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| Epiphany and St. John's day preserve folk traditions alive | ||
The calendar is now counting the first days of the new year. But according to folk beliefs, the world is still in a period of transition from the past year to the year to come. The completed life cycle has exhausted the forces of the earth, the sky and man. Cosmic chaos is reigning. Out of it, however, life will be reborn again and the new yearly cycle will resume. But in order for these life-affirming forces to come to power, the world and people should be purified from the demonic forces that reigned during the transition from the old to the new year. This period is referred to as "dirty" or "non-baptized" days. And the belief in the power of the ritual purification of people and the world around them is basically at the heart of the folk festival called Zimni Voditsi (Winter Waters) which merge in terms of time and rituals with the two church holidays Epiphany and Saint John's Day - on 6 and 7 January. The common folk name "Voditsi" (Waters) comes from the central role of water in the festive rituals during these two days in order to allow the universe and humanity to regain harmony and start the new year lifecycle.There is a belief that in the night before Epiphany - January 6, the water in all rivers, springs, lakes stops still for a moment in order to be purified. And then it acquires an enormous purifying power. The Christianized version is that the water is purified and sanctified when a Cross is dipped into it. In some areas this is done on the day before Epiphany, which is called "Popova Koleda" (Priest's Christmas) or "Vodokrast" (Water Cross), i.e. christening of the water. Elsewhere the service is carried out after the morning liturgy on Epiphany. There is a belief that if during the ritual the cross or the boxwood bunch with which the priest sprinkles the people with the holy water freezes, it portends health for all and a very prosperous new year. The same "promise" brings the cold but dry weather during the day, according to traditional belief. In other places the priest consecrates a little water in a small metal pot. Elsewhere the priest casts his cross straight into the river or lake. And despite the cold, young men enthusiastically jump into the icy rivers and lakes to reclaim the cross. The belief is that whoever first finds and takes the cross out of the water, they will enjoy good health and strength throughout the new year. There is also a custom that on this day all young men - bachelors or newly married should take a bath in the river. That's why this feast is also called Male Voditsi. And on the following day - St. John's day - bathing in the icy waters continues. But this time the lads are trying to bathe the lasses as well and the best men bathe the newlyweds and young girls. So the feast is also called "Female Voditsi". The holy water has the power to purify not only people. People also conduct on this day a ritual washing of the ploughshares so that white wheat could be born and for rich harvest in the new agricultural season. The ancient purifying rituals with water receive their Christian understanding also via celebratory songs. They tell how Virgin Mary goes with her newborn son in her arms to seek a godfather for him. St. John (Ivan) agrees to give him a baptism. And when she holds the little baby Jesus above the waters of the Jordan River, its bottom becomes gilded and its banks get silver-plated - go the lyrics of a song dedicated to Epiphany. This divine gold and silver glitter is a harbinger of the coming prosperity in the new year. The life cycle starts again from the beginning in this purified human world blessed and consecrated by rites as cosmic harmony is regained. |
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| Tuesday, Dec 27, 2016 | ||
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