The tradition of swimming in Jordan has become widespread, but not everyone knows its origin and symbolism. Similarly, infant baptism is more a tribute to fashion than part of spiritual education. Although it is from this that the Orthodox path of the child begins.
Epiphany
The tradition of bathing in water dates back to the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. The paradox of the ritual was voiced by John the Baptist himself. Seeing the messiah, he exclaimed in surprise: “I need to be baptized from you, and do you come to me?” Christ was sinless and did not need to be cleansed. It is believed that then he sank the sins of the whole world in the waters of the Jordan.
Baptism is also called the Epiphany. During the action, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven testified: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." God has shown himself in three forms. Namely, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This event was the starting point of Christ's ministry on earth. After baptism, the first apostles appeared to him. Then, according to the gospel, Jesus went into the wilderness to spend time in solitude and prayer and prepare for the fulfillment of the mission.
Epiphany water
The veneration of water recruited on the day of Baptism - January 19, dates back to antiquity. As today, in the early centuries from the Nativity of Christ it was believed that it has healing properties, does not deteriorate during the year and should be preserved. The rite of its consecration takes place first on Christmas Eve, January 18, and then immediately on the day of the Epiphany. Baptismal water is called agiasma, which means "shrine."
On Christmas Eve it is customary to keep a particularly strict fast in order to prepare for confession and communion. And on January 19, there is a custom to plunge into an ice hole in the form of a cross. It is called Jordan. In large cities or in places where there are no reservoirs, a baptismal font is exposed.
Bathing January 19
Currently, dipping on January 19 has become widespread. Almost all cities are trying to organize places to maintain this tradition. It is significant that at Epiphany in Moscow, in almost every park where there is a pond or pond, an ice hole with convenient slopes is provided. Locker rooms and heated tents are installed next to them. Bonfire tea parties create a special atmosphere. In this way, Baptism in Moscow has been celebrated for several years, making this religious holiday a part of urban modern culture.
Baptism as a rite
At the dawn of Christianity, baptism was usually accepted by adults. The ceremony was preceded by a long journey of preparation. During it, it was necessary to attend divine services, communicate with believers and read special prayers. Initially, it was supposed to perform a baptism on the Epiphany or on Great Saturday before Easter. Before initiation, mandatory repentance of sins followed.
Since in the early years of Christianity, believers were subjected to persecution and torture, it happened that they died from the Gentiles, not having time to perform the rite. In this case, they were considered baptized with blood. After all, they have already accepted the teaching and died for faith.
Today, baptism in the temple as a rite does not require such a long preparation. But its meaning remains the same. Initiation means a new spiritual birth. Man must change his lifestyle and train of thought. From now on, he refuses to live for himself, but acquires a meaning and fullness of existence through serving Christ and other people. Epiphany font for an adult marks a spiritual revolution. If he subsequently continues to sin, this is regarded as a rejection of grace.
When can a child be baptized?
According to church customs, the child’s involvement in the church should not be postponed. It is best to perform a ceremony from the 40th day after birth. At the same time, a cleansing prayer after childbirth should be read over the mother of the child before the sacrament.
You can baptize a child any day. But more often this happens on a weekday or Saturday, as the Divine Liturgy takes place on Sunday, and many believers come to the temple.
Who to choose in godparents?
When planning to baptize a child, parents should treat the ritual with maximum responsibility. An important point is the choice of receivers. Godparents should be people close to the family and able to take responsibility for the religious education of the child. Baptism is not a tribute to fashion and is not a guard against misfortunes. This is the way to the Kingdom of God through water and the Holy Spirit. Even a baby who was born in sin needs to be cleansed. After baptism, communion is necessary every year. From the age of seven, one must also confess.
The godparents have three main responsibilities to the foster child: to pray for him, to teach the basics of religion, to show by his own example the path of goodness, love and mercy.
It is believed that the perceivers hold the answer to the Almighty for the sins of the child. In past centuries, if the father and mother were dying, it was the godparents who took him to the family. Moreover, there were no two spiritual parents. The godfather was the person who took the child first. And by tradition, the girl was taken by a woman, the boy by a man.
Baptism preparation
If the ceremony is carried out on a child, then thorough preparation for the initiation should be on the part of the receivers. This involves fasting, confession, communion. One of the most important prayers for godparents is considered the “Creed” - it outlines the main tenets of the Orthodox faith. Necessarily knowledge of “Our Father”. In addition, the recipients should worry about the body cross for the child and kryzhma - the white fabric in which the child is wrapped after the ceremony. It must be stored. It is believed that Kryzhma preserves the grace of holy water, which is kept by the baptismal font.
Orthodoxy initiation of an adult includes a high level of awareness. He does not need spiritual parents and is responsible for the lifestyle he leads. Before initiation, it is necessary to learn the basic dogmas and provisions of religion, to fast, to abstain, to reconcile with those with whom a quarrel has occurred.
Where to baptize?
When a child is small, some parents think about whether to perform the ceremony at home, in a calm and familiar atmosphere. But baptism in the church is of particular importance for joining the faith. The solemnity and importance of the moment coincides with the atmosphere in the temple, which tunes in a sublime manner. However, there are times when a person is sick. Then his baptism is possible only at home (or hospital).
In previous centuries, quite often people accepted the faith, already on their deathbed. Accordingly, the ceremony was performed at home. This was done deliberately: in order to die sinless. Children were not baptized, believing that they were born clean. Later, the church began to condemn this attitude, calling for baptism from infancy. This tradition has gradually established itself. Moreover, even if they were children from noble families, the adoption of Orthodoxy still took place in the church, only in the home. Other children were baptized in temples.
Font in the temple
You should know that if the ceremony of initiation into faith is performed at home, then a simple ablution follows. The holy font is only in the temple. In general, for the believer himself, symbolic communion through water is important, but many for their children want genuine baptism through immersion.
This question is especially acute for adults. Their baptism is most often limited to three times dipping their heads, since usually the font in the temple is a large thicket. However, Jordan is also being established in some places. In them, full bathing can take adults and adolescents.
How is baptism going?
Many people want to know how baptism goes. The script of the rite, awareness of its symbolism gives confidence.
Immediately prior to initiation, a person or, if a child is baptized, the godfather must renounce Satan three times, while turning to the west. Then you need to declare your desire to combine with Christ three times. After that, the “Creed” is read. Further, the clergyman utters a great litany - prayer, which consists of petitions and reciprocal exclamations of the people. This is the preparatory part.
After that, the actual baptism begins. The scenario of actions is as follows: consecration of water, anointing, triple immersion. During the reading of the 31st psalm, a cross is laid on the chest and white clothing is put on, meaning cleansing from sins, innocence and purity. Following this, the priest performs the anointing to sanctify the soul and body.
The oil touches the different parts, and each has its own meaning. The anointing of ears, eyes, and mouth — so that they do not hear, see, or speak evil. Hands - for doing righteous work. Legs - so that a person walks a path pleasing to God. Anointing the breast - to defeat the enemy force. Then, after the priest, the Epiphany font goes around three times, which symbolizes eternity and willingness to follow the path of Orthodoxy.
The final part consists of a reading of the Apostle and the Gospel. The baptized hair is sheared after bathing and anointing. Then the priest reads a
special litany and let go - a blessing to go out after the service.
Silver Font
For any Orthodox, the Baptism of the Lord is a great celebration. Some people are not limited to a one-time immersion in ice water and begin to practice winter bathing.
For several years now, fans of the author’s song have been organizing the Silver Font festival. Its discovery is marked by swimming in cold water. After that, the performers participate in the competitive program. Usually these are several nominations, such as "Poetry", "Author of music", "Bard song", "Duet" or "Ensemble". Fans of bard songs and winter swimming enjoy their creativity. The scale of the event indicates the importance of physical and spiritual development for people. Therefore, both the name of the festival and its attributes are symbolic: creativity and physical recovery are done through the font.
So, many centuries have passed since the baptism of Jesus. Attitudes towards faith and baptism have changed. Blind faith turned into atheism. Atheism was replaced by religiosity. But both in folk traditions and in any religion, one can find a rite of purification through water. Therefore, today, regardless of the strict observance of religious rules, it’s good to bathe in the font, stock up with holy water, and fill your heart with kindness and mercy.