains only the first two (kontakion and ikos). The troparion and luminaries of the holiday are also very ancient.

Already in the VII-VIII centuries. Menaions with services to the Nativity of Christ are known in their entire form. In the 10th century there were already pre-celebration and post-celebration services. And in the XI-XII centuries. The service dedicated to the Nativity of Christ takes on the same form in the east in its changing parts, just like the modern service.

The compilers of the modern service for the Nativity of Christ are mainly songwriters of the 6th-9th centuries: St. (kontakion and ikos), St. (stichera on praise), St. (a series of stichera on “Lord, I cried” and stichera on the litia), St. (many of the stichera of Vespers, canon), St. (canon) and others.

Epiphany

Our Lord Jesus Christ, upon his return from Egypt, stayed in Galilee, in his city of Nazareth, where he was raised, hiding from people the power of His Divinity and wisdom until the age of thirty, for among the Jews it was not possible for anyone before the age of thirty to accept the rank of teacher or priest Therefore, Christ did not begin His preaching and did not reveal Himself as the Son of God and "the great high priest who passed through the heavens"(), until he reaches the specified age. In Nazareth He stayed with His Most Pure Mother, first with His imaginary father, Joseph the woodworker, while he was alive, and did carpentry work with him; and then, when Joseph died, He Himself continued the same work, obtaining food for Himself and for the Most Pure Mother of God through the labor of His hands, in order to teach us hard work (). When the thirtieth year of His earthly life was completed and the time of His Divine appearance to the people of Israel had come, then, as the Gospel says, "the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness"(), - a verb that sent him to baptize with water and announced to him a sign by which John was supposed to recognize the Messiah who had come into the world. The Baptist himself speaks about this in his sermon in these words: “He who sent me to baptize in water said to me: on whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit” ().

So John, heeding the word of God, went throughout the whole country of Jordan, preaching "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins"(), for He was the One about whom Isaiah predicted: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight the paths of our God in the desert.”(; cf). And the entire Jewish country, including the people of Jerusalem, came out to him, and they were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins (). Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him (). He came at the time when John announced Him to the people, saying: “He who is mightier than I is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down to untie; I baptized you with water, and He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (). After this announcement Jesus came to be baptized. Although He had no need for this, as sinless and immaculate, born of the Most Pure and Most Holy Virgin Mary and Himself the source of all purity and holiness, but, since He took upon Himself the sins of the whole world, He came to the river to cleanse them through baptism. He came to be baptized, and in order to sanctify the nature of water, He came to be baptized, so that he could also build a font of holy baptism for us. He came to John also so that he, seeing the Holy Spirit descending on the baptized person and hearing the voice of God the Father from above, would be a true witness about Christ.

“John restrained Him and said: I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”() He recognized in spirit the One about whom for thirty years "jumped joyfully" in the womb of his mother (), therefore he himself demanded baptism from Him, as being under the sin of disobedience, which passed from Adam to the entire human race. But the Lord said to John: “Leave it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” ().

By truth, Saint Chrysostom here means the commandments of God, as if Jesus were saying: “since I have fulfilled all the commandments that are given in the law, and only one remains - regarding baptism, then it is fitting for Me to fulfill this one too.” The Baptism of John was also a Divine commandment, as can be seen from the words of John: "He who sent me to baptize in water told me"(). Who sent it? Apparently God Himself: "was- it is said in the Gospel, - word of God to John"(). And also because Jesus was baptized when he was thirty years old, because the age of thirty, according to Chrysostom and Fephylact, is susceptible to all sin. For the age of adolescence is subject to the fire of carnal passions, but at the age of thirty - the time of full revelation of male powers - a person is subject to the love of gold, vanity, rage, anger and all kinds of sins. Therefore, Christ the Lord delayed accepting baptism until this age, so that at all ages human life to fulfill the law and sanctify our entire nature and give us the strength to overcome passions and beware of mortal sins.

After receiving baptism, the Lord immediately, without any delay, came out of the water. There is a legend that Saint John the Baptist immersed every person baptized by him up to the neck and held him like that until he confessed all his sins; After this, the person being baptized was allowed to leave the water. Christ, who had no sins, was not detained in the water, and therefore the Gospel added that He came out of the water immediately ().

When the Lord came out of the water, the heavens opened above Him, a light flashed from above in the form of lightning, and the Spirit of God in the form of a dove descended on the Baptized Lord. Just as in the days of Noah the dove announced the diminishing waters of the flood, so here the likeness of a dove predicted the end of the sinful flood. And in the form of a dove, the Holy Spirit appeared because this bird is pure, loves people, is meek, gentle and does not tolerate anything stinking: so the Holy Spirit is the source of purity, the abyss of love for mankind, the teacher of meekness and the organizer of the world: moreover, He always moves away from man , creeping in the stinking mire of sins. When the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Christ Jesus from heaven, a voice was heard saying: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"(). And to him belongs glory and power forever and ever. Amen.

Word of Saint John Chrysostom on the Epiphany of the Lord

I want, beloved, to celebrate and triumph, for the holy day of enlightenment is the seal of the holiday and the day of triumph. He captures the Bethlehem den, where the Ancient of Days, like a baby at his mother’s breast, lay in a manger; He also opens the Jordanian springs, where the same Ancient of Days is now baptized with sinners, granting the measure of His most pure body the remission of sins. In the first case, he who came from the womb of the Most Pure Virgin appeared to infants as a baby, to the mother as a son, to the Magi as a gift to shepherds - as a good shepherd, who, according to the word of Divine Scripture, lays down His soul for the sheep (). In the second case, it is at His baptism that He comes to the Jordanian waters in order to wash away the sins of tax collectors and sinners. Speaking about the extraordinary miraculousness of such an event, the wise Paul exclaims: "The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people"(). For now the world is enlightened in all its parts: first of all, the sky rejoices, conveying to people the voice of God descending from the heavenly heights, the air is sanctified by the flight of the Holy Spirit, the nature of water is sanctified, as if learning to wash the souls along with bodies, and all earthly creation rejoices . The devil alone weeps when he sees the holy font prepared to drown his power.

What else does the Gospel say? “Jesus comes from Galilee to the Jordan to John to be baptized by him. John restrained Him and said: I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” (). Who saw the Master standing before the slave? Who saw the king bowing his head before his warrior? Who has seen a shepherd to whom a sheep would show the way? Who has seen the head of a race who would receive a reward from someone practicing on the run? “I need to be baptized by You,” i.e. teach me, O Lord, You Yourself the baptism that You want to teach the world. I need You to baptize me, since I am under the burden of ancestral sin and carry the serpentine venom within me. I need to wash away the filth of an ancient crime, and for what sins did You come to be baptized? The prophet also testified about You, saying: “for He committed no sin, and no lie was found in His mouth.”(). How, by giving deliverance yourself, do you seek cleansing? Those who are baptized, according to custom, confess their sins; What do you have to confess when You are completely sinless? Why do You demand from me what I have not been taught? I do not dare to do anything that exceeds my strength; I don’t know how to wash the light; I don’t know how to illuminate the sun of truth. The night does not illuminate the day, gold cannot be purer than tin, clay cannot correct the potter, the sea does not borrow streams from the source, the river does not need a drop of water, purity is not sanctified by filth, and the condemned does not set the judge free. "I need to be baptized by You." A dead man cannot raise a living man, a sick man cannot heal a doctor, and I know the weakness of my nature! “A student is not higher than a teacher, and a servant is not higher than his master.”(). The cherubim do not approach me with fear, the seraphim do not bow to me and do not proclaim the trisagion. I do not have heaven as a throne, I was not foreshadowed by a star to the Magi, Moses, Thy saint, was barely worthy to see "behind you"(), how can I dare to touch Your most holy head? Why do You command me to do something that exceeds my strength? I do not have a hand with which I could baptize God: “I need to be baptized by You.” I was born of an old woman, for nature could not contradict Your command. Being in the womb of my mother and not being able to speak myself, I then took advantage of her lips, and now with my own lips, I will glorify You, the Incontainable One, Whom the virgin ark contained. I am not blind, like the Jews, for I know that You are the Master, Who only temporarily took on the form of a slave in order to heal man; I know that You appeared to save us; I know that You are a stone cut out of the mountain without hands, a stone in which he who believes will not be deceived. I won't be led astray visible signs Your humility, and I understand in spirit the greatness of Your Divinity. I am mortal, you are immortal; I am from a barren woman, and You are from a virgin. I was born before You, but not above You. I could only go out to preach before You, but I do not dare to baptize You: I know that You are the ax lying by the tree (), the ax that cuts down the barren trees of the Judean garden. I saw a sickle ready to cut off passions and proclaimed that soon sources of healing would open everywhere, for what place would remain inaccessible to Your Jews? You will cleanse the lepers with one word, the flow of blood will stop through one touch of the hem of Your garments, from Your one command the paralytic will again be strengthened with strength. You nourish the daughter of the Canaanite woman with grains of Your miracles, You open the eyes of the blind with clay. How then do You ask me to lay hands on You? “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me? Looks at the earth, and it shakes”( ; ), they walk on the waters as on earth, - You, about whom I exclaimed many times during the sermon: “He who is mightier than I is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down to untie!”() I rely only on Your ineffable goodness and hope on Your immeasurable love for mankind, according to which You allow even a harlot to wipe Your most pure feet and touch Your most holy head.

What does the Lord say to him? “Leave now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”(). Serve the Word like a human voice, work like a slave to the Lord, like a warrior to the king, like clay to the potter. Do not be afraid, but boldly baptize Me, because I will save the world; I give myself to death in order to revive the mortified human nature. You, despite My command, are still slow to stretch out your hand, but the Jews will soon not be ashamed to stretch out their unclean hands against Me in order to betray Me to death. “Leave it now, for it must be so.” Out of My love for mankind, I, before all ages, decided to save the human race. For the sake of people I became a man. What could be more surprising than the fact that I, as a simple person, come to be baptized? I do this because I do not despise the creation of my hands, I am not ashamed of earthly nature. I remained the same as I had been from time immemorial, and took on a new nature, and yet My being remained unchanged: “I will leave you now.” For the enemy of the human race, having been cast out of heaven and expelled from the earth, nests in the watery nature, and I came from there to drive him out, as I announced to the prophet about Me: "You crushed the heads of the serpents in the water"() Leave now." For this enemy wants to tempt Me as a man, and I endure this in order to prove his powerlessness, for I will say to him: "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" ( ; ).

Oh new miracle! O ineffable grace! Christ accomplishes the feat, and I receive honor; He fights with the devil, and I turn out to be the winner; He crushes the snake's head in the water, and I, as if a real wrestler, am crowned: He is baptized, and the filth is removed from me; The Holy Spirit descends on Him, and remission of sins is given to me; the Father testifies of Him as His beloved Son, and I become the son of God for His sake; The heavens were opened to him, and I entered into them; before Him, the baptized one appears the kingdom on high, and I receive it as an inherited possession: the voice of the Father turns to Him, and together with Him I am called; The Father favors Him, and does not reject me either. For my part, I glorify the Father, who gave His voice from heaven, the Son, who was crucified on the earth, and the Spirit who descended like a dove, the one God in the Trinity, Whom I will always worship. Amen.

Word on the Epiphany of the Lord

Saint Demetrius of Rostov

As we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord on the waters of the Jordan, let us remember that the Lord our God had previously appeared above the waters in order to do various wondrous deeds. So when He appeared over the waters of the Black Sea, “the depths hid the entire bottom” and led His people on dry land; when he crossed the Jordan in the ark, he returned the waters of this river back: “The Jordan,” it is said, “turned back.”(). Finally, in the beginning, when the Spirit of God rushed “above the water,” God created the sky, the earth, birds, animals, man, and in general the entire visible world.

And now over the waters of the Jordan there appears one God in the Trinity: the Father in the voice, the Son in the flesh, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. What does He produce in this appearance of His? He creates new world, and renews everything, just as in the pre-holiday troparion to make a new world, different from the first. "The ancient things have passed away,- says Scripture - everything is new now"(). The first world was heavy by nature, could not ascend to the sky and needed land on which it could stand, as if erected. And the new world, brought out of the waters of the Jordan, is so light that it does not need dry land, is not built on earth, has no barriers, but seeks heights, rushes quickly from the water to the heavenly doors open above the Jordan: “Jesus immediately came up out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him.”(). For the first world, burdened with everyday burdens, if it wanted to reach heaven, it would need a ladder established on earth, the top of which would reach heaven - but even that was only contemplated by Jacob, he himself did not ascend her, - for the new world, ascent to heaven is possible without a ladder. How? Behold, instead of a ladder, the Spirit of God, in the form of a dove, flies over the waters. And that means the following. Human race no longer like a reptile that creeps on the ground or a crawling animal, but like a feathered bird comes out of the water of baptism; therefore, the Holy Spirit appeared over the waters of baptism like a bird in order to raise His chicks, which He gave birth to in the bath of baptism, to heaven without a ladder. And the words of the song of Moses are sung here: "flies over her chicks"(), or, as Jerome’s translation reads, calls his chicks to fly. It is precisely this new world that God creates by His appearance on the waters of the Jordan, which does not cling to the earth, but like a feathered bird strives on its wings to the open sky.

Let us recall here the expression of Scripture: “And God said: Let the waters produce, let the birds fly in the firmament of the sky.”(), and let us see how one of the persons of the Holy Trinity, who has now appeared over the waters of the Jordan at the renewal of the world, brings out his spiritual chicks from the waters of baptism and calls them to fly, so that they may ascend on their wings of virtue to the heavens that have opened above the Jordan. But before considering this, let us be convinced, on the basis of the teachers of the Church, that every person born of water and spirit is a heavenly chick. St. John Chrysostom says: “it was previously said: yes, “the water will bring forth reptiles, a living soul”; and since Christ entered the Jordanian streams, the water no longer produces “reptiles, a living soul,” but rational and spiritual beings - souls, which do not crawl on the ground, but like birds soar to the sky. Therefore David said: "Our soul is like a bird"(). This bird is not earthly, but heavenly, for our life, which is prepared for us starting from baptism, is, according to the word of Scripture, in heaven." Saint Gregory of Nyssa, reproaching those who, after receiving baptism, turn to their former evil deeds, says: " shameless people who have received baptism, driven, by unknown means, into a frenzy, lose the salvation received by the waters of baptism, although, having been buried in the body of Christ, they have been clothed with the wings of an eagle and through this have the opportunity to fly up to those birds of heaven, which are fearless spirits." Let us pay attention to these words: “having been buried in the body of Christ (through baptism), they were clothed with the wings of an eagle, so that they could fly.” By this, this holy teacher convincingly proves that people emerging from the waters of baptism are birds soaring to the sky. But we will also see this from history.

The Venerable Nonnus, Bishop of Ilipolis, when he was supposed to convert the obvious sinner Pelagia to God in Antioch, saw the following vision in a dream at night: he imagined that he was standing in the church at the liturgy - and then some kind of black dove, stained with dirt, began to fly near him ; he took it, washed it in the font, and after that the dove immediately became as pure as snow and beautiful, and flew straight from here to the sky. This vision indicated that this blessed father would turn the sinner to the Lord and enlighten her with holy baptism. So, the waters of holy baptism are so powerful that they can turn a person into a bird of heaven. The Jordanian waters also do this, giving a person wings on which he could fly into the “heaven that opens before him.” But not only the renewal of human nature in the waters of the Jordan is depicted in the phenomenon, but also the three venerable Persons of the Divine who appear take on the likenesses of various birds. So we know that Holy Scripture likens God the Father to an eagle: "like an eagle calls its nest"(). We also read that the Son is like a kokosh to God: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem,- He says, - how often have I wanted to gather your children together, as a bird gathers its young under its wings"(). We finally know that God the Holy Spirit appeared over the Jordan in the likeness of a dove. So, why are the Persons of the Holy Trinity likened to the aforementioned three breeds of birds? Truly because They flocks of the same chicks spiritually remove from the water of baptism, that is, they make people spiritual chicks, some like an eagle, some like a cocosh, and some like a dove.

The Church, triumphant in heaven, divides the faithful servants of God, who come from the militant Church, in the heavenly village into three special faces: the face of teachers, the face of martyrs and the face of virgins. We will not be mistaken if we say that these three faces are three flocks of chicks born and hatched from the water of baptism. The face of the teachers is a flock of eagles that soar in the sky and, without crossing their eyes, look at the sunshine; for holy teachers, meaning God, fly high, as if having wings, and with a bright mind, as if contemplating with an eye the light of the Tri-radiant Deity, they enlighten themselves and others with wisdom. The face of the martyrs is a flock of many-children, for through the shedding of their blood for Christ they gave birth to many other children of Christ: the blood of the martyrs indeed gave birth to many children for the primacy of the Church, of whom there were more than the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. The face of virgins has become like pure doves, for they offer themselves entirely as a living sacrifice to God and take care not to please the flesh, but the one and only Lord. These three flocks of spiritual birds said we were born in the water of baptism. Let's look at how this happens.

The book of Song of Songs says: "Turn your eyes away from me, for they trouble me"(). This means: look at me, Lord, with your merciful eyes and do not turn them away from me, for, by your mercy, I become a bird climbing to heaven. And in His appearance on the Jordan, God looked upon human nature: God the Father looked upon him, opening the heavens over the Son; God looked upon the Son, coming from Nazareth of Galilee to be baptized by John on the Jordan - he looked upon, I say, for all the filth of Adam’s sin, all the weaknesses of our nature He collected and brought here in order to wash them and cleanse us from our sins - God also despised The spirit descending on the divine man who was baptized. Having looked upon us, the one God in the Trinity has not revealed human nature? Truly he opened, for through this divine charity immediately flocks of eagles and doves appeared, that is, the faces of teachers, martyrs and virgins. Let's explain this based on Holy Scripture.

The theologian saw in the revelation that came to him, before the throne of God, a glass sea, as if made of crystal (); this sea signified the mystery of holy baptism, for between the throne of God and the person who intends to approach the throne of God, there is the water of baptism, and no other way can anyone approach God, who sits on the heavenly throne, than by first crossing the sea of ​​baptism, according to the Scriptures : "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God"(). But why is this sea, which signifies the mystery of baptism, glass and crystal? We know that the interpreters of Divine Scripture will say that it is glass because it contains purity that cleanses the soul of a person receiving baptism, and crystal because it gives hardness to a person’s heart. Another reason why it is glass and crystal is that, just as it passes through glass and crystal Sunbeam, so the grace of God penetrates through the mystery of baptism, and with it it comes to a person and enlightens the temple of his soul. Finally, for this reason, the sea, which is in front of the Throne of God and signifies the mystery of baptism, is glass and crystal, so that the Most Holy Trinity sitting on the throne is reflected and visible in it, as in a glass and crystal mirror, for in holy baptism the image of the Trinity appeared. “Go therefore,” said Jesus Christ, “teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”(). Humanly speaking, if God the Father sat on His throne like an eagle, then in the sea, which is the throne, as if in a glass and crystal mirror, the image of an eagle should have been reflected. If God the Son is on the throne like a kokosh - for He calls Himself that way in the Gospel - then in that sea that was in front of the throne, it was as if in a mirror, the image of the kokosh would appear. If the Holy Spirit sat on that throne like a dove, then the image of a dove should have appeared in that sea. But let us explain the spiritual meaning of these images. We said that the sea seen before the throne of God signifies the mystery of holy baptism, in which our baptized nature is purified like glass, "from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit"(), but our soul is strengthened and enlightened, like crystal. And when God in the Trinity looks at this mysterious glass and crystal during our baptism, then truly the image of the Trinity appears in it. Whether God the Father looks like a spiritual eagle or God the Son like a spiritual kokosh, or God the Holy Spirit looks like a spiritual dove, always the mysterious glass and crystal, that is, our baptized nature, reveals in itself a reflection of these spiritual birds and becomes an eagle chick or a kokosh or a dove, that is, a child of God, one in the Trinity - Father and Son and Holy Spirit, as it is said: "to those who believe in His name, He gave power to become children of God"(). The Most Holy Trinity looked upon human nature, those who were baptized in the waters of the Jordan, and was reflected in it, providing it, like a chick, with the spiritual wings of an eagle, a kokosh and a dove, that is, it multiplied in the militant church teachers, martyrs of virgins. So, it is clear that each person of the Most Holy Trinity brought out its special spiritual chicks from the waters of the Jordan. God the Father, like an eagle, brought spiritual eagles, that is, church teachers, out of the Jordan. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem says: “the beginning of the world is water, the beginning of the gospel is the Jordan. From the water the light of day shone, for the Spirit of God, rushing at first “above the water,” commanded the light to shine from the darkness. From the Jordan the light of the holy Gospel shone. The First Teacher of the whole world , Christ is God's power and God's Wisdom, where did He begin His teaching? Was it not from the waters of Jordan? "Since then,- it is said in the Gospel, - Jesus began to preach and say: Repent"(). And immediately many teachers appeared after Him - these were the holy apostles whom He sent to preach. Thus, the waters gave life to both natural birds () and spiritual birds. For where were Peter and Andrew, James and John () called to the apostolic and teaching ministry? Isn't it from the water? The Lord chose His apostles from among the fishermen. Where did the Samaritan woman come from as a preacher about the true Messiah in her city? Is it not from the water of Jacob's spring (). Where did the blind man, who received his sight, come forward as a witness of the miraculous power of Christ? Is it not from the water of the pool of Siloam ()? All this was a foreshadowing of holy baptism, in which spiritual blindness is healed, sinful defilements are washed away, and church teachers receive divine wisdom. For through baptism that grace is given to a person, with the help of which he can acquire great understanding, and from there spiritual wings grow from the teachers of faith, according to the word of scripture: “They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary” ().

God the Son, like a kokosh, gathering scattered children under His wings, brings forth from the water of baptism His chicks - the holy martyrs, Himself, first of all, giving His flesh, baptized in water, to the wounds, Himself, first of all, laying down His life for us on the cross, so that we too were ready to die for Him. Let us remember here the words of the apostle: "We who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death"(). This means almost the same as if the apostle had said: everyone who is baptized into Christ must die for Him, must "to be united to Him in the likeness of His death"(). And who was so baptized into His death if not the holy martyrs who said: "For Your sake we are killed every day"()? Who else was like this "united with Him in the likeness of His death"(), to which He "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter"(), like not the holy martyrs, saying: "they consider us to be sheep doomed to the slaughter"(). That is why they sing: “having preached the lamb of God, be doomed to the slaughter like lambs.” Forty-nine saints were baptized in his death, as well as ten thousand martyrs who, with Saint Romilus, were crucified on the same day in the Armenian desert. And all the holy passion-bearers who shed their blood for Christ approached “in the likeness of His death,” as those who were baptized into His death. Even in the water of their baptism they were already predestined to the crown of martyrdom. The common kokosh has the custom of choosing the best grains for food and, having found them, calls its chicks to itself. Having accepted as true that all virtues are spiritual food, everyone must admit that there is no better grain, or no higher virtue, than love: "but love is greater than all"(), - and it is precisely this kind of love that lays down its soul for its beloved: “Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”(). This grain of love was found and pointed out to His chicks by the spiritual kokosh - Christ the Lord, laying down His soul for his friends: "You,- He said to the apostles, - my friends"(). Called chicks - holy martyrs - flocked to this grain and began, prompted by love, to lay down their souls for the Lord, as one martyr speaks to the Lord: “I love you, my bridegroom, and for you I will accept suffering,” martyrs who, having been cast with the saint Callistratus into the lake, “united with Him in the likeness of His death,” , . Where were these spiritual chicks called to the seed of love? Was it not from the water of baptism, in which they were baptized into his death? Let us listen to Saint Anastasius of Sinaiti, who, about the prudent thief, for whom the water flowing from the ribs of Christ became the water of baptism, says: “to these birds (i.e., to the heavenly spirits) the holy thief flew from the life-giving water that flowed from all the birds, soaring along air in a swarm of birds together with the king - Christ."

God the Holy Spirit, like a dove, brings forth from the water of baptism its chicks - pigeons pure in body and soul, i.e. virgins. For until human nature in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, through the condescension and action of the Holy Spirit, was united with the Divinity and washed by the Jordanian waters, until then marriage was higher than virginity, until then there was little about virgin purity, observed for the glory of God. where it was known. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh"(). Then the flesh alone gave birth, but the spirit remained barren, which is why God once said: "My Spirit will not forever be despised by men, because they are flesh"(). When human nature descended onto the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descended on it, then suddenly from the Spirit the highest life of marriage, virginity, was born, striving not for the carnal, but for the spiritual, according to the words of John the Theologian: "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit"(). And since the spirit has greater honor than the flesh, then virginity, united into one spirit with the Lord, has become more honorable than a carnal marital union. Our nature, having ascended into a spiritual marital union with Christ in the Jordan, became fruitful and produced whole virgin faces. And such a spiritual marriage cannot produce anything other than virginity, as the prophet Zechariah pointed out when he said: "Wine belongs to the young women"(). By virgins the prophet means virgin faces. The Holy Spirit, according to the word of the prophet, is poured out like wine and produces virgins, for where the Holy Spirit pours out His grace, there virginity cannot but be born. Blessed Jerome, in his translation of the Holy Scriptures, successfully conveys the meaning of the said passage with the words: “wine that produces virgins.” In fact, that wine of grace of the Holy Spirit once poured out on the apostles and intoxicated them so much that to some they seemed drunk with wine and made them such virgins that no blemish remained in them and they became pure and whole as doves. On the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Church sings: “the spirit of salvation creates pure apostolic hearts.” So now, this wine is poured onto the waters of the Jordan, and who doubts that the waters of baptism, mixed with the wine of the Holy Spirit, produce virginity, according to the words of the prophecy: “wine that gives birth to virgins,” and moreover, such virgins as the apostle speaks to : “I have betrothed you to one husband in order to present you to Christ as a pure virgin”()? From the spiritual marriage of our nature with God, virginity is born from the Spirit, which the Holy Spirit, having brought forth from the water of baptism, introduces it into the heavenly abode.

Thus, each Person of the Most Holy Trinity, who appeared on the Jordan, from the waters of baptism his special spiritual chicks and, having brought them out, calls on them to fly on the wings of virtue given to them into the openings of heaven.

Firstly, God the Father, as a spiritual eagle, calls His chicks to flight - spiritual eagles, i.e. teachers, as having special wings, about which the Church sings: “God distributed to the chicks that arrived, and they ascended to heaven.” What kind of wings do those chicks have? There is no doubt that, in addition to other virtues common to all, there are two: deed and word. He is a church teacher, he is a high-flying eagle, who himself actually does what he teaches others in words. And that the wings of spiritual eagles really are word and deed, this is clearly shown in the book of Ezekiel the prophet, who once saw four animals with four wings each, driving the chariot of God. Those animals made noise with their wings: “And as they walked, I heard,” says the prophet, “the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty (i.e., the almighty or, but Symmachus’ translation, like the thunder of the mighty God), a loud noise, like noise in a military camp" (). Truly a great voice, an extraordinary song! However, what is surprising is not so much the voice itself, but where this voice came from. This voice did not come from the larynx, the word did not come from the tongue, the song did not come from the lips, but from the wings of these animals. The prophet says: “I heard the sound of their wings.” They sang, but not with their larynx, they praised God, but not with eloquent and verbose lips and tongue, but with the same wings on which they flew: “I heard the sound of their wings.”

What secret is hidden here? This secret is this: the animals driving God's chariot meant church teachers, who are vessels chosen to spread the name of God throughout the universe, and with their teaching they draw the Church of Christ, as if God's chariot, onto the straight road leading to heaven , in which there are many tens of thousands of believing souls. The wings of these animals, emitting a voice and singing, signify the deed and word of the teacher. The wings that make it possible to fly indicate that the church teacher himself must first show himself as a model of virtue, he himself must first, in his God-pleasing life, soar to the sky, as if feathered. The voice coming out of the wings of these animals means a teaching word; the teacher must emit a voice that is consistent with the strength of his flight, that is, he must teach the herd and at the same time he himself must live as he teaches. For the voice of a teacher does not bring such benefit when the wings of a godly life are not visible. Only that teacher ascends directly to the open sky above the Jordan, who flies not on one wing of the word, but also on the other wing - a virtuous life, who at the same time teaches in word and deed. It is not so easy for both teacher and student to be lifted to heaven by an intricately left word or a sweet-voiced mouth or a loud larynx, like the wings of good deeds.

God the Son, like a spiritual kokosh, calls His chicks - the holy martyrs - to fly. And the wings of virtue, which belong to them alone besides other common virtues, are the following two: faith and confession. About these martyr's wings the Apostle says: “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confesses unto salvation.”(). Unshakable faith in the heart is one wing; bold confession with the lips of the name of Christ before kings and tormentors is another wing. The first spiritual bird to fly into heaven, the prudent thief who suffered with Christ on the cross, flew precisely on such wings of Faith and Confession. For at the time when our Lord, who voluntarily suffered for us, was abandoned by everyone, and when even Peter, who promised to die with Him, denied Him, one thief believed in Him with his heart and confessed with his lips, calling him King and Lord: “Remember me, Lord,” he said, “when you come into your kingdom.” How great was this faith of the thief when it became scarce in all the disciples of Christ ()! When all those who believed were offended by Christ, He alone was not offended, but prayed to Him with faith, which is why I heard these words from Him: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise"(). Saint Ambrose speaks about it this way: “at that hour when heaven accepted Christ, it also accepted the thief, but this glory was bestowed upon the thief by faith alone.” So it is clear that this bird, that is, the martyr crucified with Christ on the cross, flew into paradise not on any other wings than by faith confessed with the lips. “This glory,” says Saint Ambrose, “was bestowed upon the robber by faith alone.”

Finally, God the Holy Spirit, appearing in the form of a dove, calls on His chicks - virgins - to fly, for it is characteristic of Him to make man a winged bird that could penetrate into the very high areas. Saint Damascus sings, calling the spiritual doves, the holy virgins, to fly. Those doves have special wings of virtue: mortification of flesh and spirit. And that mortification of the flesh is one of the wings that lifts a person to heaven, about this Saint Ambrose (of Milan), interpreting the words of the Gospel: "you are better than many birds"(), says this: “the flesh, disposed to fulfill the Law of God and put off by sin, in purity of feelings is likened to the nature of the soul and ascends to heaven on spiritual wings.” Here the holy teacher of the Church speaks of assimilation to the nature of the soul, meaning mortification, of which the actual nature of the flesh, as it were, passes into the nature of the soul, when the worst is subordinated to the best and the flesh is enslaved to the spirit, when a person is freed from sin and purifies his feelings, which is not possible without killing. Having mortified his flesh, a person becomes light and feathered like a bird, and ascends to the sky on spiritual wings. So, the mortification of the body for virginity, soaring to heaven, is the first wing, for whoever wants to maintain purity must first of all mortify his flesh, as indicated by the words of the prophet David when the Holy Spirit turns to Christ with these words: "All Your garments are like myrrh and scarlet and casia"(). Here the interpreters of the Divine Scripture mean by myrrh - mortification of passions, by stactas - humility, by cassia - faith. These fragrances come from the clothes of Christ, that is, from His holy Church, from the believers, in whom He put on as a garment, taking on His flesh and dwelling in those who live purely and holy. So the Holy Spirit seems to say this: mortification of passions, humility and faith, like precious aromas, are fragrant before Your Father from Your Church, from pure and virgin people who preserve the indicated virtues in their hearts, as if in vessels for preserving aromas. But let us ask: why does the Holy Spirit, glorifying the Church of Christ for various virtues, first of all praise it for mortifying the passions of believers, placing myrrh in the first place? In truth, in order to show that after the suppression of lawless lusts, after the cessation of carnal lust, after the mortification of the body, all other virtues follow, as if following their leader. So, the spiritual chicks of the Holy Spirit, that is, virgins who want to have heaven as their nest, first of all, need to have this wing, that is, mortification of the flesh.

Their second wing is mortification of the spirit, which consists of not only not committing sin in deed, but also not desiring it in the spirit, not thinking about it in the mind. You can be clean in body, but at the same time have various inappropriate desires, enjoying thoughts of the unclean. It is not in vain that the apostle exhorts: "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit"(). These words clearly indicate that there is extreme filth - uncleanness of the flesh and uncleanness of the spirit. For the flesh is accustomed to manifest itself in deeds, and the spirit in the thoughts and dispositions of the heart. It is in vain that it boasts of its purity and hopes to achieve heavenly glorification, that virginity, which keeps only the body uncorrupted, but does not try to cleanse the soul, defiled by thoughts and desires. For just as a bird cannot fly on one wing, so a virgin with only bodily purity, without spiritual purity, will not enter the palace of heaven. The one who carefully preserves both purities, like a dove, will fly in the wake of the One who appeared “in the form of a dove.”

And so we heard what God did, one in Three Persons, who appeared on the waters of the Jordan during the renewal of the world - how He brought out from the waters of baptism the spiritual chicks of the church - teachers, martyrs, virgins and called them "into the open heavens." May there be, both from teachers, martyrs and virgins, and from us sinners - to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit - to God who appeared on the Jordan, honor, glory, worship and thanksgiving, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Sermon by Archpriest Rodion Putyatin. On the day of the Epiphany.

Sermon of Saint Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky). Word on the day of Epiphany.

Sermon by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. Epiphany.

What kinds of life-giving and what kind of terrible waters there are... At the beginning of the Book of Genesis we read about how the breath of God floated over the waters and how all living beings arose from these waters. Throughout the life of all mankind - but so clearly in the Old Testament - we see water as a way of life: they preserve life... “And in those days John the Baptist went out to preach in the desert of Judea and said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is very near.” !" He is the one who was foretold through the prophet Isaiah, who said: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the ways of the Lord, straighten His paths!” This John had clothing made of camel’s hair, and a belt of skin on his thighs; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then they came out to him from all of Jerusalem and all of Judea, and were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Then Jesus came out of Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him... Twelfth Feasts of the Russian Orthodox Church . Epiphany. Epiphany of the Lord from 5)

The Orthodox holiday Epiphany is celebrated on January 19. Why is this holiday extremely important for Christians? The thing is that on this day Christians remember the event recorded in the Gospel - the baptism of Christ. This happened in the waters of the Jordan River, where at that time John the Baptist, or Baptist, was baptizing Jews.

history of the holiday

The Orthodox holiday of the Baptism of the Lord is also called Epiphany as a reminder of the miracle that took place: the Holy Spirit descended from heaven and touched Jesus Christ immediately as he emerged from the water after immersion and a loud voice said: “Behold, this is my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:13). -17).

Thus, during this event, the Holy Trinity appeared to people and it was witnessed that Jesus is the Messiah. That is why this holiday is also called Epiphany, which refers to the twelve, i.e. those celebrations that are designated by Church doctrine as events related to the life of Christ.

Orthodox Church Epiphany is always celebrated on January 19 according to the Julian calendar, and the holiday itself is divided into:

• 4 days of pre-feast - before the Epiphany, during which liturgies dedicated to the upcoming event are already heard in churches;
• 8 days of post-feast - days after the great event.

The first celebration of Epiphany began in the first century in the First Apostolic Church. The main idea of ​​this holiday is the memory and glorification of the event in which the Son of God appeared in the flesh. However, there is another purpose for the celebration. As is known, in the first centuries many sects arose that differed in dogmatic principles from the true church. And heretics also celebrated Epiphany, but explained this event differently:

• Ebionites: as the union of the man Jesus with the Divine Christ;
• Docetes: they did not consider Christ to be half-man and spoke only about His Divine essence;
• Basilidians: did not believe that Christ was half-god and half-man and taught that the dove that descended was God's mind, which entered into a simple man.

The teachings of the Gnostics, who had only half-truths in their teaching, were very attractive to Christians and a large number of them turned into heresy. To stop this, Christians decided to celebrate Epiphany, simultaneously explaining in detail what kind of holiday it was and what happened at that time. The Church called this holiday the Epiphany, confirming the dogma that then Christ revealed himself to be God, being originally God, One with the Holy Trinity.

In order to finally destroy the Gnostic heresy regarding Baptism, the Church combined Epiphany and Christmas into a single holiday. It is for this reason that until the 4th century these two holidays were celebrated by believers on the same day - January 6, under the general name of Epiphany.

They were first divided into two different celebrations only in the first half of the 5th century by clergy under the leadership of Pope Julius. Christmas began to be celebrated on January 25 in the Western Church, so that the pagans would turn away from celebrating the birth of the sun (there was such a pagan celebration in honor of the sun god) and began to cleave to the Church. And Epiphany began to be celebrated a few days later, but since the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas according to the new style - January 6, Epiphany is celebrated on the 19th.

Important! The meaning of Epiphany remains the same - this is the appearance of Christ as God to his people and reunification with the Trinity.

Icon "Baptism of the Lord"

Events

The Feast of Epiphany is dedicated to the events that are set out in the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew - the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River, as it was written by the prophet Isaiah.

John the Baptist taught the people about the coming Messiah, who would baptize them into fire, and also baptized those who wished in the Jordan River, which symbolized their renewal from the old law to the new one that Jesus Christ would bring. He spoke about the necessary repentance, and washing in the Jordan (which the Jews had done before) became a prototype of Baptism, although John did not suspect it at the time.

Jesus Christ began his ministry at that time; He turned 30 years old, and he came to the Jordan to fulfill the words of the prophet and announce to everyone the beginning of His ministry. He asked John to baptize Him too, to which the prophet, very surprised, replied that he was not worthy to take off Christ’s shoes, and He asked him to baptize. John the Baptist already knew then that the Messiah himself was standing before him. Jesus Christ responded to this that they should do everything according to the law so as not to confuse people.

While Christ was immersed in the waters of the river, the sky opened, and a white dove descended on Christ, and everyone nearby heard the voice “Behold my Beloved Son.” Thus, the Holy Trinity appeared to the people in the form of the Holy Spirit (dove), Jesus Christ and the Lord God.

After this, the first apostles followed Jesus, and Christ himself went into the desert to fight temptations.

Traditions on the holiday

The Epiphany service is very similar to the Christmas service, since when the Church adheres to strict fasting until the consecration of the water. In addition, a special liturgy is served.

Other church traditions are also observed - the blessing of water, the procession to the reservoir, as was done by Palestinian Christians who went to the Jordan River in a similar way for baptism.

Liturgy on the day of Epiphany

As on any other important Christian holiday, a festive liturgy is served in the church, during which the clergy dresses in festive white vestments. Main feature The service becomes the blessing of water, which occurs after the service.

On Christmas Eve, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is served, after which the font in the church is consecrated. And at Epiphany, the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is served, after which communion is celebrated and the water is re-blessed and a religious procession to the nearest body of water for consecration.

About other significant Orthodox holidays:

The troparia that are read tell about the division of the Jordan by the prophet Elijah and about the baptism of Jesus Christ all in the same river, and also point to the fact that believers are spiritually renewed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scriptures are read about the greatness of Christ (Acts, the Gospel of Matthew), the power and authority of the Lord (Psalms 28 and 41, 50, 90), as well as about spiritual rebirth through baptism (the prophet Isaiah).

Bishop's service for Epiphany

Folk traditions

Today Orthodoxy resembles the mixing of two rivers with pure and muddy water: pure is doctrinal Orthodoxy, and muddy is folk, in which there are extremely many admixtures of completely non-church traditions and rituals. This happens because of the rich culture of the Russian people, which is mixed with the theology of the church, and as a result, two lines of traditions are obtained - church and folk.

Important! It’s worth knowing folk traditions, because they can be separated from the true, church ones, and then, knowing the culture of your people is simply a must for everyone.

According to folk traditions, Epiphany marked the end of Christmastide - at this time the girls stopped fortune telling. Scripture prohibits fortune telling and all witchcraft, therefore Christmas fortune telling just a historical fact.

On Epiphany Eve the font in the church was consecrated, and on the 19th the reservoirs were consecrated. After the church service, people walked in procession to the ice hole and, after prayer, plunged into it to wash away all their sins. After the consecration of the ice hole, people collected water from it in containers to take the consecrated water home, and then plunged themselves.

Swimming in an ice hole is purely folk tradition, unconfirmed by the doctrinal teaching of the Orthodox Church.

What to put on the holiday table

Believers do not fast on Epiphany, but do so in advance - on Epiphany Eve, the eve of the holiday. It is on Epiphany Christmas Eve that it is necessary to observe strict fasting and eat only lean dishes.

Articles about Orthodox cuisine:

On Epiphany you can put any dishes on the table, but on Christmas Eve only Lenten ones, and the presence of sochiva is required - a dish of boiled wheat grains mixed with honey and dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, etc.).

Lenten pies are also baked, and washed down with uzvar - dried fruit compote.

Water for Epiphany

Water has a special meaning during the Epiphany holiday. People believe that she becomes pure, sanctified and holy. The Church says that water is an integral part of the holiday, but it can be sanctified by prayer anywhere. The clergy bless the water twice:

• on Epiphany Eve the font in the church;
• water brought by people to temples and reservoirs.

The troparion of Epiphany records the necessary consecration of the home with holy water (a church candle is also used for this), but swimming in an ice hole is a purely folk tradition, not obligatory. You can bless and drink water whole year, the main thing is to store it in glass containers so that it does not bloom or spoil.

According to Tradition, all water on the night of Epiphany is sanctified and, as it were, acquires the essence of the waters of the Jordan, in which Jesus Christ was baptized. All water is sanctified by the Holy Spirit and is considered holy at this moment.

Advice! It is recommended to drink water during communion along with wine and prosphora, and also drink several sips daily, especially on days of illness. It should be remembered that, like any other object, it is consecrated in the temple and requires respectful treatment.

Is water holy for Epiphany?

The clergy answer this question ambiguously.

Consecrated water, brought to temples or in reservoirs before bathing, according to the Traditions of the elders, is sanctified. Traditions say that on this night the water becomes similar to the water that flowed in the Jordan at the moment when Christ was baptized there. As Scripture says, the Holy Spirit breathes where it wants, so there is an opinion that at Epiphany holy water is given wherever they pray to the Lord, and not just in the place where the priest performed the service.

The process of blessing water itself is a church celebration, telling people about the presence of God on earth.

Epiphany ice hole

Swimming in an ice hole

Previously, in the territory of the Slavic countries, Epiphany was called (and continues to be called) “Vodokhreshchi” or “Jordan”. The Jordan is the name given to the ice hole, which is carved with a cross in the ice of a reservoir and which was consecrated by the clergyman at Epiphany.

Since ancient times, there has been a tradition - immediately after consecrating an ice hole, take a swim in it, because people believed that in this way they could wash away all their sins. But this applies to worldly traditions,

Important! Scripture teaches us that our sins are washed away by the Blood of Christ on the Cross and people can only accept salvation through repentance, and swimming in an icy pond is only a folk tradition.

This is not a sin, but there is no spiritual meaning in this action. But bathing is just a tradition and should be treated accordingly:

• this is not mandatory;
• but the execution can be done reverently, because the water was consecrated.

Thus, you can swim in an ice hole, but you must do this with prayer and after the festive service in the Church. After all, the main sanctification occurs through the sinner’s repentance, and not through bathing, so one should not forget about personal relationships with the Lord and visiting the temple.

Watch the video about the Feast of Epiphany

The beginning of each year pleases us with pure, bright Christian holidays. Each of these days carries its own traditions and prayers, each makes us happy with its gifts: Christmas Eve and Christmas, Old New Year and Baptism. This is the time when each of us can become purer, get closer to the Divine principle and be filled with light energy that literally permeates a person these days.

Nature seems to be enjoying a wonderful day: Epiphany frosts seal rivers and lakes with thick ice, in which ice holes will be cut. Epiphany night is the time when God comes into this world to show it His unapproachable light. While Epiphany water washes away the human sins of those who dare to plunge into the ice hole, miracles are performed all over the Earth and the water becomes healing. Since ancient times, people believed that Epiphany bathing strengthens the human spirit, making us stronger and healthier.

The holiday of Epiphany or Epiphany is celebrated by the Orthodox Church according to the new style January 19. Usually January 18 Believers observe strict fasting.

History of Baptism

The holiday of Epiphany is considered one of the oldest holidays of Christianity. Its establishment can be dated back to the times when the apostles were still preaching the teachings of Christ. It is interesting that the ancient name of this event is “Epiphany” (“appearance”) or also “Theophany”, which means Epiphany. Epiphany Day was also called “Holy Lights” or “Feast of Lights”. For it is on this day that God comes into our world.

The sacrament of baptism is vividly depicted in all four Gospels. “And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And as he came up from the water, immediately John saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descending on Him.” (Mark 1.9-11).

Translated from Greek, the words “baptize” and “baptize” mean “immerse in water.” The essence of baptism cannot be understood if you do not know what place water is given in the Old Testament. Thus, for the Jews, water means the origin of life, since from water, which was fertilized by the life-giving Spirit, many living beings arose. And where there is no water there is a desert. However, water can also show its destructive power: just remember the waters of the great flood, which destroyed sinful humanity.

John the Baptist performed a symbolic ceremony during which the Spirit of God in the form of a dove descended to Jesus Christ, and a strong voice said: " This is My Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; Listen to him"The baptism of Christ symbolized the cleansing of human souls, which were freed from all sins. John the Baptist said: “He who is mightier than I is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down to untie; I baptized you with water, and He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:7-8).

The baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of a new era, a union between God and man. After the Baptism of Christ, the holiday itself is no longer just a symbol of cleansing from sins.

The baptism of Christ is the revelation of Him to the world as the Son of God. " I have seen, I testify: He is God's Chosen One", says the forerunner. Epiphany revealed to us the great Divine mystery of the Holy Trinity. Now everyone who is baptized joins this mystery, according to the words of Christ to His disciples." Go and teach all nations to cross them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

Thus, through Baptism, fallen man renews his original image of God in himself. The great mystery of baptism does not immediately become a reality. This day, the Day of Epiphany, makes us one with Christ. During the rite of baptism, in water, which is the source of new life, a person dies to sin and is resurrected to God. This is why child baptism plays such an important role in Christianity.

Bathing for Epiphany

It is believed that on Epiphany night the water in reservoirs is sanctified by the Spirit of God. Therefore, on January 19, water blessing is held everywhere, in memory of the fact that Christ blessed water with His Baptism. In churches, water is also blessed during the service, and afterward they go out to rivers and lakes.

The religious procession itself is called the “Procession to the Jordan,” during which a natural reservoir is consecrated, and an ice cross, carved from the thickness of the ice on the surface of the reservoir, rises above the reservoir itself. There is no swimming in this ice hole (Jordan), you can only touch the water with your hand or draw it for drinking, and also wash your face. In some areas, a temporary chapel is installed, which is also made of ice.

The water is considered consecrated after the cross is lowered into it. At this moment, Holy Baptism is considered accomplished, the doves are released and swimming in the ice hole begins. The tradition of sacred ablution came to us in ancient times from Greece. The date of the holiday (January 19) falls on the coldest month of winter, but this does not scare anyone away, quite the contrary. So, for example, the last royal family in Russia she walked to the Jordan, with her heads uncovered. This parade was the most solemn and most symbolic of the year; it was considered a great honor to take part in it.

On the feast of Epiphany, people plunge their heads into Jordan water three times. Despite the severe frost, no one catches a cold after swimming. Our ancestors believed that swimming in an ice hole was a great opportunity to show one’s courage and wash away sins, which included fortune telling at Christmas time. To perform the ritual of immersion in the “water of the Jordan,” long shirts, the same for women and men, were worn.

Congratulations on your Epiphany

Holy holiday Epiphany!

Let the frost crackle outside the window.

Have you all gathered together today?

I wish there were no tears!

So that all adversity, problems go away,

So that the sadness leaves the heart

So that the Holy Star of Bethlehem

Illuminated your path in life!

"Today is Epiphany"

Today is Epiphany.

Great holiday.

Grants forgiveness

The Lord is many-faced.

Let things happen

Your thoughts match.

And may he grant you

Lord grace!

"May peace and joy reign"

May the day of Epiphany be great

Only grace promises you.

May happiness be multifaceted,

May justice prevail

May peace and joy reign

In family, work and business.

May divine goodness

Will help in life and dreams!

« Great holiday came today!

The great holiday has arrived today!

And its essence is sacred and pure,

May this day of the Epiphany of the Lord

Sadness and vanity will disappear.

I congratulate you on this holiday,

I wish you only happiness, peace and goodness,

Everything will be fine, I know for sure

And it will be so - today and always!

***

"In the Israeli town of Vifavar"

In the Israeli town of Bethavare,

Where the Jordan River flows,

The Jews accepted baptism

The carpenter's son was baptized there too!

And favor descended from heaven,

And Christ began his journey through the world,

We wish that every prayer

May a dove carry you from you to God!

Yule fortune telling

Christmas and New Year's holidays People call it "Yuletide". Usually on these days (from January 6 to January 19), people conduct Christmas fortune-telling, which should tell a person about his future life. Items used for fortune telling at Christmas time are considered magical, as on these days they acquire special powers.

Fortune telling on mirrors (the image of the groom)

Most often fortune telling is done on water, wax, wedding rings, mirrors. Single girls they make dreams about the betrothed, who may appear at the call of the future bride to look at her. For example, fortune telling with two mirrors is common to attract the image of the groom. The girl sat down at midnight between two mirrors, candles were lit. Peering into the “gallery” of images that form the mirrors, the young beauty sought to see the image of her groom.

Fortune telling using a well of matches

To attract the image of her future lover, the girl made a well out of matches, onto which she placed a small padlock on top. A dream was made in which the betrothed should experience thirst while passing by a well, but the well was closed. The girl put the key under the pillow, saying: “The betrothed-mummer wants to drink water, but I have the key.” Usually fortune telling was carried out on the night of St. Basil's Day ( 13 - January 14).

Wax fortune telling

For this fortune telling, wax was melted in a cup, milk was poured into a plate or saucer and placed at the doorstep of the house. Then they said the words: “Brownie, my master, come to the threshold to eat wax and drink milk.” When they finished speaking, they poured melted wax into the milk.

After the wax had hardened, we observed what was happening. If you saw a frozen cross, then illness awaited the person in the new year. If the cross has only just appeared, then financial affairs will not go very well in the coming year, and problems may arise in your personal life, but not too serious. If the wax “blooms” like a flower, then the guy will get married, and the girl will get married or find a loved one.

If an animal appears, then some enemy may appear. If the wax “falls” in stripes, long roads or crossings lie ahead. If it freezes into stars, then you should expect good luck in your service and studies. If a human figure is formed, you will have a new friend.

Baptism: folk signs

• If the trees are covered with frost at Epiphany, in the spring you need to sow winter wheat on the same day of the week - the harvest will be rich.
• If snow falls in shovels on Epiphany, it means a good harvest.
• If there is a starry night on Epiphany, there will be good harvest nuts and berries.
• If a lot of fish are visible on Epiphany, bees will swarm well.
• If after Baptism there is a full month in the sky, a flood is possible in the spring.

Orthodox Christians celebrate on the night of January 18-19 one of the most important and most ancient holidays - Epiphany. They began to celebrate Epiphany even earlier than the Nativity of Christ; written references to it are found in manuscripts of the second century. The history of Baptism is interesting not only for Orthodox Christians, but also for people who want to broaden their horizons.

What meaning does the holiday of Epiphany carry?

The day of the Baptism of Jesus is considered the day when people learn the great mystery of God. It was at the moment of the Baptism of Christ that mere mortals witnessed the appearance of the Holy Trinity: the Father (God), the Son (Jesus) and the Spirit, who appeared in the form of a dove. It turns out that Baptism symbolizes the beginning of the emergence of the Christian religion, the moment from which the worship of God, who ceased to be unknown, began. In the old days, Baptism was called the Holy Lights - this meant that the Lord descended to earth and revealed the Unapproachable Light to the world.

"Baptism" literally means "immersion in water." The wonderful properties of water were spelled out in the Old Testament - water washes away all the bad and gives rise to good things. Water can destroy or revive. In pre-Christian times, washing was used for moral cleansing, and in the New Testament, baptism with water began to symbolize deliverance from sins and the birth of spiritual life.

How Jesus Christ was baptized

According to biblical legends, on January 6, according to the old style, thirty-year-old Jesus Christ came to the Jordan River. At the same time, John the Baptist was there, the prophet who was sent by the Lord God himself to perform such an important rite. John knew that he would have to baptize the son of God, but for a long time he did not dare to begin the sacrament, considering himself unworthy to perform such an important task. Jesus insisted on doing the will of God the Father and entered the waters of the Jordan.

When John began to baptize God the Son, the loud voice of the Father was heard over the earth, and the Spirit of God descended on Jesus in the form of a dove. So God the Father appeared to people and pointed them to his son, who was destined to become the Savior. After Baptism, Jesus began to fulfill the will of God and bring new light to the world.

How Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany

The great feast of Epiphany is preceded by Epiphany Eve - a strict one-day fast that falls on January 18. During this short fast, you are allowed to eat only lean flatbreads made with hemp oil, popularly called sochen and kutya. In the house on the eve of the holiday they always do general cleaning, throw away excess garbage and clean the corners.

The main event of Baptism is the consecration of water in all churches. On this day, water acquires miraculous powers; it heals the body from diseases and cleanses the soul. Christians use Epiphany water to treat illnesses, cleanse their homes, and protect against troubles and evil forces. Every corner of the house must be sprinkled with water brought from the temple, and it is given to the sick and children to drink. Surprisingly, Epiphany water retains its properties for exactly a year. All this time it does not deteriorate or go rotten.

Epiphany bathing in open reservoirs is another holiday tradition that was revived in Russia after the disappearance of communist foundations. It is believed that during immersion in water, all earthly sins and illnesses are washed away. Washing on the feast of Epiphany makes it possible for a sinful person to be born again and appear before God in a renewed form. Traditionally, believers immerse themselves in water three times, symbolizing the death of Christ and participation in his resurrection. In bodies of water covered January ice, ice holes are cut out in the shape of crosses; such baths are usually called “Jordan”.

Many delicious treats made from meat, honey and cereals are prepared for the holiday. The main dishes on the Epiphany table were crosses made from sweet dough, pancakes and baked pig. Before the meal, they always ate cross cookies and washed them down with blessed water. After that, we feasted on pancakes with honey, and then tasted all the available dishes. It is believed that the heavens open on Epiphany, so all sincere prayers are sure to come true.

Pre-Christian traditions

The Feast of Epiphany coincides with the end of Christmastide - folk festivities dating back to pagan times. The evening of January 18 is the last day when you are allowed to guess the future. Fortune telling has always been of particular interest to young girls interested in marriage. On the night of Epiphany, it is still customary to look into future events, but you need to know that the church does not approve of this and that Epiphany fortune-telling has a direct relationship to church holiday They have no epiphanies.

Ecology of life: Epiphany is one of the great twelve holidays, celebrated in honor of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The Baptism of the Lord is celebrated no less solemnly than the Nativity of Christ. The holidays of the Nativity of Christ and the Epiphany of the Lord are interconnected by Christmastide and constitute a single celebration - the Feast of Epiphany.

The Essence of the Holiday

Epiphany is one of the great twelve holidays, celebrated in honor of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The Baptism of the Lord is celebrated no less solemnly than the Nativity of Christ. The holidays of the Nativity of Christ and the Epiphany of the Lord are interconnected by Christmastide and constitute a single celebration - the Feast of Epiphany. In the unity of these holidays are all three persons of the Holy Trinity:

in the Bethlehem den the Son of God was born in the flesh;

at the baptism of the Son of God, from the open heavens “the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form, like a dove” (Luke 3:22);

and a Voice was heard from Heaven proclaiming: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Divine service

The Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated in the same way as the Feast of the Nativity of Christ. The day before, the Royal Hours, the Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and the All-Night Vigil are celebrated, beginning with Great Compline.

The special feature of this Holiday is two great blessings of water.(small blessing of water can be performed at any other time). The first great blessing of water takes place on the eve of the Holiday in the temple. The second - on the very holiday in the open air on rivers, ponds, wells.

On the day of Epiphany, the rite of consecration of water is performed in an ice hole made in the form of an Orthodox cross. The first, in ancient times, was performed for the baptism of catechumens and, subsequently, was converted into remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord. The second probably came from the ancient custom of Jerusalem Christians, on the day of Epiphany, to go out to the Jordan River and here remember the baptism of the Savior. Therefore, the Epiphany procession has the name procession to the Jordan.

Biblical events

Jesus Christ, who returned from Egypt after the death of King Herod, grew up in the small city of Nazareth, located in Galilee. With His Most Holy Mother He stayed in this city until His thirtieth birthday, earning food for Himself and the Most Pure Virgin by carpentry.

When the thirtieth year of His earthly life was completed, that is, the time before which, according to Jewish law, no one was allowed to teach in the synagogues or take the priesthood, the time came for His appearance to the people of Israel.

But before that moment, according to the prophetic word, the Forerunner had to appear to Israel, who had the task of preparing the people of Israel to receive the Messiah, the one about whom the prophet Isaiah predicted: “the voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of God in the desert.” ours.”

Far from people, in the depths of the harsh Judean desert, there was a word of God to John, the son of Zechariah, a relative of the Blessed Virgin, who, while still in the womb of his mother, the righteous Elizabeth, jumped joyfully, welcoming his Savior, about whom no one in the world had yet known except Him. The Most Pure Mother, who received the gospel from the Archangel. This word of God commanded John to go out into the world preaching repentance and baptize Israel to testify to the Light, so that everyone would believe through him.

The Jews coming to John had a natural question: Isn’t he, the Savior desired by everyone, the Consolation of Israel? The Baptist answered: “He who is mightier than I is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down to untie; I baptized you with water, and He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

According to the Gospel story, Jesus Christ came to John the Baptist, who was near the Jordan River in Bethabara (John 1:28), with the goal of being baptized. John, who preached a lot about the imminent coming of the Messiah, saw Jesus and was surprised and said: “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” To this Jesus replied that “we must fulfill all righteousness,” and received baptism from John.

Jesus Christ had no need for this baptism, as he was sinless and immaculate, born of the Most Pure Virgin Mary and Himself, according to His divinity, the source of all purity and holiness. But, since He took upon Himself the sins of the whole world, He came to the waters of the Jordan to cleanse them through baptism.

He came to be baptized in order to sanctify the watery nature with Himself, in order to give us the font of holy baptism. He also came to be baptized so that John would see the fulfillment of the word of God, who commanded him to come out of the wilderness: “On whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining on Him, He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Baptist obeyed the word of Christ and the Jordan accepted Him into its waters, by whose command it began its course. As the Gospel tells us, after receiving baptism the Lord immediately came out of the water. Church tradition tells about this “immediately” that Saint John the Baptist immersed every person baptized by him up to the neck and held him there until he confessed all his sins. Only after this was the person allowed to come out of the water. Christ, however, did not He who had sins could not stay in the water, so he immediately left the river.

During baptism, “the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove, and there was a voice from heaven, saying: You are My Beloved Son; I am well pleased with You!” (Luke 3:21-22).

After his baptism, Jesus Christ, led by the Spirit, withdrew into the desert in order to prepare in solitude, prayer and fasting to fulfill the mission with which he came to Earth. Jesus Christ for forty days “was tempted by the devil and did not eat anything during those days, but at the end of them he was hungry” (Luke 4:2). Then the devil approached him and, with three seductions, tried to tempt him to sin, like any other person.

Location of Holy Baptism

The place where John the Baptist preached and baptized, according to church tradition, was called Bethavara (the area beyond the Jordan, where there was a river crossing, which explains the name of the city - the house of the crossing.

The exact location of Bethawara, possibly Beit Awara, is uncertain. Since the 16th century, it has been considered the place where the Greek monastery of St. John the Baptist is now located, a kilometer from modern Beit Avara, about 10 km east of Jericho and 5 kilometers from the confluence of the Jordan River into the Dead Sea. Already in the time of King David, a ferry was built here, and in the 19th century this place was called the “Pilgrimage Ford”, because of the many pilgrims who flocked here to bathe in the waters of the Jordan.

It was along this path, 12 centuries before the Nativity of the Savior, that ancient Israel, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land. Here, a thousand years before the Incarnation, King David crossed the Jordan, fleeing from his own son Absalom, who rebelled against him. In the same place, the prophets Elijah and Elisha crossed the river, and already in the Christian era, the Venerable Mary of Egypt went to the Trans-Jordanian desert along the same route to mourn her sins.

Orthodox Christmastide

Christmastide in Orthodoxy is twelve holidays between Christmas (January 7) and Epiphany (January 19). In Catholic Christianity, Christmastide corresponds to twelve days of Christmas, lasting from noon on December 25 to the morning of January 6. Christmastide is also often called holy evenings, in memory of the events of the Nativity and baptism of the Savior, which took place at night or in the evening.

The church began to sanctify twelve days after the celebration of the Nativity of Christ in ancient times. This was indicated by the 13 conversations of St. Ephraim the Syrian, spoken by him from December 25 to January 6, as well as the “words” of St. Ambrose of Milan and St. Gregory of Nyssa.

The ancient twelve-day celebration of Christmastide is confirmed by the spiritual charter of St. Savva the Sanctified.

The same is confirmed by the Code of Justinian, published in 535. The Second Council of Turon, in 567, designated all days from the Nativity of Christ to the Epiphany as holidays. Meanwhile, the sanctity of these days and evenings was violated at many points by fortune telling and other superstitious customs that survived from the pagan celebrations of the same time.

There is an Orthodox law that prohibits “on the eve of the Nativity of Christ and throughout Christmastide, according to old idolatrous legends, starting games and, dressing up in idol robes, dancing through the streets and singing seductive songs.” published