Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the greatest feast days – Baptism of Christ

The Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the greatest Christian feast days on January 19 – Baptism of the Lord. The feast ends the period between the physical birth of the Lord – Christmas – and the Spiritual birth – Baptism of Christ. The last, is one of the three greatest Mysteries. The Baptism of Christ marks the end of the series of feasts dedicated to the New Year and is meant to purify the environment of malefic forces, especially the waters. According to priests, Jesus Christ started to preach when he was 30, after John the Baptist, the son of Zechariah baptised Jesus in the waters of Jordan River. After Jesus is baptised, the narrative describes the heavens as opening, the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and a voice announcing that Jesus is God's beloved Son and that God is well pleased with him. The Baptism of the Lord embraces the traditions that are specific to the Christmas Holyday – carols, magic and disenchantment is practiced, as well as foreordaining, weather and year’s prosperity forecasts. Romanians added to the Christian rituals of water blessing and numerous purification practices the washing and immersion in rivers and lakes, lighting fires, fumigating the cattle and the households. According to the Christian tradition, masses are officiated and the water is blessed during the feast. Traditionally the Churches will be full of people who come to take the consecrated water that is considered a remedy against all diseases.