When to bathe and draw water on Epiphany Day
Every year on January 19, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord, or Epiphany, a holiday commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. On this day the great rite of water blessing is performed, and on rivers and lakes special places for those wishing to take part in traditional bathing are organized. "Izvestia" tells when it is better to dip in the ice-hole and draw holy water.
When to take a dip in the ice-hole on Epiphany - January 18 or 19
Bathing in an ice-hole is one of the most colorful traditions of Epiphany. Every year hundreds of believers gather on the shores of reservoirs to follow the example of Christ to undergo the ritual of ablution. It is believed that immersion in the font (the Jordan) contributes to cleansing from sins and strengthening health. And although clergymen emphasize that bathing is not an obligatory part of the celebration, it remains popular.
Epiphany is celebrated every year at the same time - January 19. Bathing begins the day before, on Epiphany Eve. You can dip in the ice-hole for the first time in the evening of January 18, after the liturgy and the water blessing ceremony. Fonts will work for another day, during the whole celebration of Epiphany.
Many people try to immerse in the Jordan at midnight from January 18 to 19, believing that at this time the baptismal water becomes "more miraculous". However, clergymen note that the time of bathing does not matter: on Christmas Eve and on the day of Epiphany the water in the ice-holes is the same.
The Church also urges believers not to endow baptismal bathing with a magical meaning and not to forget about the spiritual meaning of the holiday. From the point of view of Orthodoxy, the main elements of the celebration are a visit to the temple and prayer, while immersion in the Jordan is just a folk custom. In addition, water, even from a consecrated font, can not "wash away" sins, since the purification of the soul occurs exclusively through repentance.
When and how many bathe at home on Epiphany Day
Despite the popularity of baptismal bathing, not everyone is ready to immerse in icy water. For some it is a matter of comfort, for others - health and safety. As an alternative, many people consider bathing in a bathtub, because in the holiday "the waters are sanctified by nature", and therefore the water from under the tap can be considered holy.
There is no consensus among priests as to whether immersion in the ice-hole can be replaced by bathing in a bathtub. Some ministers of the Church note that Jesus was baptized on the river, so ablution should be done in open bodies of water. Others point out that dipping in icy water is not fixed in the church statutes, so believers are free to conduct the rite in a convenient form, based on their abilities and state of health. The third believe that tap water does not automatically become baptismal water and that bathing in it is beneficial, it is necessary to add to the bath a little consecrated water from the temple and say a prayer.
If a person still decides to bathe on Epiphany in the bathtub, you can do it after the service on Epiphany Eve (in the evening of January 18), on the night from January 18 to 19 or on the day of Epiphany.
Holy water in the church on Epiphany: when to dial in 2025
Unlike bathing, the consecration of water is an integral part of the celebration of Epiphany. In honor of the celebration, it is conducted according to a special Great Order, which is performed only twice a year: on Epiphany Eve and directly on Epiphany.
The holy water received during the rite is called hagiasma, which means "holy" in Greek. Believers treat it with special reverence: they keep it carefully throughout the year, use it for sprinkling at home, give it to the sick and those excommunicated from communion. The clergy also advise to regularly drink a little baptismal water on an empty stomach, while making a prayer to maintain spiritual strength.
Holy water begins to be distributed in the evening of January 18, after the water-sanctification prayer service. You can draw it after January 19. Some large churches during the holidays provide parishioners with round-the-clock access to containers with agiasma, so that there is enough holy water for everyone. The exact time of work of specific parishes should be clarified directly in the temple.
Earlier "Izvestia" told about the history and traditions of the celebration of the Epiphany.
