The baptism of the Lord (Holy Manifestation)

God's baptismJanuary 18-19 - the feast of Baptism (Vadokhryshcha), the third (leaning, “water”) kutya. The Christian religion connects Baptism with the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. In the churches on this day there is a baptism of water, which is taken from the nearest river, carving a large cross on the ice. The feast of Baptism ended the twelve-day (by the number of months in the year) carol holidays.

In the Christian feast of Baptism found an imprint of ancient pagan beliefs in the magic of water. At midnight before the Epiphany, the hostess went to the river or the lake and drew water, which was then stored all year as a healing water. Baptized water was given to drink the sick, sprayed with it the field before sowing, pets, a new house before settling in, a coffin, before putting the dead there.

At Epiphany they went to church and tried to return home as soon as possible - then the owner will gather the harvest first. The hay, on which the kutya stood throughout the Kolyad, was gradually given to domestic animals as a protective agent against diseases and the negative effects of witches. The dried top of the kutya was removed and given to the chickens, “the cab of good was carried.”

On this day, the ceremony of “recording Kolyada” was also performed, the purpose of which was to protect the house, the entire household from the effects of evil spirits. To do this, the owner, taking out a pot of kutya from the oven, put a cross made of rays in it, which the next day was lowered into the water (most often into the river). In the evening, the owner, taking the first pancake or top of the kutya, went around all his buildings and painted crosses on the walls with chalk.

There was a unique rite called “Ciagnuts Kalyadu on oak”. Residents dragged a harrow through the streets, on which a pot with a kutya stood. On the outskirts of the village they chose the tallest tree, usually an oak tree. The boy left a pot of porridge at the very top of the tree. Kutya symbolized sacrifice to the natural elements and souls of ancestors.

In the old days, they believed that the snow collected on this day whitens the canvas and skin of girls, has healing properties. If you throw it in a well, it will keep water in it during the drought. Participants of caroling festivities and whirlwinds sought, despite the severe frost, to plunge into the hole three times and thereby be cleansed of sins.

According to legend, a clear and cold day on Epiphany indicates a dry summer. Gloomy sky and snow - to a big harvest.