TODAY IS EPIPHANY: Blessed water is taken home, there is no fasting, and special days begin!

Epiphany is being celebrated, one of the 15 greatest Christian holidays, established in remembrance of Christ’s baptism and the revelation of the God-Man. On Epiphany, Orthodox believers swim for the Holy Cross.

Epiphany is the day when Jesus Christ was baptized in the River Jordan.

For the first time, the Holy Trinity was manifested – in the voice of God from heaven who said, “This is My Son,” in the baptism of the Son of God in the river, and in the Holy Spirit who descended upon Christ in the form of a dove.

Many folk customs and beliefs are associated with Epiphany.

On this day, water is blessed, which is taken home and drunk for health and the enlightenment of soul and body.

It is considered healing and a protection against unclean forces and is kept in homes until the next great blessing of water. Epiphany water never spoils, because, Christianity teaches, the power of the Holy Spirit dwells in it.

Today, people greet each other with the words: “God has appeared” or “Christ has appeared,” and reply with “Truly He has appeared.” According to the traditional calendar, days suitable for weddings begin today.

On Epiphany, there is never any fasting, regardless of the day on which it falls. With this day, the so-called “unbaptized days,” which began on Christmas, also come to an end.

Swimming for the Holy Cross and retrieving the cross from rivers and lakes is a revived custom that is observed in many parts of Serbia.