All Orthodox humanity celebrates the Epiphany or Holy Epiphany on January 19 (January 6, Old Style) of each year - a holiday that is considered one of the most revered and the most important event in the Christian world.
Other holiday names
Holy Epiphany, Water Crossing, Jordan, Epiphany, Theophany, Baptism of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ.
This holiday ends the Christmas holidays, and it was established in memory of the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. If we turn to the Gospel, it says that on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, John the Baptist called the people to repentance and, in order to wash away people’s sins, subjected them to washing in the waters of the Jordan.
This is the great twelfth holiday in Orthodoxy. Epiphany ends the Christmas holiday period. The exact location of the baptism site of Jesus Christ is unknown. Most early Greek New Testament manuscripts name the site of Jesus' baptism as Bethany Transjordan. It is believed that the name Bethavara was first proposed by Origen, but he placed it on west bank Jordan.
history of the holiday
On January 19, the Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated. The history of the holiday begins with the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. During the sacrament of baptism, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven. In honor of the appearance of the Lord in the fullness of the Holy Trinity, the holiday is usually called the Holy Epiphany. God the Father proclaimed words from heaven: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” The Son was baptized on earth, the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove. On this day, Jesus Christ began to serve people and preach.
Since then, water has been considered a symbol of purification. On the holiday, a procession of the cross is held, and in Christian churches, on rivers and lakes, the rite of blessing of water is performed. It is believed that whoever plunges into Jordanian water three times in an ice hole will not get sick all year. 
Traditions and rituals
The main traditions on January 19 are the blessing of water; swimming in an ice hole; chants, sermons; religious processions with icons and banners; fortune telling.
- Our ancestors believed that at midnight on the eve of Epiphany, water in reservoirs acquires special power: it turns into wine; the rivers stop for a moment and the water becomes miraculous, “holy” and pure; you can see how she worries and sways. It is believed that Epiphany water marks the spiritualization and transformation of the elements. The central event of the holiday was the church blessing of water, which could take place either in a church or on a river or at a well. Blessed water was carefully brought into the house. Everyone washed their faces with it, cooked with it, and used it as a remedy for physical and mental illnesses.
- The owners sprinkled the house, people, yard, livestock, beehives, vegetable gardens with the Epiphany water brought into the house, poured it into the well, added it to livestock feed, and to barrels of wine. They said that “on the night of Epiphany, before the morning, the sky opens, whatever you pray to the open sky will come true. But, supposedly, not everyone is given the ability to see this, but only the most pious people. But if a sinner prays to holy heaven at this time, then his wishes will come true.” There is a belief that if you place a bowl of water under the images and look at it “with faith,” then the water itself will stir at Epiphany noon, which means: “the baptized Son of God overshadows and sanctifies it.”
- The main event of this day is the blessing of water, for which an ice hole is made in one of the reservoirs - the Jordan. After the solemn religious procession, a prayer service is performed. After the prayer service they bathe in the ice hole: the sick - to be cured of illness, and the healthy - to be cleansed of sin. Russian winter bathing is based on the ancient pagan custom of ritual cleansing with water. They believed that the ice hole itself and the place around it had miraculous powers. In the Russian North, carolers swam in an ice hole to return to “that world” the soul of an ancestor, to whom they “lent” their body during Christmas time.
- Among the peasants there was a widespread belief that on Vodokreshcha, like on Easter, Ivan Kupala and Christmas, the sun shines. It was believed that on this night “the gates of heaven open; the bright paradise in which the sun dwells reveals its treasures; waters in rivers and springs begin to move; Flowers appear on the trees and golden apples ripen.” The night before Epiphany is considered the most favorable time of prayer to God about the most secret things.
- After the end of the hungry Kutya, the hay that had been lying around for two winter weeks was removed from the table and given to the cattle in order to improve and speed up the milk of the cows, and at the same time protect against witch leprosy. IN Voronezh region At Epiphany, they gave the cattle an “unmilked” sheaf so that the cattle would “break their fast.” In Polesie, at Epiphany they painted crosses and horses on the doors. When they were drawing horses, they said: “We rode on horses, on horses and got away,” so that “the devil would hit the hut.” Cross - “then Kolyada is leaving.” In some places they covered the walls, doors and stove with chalk with various figures of trees, birds, animals, horsemen.
- To protect their home from fire, the villagers read during Epiphany Week: “The saints followed me, carrying a bowl of water. If there is a fire, the saints will put out the fire. Don't burn once, don't burn twice, don't burn three. Neither today, nor tomorrow, never burn. The saints are standing, guarding my house. Amen". In the Kursk province, at Christmas and Epiphany, they burned manure in the middle of the yard so that their parents would stay warm in the next world.
- The concept of “Epiphany frosts” is associated with the holiday - they have always been particularly strong, but after this day the weather began to change. People said about the frosts: “The cracks are not cracks, but the water cracks have passed.” In the same time severe frost foreshadowed a good grain harvest. “The frost is severe on Vodokreshcha - don’t complain about bread,” the peasants noted. However, both fog and flakes of snow foreshadowed a good harvest.
Sayings and signs for Epiphany
– The weather of this day indicates the weather of December.
– If the weather is sunny and frosty on January 19, then the summer will be hot and fruitful.
– If Epiphany frosts prevail over Christmas and Sretensky frosts, then the coming year will be fruitful.
– A snowstorm on Epiphany means a good swarm of bees.
– If there is a blizzard on this day, then there will be a blizzard on Maslenitsa.
– On Epiphany night the heavens open to the requests of people. If you pray for something, your request will definitely come true.
- Anyone who is baptized on the day of Holy Epiphany will live a long and happy life.
– A couple who gets married on Epiphany will live a long and happy life together.
– If a young girl goes out on Epiphany morning and meets young guy, then she will get married this year.
– If the first person she meets is an elderly man, then she will be lonely all year.
– Those born on this day are protected by everything. They should wear jade.
January 19 is one of the main holidays Orthodox Church. On the night of Epiphany, people go to churches for all-night vigils, which end with the morning divine liturgy and the blessing of water. Epiphany water has miraculous power. She is able to heal and protect from evil spirits.
What not to do at Epiphany
On January 19, it is prohibited to store holy water in large quantities. On the holy day, you cannot quarrel, swear, lie, complain, gossip, or entertain bad thoughts. It is undesirable to engage in heavy physical labor, clean the house, wash, or cut with scissors. It is not recommended to get a haircut, manicure or pedicure, so as not to bring bad events into your destiny. You should not sew or knit, so as not to confuse your fate. It is forbidden to borrow money, otherwise the whole year will pass in debt. On this day, it is advisable not to overeat so that your thoughts remain clear. On January 19, after the end of Epiphany Eve, it is forbidden to guess.
The magical properties of Epiphany water
On January 18 and 19, Christians go to church to pray and draw Jordan water. It is necessary that there is always sacred water in the house; it is advisable to begin every prayer with it. Signs for the Epiphany of the Lord say that if you wash children with Jordanian water, they will grow up healthy and happy. They sprinkle it on the home and give it to domestic animals so that the offspring will be good. It improves mood, relieves anxiety, heals physical and mental wounds. Girls wash their faces to be beautiful.
The priest goes around the houses of parishioners to, with the help of prayer and water, cleanse them of all evil spirits and bless them. It's not good to lock the door on him. How to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord without receiving a blessing from it for your family and home? It was believed that such a family would be in trouble for a whole year.
Read more about the properties of Epiphany water.
Swimming in an ice hole for Epiphany
On the morning of January 19, there is a tradition of swimming in an ice hole, which was carved in the shape of a cross on the eve of the holiday. The cross itself was installed nearby. Sometimes it was decorated with spruce or pine branches. They also poured beet juice over it, turning it red, which symbolized fire. At Epiphany, signs and beliefs say that on these days double cleansing occurs - with fire and water.
Doctors are in favor of swimming in the ice hole only healthy people. This needs to be done correctly. You should take with you a large towel, a change of clothes and shoes, and a hat.
It is not recommended to take part in Epiphany bathing people prone to the following diseases: obesity, arrhythmia, hypertension, diseases respiratory tract, reproductive system. Swimming is prohibited during Women's Day.
Epiphany menu
The celebration begins on January 18th. The eve of the evening is called Epiphany Christmas Eve. People call it Hungry or Poor Kutya. 
After waiting for the first star, the whole family gathers at the table for dinner, adhering to strict fasting all day. The table is served with 12 dishes, the main one being kutia (sochivo). Hence the name of the evening - Epiphany Christmas Eve. This is a porridge made from whole wheat, which symbolizes wealth, the bounty of the future harvest, unity and prosperity in the family. It is with kutya that the signs for Epiphany - January 19th - are associated. If it turns out tasty, life will be easy and sweet. Burnt porridge indicates trouble this year.
They cooked it with special love and prayer. Symbolic ingredients were added to kutya: honey for a sweet life, poppy seeds, which since ancient times warded off evil spirits, nuts so that life’s difficulties could be easily overcome, raisins for abundance in the house. Under no circumstances should you throw away the kutia; it is better to give it to birds or pets.
Dumplings with potatoes and cabbage, cabbage rolls with millet, fish, mushroom soup, pancakes, and uzvar, a dried compote, were also served on the table.
And on January 19, a rich table is set with various dishes, meat casseroles, sausages, jellied meat, and pastries. It is recommended to start the festive meal with prayer and sacred water.
Epiphany fortune telling
Do the signs for Epiphany - January 19th - tell the truth? Everyone can check for themselves. But since ancient times, the night from January 18 to 19 (Epiphany Evening) was considered the most suitable for fortune telling.
To check how rich the year will be, you need to take three plates and a coin. In this fortune telling, you need an assistant who will place a coin under one of the plates. Guessing where the money is hidden the first time predicts a rich, carefree life. If the second time, there won’t be any big financial problems either. And if you don’t guess right three times, you’ll have to work hard to earn a living.
6 glasses can tell your fortune. In each of them you need to put a thing that symbolizes something: sugar is a sweet life, salt is sadness, a coin is wealth, a piece of bread is prosperity, a pea is the birth of a child, a ring is marriage. The choice determines the events of the year.
The most mystical and reverent fortune telling with a mirror and candles. Place a bowl of water on the table and light candles on three sides. Behind the decanter is a mirror, peering into which you can see the future.
At Epiphany, signs say that girls can see their future husband. To do this, you need to pour ¾ of water into a glass, lower the ring to the bottom, placing it exactly in the center, and look carefully.
To see your betrothed in a dream, you need to eat something salty in the evening. When going to bed, turn to the future groom: “Betrothed, bring me some water to drink.” Whoever dreams is destined to live with.
Read more about how to tell fortunes at Epiphany.
Name day January 19
Ivan, Rem.
At this time, believers go to church for services, early in the morning swim in an ice hole, and set sumptuous festive tables with their family and friends.
How did the holiday of Epiphany appear?
The Bible says that the prophet John saw the Lord, who called him to repent before the people, and then baptize everyone listening to the sermon in the Jordan River. And although this ritual could not yet be considered a real baptism, people who repented in this way showed that they wanted to wash away their sins.
Jesus Christ was also in the crowd of people. In a simple pilgrim, John recognized the Messiah and said that it was he who needed to be baptized by him, and not vice versa, to which Jesus replied, everyone must do the work assigned to him.
While Jesus was praying, the heavens opened and the Spirit of God came to earth in the form of a dove. Following the example of the Messiah, Christians all over the world began to perform the rite of baptism. So, human soul finds purification and draws closer to God. 
It was the baptism of Jesus that became the origin of the holiday that we celebrate today. IN old times Baptism did not have a separate date in the calendar and was celebrated together with the day of the Nativity of Christ. At the same time, the holiday had another name - Epiphany, since the Lord appeared before people in 3 forms: Spirit, Son and Father.
What can you eat on Epiphany Eve?
Today, the feast of the Epiphany ends the Christmastide period, which begins on January 7th. It is customary to start celebrating on the eve of January 19th. In the evening, the family gets together and sits down to the Lenten table. This time is usually called Great Christmas Eve or Poor Kutia. During Christmas Eve you should observe strict fast– eat only lean foods and do not drink alcohol. You can sit down at the table only after the first star has risen in the sky. 
Equally important at Epiphany is drinking water. It is believed that at this time it changes its qualities and is healing. After the solemn service, everyone takes Jordan water for themselves and takes it home. They drink it or wash themselves with it. Believers think that on this day water can heal any disease. Oddly enough, but in fact, Jordanian water can be stored for a very long time and not lose its freshness.
After the first star appears in the sky, the whole family sits down at the festive table. All day before this, the housewife prepares traditional dishes. Kutya and those dishes that are on the table on Christmas evening must be present, but only even more lean.
There should be an odd number of dishes on the table (5, 7, 9) or 12 - according to the number of apostles, months of the year, etc. Before you begin festive dinner, you need to take a few sips of water brought from the temple. You can also sprinkle it all over the food on the table. 
The Epiphany menu on Christmas Eve is distinguished by its tradition. Kutya, cookies, pancakes, pies, etc. must be present.
The eldest person in the family always treated the youngest and all the guests first. All dishes on this day turn out extremely tasty and healthy, as they do not contain a large amount of fat.
Housewives always prepared Cross cookies for Epiphany, paying tribute to Jesus. These cookies also had to be eaten in the morning after Christmas Eve and washed down with holy water. People believed that such a ritual would help them remove all their sins. You can find many recipes for such cookies, and making them is very easy and simple. By traditional recipe You can’t add any dried fruits, nuts, or honey to it.
Baking these cookies also has many signs. For example, if the cross is well baked, then whoever eats it will bring a lot of health and happiness. Such a person will become a good adviser throughout the next year and will help in any trouble. If there are cracks or breaks on the cross, then it can bring new difficulties in life, as well as bad changes. If the cross is burnt or not baked, then it will bring a lot of grief, as well as illness. 
Damaged crosses were forbidden to be eaten by people. Usually, the owner fed them to street birds. It was believed that it was the inhabitants of heaven who would help get rid of trouble. In order not to ruin anyone's mood for the holiday, the people for whom the damaged crosses were intended were not told anything about it. They were given other cookies prepared in reserve.
Other dishes included pancakes and pancakes, which were baked with honey. There was a popular belief that the more pancakes a person ate, the more more money in the new year he will be able to get it.
Kutia is an obligatory ritual dish. Translated from Greek, this word means “boiled wheat,” although any other grains can be used to prepare it. Raisins, nuts, honey, poppy seeds, etc. are added to kutya. Cooking it is quite simple, but its taste is very pleasant. Children especially like kutia, as it is often made sweet.
What can you eat on the day of Epiphany?
Epiphany Day is accompanied by many traditions and festivities. Moreover, in each region they are unique, in their own way. Orthodox people believe that on this day magical properties possesses not only water, but also candles lit in the temple. They say that if you light them during a thunderstorm, it will help prevent a fire.
The main symbol of Epiphany is Jordanian water. In the morning after the service, they bring her into the house, always drink and treat her guests. Cookies in the shape of crosses are prepared with the water, which should be consumed by all family members. 
If on Christmas Eve it is customary to have dinner only with lenten dishes, then already on the day of Epiphany you don’t have to limit yourself to food. The hostess must set a sumptuous table, and there must be meat present. They cook borscht on the brisket, dumplings, cabbage rolls, fry liver, roast, sausage, blood, ham, etc.
On this day one of the richest tables of the year should be set, as this should give an impetus to well-being in next year. On Epiphany, all fasts are canceled, you can eat a lot of meat and fish. The day before, fresh bread, pies, crumpets, rolls and other sweets are baked. Unlike Christmas Eve, you can also drink a little alcohol - vodka or tincture - but only in small quantities.
For desserts they prepared a variety of jelly, gingerbread, nuts, shortcakes and other pastries with sweet filling.
At Epiphany you shouldn’t limit yourself in food, but you also don’t need to eat too much. This bright and joyful day is primarily intended for repentance and remission of sins, a kind of cleansing in Jordanian water.
Epiphany is a popular day for infant baptism. It is generally accepted that a child baptized at this time will be a happy and rich person. Matchmaking is often carried out on this day, as they believe that such a marriage will be happy and long. After the holidays end, the wedding period begins.
Epiphany is an important holiday for all Orthodox Christians. Cooking takes a special place in the celebration. traditional dishes. If on Christmas Eve you can only eat lenten dishes, then on the day of the Epiphany itself you should set a sumptuous table with meat and fish.
Epiphany or Holy Epiphany is the most important holiday for all Christians. On this day, Jesus Christ was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. And since then, millions of Orthodox Christians around the world on January 19 try to plunge into open bodies of water, as the Savior himself once did. There are many other traditions associated with Epiphany, but most often believers are interested in questions related to the peculiarities of the celebration. For example, what can you eat on Epiphany (January 19) and what foods are allowed to eat on Christmas Eve (January 18). Next, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the exact list of foods and dishes that can and cannot be consumed on Christmas Eve and Epiphany. By the way, in 2019 Epiphany falls on a Saturday, so you should thoroughly prepare for celebrating the holiday on a day off.
What can you eat on Epiphany Eve (January 18): a list of foods and dishes allowed for believers
As with many important Christian holidays, the celebration of Epiphany is preceded by traditional preparations. And in the case of Epiphany on January 19, it is also important to spend Christmas Eve on January 18 correctly. Most Orthodox traditions, one way or another, are associated with cooking and fasting before the great Christian holiday. Therefore, it is very important to know exactly what you can eat on Christmas Eve, January 18, and what foods and dishes are allowed to be consumed by believers on Epiphany itself. To begin with, we note that the Orthodox do not have such a strict fast before Holy Epiphany. Nevertheless, on the day before Epiphany, or rather on Christmas Eve, believers still try to observe certain restrictions on food. Next, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the list of products and dishes that you can eat on Christmas Eve on the eve of Epiphany on January 19.
List of products and dishes that believers are allowed to eat on Christmas Eve before Epiphany (January 18)
As mentioned above, strict fasting a few days before the celebration of Epiphany in Orthodox calendar No. But Christian believers, according to a long-standing tradition, try to eat only modest food on the eve of Epiphany on January 18. For example, cereal-based dishes, homemade pickles, light soups with vegetable broth. It is advisable not to eat meat and dairy products, like eggs, on this day. A must-have dish On Christmas Eve there is boiled wheat, similar to Christmas kutya, but without butter and nuts. Very little honey and poppy seeds are usually added to such wheat.
What can Orthodox Christians eat on Epiphany on January 19 - list of products
Since Epiphany on January 19 is considered one of the main holidays among Orthodox Christians, the list of foods that can be eaten on this day is quite large. At the same time, gluttony is not welcome at Epiphany, so it is important to think through the festive table in advance. For example, do not overload the menu with meat and fatty dishes. It would be more correct to cook one, maximum two, hot meats, and achieve variety at the table by delicious salads, light side dishes and original snacks.
List of foods that Orthodox Christians can eat on Epiphany on January 19
If we take a closer look at the list of products that are allowed for consumption on Epiphany on January 19, then, of course, meat options will come first. Cutlets, chops, sausages, homemade sausages, ham, baked poultry - these are the dishes that can form the basis of the menu. It is important to remember that preference should be given low-fat varieties meat, such as veal or rabbit. In addition to meat, dairy products and eggs are also allowed for consumption at Epiphany. Diversify holiday menu You can use vegetable salads. For example, traditional options include vinaigrette and fresh cabbage salad with cucumber. Dishes made from beans and legumes (lentils, chickpeas) would also be appropriate on the holiday table. You can use them to prepare both side dishes and original salads. As for desserts, traditionally the table should include “rich kutya” made from wheat with honey, nuts, raisins and poppy seeds. Homemade is also welcome rich pastries in the form of sweet pies, donuts, cookies. It is better to refuse purchased sweets on this day, since Epiphany is still religious holiday and it is important to respect its original traditions.
What Christian believers absolutely cannot eat at Epiphany
Since the list of products allowed for consumption by Christian believers at Epiphany is quite wide, it is easier to mark dishes that are absolutely forbidden to eat or drink. First of all, the ban applies to strong alcohol. The Church will not approve of the use of various types of strong drinks during Orthodox holidays. However, many Orthodox Christians allow themselves 1-2 glasses of wine at the table, and this is not considered a great sin. Therefore, it is better to give up strong drinks at Epiphany. alcoholic drinks in favor of a small amount of weak homemade wines and liqueurs.
List of foods that Christian believers absolutely cannot eat on Epiphany
As for food products that are undesirable to eat at Epiphany, then, first of all, you should exclude any purchased prepared dishes from the holiday menu. For example, ready-made salads from the culinary market, factory-made baked goods. It is important to prepare food with your own hands for Epiphany, so such products will not be suitable. In addition, there is no need to put very fatty dishes on the table, as well as products that are not traditional for Orthodox cuisine. For example, seafood Exotic fruits and vegetables would be inappropriate on the Epiphany menu.
In 2019, Epiphany on January 19 falls on a Saturday, which means the church holiday will coincide with a day off. Therefore, it will be possible to approach the preparation of its celebration thoroughly, for example, by preparing the traditional festive menu for Christmas Eve on January 18 and Holy Epiphany. Now that you know exactly what you can eat on Epiphany on January 19, it won’t be difficult for you to come up with a list of the right dishes. We are sure that the list of foods that you can and cannot eat will help you organize a delicious and traditional festive table for Epiphany.
Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany on January 19. On this day, the church remembers the gospel event - how the prophet John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. There are several rules regarding the celebration of Epiphany, including those regarding nutrition.
Epiphany Eve
On January 18, believers observe a short but strict fast. According to tradition, on this day you can only eat kutya (sochivo), however, allowing yourself a few lean dishes. On “Indian evening” - which is what our ancestors called the eve of Epiphany - we made do mainly with Lenten borscht, dumplings, pies, cabbage, and fish.
And the main dish on the table was hungry kutia. “Hungry” - since no butter or cream was added to the kutya. You will find the recipe for such kutia -.
What should be on the table at Epiphany
When the water in the reservoirs is blessed and the first star appears in the sky, you can sit down at the table. In some regions of our country, according to tradition, 12 dishes are placed on the table on Epiphany Christmas Eve, just like at Christmas. But this is not at all necessary.
In addition to kutya, it is customary to put on the table the following dishes: borscht with mushroom ears, dumplings with filling, fish, pies, rolls, sweet jelly or uzvar. The table on this day was considered one of the richest of the year.
In addition, be sure to put a little hay on the table and cover it with a white tablecloth.
What to drink and eat on an empty stomach
The first thing a person should try on Epiphany is a glass of consecrated water, because it is believed that on January 18-19 it has special power and can protect not only from evil spirits, but also from all diseases. And after that you need to eat Lenten kutia.
One of the main holidays for Christians is Epiphany. It is also called Epiphany. It is believed that it was on this day that John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan. Followers of the Orthodox Christian faith celebrate this holiday on January 19. Epiphany of the Lord: how to celebrate, what to cook on this day, what beliefs are associated with it... You will learn all this by reading this article.
About the holiday
All four evangelists mention Baptism in their revelations. But this holiday received the name Epiphany due to the fact that during the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the sacred waters of the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the form of a snow-white dove. This is written about in the Gospel of Luke. After the dove descended from heaven, the voice of God was heard amidst the roar, proclaiming Jesus as his beloved son. Today, Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany on January 19, but Catholics continue to celebrate this holiday on January 6. Naturally, on the eve of the holiday, any housewife is interested in what is being prepared for Epiphany, January 19th. After all, we are accustomed to the fact that each church holiday has its own special traditions, which in most cases are associated with the preparation of one or another dish.
Celebration
If you follow all the rules, then the feast of Epiphany, or Epiphany, should be celebrated for 8 days, of which 4 are pre-celebration, and the remaining 4 are post-celebration. And these days, it is not so important what to cook for the feast of Epiphany; what is more important is that the consecrated water of Epiphany is life-giving and helps to cure many ailments. By the way, it is popularly believed that even tap water is special on Epiphany. If it is not possible to go to the temple for water, then you can drink a glass of it from the tap, and only after some time (at least half an hour) after that you can have breakfast. But the blessed Epiphany water brought from the temple should be consumed one spoonful on an empty stomach. In the houses of believers, such water is stored in the red corner. By the way, if you are interested in what is being prepared for Epiphany, January 19, then on Christmas Eve you need to eat Lenten dishes, but for the holiday itself - everything you want. Nevertheless, there are some dishes, the presence of which on the festive table is not only desirable, but also obligatory, for example, a whole roasted pig.
So, the main dishes on Christmas Eve should be lean, for example, kutia, Lenten pies, cookies, uzvar, flat cakes, jelly, etc. There should be either seven, nine or twelve of these dishes on the pre-holiday table. In the old days, kutya was usually washed down with uzvar. Cookies were in the shape of crosses, pancakes were made from wheat or oats, then dumplings were made with potatoes, cherries, etc. Another Lenten dish on Christmas Eve is cabbage rolls without eating meat, that is, instead of filling, rice with vegetables is used, as well as borscht with beans.
Kutya Sochivo
This is what housewives cook for Epiphany (January 19). We will tell you the recipe and method of preparation in this chapter.
Required Products
Refined wheat 100-200 grams;
Honey two tablespoons;
Dried fruits or candied fruits - 1 handful;
Walnuts, cashews, almonds (kernels), etc. 1 cup.
Cooking method
1. Soak the wheat grains by pouring cold boiled water over them. After a few hours, drain the excess water, add water again and put it on the stove to cook.
2. After the water in the pan boils, reduce the heat and cook for about 40 minutes.
3. Rinse the poppy seeds, pour boiling water over them and leave aside to swell; do the same with dried fruits.
4. After the wheat is cooked, place it in a colander and let the water drain.
5. Grind the swollen poppy seeds in a mortar or blender until a milky mass forms.
6. If necessary, nuts should be lightly fried (without adding oil) in a frying pan, and honey should be diluted warm water until a thick syrup forms.
7. Cut dried fruits into small pieces.
8. Mix all ingredients in a deep bowl. At the end, pour honey sauce over everything.
9. Transfer the kutya to holiday dish and garnish with whole dried fruits.
Epiphany cookies Cross
Of course, one of the main treats on the baptism table are cookies in the shape of a cross. To prepare them you need the following ingredients: flour (a quarter kilogram), one egg, half a pack butter and half a glass granulated sugar, as well as salt and vanillin on the tip of a knife. All ingredients need to be mixed and kneaded into an elastic dough. Then roll it out on the table into a layer and cut it into strips, and form crosses from them, decorate the middle with nuts or candied fruit. Bake in the oven until golden brown.
Among the people there are many signs that are associated with the holiday of Epiphany. Here are some of them. If at noon the clouds in the sky are blue, it means that the coming year will be fruitful. The same thing means if it snows in flakes on the night of Epiphany. But if it is cloudless and the stars shine brightly, then the year will be lean. If the loud barking of dogs is heard this night, it also means that hunters will be lucky this year. If a snowstorm breaks out on Epiphany night, this means that the winter will be long and will continue for another 3 months. But if there is a full moon on Epiphany, then in the spring you need to wait for the flood.
Traditions
Despite the frost, on Epiphany after prayer people begin to dive into rivers and ice holes. This is done in order to recover from diseases. It is believed that those who are baptized on this day will be happy throughout their lives. And the engagement that took place on this day is also fortunate. After the feast of Epiphany until Maslenitsa, the period of weddings began in Rus'. IN Epiphany night the girls guessed at the first person they met. If he turned out to be an old man, then this was not good, but if he was a young guy, then this meant a quick marriage. In some settlements, viewings of future brides took place on this day. The girls dressed up and stood on the shore. Those who wanted to get married wore a shirt with red stripes along the hem. Naturally, each of them knew what was being prepared for baptism on January 19, and prepared these dishes herself. And when matchmakers came to their house, the girl’s mother, treating them, boasted that all these delicacies were prepared by her daughter. There was also such a belief: in the morning, if the sky is open (that is, not covered with clouds), then you need to pray to the heavens, and any request will be heard by God. Since ancient times, in cities and villages, Jordan ice holes were cut out on ice-covered rivers, into which believers dived. It was believed that it was necessary to collect water from three Jordans and store it until spring, and then sprinkle the soil in order for there to be a good harvest.
