MINSK, 19 January (BelTA) – On 19 January Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God.
The holiday is also known as the Feast of the Holy Theophany of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. The feast commemorates the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, were made manifest. The Biblical story of the Baptism of Christ is recorded in all four of the Gospels.
Celebrations of the feast start on 18 January, known as Epiphany Eve. On that day water is blessed in all the churches after a common prayer. Water is blessed for the second time on Epiphany Day. Water blessed in ponds and ice-holes by a priest is considered holy and pure, and bathing is believed to have healing powers.
Photo by Leonid Shcheglov, Maxim Guchek
