Orthodox Christians celebrate the Eve of the Epiphany

Orthodox Christians are going to celebrate one of the most respected holidays – the Epiphany. Today’s evening the day before the Epiphany is called the Eve of the Epiphany and it is accompanied with especially strict fast: Christians may eat only cooked wheat or rice with honey this day. Vegetable pancakes, pies with berries and other vegetable food can be used too.

The Epiphany itself belongs to the 12th holidays and connected with the legend about Jesus Christ’s christening by John the Baptist in Jordan. This riot had the sense of spiritually purifying action.

The tradition of bathing in an ice-hole at the Epiphany night exists in Russia from the most ancient times. So as to avoid any accidents life-savers and medics are always present near the ice-holes at the Epiphany night and Ufa Eparchy already published the special list of such ice-holes on the territory of Ufa this year.

The Metropolitan of Ufa and Sterlitamac Nikon will hold festive service in the Godmother Christmas Cathedral tonight. The service will begin at 11 o’clock and will continue for about two hours.