The Baptism of Jesus Christ: history and traditions of Epiphany.

The Epiphany, or Theophany, is a significant Christian holiday that commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ. This celebration is rich in traditions, particularly the ritual of blessing the water, which is believed to possess healing properties. The significance and traditions of this holiday are discussed by “Suspilne”.

On January 6, according to the New Julian and Gregorian calendars, one of the most significant Christian holidays falls – Theophany or Epiphany. This holiday honors the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by the prophet John the Baptist. It is considered one of the five major events in the earthly life of the Savior.

History of the Epiphany Celebration

Near the Jordan River, Jesus Christ was baptized by the prophet John at the age of 30. After the baptism, a divine event occurred: the voice of God the Father declared Jesus as His Son, and the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. This event became crucial in Christian doctrine, and the holiday was named Theophany, as it demonstrates the three persons of God. The celebration of the Epiphany first appeared in the Coptic Church in the 2nd century, where it combined the celebration of Jesus' birth, the arrival of the Three Kings, and His baptism.

Epiphany Traditions in Ukraine

The celebration of the Epiphany in Ukraine was preceded by the Hunger Kutia, which took place on January 5, when people observed a strict fast. On the eve of the holiday, young men carved a cross from ice on the water bodies, which they placed over the hole in the ice. This cross was often doused with beet kvass to give it color. Next to the cross, they set up an "altar," and made "royal gates" from evergreen branches.

In the morning, the community would gather to go to the river for the blessing of the water, after which the water became healing. It was brought home, placed near icons, and kept throughout the year. It was believed that this water helped cure illnesses. In the territory of the former Zaporizhian Sich, men on horseback would head to the river while girls would wash with the blessed water to ensure good health and beauty.

Upon returning home, hosts would sprinkle their houses with the blessed water, treating doors and icons with crosses. The healing water was an essential attribute of the meal on Epiphany.

Commemoration of the Holiday in Ukraine

In the Ukrainian folk calendar, the Epiphany holds a special place – it is mentioned as the "third holiday" in the carol "Good Evening to You." People believed in the healing power of the water, which gained special strength at midnight. It helped to ward off illnesses and was kept near icons in homes. There was also a tradition of not washing in the river for several weeks after the Epiphany, as at that time the water was considered sacred.