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When will they bathe for baptism? Taking part in Epiphany bathing: rules and advice

: when, why and how to swim in an ice hole. The Baptism of the Lord is great Orthodox holiday, which has many traditions. One of the main traditions of the Epiphany holiday is swimming in an ice hole.

Every year the number of people wishing to plunge into the ice hole at Epiphany only increases. However, not everyone knows that this ritual has its own rules. Only swimming, done according to all the rules on Epiphany 2018, will benefit you.

Epiphany 2018: when, why and how to swim in an ice hole. Many people ask the question: when should you swim in the wood - on the eve of the holiday, that is, January 18, or on the day of Epiphany itself, January 19? It is believed that on the evening of January 18, on the eve of the holiday, it is best to go to the temple to read a prayer and take some blessed water home.

And after the festive service, on the night of January 19, 2018, if you wish, you can swim in the ice hole. It is believed that the best time for Epiphany bathing is from 00.00. until 01.30 o'clock. It is at this time that water has strong healing properties that help cure various ailments.

If you do not have the opportunity to swim in the ice hole at night, then you can do it at any other time on January 19, 2018, on the feast of the Epiphany. This could be in the morning, during the day, or even in the evening. However, when planning to swim in an ice hole on Epiphany 2018, you must take into account your health condition so that swimming in icy water in mid-January does not harm your body. If swimming at Epiphany 2018 is not possible for you, you can just wash yourself with the water collected in the ice hole Epiphany water.

Epiphany 2018: when, why and how to swim in an ice hole. It is important to know that you need to swim only in permitted places. A Jordan is cut out there, the clergyman lowers a crucifix into the hole and reads a prayer. After this, anyone can take a swim. Before taking the plunge, you need to read a prayer. They usually dip three times. After which they read the prayer again.

Orthodox people celebrate Epiphany, or Epiphany, on January 19, and the day before, on the 18th, they celebrate Epiphany Eve. There is a popular tradition among believers - to swim on this day. How to plunge into an ice hole at Epiphany without harming your health? We will try to sort this out.

Baptism is an important event in the Orthodox religion

On this day, believers celebrate two events in the history of religion - baptism God's Son John the Baptist in the waters of the river, which was called the Jordan, and the appearance of the Trinity of God, that is, the Epiphany. They say that from the moment of Baptism, Jesus Christ began to come out to people.

Epiphany completes the cycle of Christmas holidays and requires special preparation. How is it observed before Christmas? strict fast, and on the eve of Epiphany it is necessary to adhere to the same strict Epiphany Eve.

Swimming in Jordan - healing the soul and body

For the holiday, they make an ice hole in the shape of a cross and call it “Jordan,” which was the name of the river in which Jesus was baptized. On the night of January 19, absolutely all water becomes holy, even from the tap. But on this day, believers still go to church to bless it and light a candle. used to cure diseases, strengthen morale and physical strength, removing the evil eye and damage. You can wash your face or drink the holy liquid in small sips. It is used to consecrate a home with all its belongings, as well as a barn where livestock are kept. But plunging into an ice hole for Epiphany is an optional procedure, especially if a person is not ready for this, either morally or physically. This step should be approached consciously and with faith in the heart.

Diving into an ice hole for Epiphany is an act that not everyone can do. Firstly, it is very difficult to withstand frost and icy water, even from a psychological point of view, and secondly, some believers are prohibited from doing this for health reasons.

How to plunge into an ice hole at Epiphany? This procedure means washing three times, not necessarily with the head. Before this, you must cross yourself and say a prayer, traditionally this is “Our Father.”

What happens to the human body when immersed in ice water

Swimming in an ice hole on Epiphany is possible even without a special hardening procedure. The human body is accustomed to periodic cold weather, which makes it possible to endure low temperature. It is very important to prepare mentally before swimming in the ice hole for Epiphany, and also to observe everything. Next, we will consider what basic processes occur in human body while immersed in cold water.

As soon as the human body comes into contact with ice water, it instantly awakens central part brain, its work intensifies.
Ultra-low temperatures are perceived by the body as severe stress. Basically, this situation has a positive effect - pain relief occurs, spasm goes away, inflammation is relieved and swelling decreases.
When immersed in water, a person’s body temperature reaches forty degrees. At first glance this is very bad, but in fact there is no harm from it. This temperature lasts for just a few seconds, and for this short time Various microbes, harmful bacteria, and viruses have time to die in the body.

For whom is such a sacrament taboo?

How to plunge into an ice hole at Epiphany without causing harm to yourself? Before you go swimming, you should consult your doctor. After all, there are many people for whom such events are taboo. Eat various diseases, in which swimming in an ice hole on Epiphany is strictly prohibited, as this can lead to death.

These include the following pathologies:

hypertension, angina - high blood pressure is fraught with sudden sharp narrowing of blood vessels, which can lead to such serious consequences as a stroke;
hypotension (low blood pressure) - a sharp change in temperature is fraught with fainting, after which a person’s life is completely dependent on rescuers and doctors;
inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs (nose, throat, ears);
problems of the cardiovascular system;
epileptic seizures, traumatic brain injuries, atherosclerosis;
neuritis, polyneuritis;
high blood sugar levels, thyrotoxicosis;
eye diseases;
pathologies (tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma);
inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system;
digestive diseases (ulcers, enterocolitis, hepatitis);
venereal diseases;
allergic reaction to cold.

The benefits of winter swimming

After hardening the body with cold, it is worth noting the following positive points:

Disadvantages of winter swimming

It should be remembered that along with the advantages there are often disadvantages:

breathing becomes frequent and deep;
there is a very fast heartbeat, there is a high probability of developing arrhythmia, hypertension;
Blood sugar levels increase significantly, which can trigger the development of diabetes;
cholesterol in the blood increases, which is fraught with the appearance of atherosclerosis;
immunity against cancer is suppressed;
the body’s protective functions aimed at combating seasonal influenza and ARVI viruses are disrupted.

General principles of hardening

If you decide to harden your body, you need to remember that in this matter huge role Three factors play a role: and sunlight.

There are a few general simple rules:

How to plunge into an ice hole at Epiphany? Now let's try to figure this issue out. If you decide to take the plunge for the first time, then decide why you need it. It's good if it's real faith, however, many perform the sacrament for company with friends or because they lost an argument. You must enter the hole only with true faith and a short but sincere prayer. Words that are addressed to God must come from pure heart, and charge water with enormous power (at least the Orthodox believe this).

What to take with you?

Terry towel and warm robe.
Comfortable non-slip shoes.
Dry warm clothes.
Swimsuit or swimming trunks.
Thermos with tea.
Willpower and desire.

Ten rules that should not be ignored

Based on the above information, we can highlight the rules for swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany, which in no case should be neglected:

consultation with a doctor;
correct choice of ice hole;
availability of all necessary things;
warming up before dipping;
refusal to dive headlong;
compliance with the time spent in water;
drinking warm warming drinks;
abstinence from alcohol.

If the very thought of swimming causes horror, then you shouldn’t do it. Don't forget to pray. Let this bathing bring you only the desired cleansing and benefits.

Epiphany 2019, when to swim from January 18 to 19? Orthodox believers celebrate Epiphany itself every year on the same date - January 19. Bathing in the consecrated ice holes begins after the church service, Epiphany Christmas Eve. That is, already on the night of January 18-19 you can plunge into the ice hole.

Are there rules for swimming
Choose the right place
Take everything you need
Beware of euphoria
Warm up after swimming

Are there rules for swimming

There are simply no strict rules on how to plunge into the ice hole at Epiphany. Classic behavior is to plunge your head under water three times and cross yourself, saying the prayer “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” The Slavs believed that bathing in Epiphany water helps heal the soul and body.

What to look for when swimming in an ice hole

Water is a living matter that is capable of changing its structure under the influence of information sources. This has already been officially proven by scientists. Therefore, with what thoughts a person will plunge into the ice hole at Epiphany, that is what he will receive in the end.

No medical contraindications

All the priests unanimously insist that one should not climb into an ice hole if the body is not prepared for this. Doctors compiled special list contraindications that may become an obstacle to diving into the ice hole in 2019. These are, first of all, otitis and inflammatory diseases of the nasopharynx.

Next on this list are heart and vascular diseases, epilepsy, neuritis and polyneuritis. Also, people with disabilities should not swim in ice water. diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis and bronchial asthma, nephritis, cystitis, inflammation of the prostate gland and any gynecological diseases, peptic ulcer stomach, venereal diseases.

Choose the right place

It is best to go to places that are specially organized for mass bathing of believers near churches. You should not get into the water anywhere, because the outcome can be extremely sad. It is worth choosing proven and organized places, the depth of which does not exceed one and a half meters.

Take everything you need

For swimming on Christmas Eve or Epiphany night You need to take with you a swimsuit or swimming trunks, a towel and a terry robe, and a set of dry clothes. You should also take shoes that will allow you to walk all the way to the ice hole. Slippers should not have rubber soles, otherwise they will slip. Good thing- these are woolen socks, in them you can walk to the ice hole and plunge into it.

You need to warm up before swimming

Of course, you shouldn’t squat until you sweat, but it is recommended to wave your arms and legs. The body should be hot, but under no circumstances sweaty.

Triple dipping into the ice hole

By Orthodox tradition You have to plunge your head under water three times. But these are only recommendations; if you don’t want to walk in the cold with wet hair, then you don’t have to wet your hair.

Beware of euphoria

Many people, especially those who plunge into an ice hole for the first time, feel a surge of joy after swimming. Emotions make a person stay in the water longer. But you shouldn’t do this, because all emotions will only lead to a person risking his health. Under no circumstances should you allow your body to become hypothermic while plunging into an ice hole.

Warm up after swimming

You need to quickly rub your body with a towel and change into warm, dry clothes. Then it is recommended to drink something hot, which you should take with you. You can take it with you, warmed up in advance. It can be regular tea, of course, but in no case alcohol.

Before and after swimming you should not drink any alcohol. The maximum is the minimum of church cahors, but it is better to refuse it. Alcohol will warm the body for a few minutes, and then the opposite effect will begin.

You need to go into the water with prayer

You can read to yourself the most common prayer, “Our Father.” The main thing is to turn to God on the night of swimming with words that will come from the heart. Before you go into the water, you can talk to her silently. At Epiphany, water is alive and you can ask it for strength and health.

Answering the question about when to swim in the ice hole on Epiphany 2019, we should note January 18 and 19; you can also swim for three more days after January 19, the holiday of Epiphany. It is believed that during this festive period the water still remains consecrated and exerts its healing effect on the body and soul of a believer.

Bathing in the wood is an ancient ritual that many people in our country perform every year. Soon you will be able to join the favorite Russian tradition, and from this article you will learn when is the best time to do so.

Even though the New Year celebrations are over, the series of holidays is not over yet. According to tradition, on January 19, believers celebrate the great Orthodox holiday of the Epiphany. There are many traditions and rituals associated with this day, and the most popular of them is swimming in an ice hole. Every year, thousands of people take a bath in blessed water to ensure their health and cleanse their souls of sins. We invite you to find out when is the best time to perform the ritual of bathing on Epiphany.

Swimming in an ice hole January 19, 2018

The Baptism of the Lord is one of the most revered Orthodox events. Over time, this holiday acquired many traditions, and one of them was swimming in the wood. Everyone who decides to commit this ritual, I simply must know about its features so as not to harm my health.

Before the consecration of water, a hole called a Jordan is cut through the ice. It received this name in honor of the river in which the Son of God was once baptized. After this, the clergyman lowers the crucifix into the water and says a prayer. A person who decides to perform the ritual of ablution must plunge headlong into the ice hole three times, but before doing this, he must pray.

It is believed that with the help Epiphany water you can get rid of illnesses and sins. However, this ritual is not performed by all believers, because not everyone can expose their health to such a risk.

When is the best time to swim in an ice hole at Epiphany?

When to swim in an ice hole on Epiphany - on the eve of the holiday or on the day of the event itself? This question worries many people who want to swim in an ice hole. It is believed that on the evening of January 18, it is best to visit the church, pray and take holy water home.

At the end of the evening service, on the night of January 19, everyone can plunge into the already blessed water. The most suitable time period for this is considered to be the period from 00:00 to 01:30. According to legend, it is at this time that the water acquires strong healing properties who have repeatedly helped people get rid of diseases.

If for some reason you do not have the opportunity to perform the bathing ritual at night, then you can do it in the morning, afternoon or evening of January 19th. If, due to your health condition, you do not have the opportunity to plunge into ice water in mid-January, then simply wash your face with Epiphany water collected in an ice hole.

After bathing, do not forget to say a prayer again so that the ritual will benefit not only your body, but also your soul. Our ancestors gave special meaning such great Orthodox events as the Baptism of the Lord. Despite the fact that this holiday is of a religious nature, there are many things associated with it. folk signs, which before people preferred to believe.

Immersion in ice water is very stressful. The adrenal glands react sharply and powerfully to it, releasing into the blood a large dose of potent anti-inflammatory hormones, which are normally released a little at a time. They suppress all inflammatory reactions by simply “suppressing” the immune system, helping to withstand cold, and adapting the body to withstand stress.

If you properly prepare for a dive, a person with average health can easily endure a one-time dive. But if he is even slightly weakened, in three or four days he will have to pay for his courage. According to Boris Skachko, the effect of adrenal hormones continues after the release for a maximum of two days. After this, their deficiency occurs, and the body sharply weakens and becomes sensitive to any infections.

Run before the shower, and after leaving, warm up with tea. And if the thermometer is below ten, it’s better to reschedule the session for next time.

1. Before diving, you should definitely consult a doctor. For people with diabetes, arrhythmia, kidney problems, and women with gynecological diseases, alas, it is better to forget about the ice hole. Hypertensive patients may even have a stroke.

2. A week before diving, it is better to start preparing your body for the cold. For the first 3-4 days, it’s enough to go out onto the balcony for a minute in shorts and a T-shirt. In the remaining days - add douches cold water. One or two (in the last two days) bowls of cold water will be enough.

3. Also, a week before swimming, you need to exclude citrus fruits, greens, rose hips and other foods rich in vitamin C from your diet. After all, it stimulates the immune system, and it is not necessary to stimulate the immune system more than the act of winter swimming will do: it will be too much, the immune system will drop significantly "

4. Your clothes and shoes should be easy and quick to put on and take off. Dress appropriately. Ideally, clothes should not have fasteners at all, in extreme cases - a zipper. It will be problematic to fasten buttons with fingers that don’t obey after the frost, and even more so to tie shoelaces. You will only waste time standing in the cold. Also, bring a mat. You will stand on it while you dry yourself and change clothes. Don't forget your hat - put it on as soon as you jump out of the water.

5. Not all weather is suitable for swimming. The ideal temperature for beginners is 2 to 5 degrees below zero. You can risk diving into even colder temperatures, but -10 is already a dangerous threshold for a person trying to dive into an ice hole for the first time.

6. The ice hole should be well cleared of ice fragments so that you do not slip and get hurt and to make it easier to get out. It is advisable that it has a ladder or a shallow area for easy exit from the water. Never go swimming alone, in case you need help.

7. Two hours before the dive, you must eat a hearty meal, that is, provide the body with “fuel”. When you find yourself in cold water, the body will begin to frantically spend all its resources on heating and not a single kilocalorie will be superfluous.

8. Enter the water warmed up and gradually. This makes it easier to bear the cold. To warm up before the procedure, you can run, squat, or do active movements for a few minutes. Enter the water slowly, at an average pace: if slowly, you may have time to freeze, but if quickly, you may become frightened, severe stress, pulse and blood pressure rise sharply, and take your breath away. Going up to your knees, rinse your face with water and wash your face. This will also prepare the body for complete immersion.

9. Do not drink alcohol before swimming, otherwise the freezing after going out will be much stronger. In addition, there is a high risk of rupture of blood vessels. After diving, you can warm up with a small amount of alcohol (vodka is best), but regular tea is also perfect for warming up.

10. Don’t sit in an icy pool until you get goosebumps. Chills are a sign that the body has begun to become hypothermic. As soon as you feel this, immediately jump out of the water. On average, it is enough to stay in the water for 10 seconds - you will have time to plunge three times, as required by tradition.

Doctors categorically prohibit children from swimming in the cold. Young children, especially infants, have an imperfect thermoregulation system. Frostbite can happen very quickly and parents simply do not have time to notice it. The consequences of such bathing are the most serious: the child may get pneumonia, meningitis, or another disease of the central nervous system.