Christians celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 19

Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar observe Epiphany on January 19. Usually called the Feast of Theophany, it is one of the Great Feasts of the liturgical year that closes the row of winter feasts, Info-Prim Neo reports Priest Pavel Borshevskki, of Saint Dumitru Church based in Chisinau, has told Info-Prim Neo that religious ceremonies are held on Epiphany and on the eve and the water is blessed. One day before Epiphany, the people eat nothing. After the service, they take communion and then eat only wheat porridge. On Epiphany, they take communion again and then drink holy water. The water that is blessed on this day is known as "Theophany Water" and is taken home by the faithful, and used with prayer as a blessing. People will not only bless themselves and their homes by sprinkling with Theophany Water, but will also drink it. The Christians belive that the holy water helps them to wash away disease and evil. On Epiphany, the people go to church with containers full with spring water and leave them there for the priest to bless the water with the holy cross during the service. Epiphany is the celebration of the manifestation of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. It includes the commemoration of his birth; the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem; all of Jesus' childhood events, up to and including his baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist.