The first Epiphany service (Epiphany Eve) takes place on the morning of January 18th. In different temples it starts at 8 or 9 am. In the Church of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth in Pokrovsky-Streshnevo, the beginning of the service is 8.30. This is a large service during which they read Royal watch, Vespers is celebrated with the reading of Proverbs (texts of the Old and New Testaments) and liturgy. After this, the icon of the holiday - the Baptism of the Lord - and a candle for the worship of believers are brought into the temple from the altar, the Troparion and Kontakion of the holiday are sung.
Iconostasis of the Church of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth
The service ends at approximately 11 o'clock in the afternoon and the first Great Blessing of Water (or Great Blessing of Water) begins immediately. Then the proverbs, the Apostle, and a special prayer for the consecration of water are read again with the invocation of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, believers pray for the consecration of not only the water that is located directly in the temple, but also all the waters on earth, the entire world ocean, which is why this prayer is called the Great Blessing of Water.
The second Epiphany service - the all-night vigil - takes place on the evening of January 18: starts at 17 - 18:00, ends at 19 - 20:00; at St. Elizabeth's Church the service will be held at 5:00 p.m. In some churches and monasteries, this service is held at night in the likeness of Christmas, which returns to the beginning of the history of the holiday, when Christmas and Epiphany were celebrated together.
Around midnight it is customary to leave the temple to open springs. Epiphany fonts - ice holes in the shape of a cross - are organized on ponds and rivers. The priests perform the prayer of the Great Blessing of Water for the second time.
Finally, the third Great Blessing of Water takes place after the morning liturgy on January 19, the day of Epiphany (Epiphany). In the Church of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth in Pokrovsky-Streshnevo, the service will begin at 8:30.
There is a popular belief that the water blessed on Epiphany Eve and on Epiphany has different properties, but the clergy assure that this is a misconception: it is absolutely equivalent.
Saint John Chrysostom wrote in the 4th century that water, if taken with faith, retains its properties for a whole year - until the next Great Blessing of Water.
2. Epiphany Christmas Eve, or hungry day
A long Epiphany fast, similar to Christmas or Great Lent, does not exist as such. Before Epiphany, it is customary to fast only one day - on Epiphany Christmas Eve. It is also popularly called “hunger day.”
This is due to the fact that after the morning liturgies on January 18 and 19, believers usually take communion. Therefore, before the morning service on January 18, they do not eat anything, and after its end they satisfy their hunger with sochiv - lean dishes made from boiled wheat grains, which are sometimes replaced with rice or lentils. And after the morning liturgy on January 19, you can already set the festive family table.
3. Immersion in the ice hole and sprinkling the house with Epiphany water
For many parishioners main tradition, associated with Epiphany, is a dive into an ice hole on the night of January 18-19, which takes place after the Great Blessing of Water at open sources.
In Moscow, for example, there are many reservoirs on which baptismal fonts are created. This year, a special mobile font will be brought even to the center of the capital - to Revolution Square.
For a long time, it has been customary on January 18 and 19, after the services during which the Great Blessing of Water takes place, to bring Epiphany water home and sprinkle it throughout the home, including utility rooms.
This water has extraordinary power - it heals, cleanses and drives away evil. Her miraculous properties proven even by scientists - in the light and under room temperature she for a long time does not change taste, color or smell. The most important thing is to accept Epiphany water with faith - this is the secret of its healing effect on soul and body.
History of the Feast of Epiphany
Only 12 days pass from Christmas to Epiphany, and these two holidays are inextricably linked by tradition. The fact is that for almost four centuries, starting from the 3rd century, they were celebrated on one day - January 7, and this holiday was called Epiphany.
On the day of Epiphany, they remembered two main events associated with the coming of Christ into the world: Christmas is the beginning of his earthly life, Baptism is the Savior’s entrance into public service. Having received Baptism in the waters of the Jordan, Christ retired to the desert for 40 days, and then returned to the people and began to preach.
It is interesting that the texts of the Gospels almost do not describe the thirty-year period of the Savior’s life, which followed from Christmas to Baptism. Only one episode is mentioned, when at the age of 12 he preached in the temple.
In the 6th century, the holidays were divided: Christmas began to be celebrated on December 25, and Epiphany on January 7. Currently, they are celebrated by Orthodox Christians in the new style - January 7 and 19.
The church services of Christmas and Epiphany, due to the fact that they were once a single holiday, are very similar. Only Epiphany, January 19, is now called the Feast of Epiphany. Now these are synonyms.
IN folk calendar The date January 18 is called Epiphany Christmas Eve, Hungry Evening or Hungry Kutia. Orthodox Christians celebrate January 19th. It is believed that Epiphany frosts begin on this day.
Epiphany Christmas Eve- this is the evening preparation on the eve of the big day church holiday. At this time, rituals related to the blessing of water are performed.
People also called January 18 Hungry Kutya or Hungry Evening. During this period, abundant feasts and fun stopped. People were preparing for fasting by cooking unleavened juice without butter or cottage cheese.
Epiphany evening: fortune telling
Baptism is the last night to celebrate Christmas fortune telling. Sometimes girls went out to tell fortunes to the first person they met:
- meet young guy- to marriage;
- old man - to trouble.
It was customary to tell fortunes about the harvest. By popular belief, on this night frost falls on the bread that is destined to be born in the summer. Bread that remains dry will not bear fruit. For this purpose, they put different breads in cups outside at night, and in the morning they looked at which frost had fallen.
Fortune telling about the betrothed was also common. To find out which side he lives in future spouse, the girl took off her boot or shoe and threw the shoes over a fence or barrier. I looked in which direction the sock would point, and wait for the groom from there.
To find out who was destined to get married this year, the girls gathered in the house. Unmarried women sat in a circle in the middle of the room. Married woman took it off my finger wedding ring, tied a woolen thread to it and began to slowly walk around those present. Approaching each girl, calling her name. If the ring began to spin strongly after this, then the girl will get married this year.
Before going to bed, the girls combed their hair with a clean comb tied with a ribbon. Then they put it under the pillow with the words: “ Who will come to comb my hair? The betrothed was supposed to appear in a dream.
Epiphany evening: customs and traditions
“Epiphany Evening” was considered a time of revelry evil spirits. It was believed that devils were especially dangerous at certain times from 12 to 3 am (devil's hour), as well as on and the day before. During these periods there is a possibility of communication with another world and evil spirits, who strives to get into the house as a werewolf. She can take any form: cats, pigs, dogs, snakes. It is not uncommon for werewolves to enter a home in the guise of a baby, a wanderer, a miller, or a blacksmith. Sometimes they can take the form of an acquaintance - a husband, a neighbor.
Epiphany evening is a day of strict fasting and repentance, preparing believers for the great holiday of the Epiphany, which is distinguished by pomp and solemnity. Two rites of blessing water are performed:
- on the eve of Epiphany - inside the church;
- on the day of Epiphany - on the nearest lake or river.
Epiphany water sanctifies, gives blessing, purification, and health. At midnight on Epiphany they went to the river to fetch water. According to legend, the water in the rivers sways at this time. In the evening, water was poured into the bowl. If at midnight it itself sways - this is a good sign, the person saw the appearance of the Lord.
According to legend, snow collected on the evening before Epiphany helps heal illnesses. People washed themselves with snow, and melt water stored for a long time, using it for household needs and for washing. To keep their skin white and smooth, girls took snow and wiped their faces with it.
Clean snow was added to the food of livestock so that it would not freeze and be healthy, and collected for the bath: “A bathhouse will fix everything, a snow bathhouse will add beauty.” They believed that if the snow collected on Epiphany Eve is thrown into a well, the water in it will not deteriorate or dry out throughout the year. They also collected snow in jars for bleaching canvases.
On the eve of Epiphany, a strict fast was observed. The obligatory dishes were kutia, oatmeal jelly and pancakes. At Epiphany, pancakes were placed in the barn to appease the brownie and ensure well-being for the livestock. At the evening meal we ate richly.
Until the beginning of the 20th century in Rus', sochivo was prepared from rye grain, and later - from rice and wheat grain. The tradition of preparing sochivo from wheat or rye grain was preserved only in rural areas, where people had the opportunity to purchase this grain. For this reason, city residents are more familiar with a dish made from rice.
Epiphany Christmas Eve: what not to do?
On this day you cannot clean the house, wash clothes in the river, swear or be offended by someone. Try to forgive the offenders and think positively.
Water collected for Epiphany has strong energy. It is not recommended to mix Epiphany water with regular water, otherwise it will lose its properties. medicinal properties. While collecting water, it is forbidden to swear or think about something bad.
It is believed that Epiphany water can stand for many years without spoiling. But if there are constantly quarrels and scandals in the house, then it will become unusable within a month.
On the eve of the holiday and on Epiphany, you cannot borrow or lend. Otherwise, the person will be in poverty all year.
January 18: signs and beliefs
- If there is a snowstorm on Epiphany Christmas Eve, then three months later there will also be a snowstorm.
- Snowfall on January 18 is a good sign. The bees will swarm well.
- Snow that falls early in the morning promises a good harvest of early buckwheat, at noon - medium, and in the evening - late.
- Clear skies on Epiphany night mean a rich pea harvest.
- Shining stars in the sky mean good bread.
- Dogs bark often - there will be a lot of game.
People born on January 18 have a calm and quiet disposition. They are meek and unnoticeable. They should wear an opal or emerald as a talisman.
Video: Epiphany Christmas Eve
Friends, I congratulate you on this wonderful Christmas holiday!
The first star will rise
Foretelling miracles.
Snow will sweep away adversity.
Heaven will send you peace!
May Christmas Eve give you
Feelings of warmth and clarity of thought!
Pray to heaven
This Christmas Eve.
May God hear you
And he will repay you a hundredfold.
Happiness will arrive on the threshold,
What is more valuable than all awards!
Epiphany Christmas Eve- This is the eve of the big church holiday of the Epiphany of the Lord. On this day, the first Great Blessing of water takes place, which has healing and miraculous properties.
January 18, according to the old style January 5 is the eve of the feast of the Epiphany, or Epiphany. On this day, people prepared themselves for the holiday by fasting, so the evening was called hungry. We only ate sochi, lean porridge, vegetable pancakes and honey pancakes.
According to popular belief, on the eve of Epiphany the snow became special properties; It was believed that only Epiphany snow can whiten any canvas, that it can heal ailments, and if you wash in a bathhouse with water from melted Epiphany snow, you can preserve beauty and youth for a long time.
At midnight on Epiphany they went to the river to fetch water: they said that it could stand without spoiling, and had the same wonderful properties as Epiphany snow.
The starry sky on Epiphany Eve foreshadowed a good harvest of bread, snowfall - buckwheat, and a blizzard - that bees would swarm well.
The snowstorm on this day promised a blizzard for Maslenitsa, and a strong south wind promised a stormy summer.
Signs on Epiphany Eve:
“If there is a blizzard, snow or drifting snow on this day, there will be a harvest,”
“If the snow bends the branches on the trees, there will be a good harvest, bees will swarm well,”
“There is not enough snow on the branches of the trees - in the summer you don’t look for mushrooms or berries,” hence the people’s gratitude: “Thank you, frost, for bringing snow.”
If in the sky full month on Epiphany Eve - to a large flood of rivers. If dogs bark a lot, then there will be a lot of game and animals in the forest.
On Epiphany Christmas Eve it was customary to clean and wash the entire house, remove Christmas decorations and prepare ritual dishes.
Water plays a major role in this holiday. Water is a symbol of new life, purification, health. On the evening of January 18, churches began to bless water. After which the owners hurried home and, with the help of spikelets and dried herbs, consecrated all corners of the house and barn, so that the house would be full and their loved ones would not get sick.
In addition, there was a custom to draw crosses with chalk over door and window openings, as well as in the corners of rooms, to ward off evil spirits.
Epiphany Christmas Eve is also called Hungry or Poor (second) Kutya.
This name can be explained in different ways: on this day, before the first star, they observed a very strict fast, that is, they abstained from food and drank very little, after the first star they sat down at the table and ate lean or otherwise hungry dishes.
It was also believed that on this night various evil spirits wanted to enter the house, so the kutya was called hungry, so that all the evil spirits would remain hungry.
There were always traditional ones on the table: uzvar, kutia (lenten, seasoned with vegetable oil, most often hemp oil, poppy seed or nut milk and honey) and, of course, blessed water, with which we began the meal. On the hungry Kutya, all dishes were lean, and their quantities were 7, 9, 12, as on Christmas Eve, although they were more modest.
The meal began with holy water. Then we ate kutya and washed it down with uzvar. After which they proceeded to the rest of the meal: cookies in the form of crosses, Lenten pies and donuts, oat and wheat pancakes, dumplings, cabbage rolls, cabbage rolls, less often served fish dishes and lean borscht with beans.
In the western regions of Ukraine, ritual loaves called karachuns were also baked. They treated both domestic animals and livestock to holiday food so that they would be healthy.
Sometimes housewives left a little bit of kutya from different holidays: Christmas, New Year and Epiphany - they mixed these leftovers with flour and fed the animals.
By the way, there is an interesting custom associated with kutya, which has its roots in pagan antiquity: after the ritual porridge was eaten, the children banged spoons on the empty dishes and kicked out the kutya with the words:
“Get out, kutya, from pokutya!”
There was even a custom - after dinner, to go out into the street, knock and shout in order to drive away the kutya. Thus, our ancestors said goodbye to happy holidays until next year.
In western Ukraine, people were generous on Epiphany Eve.
On the day of Epiphany, it was customary to wash and sprinkle each other with water, and later to plunge into the waters of various rivers and reservoirs.
At the beginning of the day, they drank consecrated water on an empty stomach as a medicine, because it was believed that holy water could treat not only physical illnesses, but also help heal spiritual wounds.
Epiphany water was stored all year, because it had healing power.
For Epiphany dinner, equal amounts of lean and fast dishes were served.
We started the meal with kutya and uzvar, then took turns trying lenten dishes and only then moved on to the fast ones: porridge seasoned with butter and cream, sweet pies and juices, knishes, as well as rich borscht seasoned with lard, and baked pork, jellied meat, and sausages.
On this day we ate pancakes, pancakes, and pancakes with honey. It was believed that the more you eat, the more generous the new year will be.
At the table, everyone present exchanged wishes for health and happiness. Already on January 20, the winter meat-eating period began, which lasted until Maslenitsa.
On the night of January 18-19, all the water on the planet becomes not just life-giving moisture, but its abilities can be the most incredible!
This consecrated water does not deteriorate over time, no matter where it is stored. Compared to ordinary water, which after a few days begins to emit bad smell, this water remains crystal fresh even after a year!
In the old days, many people washed themselves with snow on this day, believing that it would help get rid of serious illnesses.
The girls used it as cosmetic product for whitening the face, and melt water as healing compresses. Interesting fact is that a drop of consecrated water imparts the same properties to ordinary water, which is why the expressions appeared “A drop of shrine will sanctify the sea!”.
According to legends, on the eve of the Epiphany of the Lord, people turned to God with requests, which he fulfilled if they were sincere.
I really want human deeds and thoughts to be as pure as water on Epiphany Eve, but only we ourselves can do this, so we should think about our actions!
Epiphany Holy Water.
All our lives there is a great shrine next to us - holy water (in Greek “agiasma” - “shrine”).
Blessed water is an image of God's grace: it cleanses believers from spiritual impurities, sanctifies and strengthens them for the feat of salvation in God.
We first plunge into it at Baptism, when, upon receiving this sacrament, we are immersed three times in a font filled with holy water.
Holy water in the sacrament of Baptism washes away the sinful impurities of a person, renews and revives him in new life in Christ.
Holy water is necessarily present during the consecration of churches and all objects used in worship, during the consecration of residential buildings, buildings, and any household item. We are sprinkled with holy water on religious processions, during prayer services.
On the day of Epiphany, every Orthodox Christian carries home a vessel with holy water, carefully preserves it as the greatest shrine, prayerfully communing with holy water in illnesses and all infirmities.
“Consecrated water,” as St. Demetrius of Kherson wrote, “has the power to sanctify the souls and bodies of all who use it.” She, accepted with faith and prayer, heals our bodily illnesses.
The Monk Seraphim of Sarov, after the confession of the pilgrims, always gave them to drink from the cup of holy Epiphany water.
The Monk Ambrose of Optina sent a bottle of holy water to a terminally ill patient - and to the amazement of the doctors, the incurable disease went away.
Elder Hieroschemamonk Seraphim Vyritsky always advised sprinkling food and the food itself with Jordanian (baptismal) water, which, in his words, “itself sanctifies everything.”
When someone was very sick, Elder Seraphim gave his blessing to take a tablespoon of consecrated water every hour.
The elder said that there is no stronger medicine than holy water and blessed oil.
The rite of water blessing, which is performed on the feast of Epiphany, is called great because of the special solemnity of the rite, imbued with the remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord, in which the Church sees not only the mysterious washing of sins, but also the actual sanctification of the very nature of water through the immersion of God in the flesh.
Blessing of water in the Sretensky Monastery.
The Great Blessing of Water is performed twice - on the very day of Epiphany, and also the day before, on the eve of Epiphany (Epiphany Eve). Some believers mistakenly believe that the water blessed these days is different.
But in fact, on Christmas Eve and on the very day of the feast of Epiphany, one rite is used for the blessing of water.
St. John Chrysostom also said that the holy Epiphany water remains incorruptible for many years, is fresh, pure and pleasant, as if it had just been drawn from a living source just that minute. This is the miracle of God’s grace, which everyone sees now!
According to the belief of the Church, agiasma is not plain water spiritual significance, but a new being, spiritual-physical being, the interconnectedness of Heaven and earth, grace and substance, and, moreover, very close.
That is why the great hagiasma, according to church canons, is considered as a kind of lower degree of Holy Communion: in those cases when, due to sins committed, penance and a ban on approaching the Holy Body and Blood of Christ are imposed on a member of the Church, the usual canonical reservation is made:
“Let him drink the agiasma.”
Epiphany water is a shrine that should be in every home Orthodox Christian. It is carefully kept in the holy corner near the icons.
In addition to Epiphany water, Orthodox Christians often use water blessed at prayer services (small blessing of water) performed throughout the year. It is obligatory that the minor consecration of water is performed by the Church on the day of the Origin (destruction) of the Honest Trees Life-giving Cross Lord's Day and on the day of Midsummer, when we remember the words of the Savior, full of the deepest mystery, spoken by Him to the Samaritan woman:
“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life” (Gospel of John, chapter 4, verse 14).
It is customary to drink Holy Epiphany water on an empty stomach along with prosphora after the morning meal. prayer rule with special reverence as a shrine.
“When a person consumes prosphora and holy water,” said the reclusive Georgy Zadonsky, “then the unclean spirit does not approach him, the soul and body are sanctified, thoughts are illuminated to please God, and the person is inclined to fasting, prayer and all virtues.”
Prayer for accepting prosphora and holy water:
Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my mental and physical strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities, according to Your infinite mercy through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints Yours. Amen."
There are many baptism signs among the people, knowing which you can prevent a lot of trouble for yourself and your family:
1. In the evening before Epiphany, the mistress of the house must draw crosses over the doors and windows in order to protect her house from evil spirits and others. evil forces.
2. On Epiphany Christmas Eve it’s worth stocking up Epiphany water, for which they go to the river or springs at midnight. This water has amazing healing powers.
3. Before the holiday of Epiphany, you cannot take anything out of the house and lend money so as not to feel the need for the whole year.
4. On Epiphany Christmas Eve senior woman Counts tablecloths in the family. Whoever does this will always have many guests in his house.
5. A bird knocking on the window at Epiphany announces that the souls of the dead ask for prayers and all sorts of godly deeds for their forgiveness.
6. On January 19, if someone from the family leaves home, they do not remove the ashes from the ash pit until he returns, otherwise trouble will happen to the person on the way.
The most basic prohibition on the eve of Epiphany– Do not fill your home with quarrels and bickering. After all, negative energy accumulates in the corners of the apartment and does not intend to simply disappear, but, like a spark, tries to ignite a flame. That is, it will influence the people living in this room with the aim of provoking them to new scandals and anger.
To cleanse your home of negativity, you can use basic but effective methods:
Firstly, ventilate your home at least once a week. The air contains charged particles that are good at destroying clots negative energy and thus clean the home.
Try to do wet cleaning once a week. Add a tablespoon of salt to a bucket of water. According to magical analogies, salt is a substance with positive energy, since, being a preservative, it prevents destruction. Be sure to keep a geranium bush at home. There is no hassle with it, and the protection is excellent.
Light natural wax candles. Unlike paraffin and stearin candles, wax contains a large charge of pure positive energy, which will be absorbed by your body and cleanse the apartment.
During the evening service, small churches often cannot accommodate everyone who wants to atone for their sins, especially during the ritual of blessing the water, since most people were firmly convinced that the earlier you take the blessed water, the more healing it will be.
After the water was dedicated in the church, each owner, with all his household members, took a few sips from the brought jug, and then sprinkled holy water on all his property in order to protect his home for the whole year not only from troubles, but also from the evil eye.
It is necessary to sprinkle the housing with a pinch right hand, crosswise, going around the room clockwise. That is, starting from the entrance, go deep into the house on the left side and go around all the rooms. You need to finish the sprinkling where you started, at front door. When sprinkling, the door or window must be open or slightly open. When sprinkling a house, it is necessary to say the words: “By sprinkling this holy water, every unclean and demonic action may be put to flight.”
After all these rituals, holy water was placed near the icons, since everyone not only believed in the healing power of this water, but were also convinced that it could not spoil.
The water collected from the ice hole on the eve of Epiphany is also considered healing and is used for the prevention and treatment of diseases throughout the next year.
I believe, that means I love:
There are different traditions for celebrating Christmas Eve. But the essence of them all comes down to one thing - the joyful anticipation of the miracle of the Nativity of God - the man Christ and his baptism.
These rituals, like many others in Orthodoxy, are aimed primarily at strengthening the humanistic principles of life, love, mutual understanding and forgiveness.
The sacred evening - Epiphany Christmas Eve.
Tomorrow is our Epiphany.
On the great holiday revealed by God
Purification awaits us.
We will be baptized, we will fast
Let's go bless the water
This water heals pain
We walk with faith in our souls.
Leaving the temple, we congratulate everyone
Happy holiday like this
We congratulate everyone and wish
Faith, hope, love.
It was the first twelfth holiday of the new year. Orthodox people, out of respect for the great event - the Baptism of Jesus Christ - observed a short fast. For this reason, the second Christmas Eve was called “Hungry Kutya”.
Epiphany Christmas Eve: what is it?
Epiphany Christmas Eve (January 18) is a day of strict fasting and repentance. Fasting prepared believers for the feast of the Epiphany, which was always distinguished by pomp and solemnity. The blessing of water occupies a central place in it. Two rites of consecration of water are performed: one on the eve of the holiday - inside the temple, the other - on the day of Epiphany - at the nearest reservoir.
It is believed that Epiphany water gives health, sanctification, blessing and purification. On Epiphany at midnight we went to the river to fetch water. There is a belief that at this time the water in the rivers sways. Water was poured into the bowl in the evening, and at midnight it was supposed to sway on its own. If this happened, then this is a good sign - it means that the person saw the appearance of the Lord.
On Epiphany evening they collected snow. It is believed that it heals diseases. It was used for washing, so the water from it was stored for a long time. It was also believed that only with its help can the entire canvas be whitened as needed. Snow was also collected for the bathhouse: “ The snow bath will add beauty" They believed that if the snow collected that evening was thrown into a well, the water in it would not deteriorate or dry out throughout the year.
Epiphany Christmas Eve: traditions and customs
On the eve of Epiphany, a strict fast was observed. Therefore, the festive dinner on Epiphany Eve was nicknamed “hungry kutya”. On festive table Kutya, oatmeal jelly and pancakes were always present. At Epiphany, pancakes were carried to the barn for the brownie to ensure the well-being of the livestock. The peasants ate pancakes so that there would be a good grain harvest in the coming year.
In the evening it was customary to eat juice. Until the beginning of the 20th century in Rus', this dish (like kutya) was prepared mainly from rye grains, and later from rice and wheat grains. That is why many city residents are more familiar with kutya and sochivo, made from rice.
To make it juicy, there are several the right ways. First, the wheat grains are soaked, and then they are placed in a cast iron pot and filled with a large amount of water. The cast iron is put into the oven for 2.5-3 hours of simmering. After which the grains turn out soft and tasty. It is also very important to quickly pour hot, well-fed (a solution of honey and water) over the grains. Then the juice turns out really juicy.
“Sochivo”: recipe for making wheat
To prepare the dish you will need:
- 1 cup wheat grains;
- 100 g walnut kernels;
- 100 g poppy seeds;
- 1-3 tbsp. spoons of honey;
- sugar to taste.
Wheat grains need to be crushed in a wooden mortar using a wooden pestle, while periodically adding a little warm water so that the wheat shell comes off. The kernel is then separated from the husk, sifted and washed. The usual crumbly liquid lean porridge is cooked from pure grains in water, cooled and sugar is added to taste.
Separately, grind the poppy seeds to obtain milk of the poppy seeds, add honey, mix and add to the wheat. If the porridge turns out thick, it can be diluted with boiled chilled water. At the end you need to add crushed walnut kernels.
“Sochivo”: rice recipe
If you want to make sochivo from rice, then the rice must be prepared in a special way. Pour a glass of rice into one and a half glasses of boiling water, cover the pan tightly with a lid, cook the rice for 3 minutes on high heat and 6 on medium. Do not open the lid for another 12 minutes and allow the rice to steam. For sweetening, it is better to use only honey. The ratio of other components for sochi is the same as in the previous recipe. Sometimes raisins are added, but this is not necessary.
Epiphany Christmas Eve: signs and beliefs
“Epiphany Evening” was considered a time of rampant evil spirits. During this period, it is possible to communicate with another world and evil, which strives to enter the home as a werewolf in any guise: dogs, cats, snakes, pigs. But often werewolves enter a house in the guise of a baby, a wanderer, a miller, a blacksmith, or they can take the form of an acquaintance - a relative or neighbor.
Ideas about werewolves go back to ancient times. They are associated with the belief that shamans or sorcerers have the ability to take the form of an animal, a person, a plant, and even a stone. The belief in the existence of werewolves developed under the influence of the idea of the animation of all nature (animism), the origin of people from various animals (totemism), and the cult of fertility.
The Slavs divided the year into two halves - winter and summer. The off-season periods - autumn and spring - were considered “the times between times.” At this time, nature is on the verge of life and death. Our ancestors believed that during periods of “between times,” which also include midnight and noon, spirits and souls are especially active. According to the belief of the ancients, during these periods of time people, having changed their appearance, can visit another world and come into contact with evil spirits, to their detriment or benefit. A person only had to put on the skin of some animal or decorate himself with other attributes of nature, and he, while remaining human, at the same time turned into another creature or object, being at the same time “neither one nor the other.”
Over time, the idea developed in people's minds that some people are more capable of such transformations, while others are less capable. Those who are more capable are able to quickly and directly contact the forces of nature, either benefiting people or harming them. Based on these thoughts, the belief in werewolves arose.
Our ancestors believed that wolves that attack people in cold winters are “wolves” (people who can turn into wolves with the help of witchcraft). In Slavic mythology, volkolak, vurkolak, volkodlak are a werewolf, i.e. a person who can turn into a wolf. To do this, he had to somersault over a stump or a knife or aspen stake stuck in the ground. People believed that a person could be bewitched and turned not only into a wolf, but also into a bear, which could then turn into a cat, a dog or a stump. The main feature of a werewolf is the fur on its body. It differs from real wolves in that its hind legs bend forward at the knees, like a human's. According to ancient legends, werewolves are capable of turning into ghouls, and during an eclipse they can eat the sun or moon.
To protect against a werewolf entering the home, cross marks were placed in chalk on all doors and window frames. From time immemorial, the cross has been considered a reliable protection against everything demonic. Therefore, in the old days, on Epiphany Christmas Eve, crosses were always drawn with chalk on the doors, walls, lintels of buildings (house, barn, barn, etc.), and at wells crosses were laid out from wood chips. It was believed that this ritual would help protect the house from troubles, the evil eye, evil spirits and lightning.
Chalk for baptizing houses together with water was blessed in the church. In whitewashed huts, crosses were made with coal or turpentine. To protect cattle from everything bad, they sprinkled them with holy water. They believed that if this was not done, the evil spirits would greatly torment the animals.
On the eve of Epiphany, cattle were fed bread with a cross on the top crust. IN southern regions the owner often performed a ritual walk around the cattle in the yard with an ax in his hands, and then threw the ax over the animals gathered together.
According to Orthodox people, on Epiphany and on the eve of the holiday, not only consecrated water, but in general any water drawn from natural sources and even snow. It is believed that such water can remain in a closed vessel for several years and not deteriorate. Epiphany water was sprinkled on hives and livestock was given water so that they would reproduce better and not get sick.
On Epiphany Eve, women collected snow, which was used to treat various diseases and to whiten canvases. Snow collected in the field was lowered into a well to store water throughout the year.
Signs on Epiphany Christmas Eve
- If there is a snowstorm on this day, then take revenge on it in 3 months. Another snowstorm on Golodnaya Kutya indicates that bees will swarm well.
- Dogs bark a lot on this day, which means there will be a lot of game.
- If it snows in the morning, buckwheat will produce well.
- A clean and clear sky on Epiphany night means a rich pea harvest.
- The stars shine brightly - the bread will be good.
- A full month on Epiphany Eve means high water in the spring.
- If there are no stars in the sky, then mushrooms will not grow.
Epiphany Christmas Eve: fortune telling
Epiphany is the last night of Christmas fortune-telling. The girls went out of the gate to cast a spell on the first person they met:
- meeting a young guy means getting married soon;
- meeting an old man is not good.
They wondered about the harvest. According to legend, frost on Epiphany night falls on those grains that will be harvested next summer, and those whose harvest will be poor will remain dry. To do this, they put different grains in cups outside at night, and in the morning they examined them: whichever frost fell on, that one would be born.
On Epiphany Christmas Eve you can tell fortunes for the fulfillment of a wish. To do this, in the evening, light a candle in front of the icons and pray, asking the higher powers for patronage and protection. Then, on a separate sheet of paper, write down one of your wishes. There should be no more than ten of them in total. Desires must be feasible and real. Before going to bed, place the leaves under your pillow.
In the morning, wash yourself three times with Epiphany water and say:
“Let your wish come true on a magical night,
Everything good that you dream about will never be forgotten.
Until the 5th century, it was customary to remember the birth and baptism The Son of God on one day - January 6, and this holiday was called Theophany - Epiphany, which spoke of the incarnation of Christ into the world and the appearance of the Trinity in the waters of the Jordan. The celebration of the Nativity of Christ was moved to December 25 (according to the Julian calendar, or old style) later, in the 5th century. This was the beginning of a new church phenomenon - Christmastide, ending with Vespers, or Christmas Eve, the feast of Epiphany.
Word forever means the eve of a church celebration, and the second name - Christmas Eve (or nomad) is associated with the tradition on this day of cooking wheat broth with honey and raisins -.
Due to the importance of the event that took place on the coming day in the life of Jesus Christ, the Church established a fast. This is where the tradition of cooking sochivo came from, which is not mandatory, but is so convenient that it has become a tradition everywhere. Of course, these days not everyone has such an opportunity, but it is still necessary to observe fasting: “As we are nourished by God’s Grace, we will be freed from covetousness,” the Typikon tells us. Covetousness is understood as everything that is consumed beyond need, and let everyone’s conscience be the criterion here.
Believers determine the extent of fasting individually, according to the strength and blessing of their confessor. On this day, as on , they do not eat food until the candle is taken out after the Liturgy in the morning and the first communion of baptismal water is received.
On Christmas Eve after the liturgy, great things happen in churches. The blessing of water is called great due to the special solemnity of the rite, imbued with memory gospel event, which became not only the prototype of the mysterious washing of sins, but also the actual sanctification of the very nature of water through the immersion of God in the flesh. This water is called Agiasma, or simply Epiphany water. Under the influence of the Jerusalem Charter, from the 11th-12th centuries, the blessing of water occurs twice - both on Epiphany Eve and directly on the feast of Epiphany. Consecration on both days takes place in the same manner, so the water blessed on these days is no different.
There is a pious tradition of sprinkling your home on this day while singing the troparion of Epiphany. Epiphany water is consumed on an empty stomach in small quantities all year round, usually together with a piece of prosphora, “so that we can receive strength from God that supports health, heals illnesses, drives away demons and turns away all the slander of the enemy.”
At the same time, the prayer is read: “Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my mental and physical strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities according to Your boundless mercy through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen". In case of illness or attacks by evil forces, you can and should drink water without hesitation at any time.
A special property of holy water is that, added even in small quantities to ordinary water, it imparts beneficial properties to it, therefore, in case of a shortage of holy water, it can be diluted with plain water.
We must not forget that consecrated water is a church shrine, which has been touched by the grace of God and which requires a reverent attitude. With a reverent attitude, holy water does not spoil for many years. It should be stored in a separate place, preferably next to the home iconostasis.
Read also:
Epiphany- one of the main holidays Orthodox Church. Done on January 6/January 19 (NS). We offer our readers a selection of materials about feast of the Epiphany.
The Bible on Baptism and Epiphany
At the time when John the Baptist preached on the banks of the Jordan and baptized people, Jesus Christ turned thirty years old. He also came from Nazareth to the Jordan River to John to receive baptism from him. John considered himself unworthy to baptize Jesus Christ and began to restrain Him, saying: “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered him: “Leave now,” that is, do not hold Me back now, “because this is how we need to fulfill all righteousness” - to fulfill everything in the Law of God and set an example for people. Then John obeyed and baptized Jesus Christ. After the baptism was performed, when Jesus Christ came out of the water, the heavens suddenly opened up (opened) above Him; and John saw the Spirit of God, who in the form of a dove descended on Jesus, and from heaven the voice of God the Father was heard: “ This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased».
Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy. "God's Law"
Theology. Sermons
- - Metropolitan Veniamin (Fedchenkov)
- - His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
- - Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh
- - Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeev)
- - Why did Jesus even need this baptism in the Jordan, which He did not need at all?
- - schema abbot Savva (Ostapenko)
- - How did they celebrate Epiphany in Rus'? Why in folk tradition church and pagan mixed?
- - about the service of Epiphany
- — Metropolitan Filaret (Voznesensky)