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19 February, 2026 / 00:15

/ 19 January, 2026

Old-style Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany

The old-style Orthodox Christians today are celebrating the Divine Revelation, also known as the Baptism of the Lord or Epiphany. The feast commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River and holds deep religious significance for the Christian world.

According to the tradition, on this day, as well as on the eve, the blessing of the waters takes place and believers gather in churches to receive the Great Holy Water. This is considered blessed and believed to bring healing, tranquility and peace in the family, and is kept with reverence in Christians’ homes.

According to Orthodox teaching, the Great Holy Water is consumed for seven days from its blessing, in the morning, on an empty stomach. Afterwards, throughout the year, it is drunk only under special conditions, usually after fasting and is also used for sprinkling the home, the household or possessions, as a sign of protection and blessing.

The Baptism of the Lord is associated with the revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Jordan, the Father spoke from Heaven, the Son was baptized, and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, marking one of the most important moments in the history of Christianity.

Popular tradition says that, on Epiphany, believers must be at peace with those around them, and the weather on this day foretells the year’s harvest. The traditional meal also includes boiled wheat with honey, and after sunset the consumption of aspic (meat jelly) is permitted.

On the eve, a strict fast is observed: nothing is eaten or drunk, and the next day the holy water is drunk on an empty stomach.

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