Epiphany

On the 19th January  the Christians celebrate one of the most important church holidays, being the christening of the Savior Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. The Bible says that during the christening the Holy Spirit as a pigeon descended on Christ.

Christians love the holiday of Christening, and the feast of St. John the Baptist. People are waiting for this holiday with great passion and pleasure.

Many Christians on this day take holy water from the churches to their homes.

Крещение

Epiphany

There is another great and nice tradition, being that of winter swimming. People throw into water a wooden cross and bathe in this ice hole. It is considered the most honorable thing to catch the cross out of the water. Many bold spirits are addicted to this, and they are rewarded with fruits, money, sweets and biscuits.

On the night of Epiphany can be predicted fortunes on promised husband. Girls put a flower of basil under the pillow, and the finger is tied with red silk thread. If an unmarried girl falls on the ice on the day of the Epiphany, she very quickly gets married this year. To see the promised husband, girl cook salted cakes of flour and water. Anyone who would bring her water in her dream – then he is her fate.

If on 6th January it rains, the winter will be long, and if it is the sunny day, the summer is going to be warm and nice weather. If the trees are in hoarfrost, so this omen is for the health and prosperity, and if is snowstorm and blizzard, there will be a rich harvest. On this day is forbidden wash clothes and linen. The married ones should not quarrel and do wet cleaning.

Traditional dish on Epiphany - is cooked wheat with honey.