Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany today

All Belarusian Orthodox churches are holding services dated for the Great Blessing of Waters in honour of the feast of the manifestation of God. According to people’s belief, Theophany water is able to cure ailments and make you healthy. Believers cure their wounds and the water can chase away any misfortune. According to naviny.by, priests sanctify springs on the eve of Theophany – lakes, rivers and ponds. There is a tradition of bathing in such water. Employees of the Emergency Control Ministry bathed in an ice-hole in Minsk yesterday (in the photo).

Epiphany is celebrated in honour of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan by John the Baptist. The feast is called the Holy Incarnation as it is a manifestation of God to the world as the Trinity: God the Father by speaking through the clouds, God the Son being baptized in the river, and God the Holy Spirit in the shape of a dove descending from heaven.


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