Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany today

The Epiphany is celebrated today on January 19 by Orthodox Christians. Traditional Epiphany ceremonies including a ceremony of bathing are held today all over Russia. Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all-Russia is going to lead the church service and sanctify the water in Moscow’s Epiphany Cathedral. Besides, waters of all the four oceans will be sanctified in honor of the feast, RIA Novosti reports.

Ice-holes for bathing were organized all over Russia. The truth is, their number was reduced this year due to the warm winter in Russia. The rescuers decreased a number of places where the believers could do bathing as well. Harsh frosts from Siberia made their changes too.

The Holy Epiphany like Easter is considered the greatest ancient Christian feast. It is dedicated to the Baptism of Jesus Christ performed by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Following the church tradition, the feast was also referred to as the Holy Manifestation of the Divinity, of God and of Jesus Christ – in accordance with the Holy Bible, after Jesus bathed in the river, there was a manifestation of all three aspects of the Divinity. The God testified the birth of His Son, The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus Christ in form of a dove.

Special and unique characteristics of water poured at the Epiphany were also mentioned. For example, such water remains fresh for a long time. It is said in one of the preaches of John Chrysostom.

Russkiy Mir