The great and bright holiday of the Baptism of the Lord is always filled with special grace and joy. All Orthodox Christians celebrate it from the evening of January 18 (Christmas Eve) and the whole day of January 19. This holiday is associated with one very important Biblical event that took place on the Jordan River when John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. That was about two thousand years ago.
Mystery of the Holy Trinity
The biblical event describes that when Jesus Christ came out of the water, Heaven opened at the same instant, and a voice was heard: "You are my beloved son, in whom I am blessed." It was at this moment that the Great Secret of the Holy Trinity was revealed to people. After baptism, Christ commanded his apostles to go and teach all the nations. Now everyone who baptizes joins this sacrament.
Prayer for the Epiphany before bathing. When to draw water?
God blessed all the water with His Baptism, and now these days all Orthodox Christians traditionally celebrate the blessing of Water Sanctification. At this time, water is consecrated in all Orthodox churches, and then in rivers and other bodies of water. Further whole processions are carried out, which are called the procession to the Jordan. All this is done to consecrate the natural source of water.
Cleansing from sins
It is believed that at Baptism, a body washed in water is thus cleansed, just like a repentant soul who believes in the Lord will be saved by Him. Therefore, prayer before bathing at Baptism has great power.
Swimming in the ice hole in winter became a Christian tradition and in the culture of Slavic peoples. And today, the most daring people on this holiday love to plunge into the water and thus cleanse themselves. A special prayer before bathing for Baptism helps people get rid of serious sins. Therefore, a cure comes from bodily and spiritual illnesses. But this is affected not so much by the water itself as by the state of the soul of a person who seeks to be closer to God.
Prayer before bathing for baptism
Prayer is the most powerful weapon in the fight against evil spirits. A prayer before bathing for Epiphany on January 19 is necessary, as well as the fact that on Epiphany Eve it is necessary to observe the strictest fasting and eat only bread and water, which help cleanse the soul and body.
From the pagan ancestors we got the tradition of fortune telling, although, as you know, this is not a godly occupation at all. But young girls at all times burned with curiosity and wondered at the suitors, but in the morning they had to earnestly pray that they would forgive these sins.
There are several interesting traditions. For example, in the morning of January 19, you need to go out into the yard early in the morning, wipe yourself with clean snow and thus clear yourself. It is believed that if the sky on this day will be without clouds, then every prayer before bathing for Baptism will be heard. But again, all prayers must always be said with great attention and reverence, and not chattering them like a well-learned text.
Bathing for Baptism
The Feast of Baptism is also called the Epiphany. On this day, the Lord Himself revealed the Unapproachable Light to the world. The very word "baptize" in Greek means "immersed in water." In order to correctly answer the question about what prayer is read before bathing for Epiphany on January 19, you first need to delve into the very essence of the holiday. First of all, it is necessary to understand the symbolic meaning that water has in the Old Testament. After all, it marks the beginning of life, all living things have come out of it. Where there is no water, there is no life, and besides, water, when there is a lot of it, can carry destruction. You can recall the times of the Great Flood - so once God was angry and destroyed all sinners.
Baptism of Russia
The tradition of water blessing appeared in our country in 988, when Russia was baptized by the Grand Kiev Prince Vladimir. The Rite of Sanctification can only be performed by a priest. First, a special prayer is read before bathing at Epiphany on January 19, and at the same time, three times immersion in the water of the Cross is done. This happens immediately after the festive liturgy. According to custom, an ice hole is prepared in advance, which usually looks like a cross and has the symbolic name Jordan.
Very often questions may immediately arise about what kind of prayer for the Epiphany is read before bathing, when to draw water for the Epiphany, when it is healing, and many others.
To begin with, it is still necessary to learn that at Baptism, water becomes a real sanctuary that heals and gives strength. Therefore, such a long procession of blessing water in the church. All the Orthodox who came on this day for a feast take water or wash themselves, while the most courageous ones wish to swim in the ice hole. Baptismal water can already be typed on Christmas Eve on January 18, and on the day of Baptism on January 19 - it will be the same in properties and holiness.
Pagan bathing tradition
Let us return to the history of ancestors (ancient Scythians). They dipped their babies in the hole and thereby tempered them. In addition, according to pagan traditions, bathing in the hole ended the rite of initiation into warriors. So in Russia it was customary to heat the baths, rub it with snow and jump into the cold hole. And to this day some pagan rites have been preserved. Now we bathe in the icy Epiphany water and celebrate Shrovetide, which marks the beginning of Lent.
Do I have to go to Baptism?
Carefully understanding the questions about what prayer for the Epiphany of the Lord is needed before bathing, when to draw water and on which day it is best to do it (January 18 or 19), it should be noted that, according to church rules, the Great consecration of water takes place on Epiphany January 18 . Believers first go to the service, and then they draw Epiphany water. You can swim and get water from the evening of January 18.
Plunge into the hole is not required, only on their own. Moreover, the main thing is that the hole should be specially equipped, there should be a warm place for changing clothes, hot tea prepared, etc. At the same time, it is a mistake to think that if a person is bathed on this day, then all sins will be forgiven.
Returning to the topic “Prayer for the Baptism of the Lord before bathing”, in order to properly approach this process of accepting Epiphany water, you must first fast, then confess and partake of the sacrament. You should also ask for blessings from the priest. Before swimming in the ice hole, a person should understand that this is primarily a risk to his health, which means that it is necessary to have all the medical indicators in normal, that is, at least consult a doctor. She is simply necessary here.
Prayers for Baptism
And now you can answer the question: "What prayer is read for the Epiphany before bathing, to whom does the Orthodox person pray?"
The following prayers are read at Baptism:
- Troparia of the Epiphany.
- The 1st voice begins with the words, “In the Jordan you are baptized ...”
- Kontakion of the Baptism of the Lord.
- Voice of the 4th: “Thou shalt come thou this day the universe ...”.
The magnification of the Baptism of the Lord is also read: "We magnify thee, the Liver of Christ ...".
Before you plunge into the hole, you need to say such a prayer three times. The first time dipping - “In the name of the Father”, the second time - “And the son”, the last - “And the Holy Spirit! Amen".
One must understand, nevertheless, that prayer for the Epiphany before bathing is strong. Of course, you need to know which one to read better, but the most important thing is with what soul and with what heart these words are pronounced. It is not always that our external observance of church rules plays an important role, the main thing remains the spiritual and moral education of every Christian. It is from this that one must always begin. And this means that we must humble ourselves and repent, forgive all our enemies, ask for forgiveness from those we ourselves have offended, help those in need, repent of our sins and try to do good deeds more. And then the world around will become much kinder and more merciful.