The Baptism of the Lord is an event described in the Gospels, which tells how John the Baptist baptized the Savior in the waters of the Jordan River. The Baptism of the Lord, or Epiphany, is one of the great Christian holidays, established in memory of this event.
Baptism of the Lord in Jordan
According to the Holy Scriptures, in ancient times the prophet John the Baptist preached on the banks of the Jordan River. He came to the banks of the Jordan to prepare the people for the coming of the expected Messiah. Many people came to the river for a religious bath. John addressing them, demanded repentance and moral cleansing.
When the expectation of the Messiah reached its highest point, Jesus came to Jordan. John considered himself unworthy to baptize him. He said that he should be baptized by Jesus. But he replied that it was necessary to fulfill his destiny and carry out the ceremony.
After the completion of the ceremony, a miracle happened. The heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended from them on Jesus in the form of a dove. Then people heard the voice of God the Father: "This is my beloved son, with whom I bless." Therefore, the Baptism of the Lord is also called the Epiphany. During Baptism, all three persons of the Holy Trinity appeared.
After baptism, Jesus Christ retired into the wilderness for forty days. Here he fasted and prayed. According to the Gospel stories, in the wilderness Christ was tempted by the devil. He inclined him to sin, promised riches and earthly blessings. But all temptations were rejected.
Feast of the Epiphany
In memory of the Baptism of the Savior, a church holiday was established. It is celebrated on January 19 or January 6 according to the old style. On the eve of the holiday it is called Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, believers fast. On Christmas Eve, after the evening service in the church, a ritual of blessing the water is held.
For a long time, people believe in the wonderful properties of Epiphany water. According to beliefs, the water consecrated on the night before the feast of Epiphany does not deteriorate for a long time. It can stand without losing its properties for a year, or two, or three. Believers use baptismal water in case of illness, sprinkle it on their homes.
Also, believers have a tradition to swim in an ice-hole on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. Three times immersion in ice water is considered a cleansing from voluntary or involuntary sins, and also contributes to the healing of the body.
However, according to church rules, swimming in icy water is considered a blessed business, but not obligatory for everyone. The Church does not demand from a person deeds beyond his strength. And winter bathing can be beneficial for someone, but for someone, on the contrary, it can be harmful to health.
It is impossible to understand the meaning and importance of this holiday without knowing the symbolic and real meaning of water in the Old Testament. Water is the beginning of life. It is from the water fertilized by the life-giving Spirit that all living beings originated. Where there is no water, there is a desert. But water can both destroy and destroy - as with the water of a great flood, God poured sins and destroyed human evil.
The baptism of John was symbolic. It meant that as the body is washed and cleansed with water, so the soul of a person who repents and believes in the Savior will be cleansed from all sins by Christ.
