One of the main Orthodox holidays is approaching - the Baptism of the Lord. It is celebrated every year on January 19. Its second name is the Epiphany of the Lord.
The holiday, as always in Orthodoxy, is based on an event from the Gospel. On this day, January 19, the Baptism of thirty-year-old Jesus took place in the waters of the Jordan River. The Baptismal ceremony was performed by John the Baptist. During Baptism, the Spirit of God descended on Jesus Christ in the form of a dove. At the same time a Voice sounded from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." It was from that moment that everyone learned that Jesus is the Son of God, therefore the second name of the holiday is Epiphany. It is curious that during the Baptism of Jesus Christ there was the appearance of the Holy Trinity: the Voice of God the Father spoke about the Son, the Son of God was baptized by John the Baptist, and the Holy Spirit descended to the son in the form of a dove.
God commanded John to baptize people, cleansing human souls from sins. This is how Jesus began one of the great Orthodox church holidays celebrated to this day. And one of the seven great church sacraments - baptism.
During the rite of Baptism, it is customary to immerse yourself in water with your head three times - this symbolizes the death of Christ on the cross for our sins, coming out of the water - the resurrection of Christ.
In memory of those Gospel events, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord every year. Remembering that after the baptism of Jesus the water in the Jordan became holy, on the eve of the holiday they conduct the rite of consecration of water, bless the water in all churches. After that, the water becomes "holy", acquires unusual life-giving, one might say, wonderful properties.
It is customary to stock up on this water, drink a spoon on an empty stomach in the morning, wash children from an unclean eye, sprinkle it on the house. This water is kept in awe all year round, because its power is enormous. And you don't need to put it in the refrigerator, Epiphany water does not spoil.
Another tradition is dipping into an ice hole. In honor of the Jordan River, the baptismal hole is called Jordan. Three-fold dipping with the head is not just a symbol of purification, it is a renewal of the soul, forgiveness of sins in which a person has repented, enlightenment. It is by no means encouraged to do this naked. Swimming trunks are enough for men; women should wear a chaste nightgown. Before dipping, you need to cross yourself three times with the words "In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit." It is advisable to treat dipping not as a tribute to fashion, but as a great purification. Ideally, before Baptism, you need to defend the service in the church, confess your sins and receive the Holy Communion.
