Discover Moldova with #MOLDPRES: winter holidays end with Baptism of the Lord, marked by more traditions, customs

The cycle of traditional winter holidays ends with the Baptism of the Lord and Saint John the Baptist. On this day, the big waters are blessed and the environment is purified from malefic forces.  

Traditions on Baptism 

On 19 January, the old-style orthodox Christians celebrate the Baptism of the Savior in the waters of Jordan by the Saint John the Baptist. All waters are blessed on the Baptism of the Lord. The priest goes to a water basin and throws a cross in the water; more men afterwards dive into the water to bring it back and the man who manages to be the first to take the cross gets the priest’s blessing and they say that he will be lucky all year long.   

In the old times, the man who was the first to find the cross and bring it to the lakeside was receiving presents on behalf of the country’s ruler and was greatly honoured by other people. 

Under the tradition, on the eve of the Baptism, a dinner resembling the one from the Christmas Eve is prepared in people’s homes.  

The Great Holy Water 

In the memory of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in Jordan and the appearance of the Holy Trinity on the day of the Baptism (19 January), the religious service of the Great Holy Water is held. 

For those who believe, the power of the holy water is great. It is drunk for the health of the soul and body. It is used at the blessing of the church, of the church vessels and vestments, of the homes where people live, of springs and gardens. The believers and priests consider that the Great Holy Water has a special power, as it was blessed through a double call of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing takes place just on day when the Savior was baptized in the waters of Jordan.    

Baptism of the Lord in other countries 

In other regions of the world, the traditions and customs on the Baptism of the Lord are different.  

In France, in former times, the "la galette des rois” was cooked, which was a pie divided in more pieces, the number of which coincided with the number of people eating at the table.    

In the Netherlands and in Belgium, a desert with almond crème is cooked, in which a figurine with the shape of a magus is hidden.  

In Spain or in some regions of Italy, children expect presents on behalf of magi on 6 January - day dedicated to the feast.  

Correspondent: Lilia Grubii