Russia is, in reality, a unique nation, which, alongside exceptionally developed current culture cautiously safeguards the national traditions profoundly established in the Orthodox religion as well as in paganism. The Russians still commend pagan occasions and numerous individuals still put stock in various signs and legends.
Clearly, Russian traditions are a piece of the colorful Russian culture that draws in a large number of guests to the nation every year. Russian holidays incorporate such special festivals as Cosmonaut’s Day and Defender of the Fatherland Day, while the not insignificant rundown of Russian traditions is brimming with energizing, and sometimes strange, traditions from Ded Moroz‘s appearance on New Year’s Eve to washing in ice water on Epiphany Day.
On the off chance that you are visiting Russia during one of these occasions, make sure you participate in the good times. In this article, we are going to talk about the importance of Epiphany Day for Slavic Religion in Russia. Stay tuned.
The Season of Epiphany
In western Christian convention, January 6th is commended as Epiphany. It passes by different names in different church customs. In Hispanic and Latin culture as well as certain spots in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day. On account of contrasts in church calendars, chiefly between the Eastern Orthodox and the western Catholic and Protestant traditions, both Christmas and Epiphany have been seen on various occasions before.
Today, the greater part of the Eastern Orthodox customs pursue the western church calendar. The exemptions are some Greek Orthodox Churches and related traditions (for instance, Russian and Serbian Orthodox) that still pursue the more established calendar and observe Epiphany as the Theophany on January 19th.
History of Epiphany
Epiphany is an Orthodox occasion, rich in traditions, customs, and signs. This day denotes the finish of the Christmas occasions which occur from January 7th to January 19th. The principle occasion custom is washing in the hole Indeed, even without chilly climate, hordes of individuals are ready to dunk into sacred water close to the reservoirs.
The historical background of the occasion goes back to the inaccessible past when the submersion of Jesus Christ was held in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. The Bible expresses that at the hour of the submersion of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came as a bird, and simultaneously a voice from paradise broadcasted that Jesus was the Son of God. That is the reason Baptism is additionally called the Feast of the Epiphany.
Colors and Symbols of Epiphany
The colors of Epiphany are generally the shades of Christmas, white and gold, the shades of festivity, novelty, and expectation that imprint the most consecrated days of the church year. Traditionally, that just celebrates a single day for Epiphany. The shades are frequently changed after Epiphany to the shades of Ordinary Time, normally green or topical haven colors, until Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before the start of Lent. The shades for Transfiguration Sunday are normally the shades of Holy Days, white and gold.
The customary formal symbols of Epiphany are normally connected with the Magi. The symbols incorporate either three crowns or a solitary crown, different depictions of the Magi or Wise Men, three presents, a five-pointed star, or a blend of a star and crown. An increasingly present-day symbol of Epiphany is a globe or an adapted depiction of the world.
Epiphany Customs
There is a huge number of disorderly traditions and ceremonies that have advanced over numerous centuries. One of the most mainstream and well-known traditions is the preparation of a festive corner of rice or wheat with the expansion of raisins, nectar, dried apricots, and prunes. All individuals from the family sat at a huge happy table, which was gone to by kutya, dumplings, hotcakes, servings of mixed greens, fish dishes, porridge, and together hung tight for the presence of the primary star on the skies. Simply after that, one could get out, in light of the fact that before the Epiphanies, it is important to do severe fasting.
So, that is a brief insight regarding the importance of Epiphany Day for Slavic Religion in Russia.