Every year, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate one of the most significant holidays - the Baptism of the Lord. This holiday is the final and third in a row in the Christmas cycle, and is also one of the twelve most important religious holidays. Today we will talk about the history of the holiday and how to prepare for the ritual of swimming in the hole today.
Epiphany is a church holiday that most of us associate with a set of holy water and dipping into an ice hole. When there will be Epiphany in 2019, what date to swim on January 18 or 19, who can do it, and who better not take risks, how to prepare for this procedure - we will tell in our material.
Epiphany water is sacred, has healing power, carries a powerful charge of faith, and has its own memory. Bathing in Epiphany in the cold is a tradition that has passed through the centuries. Not only has it not lost its significance, but it has gained popularity both among young people and among the older generation. Swimming in the ice hole has become not only a matter of faith, but also a fashion trend.
Baptism of the Lord 2019, date
One of the great holidays is the Epiphany of the Lord. This holiday is one of the few that is celebrated annually and its date does not change. In 2019, the Baptism of the Lord will be celebrated on the 13th day after Christmas, namely on January 19, on Saturday.
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History of Baptism
After long wanderings in the desert, according to the Gospel, the prophet John came to the Jordan River, in which the Jews traditionally performed purification rites. Here he began to baptize people in the waters of the river, telling them about baptism and about repentance.
When the Messiah was 30 years old, he also came to the Jordan River and asked the prophet to baptize him. After the ceremony, the heavens opened up, and the Holy Spirit descended on the young Jesus in the form of a dove. Then the words of the Lord were heard, who said that Jesus was his son.
The event itself pointed John and all those who were at that moment by the river to the Divine dignity of the baptism of Jesus. History says that it was then that the Holy Trinity was revealed to the people: God - by voice, God the Son - Jesus and the Holy Spirit - a descended dove ..
When did the tradition of bathing at Epiphany in the hole appear?
Bathing in an ice hole for baptism is nothing but a folk tradition, and it has absolutely nothing to do with worship or the gospel. In Moscow, this tradition became widespread only in the 90s. Church ministers declare that the Orthodox do not have such an obligation as immersion in a winter hole. This is something from a series of extreme sports, personal perseverance to prove that a person can fight nature even in such harsh conditions.
This tradition exists today in Russia, Ukraine and other countries. In Greece, for example, the Bishop on this day blesses the sea, throws the cross, reading a prayer far into the sea, and Christians dive after him in order to get the cross. This is also a folk custom.
In Russia, a Jordan is cut down for Epiphany - an ice hole in the form of a cross, after which the water is blessed in it. For centuries, the church consecrated the water in the springs, and then the common people took water from the font. Some wanted to testify to their strength in faith, and they decided to plunge into the hole. This is where the tradition began.
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How to prepare a hole?
It should be noted that the ice-hole for mass bathing is prepared by specially trained teams. The bathing place is cleared of snow, and then a cross is cut out of the ice using a chainsaw and safety ropes. Blocks of cut ice are sent either further along the river or taken out with special equipment.
People living in the private sector and having a pool cut a hole directly in their pool, also using a chainsaw. You will learn more about how to prepare a hole in the video.
How to swim in the hole? Who can't do this?
Everyone knows that the holiday got its name due to the fact that it was on this day many centuries ago that Christ was baptized. Translated from the Greek, "baptize" means "I plunge into the water." In addition to the sanctification of his physical body, the Son of the Lord was sanctified by his immersion and water.
That is why believers around the world are immersed in water, like Christ. By such an act, they harden their body, wash away their sins, and draw closer to God. Not everyone is capable of such an act, and it is not enough just to plunge into the hole.
Epiphany water remains holy for a week. You can swim all week, but it’s better to do it on Epiphany Eve - January 18 or on the holiday itself - January 19.
For the great holiday, believers prepare in advance. Celebration begins on January 18, the day of strict fasting. Lenten kutya, pancakes and oatmeal jelly are indispensable components of Christian dinner. In churches on January 18, they begin to bless the water. On January 19, when the Baptism of Christ comes, Orthodox Christians come to church. Before the service, many confess and receive communion.
Then they listen to the festive divine liturgy, joining in the universal joy of celebrating the Baptism of the Savior. After the service, the custom of lighting the water begins. In some churches, a procession is performed, where they pray over the watery nature and overshadow the water with a cross.
Epiphany is one of the 12 main Christian holidays. According to the Gospel, on this day Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan River. In folk traditions Christmas time ends on Epiphany.
"Baptism" from the Greek - "immersion in water." In the first century, John the Baptist performed this sacrament in the waters of the Jordan River. The preacher called people to repentance and washed away sins, cleansing from filth. Came to the bank of the sacred river and Jesus Christ. During the sacrament, the Holy Spirit descended on the Savior in the form of a dove. As the Gospel tells, a heavenly voice proclaimed: this man is the Son of the Lord, who brings His will to the world. Therefore, the feast of Epiphany is also called the Epiphany and is associated with water - consecration in churches and immersion in fonts.
The evening before the holiday - Epiphany Christmas Eve - brought the whole family together. According to Russian traditions, after a fasting meal, spoons were put into a common bowl and covered with bread in the hope of a rich harvest. Preparations for the holiday were not without superstitions. It was customary among the people to draw crosses over the door, windows and even the stove damper in order to protect their home from evil spirits.
On Epiphany night, girls told fortunes about their betrothed, although it was a sin to guess on the eve of such a big holiday. But the morning was certainly greeted with prayer. According to legend, the sky in the predawn hours was opened to the most secret requests.
The main symbol of this holiday is water. It is believed that all the water on the night of Epiphany becomes miraculous: whether it is a river in an ice-hole or snow in an open field.
It is customary to start the Epiphany morning with a drink of consecrated water, and the first morning dish is the sacrum. Ritual cookies in each province were baked in their own way. Somewhere these are cakes with a cross applied, but mostly two strips of dough that formed a cross.
On the eve of Epiphany, the mothers of the family baked the sacrums - as a rule, thinking about the well-being of the household. Smooth cookies without flaws promised an easy and prosperous year, cracks promised difficulties. The cross will not bake or burn - to be a disease. Unsuccessful cookies were crushed to the birds, driving away trouble.
Another tradition of Baptism is connected with birds. On the day of the holiday, after the service, white doves are released into the sky as a symbol of the Holy Spirit that appeared on earth in the guise of this bird, and as a sign of the end of the Christmas holidays.
Bathing in an ice hole for Epiphany is an important ritual for cleansing the soul and body, which not every person can decide on.
The Feast of Epiphany or Epiphany is the final day among the three great feasts of the Christmas cycle. Orthodox Christians and Greek Catholics celebrate Epiphany on January 19th. This great holiday marks the baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River. During Baptism, according to the Gospels, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove, and a voice from heaven proclaimed: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”.
It is with those distant events that the ritual of consecrating water in the hole is connected, where you can swim at Epiphany in the image and likeness of Christ in the Jordan. Therefore, the hole itself in the shape of a cross is called Jordan. It has long been believed among the people that bathing on Epiphany on January 19 strengthens the immune system, helps to heal from illnesses and provides protection from illnesses for a whole year, and also cleanses the soul from sins.
Christians believe that from midnight on Epiphany, water has healing properties, and water collected on this day from a consecrated source or consecrated in a church retains these qualities throughout the year. Midnight on January 19 is the time when it is already possible to swim at Epiphany. Although the majority of people begin to swim in the morning. Especially for this, ice-holes are equipped in the cities, tents are set up to warm the bathers, priests and doctors are present.
In fact, you don’t need to swim and swim in icy water. It is important to prepare and warm up the muscles, as well as read the prayers for Baptism before bathing: “Our Father” and “Virgin Mary”. And then it is enough to plunge into the hole with your head three times for a few seconds. When immersed, the believer must be baptized and say: “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!” And after leaving the hole, you should immediately put on warm clothes.
Keep in mind that bathing in an ice hole on Epiphany is dangerous for people with hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, skin problems, respiratory system diseases, colds or flu, as well as people with cerebral circulation disorders and mental disorders.
It is also not recommended to dive into the hole for pregnant women - after all, this is not only a strong emotional shock, but also extreme physical exertion, which can provoke vasospasm and even lead to premature birth. And although there are doctors near the bathing places during Epiphany diving, it’s still not worth the risk.
As the publication Pravmir writes, in any church holiday it is necessary to distinguish between its meaning and the traditions that have developed around it. In the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the main thing is the Epiphany, this is the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, the voice of God the Father from heaven “This is my beloved Son” and the Holy Spirit descending on Christ. The main thing for a Christian on this day is the presence at the church service, confession and Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, communion of baptismal water.
The established traditions of bathing in cold ice holes are not directly related to the Feast of the Epiphany itself, are not mandatory and, most importantly, do not cleanse a person from sins, which, unfortunately, is much talked about in the media.
Such traditions should not be treated as magical rites - the feast of the Epiphany is celebrated by the Orthodox in hot Africa, America, and Australia. After all, the palm branches of the feast of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem were replaced by willows in Russia, and the consecration of vines on the Transfiguration of the Lord was a blessing for the harvest of apples. Also on the day of the Baptism of the Lord, all waters will be consecrated, regardless of their temperature.
Blessing of water at Baptism is also carried out in reservoirs, including in the hole in which believers bathe. Bathing at Epiphany in consecrated water is the main tradition of the holiday.
Bathing in an ice hole at Epiphany can cleanse one of sins and make a person spiritually stronger, so many people decide to plunge into an ice hole with ice water.
However, in order for the baptismal bathing to really benefit, the clergy after the service are sent in a solemn procession to a nearby reservoir, where the shape of the cross, which is called the Jordan, is cut through the thickness of the ice, and then they consecrate this place.
After lighting, the water in the hole is considered healing - the Orthodox wash themselves with it. Those who dare to swim in the hole - then feel a surge of strength, both spiritual and physical.
Water for Baptism, as the Church says, is sanctified by the grace of the Lord through the prayers of the clergy, and for the manifestation of its healing properties, first of all, a person’s sincere faith is needed.
Accordingly, for those who do not believe in the healing properties of water, swimming in the hole is pointless, since it will not bring them any benefit. There are no strict rules for swimming in the hole at Epiphany, but you need to prepare for it.
Priests warn that one must be able to swim in the hole correctly. Epiphany bathing is a triple immersion in water, and each time you need to be baptized and say: “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!”.
And before swimming in the hole, you should go to church and pray. Swimming full and drunk in the hole is not recommended, since drunkenness and gluttony are considered a serious sin, and the Lord will not send his blessing.
Women should especially prepare for swimming in the hole, as they should not enter the Holy Water in underwear or an open bathing suit. It is better to buy a closed shirt, which can then be worn during illness. It is believed that the grace that descends on her while swimming in the hole will protect her for a whole year.
From ancient times, bathing in the hole at Epiphany was considered healing. In Russia, the tradition of swimming in an ice-hole dates back to the time of the ancient Scythians - they dipped their babies in ice water to accustom them to the harsh nature.
In large cities of Russia, on the eve of the Feast of Epiphany, ice-holes are cut down and equipped for the mass bathing of believers. It is advisable to swim in the ice holes, specially equipped near the shore, under the supervision of lifeguards.
Bathing in the hole at Epiphany is a ceremony for trained people - walruses, who harden the body for years. People with chronic diseases should refrain from baptismal bathing. Those who really want to plunge into the hole should consult a doctor and prepare, observing all safety measures.
Before swimming in the hole, the body must be properly warmed up. You need to approach the ice hole slowly in non-slip and easily removable shoes - in special rubber slippers, woolen socks or boots. In addition, you need to take a towel and a terry dressing gown, swimming trunks or a shirt, a rubber cap and a set of dry clothes with you.
Experts do not recommend jumping into the water or diving head first - this increases the loss of temperature and can lead to shock from the cold. Reflex vasoconstriction of the brain can be avoided if you plunge into the hole up to the neck without wetting your head.
Bathing in the hole should not last more than one minute to avoid general hypothermia. Getting out of the hole is not easy - it is advisable to use a pre-prepared dry towel or scoop up a handful of more water and, leaning on the handrails, rise quickly and vigorously.
In a vertical position, it is difficult and dangerous to get out, because, having broken, you can go under the ice, so you need to secure each other.
After bathing, dry yourself thoroughly with a terry towel and quickly put on dry clothes. Then it is advisable to drink hot tea to avoid possible hypothermia and strengthen the immune system. So, do not forget to prepare a thermos with tea in advance.
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The Baptism of the Lord is an ancient religious holiday celebrated by the Orthodox, from the time of the ancient apostles to this day. Traditionally, the holiday falls on January 19, but the water blessing ceremony is held on Christmas Eve, already on the 18th. They consecrate not only drinking water, but also in all reservoirs, after the ceremony, believing Christians are immersed in a font. Many disagreements are connected with this relatively young tradition, they clarify whether this rite is obligatory. People who decide to take a dip should know what date and when to swim from January 18 to January 19 for Epiphany in 2019, how to properly prepare in order to exclude harm to their health.
Access to the fonts is open immediately after their consecration, it is traditionally held on Epiphany Christmas Eve - January 18, that is, you can swim on the night of the 18th to the 19th and on Epiphany while the service is in progress. It is absolutely not necessary to plunge into ice water, risking your own health, such an action is not available to many citizens due to the characteristics of the body. Water on this day is holy in all sources, including tap water.
If a decision is made to dive, you need to enter the water with pure thoughts, eliminating all swearing and negativity. It is important to make exactly three dives, overshadowing your body with a cross. God is one for all, therefore belief does not prohibit immersion for representatives of other religions.
Attention!
The young rite was formed only 30-40 years ago, the church does not condemn those who do not take part in the action.
Is it necessary to swim in the hole at Epiphany?
The Church does not define ice-hole bathing as a mandatory ritual. The main and main ritual is the consecration of water, which takes place throughout Russia. This action is designed to remind people of the existence of the Lord and his constant, all possible help to all those who suffer. Without understanding such a truth, the rite of immersion turns into a simple fashionable, often secular competition, allowing people to prove their strength and confirm their courage. In this case, the ritual of bathing will not benefit the body and may cause harm.
What gives bathing on Holy Day
When immersed in a font in Baptism, one can wash away sins from the soul and dirt from the body. Holy water, like prayer, purifies the soul, but the font itself will not rid the body of sins without repentance, so immersion in water without observing other traditions of the holy day is pointless.
According to Orthodox rules, immersion in water must be preceded by confession, communion and service in the church. Despite this, not all parishioners are present at the service, therefore the church does not forbid those who did not manage to visit the temple to plunge into the font. The sacrament of immersion does not contain special rules, the main thing is not to forget about the spiritual component of the event when bathing - for the sake of which the action is performed.
Is it good to bathe
There are certainly benefits from bathing in cold water, with a short-term immersion, provided there are no contraindications, changes occur in the body. The body is under stress from a sharp temperature drop, against this background, blood flow to the organs increases, and adrenal hormones are released. As a result of this, the body receives a strong shake-up and recovers, because it needs to survive in special conditions. It is due to this change that after bathing in Epiphany water, many get rid of various diseases.
Bathing contraindications
- Existing chronic lesions of the paranasal and paranasal sinuses.
- Recent acute respiratory viral infections, influenza.
- Violations in the work of the cardiovascular system - hypothermia can provoke a heart attack or a hypertensive crisis.
- Epilepsy, trauma, sclerosis and atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels - diving is fraught with a stroke.
- Diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2. With severe hypothermia, the body begins to produce hormones, so it will be difficult to control sugar levels.
Attention!
Despite all the primary benefits of baptismal bathing, gynecologists do not recommend pregnant women to dive into the water. Perhaps such an action will not harm the body of the mother and fetus, but it is not worth the risk once again.
There is another equally important warning for women. It is not recommended to swim during menstruation, and this prohibition is imposed not only by the gynecologist, but also by the church. Doctors forbid immersion in water during this period, because the female body is weakened - slight hypothermia can cause severe inflammation of the pelvic organs. From a religious point of view, bathing is not recommended because a woman is considered "unclean".
It is also worth choosing a place for swimming in Epiphany carefully, diving into the water is allowed only in specially designated places. The font should be surrounded by a small fence, a team of doctors and rescuers should be on duty on the territory. The water depth should be no more than 1.8 m.
Age restrictions
Age restrictions for immersion in the font are not defined by the church. Diving into an ice hole can be started at any age, but it must be borne in mind that the body of a child is weaker than the body of an adult. If the child is small or takes part in bathing for the first time, he must go to the font together with an adult. The church does not prohibit the use of a bath instead of an ice hole.
How to prepare for swimming
In order for swimming to be beneficial, you need to properly prepare for it. To do this, you need to follow these recommendations:
- Immediately before diving, take off your clothes, put them in a bag so that they do not get wet.
- Put on a bathrobe and slippers, or cover yourself with a thick towel.
- It is better if a familiar person will accompany you to the font, he will be able to hold a bathrobe or towel during the dive.
- Having approached the font, you need to take off the towel or bathrobe and intensively rub the body with your hands, do a few bends and squats, this is necessary so that the blood can circulate normally.
- You need to enter the water with a prayer, and while dipping, repeat "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit." When dipping, it is better not to wet your hair, because after bathing you will have to go home.
- After leaving the font, you must immediately put on a bathrobe.
- Entering the equipped tent, you need to rub your body with a towel, put on your warm clothes and drink hot tea.
When visiting places for swimming, you need to be attentive to the state of your body. If at the last moment it was decided to abandon the dive, it is better to do so, which means that the person is simply not ready and does not need it.
How to choose clothes
When choosing clothes for diving, you need to consider the following rules:
- Girls can enter the hole in long shirts or T-shirts. Immersion in bathing suits with a demonstration of a naked body is not accepted by the church.
- Hair must be cut off and not wetted, especially during the first dive. Doctors say that this can provoke a vascular crisis.
- Men are also advised to swim with a closed torso, immersion in cold water in swimming trunks alone is dangerous.
Attention!
It is forbidden to flaunt a naked body. In ancient times, women could approach the font only in long dresses and with their heads covered.
Considering the rules of conduct, it should be mentioned that it is impossible to swim far from the stairs to climb, ice water can provoke convulsions. It is enough just to dive into the font 3 times, stay in the water for more than 10-15 seconds - it is dangerous. After leaving the hole, you need to wipe the body dry and put on warm, dry clothes, then drink hot drinks. It is forbidden to warm up with alcohol on Epiphany.
In shoes or barefoot
How to enter the font, everyone decides for himself, but until recently, only barefoot approached the font. Walking barefoot is much easier, because it is almost impossible to choose slippers for walking on ice. The rubber sole often slips and a person in such shoes simply cannot get out of the font.
Should I dip my head or not
It should be borne in mind that there is a residual amount of nerve endings on a person’s head, therefore, complete immersion in frost can cause diseases such as otitis media, meningitis. Particular care must be taken during the first dive, diving with your head is prohibited, because it is not known how ice water will affect the body. Be sure to cross yourself and repeat the prayer: at the first immersion - “In the name of the Father”, at the second “Son”, at the third “Holy Spirit”. After swimming, you need to quickly get out of the hole and rub your body with a towel, change clothes and drink hot tea.
Attention!
Bathing in ice water does not always improve health, in some cases it is harmful, especially for people with contraindications.
Is the hot tub available for other religions
The Lord is one, therefore the Orthodox Church does not forbid representatives of other religions to dive into the hole. This is possible if a person himself feels the urge to cleanse, at such moments it does not matter what faith the parishioner followed.
The Baptism of the Lord is a great holiday. On this day in Russia, ice holes are traditionally made in the shape of a cross. In warm countries where there is no ice, the process is different - the bishop enters the water and leaves the cross there, and after that the believers plunge. The water in the springs remains holy for a week, but diving is allowed only for 2 days - on January 18 and 19.
Epiphany is a church holiday that most of us associate with a set of holy water and dipping into an ice hole. When there will be Epiphany in 2019, what date to swim on January 18 or 19, who can do it, and who better not take risks, how to prepare for this procedure - we will tell in our material.
Epiphany water is sacred, has healing power, carries a powerful charge of faith, and has its own memory. Bathing in Epiphany in the cold is a tradition that has passed through the centuries. Not only has it not lost its significance, but it has gained popularity both among young people and among the older generation. Swimming in the ice hole has become not only a matter of faith, but also a fashion trend.
How to swim in the hole? Who can't do this?
Everyone knows that the holiday got its name due to the fact that it was on this day many centuries ago that Christ was baptized. Translated from the Greek, "baptize" means "I plunge into the water." In addition to the sanctification of his physical body, the Son of the Lord was sanctified by his immersion and water.
That is why believers around the world are immersed in water, like Christ. By such an act, they harden their body, wash away their sins, and draw closer to God. Not everyone is capable of such an act, and it is not enough just to plunge into the hole.
Epiphany water remains holy for a week. You can swim all week, but it’s better to do it on Epiphany Eve - January 18 or on the holiday itself - January 19.
For the great holiday, believers prepare in advance. Celebration begins on January 18, the day of strict fasting. Lenten kutya, pancakes and oatmeal jelly are indispensable components of Christian dinner. In churches on January 18, they begin to bless the water. On January 19, when the Baptism of Christ comes, Orthodox Christians come to church. Before the service, many confess and receive communion.
Then they listen to the festive divine liturgy, joining in the universal joy of celebrating the Baptism of the Savior. After the service, the custom of lighting the water begins. In some churches, a procession is performed, where they pray over the watery nature and overshadow the water with a cross.
Then, as a rule, the priest, and after him everyone who wishes, plunge into the consecrated reservoir. After the blessing of water, when everyone can draw holy water, parishioners pour baptismal water into a bottle. The rest of the day people spend with their families, sharing spiritual joy with loved ones.
The essence of the action is that dirt is washed off the human body in holy water, and the soul of the believer is cleansed of all sins. However, we must not forget that immersion in the font, in itself, does not remove all sins - the main thing is prayer and repentance.
If a child has not reached the age of three, swimming in cold water is strictly forbidden for him, even on Epiphany. Immersion in cold water is more likely to lead to hypothermia due to the fact that in young children thermoregulation is different from that of an adult. And due to vasospasm, respiratory arrest can occur.
You can’t swim in the hole at Baptism for people with acute inflammatory diseases or chronic illnesses. Even if the disease is in a "lull", it is likely that with hypothermia an exacerbation will begin and the inflammatory process will start.
people with respiratory diseases swimming in the hole is also prohibited. For example, people with bronchitis or asthma can instantly spasm the muscles in their airways, which can lead to respiratory arrest.
Cardiovascular or endocrine diseases are a very weighty reason to refuse baptismal bathing. For example, in people after a stroke or with diabetes mellitus, varicose veins and other such diseases, when immersed in ice water, the vessels may not withstand a sharp spasm and tear.
For some kidney disease(pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, and others), swimming in the cold can result in a renal infarction, which will lead to the already mentioned sharp spasm of blood vessels and muscles.
Pregnant women doctors also do not advise swimming in ponds and ice holes for Epiphany. Even if the expectant mother has excellent results of examinations and nothing threatens the health of the baby, you still should not do this. It is important to remember that during pregnancy, women can only bathe in warm water, but in no case hot or cold.
When to bless the water for Baptism 2019
Holy water can heal wounds and diseases, so it is stored for the whole year. It is added to food for livestock, given to children and the elderly. Orthodox believe that holy water loses its strength from bad thoughts, quarrels and other sinful acts. That is why water serves as a family talisman and provides peace and order in the house.
You can collect a shrine in the temple after the evening service, in the pond after the consecration by the priest and at home from 00.00 to 00.10.
The last option is the most common. But few people observe the indicated time, and also treat the sacrament with due respect. You can collect tap water only if there is no real opportunity to go to the temple. It is very important to pre-read the prayer.
It is also important that the shrine should be stored in special bottles. They are sold in shops at temples. If they are not available, you can use ordinary glass, but not containers after alcohol and soda.
On the day of Epiphany, it is necessary to sprinkle the room with consecrated water, paying special attention to the corners, water the flowers, water pets and birds. Be sure to take 3 sips on an empty stomach and wash the body, depicting crosses on it.
Only good thoughts should be in the soul and heart. If someone asks for help, or you yourself know that a person needs help, be sure to do everything in your power.
The Orthodox are sure that bathing in the hole for Epiphany, which is traditionally performed on the night of January 18-19, cleanses from sins and heals ailments. It is believed that the water at this particular time has a special healing power. Another tradition: to collect baptismal water in the future. It keeps well all year round.
The customs of bathing in the hole for Epiphany January 19, 2019
In the evening, parishioners attend a church service, and on the night of 18:00 to 19:00, the clergy bless the water in temples and reservoirs, after which everyone can collect it in containers and plunge into the font. You can draw water for 3 days from the 19th to the 21st, however, it is Epiphany water on January 19th that is considered the most energetically strong.
The main tradition is swimming in the hole, which is cut out in the form of a cross, is called "Jordan". The main requirement, according to the canons of the church, when choosing a place for an ice hole is a natural open reservoir, a river. After consecration by a priest, the water becomes healing, able to get rid of illnesses, mental and physical suffering.
washing with baptismal water is equivalent to the forgiveness of a person’s sins, but this is not so: for this, church attendance, repentance and confession are necessary. It is not at all necessary to dive and stay in icy water for a long time, it is enough to plunge headlong three times, and cross yourself 3 times before entering the hole.
Rules for bathing in the hole for Epiphany January 19, 2019
There are simple rules for swimming:
- plunge into the hole should be in a specially equipped place;
- when it is very cold outside, children are not allowed to come close to the water, plunge into it, as the thermoregulation system may be disturbed;
- only hardened, healthy people can dive under the ice. You should not test personal strength if there are problems with the heart, skin, lungs, gynecology;
- it is not recommended to take alcohol beforehand, but before diving it would be good to eat;
- it is enough to stay in ice water for no more than 3 minutes, you should also cross yourself;
- leaving the water, wrap yourself in a towel, put on warm clothes, drink hot tea.
Doctors tirelessly prove that the most dangerous moment when bathing in Epiphany is unexpected hypothermia. Its first sign is considered a sharp reddening of the skin. This is noticeable as soon as a person comes out of the water. There may be a sharp pain in the temples, as well as the back of the head, so you need to immediately leave the hole. Moreover, constrained movements, unusual fatigue are negative signs that should be emphasized.
Who should not swim in the hole at Epiphany January 19, 2019
Many parents bring or even bring their children for bathing. But up to 3 years without appropriate hardening, it is strictly forbidden to immerse them in the hole. Even the priest will be against such a test. Although many believers, especially those who regularly dip into the water at Epiphany, believe that nothing will happen to babies, there is a high risk of vasospasm and even death.
In addition to such terrible consequences, hypothermia is possible, as well as serious psychological stress. When immersed in ice water, the child experiences the fear of death. Even if physically everything ends well, in the future such a baby will experience problems in communicating with other people, self-development.
Doing this is prohibited:
- with any inflammatory processes;
- with exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- with problems with the respiratory system;
- with thrombophlebitis; with diabetes;
- after a heart attack or stroke;
- with kidney problems;
- during menstruation;
- after a recent operation.
