Very soon, on January 19, Orthodox Christians will celebrate one of the main church holidays - Epiphany. In the minds ordinary people Even those who are far from believing in God, this celebration is associated with washing in fonts, which are usually cut in open reservoirs. But is it necessary to observe this ritual? The correspondent of the website portal addressed this question to the rector of the Khabarovsk Transfiguration Cathedral, Archpriest Georgy Sivkov.
Swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany is not a mandatory ritual.
- Tell us about the traditions of celebrating Epiphany. How did it all start?
- The tradition dates back to the first centuries of Christianity. They celebrated with prayerful communication with the Lord. Initially, the Nativity of Christ and the Epiphany of the Lord were celebrated on the same day, although the difference between these events is 30 years. Later they were separated, and the time period between us was called Christmastide. Each of these holidays was preceded and is now preceded by a one-day fast - Christmas Eve. It is needed in order to reverently prepare oneself for the meeting of these events in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In general, any church holiday is based on some individual examples from the life of the Lord, the Mother of God or saints. All this is connected with the salvation of man. The Baptism of the Lord is remembered for us by the fact that Jesus Christ showed us an example of accepting this sacrament. He did not need to wash away his sins, since he himself was sinless, but he did this out of obedience to the law and rules of God. The Lord sanctified the water with his nature and now his followers have the opportunity to touch him.
If a person does not believe in God, but at the same time takes part in the baptismal bath, will he feel any changes in himself?
If you take water or are baptized in Jordan without faith in the Lord, then a person will not feel any spiritual cleansing. If there is faith, then together with the water he receives the grace of God. For a Christian, this can become a new starting point, because he leaves behind everything that came before. Epiphany water is connected with God's grace, but I repeat, it is accepted only when a person believes.
Tell me, is it necessary to plunge into a cold Jordan on a river or some other body of water on Epiphany?
No, it's simple folk tradition which came into our lives. IN church rules There are no regulations regarding bathing on the feast of the Epiphany. Everything needs to be approached to a certain reasonable extent. But the church meets the wishes of people, but at the same time explaining what framework is necessary for maintaining reverence for holy water.
The Church is against the consecration of any outdoor swimming pools. Such requests come regularly. We explain that there should be no entertainment or public bathing during the celebration of the sacrament. You need to treat the holiday with respect.
- Are there human actions on this holiday that the church does not encourage?
It is not allowed to approach the sacrament of Baptism while intoxicated. Swimming just for the sake of showing off to acquaintances or friends is also frowned upon. In our country, often the first thing people do after dipping is taking photographs. social media are being posted. This is some kind of vanity.
- How to properly approach ablution?
You need to be in the mood that you are making an impromptu sacrifice to God, performing a small feat. Good thoughts are important. It is in this mood that it is important to go into the water. It is advisable to avoid swimming in swimming trunks or swimsuits - it is advisable to wear a special long baptismal shirt. They are used for ablutions in holy springs, for example.
Before entering the water, you need to cross yourself once or three times and read a prayer. More knowledgeable people can sing the troparion for the Baptism of the Lord. But all this is a personal desire. Actually none strict rules does not exist - only traditions.
- The people have a firmly established opinion that swimming on the feast of the Epiphany cleanses from sins. Is this true?
No, that's not true. There are the sacraments of repentance and confession, to which a Christian, if desired and correcting his life, must resort. A man, in the presence of a priest, asks God for forgiveness, and he reads a prayer of permission over him. This is how they receive forgiveness of sins. Of course, we must personally turn to God. But to go into the water and immediately have all your sins removed, there is no such thing. Without repentance this is impossible.
- If a person wants to take a bath, but the ice hole on the river is not for him, then where else can this be done?
Some churches have their own closed fonts. For example, in the Transfiguration Cathedral there will be free access to it on holidays. Most often people come with children or those who, for health reasons, are not suitable for swimming in open cold water.
- Do the clergy themselves necessarily plunge into the open Jordan on holiday?
Well, if we talk about me, then recent years I didn’t do this for three years, but it happened before. In general, many priests do not and have not immersed themselves at all. In general, it is not customary for us to ask about this - this is a personal matter for everyone.
- Is it possible to plunge into Jordan before it is officially consecrated?
- Well, after all, the main thing is worship. This is the sacrament of confession and communion, and the font is just an addition. And just come and swim... well, let them swim. But this is unlikely to apply to the feast of the Epiphany. One must still think that church is not only mass bathing and the blessing of eggs on Easter - this is all secondary. If you stop there, then you will never get closer to God.
On the day of Epiphany, many people collect water from open reservoirs and sometimes even drink it. Do you somehow warn your parishioners against such actions?
In general, we really do not recommend drinking such water. This liquid is perfect for sprinkling anything. Our open water bodies are now quite dirty. Drinking water You can get it for a donation in churches. For example, this year we will import liquid from an artesian well, bless it and bottle it.
- If I can tell you, what does the amount of donations for the water you pour in the temple consist of?
In fact, we include in the amount of donations just enough to cover the costs - there is no talk of profit. Delivery of water and the bottles in which we bottle it are not cheap. If people are interested at all, then I would like to say that we are completely self-sufficient - we do not receive any subsidies from the state.
We live only on donations. If they don’t exist, then there won’t be a church. For example, in ours alone cathedral In winter, we pay more than 200 thousand rubles a month for heat supply. Electricity also costs an impressive amount - sometimes 50 and 60 thousand rubles. In addition, people work in the temple - everyone who serves it must receive a salary.
Archpriest Sergius Vogulkin, rector of the temple in the name of the icon, answers Mother of God“Vsetsaritsa” of the city of Yekaterinburg, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor:
Probably, we should start not with swimming in the Epiphany frosts, but with the most blessed feast of Epiphany. By the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, all water, in all its forms, is sanctified, because for two thousand years the water of the Jordan River, which touched the blessed body of Christ, rose to the heavens millions of times, floated in the clouds and returned again as raindrops to the earth. What is it in - in trees, lakes, rivers, grass? Pieces of her are everywhere. And now the feast of Epiphany is approaching, when the Lord gives us an abundance of consecrated water. Concern awakens in every person: what about me? After all, this is my chance to cleanse myself! Don't miss it! And so people, without hesitation, even with some kind of despair, rush to the ice hole and, having plunged, then talk about their “feat” for a whole year. Did they partake of the grace of our Lord or did they gratify their pride?
Orthodox man walking calm from one church holiday to another, observing fasts, confessing and receiving communion. And he prepares slowly for Epiphany, deciding within the family circle who will be honored, after confession and communion, to plunge into the Jordan, according to the ancient Russian tradition, and who, due to being a child or indisposed, will wash their face with holy water, or take a bath at a holy spring, or simply take holy water with prayer as a spiritual medicine. Thank God, we have plenty to choose from, and we don’t need to take risks thoughtlessly if a person is weakened by illness. The Jordan is not a Pool of Sheep (see John 5:1-4), and must be approached with caution. An experienced priest will not bless everyone for a bath. He will take care of choosing a place, strengthening the ice, a gangway, a warm place to undress and dress, and the presence of one of the Orthodox medical workers. Here, mass baptism will be appropriate and beneficial.
Another thing is the mass of desperate people who decided, without a blessing or just basic thought, to swim “for company” in icy water. Here we are not talking about the strength of the spirit, but about the strength of the body. A strong spasm of skin vessels in response to the action of cold water leads to the fact that a mass of blood rushes into internal organs- heart, lungs, brain, stomach, liver, and for people with poor health this can end badly.
The danger especially increases for those who were preparing for “purification” in the ice hole by smoking and alcohol. The flow of blood to the lungs will only increase chronic inflammation of the bronchi, which always accompanies smoking, and can cause swelling of the bronchial wall and pneumonia. Long-term use of alcohol or acute intoxication and warm water constantly lead to misfortunes, let alone swimming in an ice hole. The arterial vessels of an alcoholic or a domestic drunkard, even if he is relatively young, are not able to respond correctly to massive cold exposure; in these cases, paradoxical reactions can be expected, including cardiac and respiratory arrest. With such bad habits and in such a state, it is better not to approach the ice hole.
On January 19, Christians around the world celebrate a great holiday - the Epiphany of the Lord. Catholics also have this celebration, only it is timed to different days. Before the adoption of the reform (the Second Vatican Council), Epiphany was celebrated on January 13, after it - on the first Sunday after the sacrament of Epiphany.
In all these traditions, the feast of the Epiphany is associated with the New Testament, namely with the moment in which the baptism of Jesus Christ is described. This happened after Jesus had already reached adulthood. The ceremony took place on the sacred Jordan River, where all Christians were baptized at that time. The son of the Lord was baptized by the faithful Christian and famous baptist John.
The uniqueness of this sacrament is expressed in the special phenomena accompanying it. During Jesus' baptism, a snow-white dove descended from heaven onto him. In this image, the spirit of God appeared before people, at the same time testifying that Jesus is His Son.
Is it necessary to dive into an ice hole for Epiphany?
The Holy Fathers of the Church are unanimous on this issue: it is not necessary for Baptism, that is, it is not necessary to immerse yourself in water. Every Christian, as a child or as an adult, receives the sacrament of baptism by plunging into the church font. One single immersion is quite enough to testify that one belongs to the Lord.
If a person plunges into an ice hole at the Baptism of the Lord, he in no way washes away his sins and, of course, does not get baptized again. Previously, they didn’t do this in Rus' at all, and the church doesn’t require it. Much more important is that during this holiday all water is blessed, including in rivers. This deeply symbolic gesture reminds people of the great essence of God: the Lord is everywhere, in the heights of heaven and in the depths of the seas, filling the entire Universe.
For each person individually on this day, it is much more important to go to church service, and most importantly, to think about the meaning of the great holiday for all Christians and for oneself personally. Like any Christian holiday, Epiphany appeals more to the spirit than to the body, so bathing in ice water itself has no significance for spiritual cleansing.
On the other side, Orthodox Church has nothing against this relatively young tradition. It hardens and strengthens the body’s immune forces, which means it is beneficial and not harmful. But you shouldn’t sacrifice your health, wanting to “achieve spiritual cleansing” by swimming in an ice hole. If a person is sick, has a fever or some other problem healthy condition, you shouldn’t plunge into ice water at all. This will only bring a new illness, but will not contribute in any way to internal cleansing.
Harm from Epiphany bathing
Despite the generally loyal attitude of the church to this newfangled trend, the tradition of plunging into an ice hole at Epiphany has negative aspects. Many people first actively participate in all sorts of pagan games (tell fortunes on Christmas Eve or dress up as animals and go from house to house singing and dancing), and after that, with one swim in an ice hole, they want to not only remove all their sins, but also receive some special blessing. This is a great delusion and sin from the point of view of Orthodoxy.
Archpriest Konstantin Ostrovsky (Krasnogorsk) condemns this fashionable fad. He explains that all water consecrated at Epiphany brings grace. You can drink even a drop of it to join the entire celebrating Christian world. Anyone who thinks that by plunging into icy river water will receive greater blessings is deeply naive. In this way, he even to some extent falls into the sin of pride.
Moreover, the very reduction of the deep meaning of the Baptism of the Lord to the mere immersion in a hole cut in the ice is something pagan. This is especially harmful if a person goes home after bathing and sits down to festive table and drinks vodka. This is real paganism, reducing the high significance of the holiday only to narrow external attributes. At Baptism, one is supposed to open one’s soul to the Lord and be filled with awe of His greatness, and not to demonstrate one’s own piety to others.
On the eve of the feast of Epiphany, many people are wondering: is there any benefit to swimming in an ice hole on Epiphany? Is it really possible to be washed away from sins after immersing yourself in ice water? How does recovery occur after swimming in an ice hole? How does this procedure affect the body of an unprepared or unseasoned person? Let's look into these issues.
The benefits of an ice hole - what doctors say?
There are undoubtedly benefits to swimming in ice water. When briefly immersed in such water, the following occurs in the human body. Our body experiences stress due to strong temperature changes, due to which many adrenal hormones are released into the blood. It is known that when they enter the bloodstream, the body gets a shock. In normal situations, these hormones are released to a large extent when a person experiences severe fear or finds himself in extreme conditions.
This is how nature intended it so that a person can survive - adrenal hormones activate various processes in our body, thanks to which people can cope with a heavy load. When plunging into icy water, the human body finds itself in an unusual environment; as a result of the release of adrenaline, all organs begin to work to the limit of their capabilities. It is thanks to this effect that most people, after bathing at Epiphany, get rid of various diseases.
The right attitude
It is worth mentioning one more factor why it is useful to swim in an ice hole at Epiphany. It is associated with the psychological mood of people who decided to plunge into the ice hole. They all go there voluntarily, and what motivates them to act is the belief that this ritual or tradition will help them heal or spiritually cleanse themselves. In fact, Epiphany water does not wash away sins - if people acted wrongly towards others, they will not change even after bathing.
Purification is facilitated by awareness of one’s actions and repentance for them. Repentance implies a reluctance to repeat them. This is what cleanses sins and makes us better. But people swimming in an ice hole in the cold believe that bathing will help them improve their health; it is their attitude that is the decisive factor. People seem to program themselves for recovery by linking their faith and conviction with a certain action - swimming in an ice hole. This is why many people still experience the positive effects of immersion in ice water for an extended period of time.
Medical contraindications
Is swimming in an ice hole beneficial for everyone? Doctors warn that not everyone can afford such an extreme procedure for health reasons. A sharp change in temperature can provoke spasm of all blood vessels and capillaries. This shock can end badly if you have a weak heart. There is a risk of heart attack and cardiac arrest. Who else is contraindicated from swimming in ice water?
Women suffering from inflammation of the appendages should refrain from diving into the ice hole. People who have been allergic to cold more than once should not go winter swimming either. If you have been diagnosed with convulsive syndrome, epilepsy, tuberculosis, or impaired kidney function, then swimming in an ice hole will harm your body.
If you nevertheless decide to take part in the mass public bathing of believers on the feast of the Epiphany, then be sure to use the following recommendations.
1. About an hour before the procedure, drink a spoonful fish oil.
2. Do not drink alcohol before swimming, it is better to eat a little.
3. Put a rubber cap on your head.
4. Lower yourself into the water slowly, but stay in it for no more than 10 seconds. This time is enough for three dives. Staying in water for a longer period of time is dangerous to health.
5. When you leave the ice hole, immediately rub yourself vigorously with a towel so that your skin turns red. This will increase blood circulation and warm you up quickly.
6. When you return home, drink hot tea.
7. Never go into an ice hole alone or if no one is nearby.
8. If you yourself do not want to take part in Epiphany bathing, do not do it, even if your family or friends encourage you to do so.
Is it necessary to swim at Epiphany - what do Church ministers say??
According to the clergy, the custom of swimming in an ice hole is not actually connected with faith in God. It has pagan roots. As one priest says, absolutely all water is blessed on the day of the Epiphany. If someone does not want to swim in an ice hole of his own free will or because of illness or age, he can receive God's grace by simply washing himself with blessed water or drinking a small amount of it. But, first of all, a believer must lead a godly lifestyle in order to receive blessings.
So, now you know the benefits of swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany, and what harm it can cause. If you believe with all your heart in the healing power of such a ritual, then take part in it, but try to follow all the recommendations so as not to harm your health. If this ritual is not for you, then simply visit the Church and bring blessed water to your house. On this day, she is charged with special energy under the influence of prayers and chants. Epiphany water will help you recharge with positive energy every day.
On January 19, Orthodox and Greek Catholic Christians celebrate Epiphany. Early in the morning on this day it is customary to bless water. It is believed that at Epiphany she acquires healing properties and keeps them throughout the year. Another tradition is also associated with this day: in the old days, on the eve of Jordan, a large cross was cut out in the ice and installed vertically next to the hole. The ice cross was decorated and doused with beet kvass, which turned it red, and everyone could take a dip in the hole. This tradition has survived to this day. Anyone who dares to do this believes that the healing Epiphany water will give him health for the whole year. There are brave souls who, even in severe frost, jump into icy water. We will tell you how not to behave if you decide to undertake this feat.
10 ANTI-TIPS FOR NEWWALKES
No preparation
Baptism happens once a year, and nothing bad will happen if you dive without any preparation. Only real bores are first rubbed with snow and doused cold water in the shower. But they get pleasure from swimming in the ice hole, not inflammation.
Dress more glamorously
No hat, more buttons and fasteners - let everyone see what kind of good taste. In the meantime, you will be pulling and fastening all this beauty - you will definitely freeze to the skin.
Go diving hungry
Although the food you eat will help warm your body and give you energy to withstand cold stress, why waste extra time on eating?
Come alone
Then no one will be able to hand you a towel or call an ambulance if you suddenly feel ill.
Have an aperitif
Alcohol will cause rapid hypothermia and put extra strain on the heart, which means pneumonia and other inflammations are just around the corner.
Straight into the water
Dive and surface and you're done! And at the same time, blood will flow in a rapid stream to the heart and brain, threatening you with a heart attack and stroke.
Don't take off your swimming trunks
Why deprive others of the opportunity to admire your swimsuit, which you will take a long time to take off in the cold and twist, wasting precious minutes.
Sit longer - you'll be healthier
Following this logic, the longer the exposure to holy water, the more diseases you can heal. But 10 seconds is enough - you’ll just have time to plunge three times, as it should be according to tradition. If you sit longer, the body may not tolerate hypothermia.
From water to ice
After the ice hole, jump straight onto the ice, because you forgot to bring a mat with you. Just don't stand for too long - wet heels quickly stick to the ice.
No time to dry yourself
There is already enough hassle - buttoning buttons and combing hair in the cold. Of course, a wet body under clothes will quickly freeze, and you are guaranteed to get a cold.
OPINIONS OF EXPERTS
Alexey Ivakhnenko, neurologist, director of the diagnostic and treatment center International Institute biological systems:
“In fact, there is nothing terrible for health in such a ritual. If we are talking about a short-term dive. The stress that the body receives in a fairly short period of time does not have time to cause harm to human health, rather, on the contrary. A sudden immersion in cold water is a strong stress (not only physical, but also mental), a kind of shake-up for the whole body. There is a powerful release of adrenal hormones. And, as you know, hormonal therapy is considered one of the most powerful means in the treatment of many diseases. When briefly immersed in cold water, only the outer skin is cooled; the internal organs, especially the brain, do not have time to feel the effects of the cold. And to increase your “frost resistance”, you can eat a tablespoon of fish oil with a slice of well-salted black bread one and a half to two hours before swimming.
But if you sit in an ice hole until you get goosebumps, it will not lead to anything good, even if the person is absolutely healthy. Blood rushes to the heart and brain, stimulating the functioning of these organs. Due to vascular spasm, there is a risk of heart attack, stroke, seizures and the rapid development of pneumonia. In addition, reproductive function and digestion suffer. You also need to remember that swimming in an ice hole is strictly contraindicated in case of cold allergies, inflammatory gynecological diseases, tuberculosis, impaired kidney function, pregnancy, epilepsy and diseases of the heart and blood vessels.”
Igor Pashko, Orthodox priest, archpriest of the Church of the Entry of the Blessed Virgin Mary into the Temple:
“Unfortunately, many people perceive swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany as a sacred ritual. But this has nothing to do with faith or God. This is a long-standing pagan tradition, clothed in the framework of Orthodoxy. With the same success, you can plunge into an ice hole on any other day and get a healing effect according to the laws of winter swimming. The composition of the water for Epiphany does not change. Its properties change after consecration in the temple. Water connects with Divine energy and acquires healing power. And you can take a plunge, the main thing is - the right attitude. After all cold water- This severe stress for the body, if you add fear to it, the body gets sick. After all, stress and fear are words with the same root that have the same energetic nature. Moreover, ablution in Epiphany water does not “automatically” cleanse you of all sins; for this purpose you need to go to confession and communion. But the water consecrated in the temple really heals. And this miracle phenomenon cannot be explained in physical terms. The healing effect occurs through faith, through collective prayers. This water is stored for a long time, and you can use it when you are sick.
In the church at Epiphany, water is blessed twice: on the eve of the holiday - on January 18 and on the 19th. The first portion of water is usually used for washing premises, animals, cars, etc. The second portion is used for drinking for health. And you shouldn’t stress yourself out, taking a dozen or two liters’ worth of canisters from the temple on this day. Blessed water can be added to simple clean water, and all of it will be just as full of grace and will not spoil. Therefore, just take a small bottle and there will be enough water for you and your loved ones until the next Epiphany.”
