What does the Holy Epiphany - the Baptism of the Lord mean? The history of the holiday, its ancient and later changed meaning will be considered in this article. We will also talk about how different Christian peoples celebrate this day. What is customary to say and what to do on this holiday? What ritual foods to eat? Should I fast on this day? We will pay special attention to the celebration of this holiday among the Eastern Slavs.
Holy Epiphany - Baptism: description
What does the New Testament say about this event? All four canonical gospels mention the baptism of Christ. The history of the Baptism of the Lord is described as follows. At the age of about thirty, the Savior decided to open himself to people - to reveal His divine essence. “In those days,” writes the Evangelist Matthew, “John the Baptist preached and said:“ Prepare direct paths to the Lord, repent of your sins, for the Kingdom of Heaven is drawing near. ” “There was a man from God,” John echoes him, “He was sent to testify of the Light, so that all would believe in Him.” When Christ approached the banks of the Jordan River, where crowds of Jews came, John the Baptist said: “I should be baptized from You,” meaning that the sprinkling of material water is nothing before the vestment in the Holy Spirit. But the Lord said: “It is so necessary to fulfill the truth.” And when John the Baptist sprinkled water on him, "the heavens opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and a voice came: This is My beloved Son."
Holy Epiphany - Baptism: the history of the holiday
The first mention of this day dates back to the second century. Gnostics and such a well-known theologian as Clement of Alexandria speak of the holiday. Initially, this event was interpreted precisely as the "Discovery of Christ to the people." The celebration took on a massive character, first in the east of the Roman Empire, and then in the west. On this day - the sixth of January - three events from the life of Jesus in our world were celebrated at once: Christmas, the worship of the Magi and the Baptism of the Lord - the Holy Epiphany. Moreover, this last was interpreted as the beginning of service to people, the fulfillment of a mission. After this, Jesus retires to the wilderness and fasts there for forty days, being tempted by Satan. And only then He performs His first miracle - at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. That is why in the early Church on this day novices were baptized (they were called "announced"). They were first baptized with water, and then with the Holy Spirit. But over time, the holidays divided. Christmas began to be celebrated on December 25, and the arrival of the Magi and baptism on January 6.
Celebration in the Middle Ages
Over the centuries, the meaning of the event described in the books of the New Testament began to be perceived differently. Emphasis was placed on the value of water baptism. Although John the Baptist himself denied that he was a prophet or messiah. He said: “Someone will come, bigger than me, whose shoes I am not worthy to untie ... It’s I who baptize you with earthly water. He will do it with the Holy Spirit, and with fire. ” Nevertheless, the Baptism of the Lord - the Holy Epiphany received another interpretation - the celebration of the Trinity. It was believed that during this event, God the Father was revealed to the people of Moses. The son showed an example of ablution in the sin-washing water. And the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. However, the ancient "rudiments" of the celebration continued to persist. So, for example, at the Baptism of Christ it is customary to eat kutya (ooze), as well as at Christmas. With the division of the Churches into Western (Roman) and Eastern (Byzantine), the holiday received a different interpretation in their traditions. In Orthodoxy, it was called Epiphanius or Theophany (translated from the Greek “Epiphany.” Also this holiday was called “Holy Lights.” Thus, the Church saw the greatest importance in the event described by the Gospels in the opening of heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God the Father. In Catholicism called Manifestatio - a phenomenon, a statement.
Late interpretation
As soon as the holidays of Christmas and the Baptism of Christ were divided in time (December twenty-fifth and January sixth), the meaning of the last event began to be rethought by the theologians of both Churches. As far back as the sixth century in Byzantium, as history proves, the Epiphany of the Lord Epiphany signified the beginning of the fulfillment of the Mission by Christ. And after the thousandth year, the emphasis shifted to the miraculous bathing of the church font. The whole tradition of celebrating this holiday now consists in the consecration of water by priests. In the Western tradition, the "Manifestacio" received meaning in the appearance to the people of the Persons of the Trinity - that is, the Father, the Holy Spirit and the Son. In addition, the arrival of the Magi (“Adorazio”) is also commemorated on this day. In countries where they speak Spanish, it is on the feast of the “Three Kings” (“Los Reyes Magos”) that it is customary to give children presents, rather than Christmas. The true meaning - “to prepare your soul for service to God”, as John the Baptist called, was forgotten.
Interpretation of the Epiphany in the Qatari tradition
At the turn of two millennia (around 1000), when the Roman and Orthodox Churches actively fought for power in this world, there was a monastic order, whose members literally adhered to the Commandments of Christ. They taught that “The world lies in evil” (1 John 5:19) and that material water does not work any miracles. This Church of Good Christians, which opponents called the Qatari heresy and were physically destroyed in the XIII-XIV centuries, did not celebrate the Baptism of the Lord - the Holy Epiphany. The path to the soul is the main message that these monks saw in the event described in the Gospels. Before you take the cross of good works and follow Christ (Mark.10: 21), you need to cleanse your heart from sins. It is not material water that removes them, but sincere repentance. After all, John the Baptist taught so. He said: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Before the soul is baptized with the Holy Spirit to become the “temple of God," it must be free from sins. For if a blind man leads a blind man, both will end up in a pit.
The baptism of Christ in the church canon
In the Orthodox tradition, this is the twelfth Lord's holiday. So are the days associated with the events of the life of Jesus Christ in this world - from Christmas to Ascension. The Epiphany The Holy Epiphany is now celebrated on 19.01. According to the Julian calendar, this date corresponds to the sixth of January. On the eve of the holiday, clergy and believers must observe strict fasting. Therefore, the kutia served on this day is called "Hungry." For the holiday itself, the clergy wears white robes. Priests bless water twice. For the first time, on the eve, the Great Agiasma (the special rite of baptism), and the second time - during the Divine Liturgy. Therefore, the holiday in the Ukrainian language is called "Water Rescue" or "Yordan" (in honor of the river where the Savior was baptized). It marks the end of the celebration of Christmas time.
Celebration in folk tradition
And how was the Baptism of the Lord - the Holy Epiphany among Eastern Christians? In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Bulgaria on this day, priests "bless the water." This happens both in churches - in vats, and on rivers or lakes. Where it is very cold and the ponds freeze, ice holes called “Jordan” are specially made. It is believed that dipping in such holes washed away all sins and brings the body health. Especially should be immersed in the "Jordan" for those who charm at Christmas time. Because the Church considers fortune-telling a sin. In Ukraine, the first persons of the state make ablutions in the Dnieper on this day. And in Bulgaria, a priest throws a cross into the water. Believers (mostly young guys) dive after him. It is believed that the one who raises the cross to the surface will be lucky. The laity carry water from the church and drink it slowly all year, believing that it cures various diseases.
Celebration in Western Europe
In Catholicism, the day of January 6, the Epiphany is the Holy Epiphany, is now fully connected with the advent of the Magi. Incense, chalk and water are blessed in churches. Children go home and the owners give them gifts, and for this, the kids draw "C + M + B" on the doors. These are the initial letters of the names of the three kings - Caspar, Cupronickel and Balthazar. But the inscription can be interpreted as “Christus mansionem benedicat” (“Christ bless this house”). Even on this day, according to tradition, they prepare the “Cake of the Mages”. A coin, bean or figurine is baked in the dough. The pie is cut and distributed to family members. The one who got the “surprise” will be happy all year.