Orthodox Christians celebrate the Baptism of our Lord

Orthodox Russia notes 1 of 12 major holidays - the Epiphany or Theophany. On this day, believers remember the baptism of Jesus Christ in the river Jordan, which was held by the prophet John. Specifically then the offspring of God began his service to the population of the earth.

According to the gospel, in the waters of the Jordan river Christ was baptized by the prophet John the Baptist. The holiday is also called Theophany, because at the moment of Jesus ' baptism God appeared in 3 persons: Father, Son, and Holy spirit. Traditionally, the Liturgy was headed by the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia Kirill at the Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhovo, reports TASS.

The eve of the feast and the celebration in all Orthodox churches after the divine Liturgy is sanctified water. If the pond has frozen, ice pre-cut hole in the shape of a cross the Jordan. With the blessing of the water is read out in prayer and immersed three times the cross into the water. Then the water becomes a healing force. According to legend, the baptismal night "the Spirit of God condescends to all waters of the earth." They say that in the Holy water cannot freeze and get sick and to heal all kinds of ailments and release from sins.

In Orthodoxy it is believed that a dip in the water that night, people are freed from sins. Epiphany bathing in Russia occurs in specialized hole - "Jordana made in the shape of a cross. According to reliable information, emergencies, mass bathing plan was attended by about 106 thousand of Metropolitan residents and guests of the city of Moscow. The most famous among those who want to plunge has become a Revolution - there were open 2 fonts only around the Central district of Moscow.

Additionally, you can plunge into the Palace, Terletsky and Borisov ponds, ponds parks "Izmailovo", "Sokolniki", "Kuzminki", "Troparevo", "Pokrovskoe-Streshnevo", "Tsaritsyno", Lublin, "Holy", "White", "School", "Black", Meshchersky and Bottomless lakes, rivers Moscow, Morishige, Khimki reservoir, and other reservoirs of the city of Moscow. Add that about each font will be on duty lifeguards and medical ambulance workers.

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