Epiphany eve
Epiphany eve or the eve (eve Church holiday) is celebrated on January 18, the day before the Baptism. On this day, traditionally cooked stewed fruit with raisins and honey, called "sochivo", hence the name "sochevnik" or "eve". Sochivo or kutia, cooked peas, hulled barley, wheat or rice, add sunflower, poppy, hemp vegetable oil and honey. Grain symbolized reviving life, and a sweet sauce or honey - sweetness that awaits in the hereafter. The tradition of cooking sochivo closely connected with the established Church, on this day, fasting. This dish is not mandatory, but given the severity of the post, it is very convenient.
Believers determine the measure of post individually, with the blessing of spiritual and in accordance with their forces. Epiphany eve, and on Christmas, to the communion of the baptismal water and the removal of the candle after the Liturgy in the morning, do not eat.
Great lighting water is held in the temples after the Liturgy. Special solemnity of the rite, imbued with the remembrance of the biblical event, which became the prototype of the ablution of sins and lighting water through the Divine principle, made this ceremony truly great. And was this water is called the Agiasma or baptismal water. According to the Jerusalem of the Charter, with the XI-XII centuries lighting water occurs twice – in the feast of the Epiphany and Epiphany eve. These ceremonies are alike, so consecrated water, there is nothing.
In this day pious people sprinkle their homes baptismal water, praying and praising God. Holy water is a Church sanctuary, requiring a careful and reverent attitude. It does not deteriorate and can be stored near the iconostasis many years.
Holy water, added to the usual, extends to her its properties, making sanctified. Taking from the Church of Holy water cannot swear, quarrel with someone, or to perform ungodly acts because of this it loses its sanctity, or simply poured.