On January 20, Christians of the Eastern Rite celebrate the Cathedral of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, which was established in honor of John the Baptist, who baptized Christ in the waters of the Jordan River. Celebrate the day after Epiphany.

[see_also ids\u003d"

What is customary to do on a holiday.

Believers begin this day with a trip to church for a service..

From January 20, the period of "

On a holiday, it is customary to arrange magnificent feasts, as well as drink mash.. It was believed that whoever drinks on this day will not have tears and sadness will recede..

On holiday, cattle were given bread with salt and pancakes.. It was believed that this should increase the fertility of animals.

From this holiday, women took out their embroideries and threads, which they hid before Christmas, “so that the evil spirits do not confuse the threads”.

On this day, butchers began, which lasted for several weeks.. At this time, songs were traditionally sung, boys and girls held parties, and also organized weddings.. After the butchers, all this was forbidden, since Great Lent was coming..

Prayer to John the Baptist.

Saint John, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord! The holy evangelist says about you that you are a man sent from God to give evidence of the light, and so that everyone would believe in the true light that came to this world to enlighten every person. After you he should have come, but he was before you, because he was from the ages. The Lord himself testifies of you, O all-praised prophet, when he says that you are greater than all others.. The prophets proclaimed Christ with words, and you pointed at him with your hand and said: “This is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world”. You are a preacher of repentance, you baptized those who repented in the Jordan, you were honored with your own hand to touch the top of the head of the King of God.

You are the first martyr, you are a fasting and desert mentor, you are a teacher of purity, you are a close friend of Christ. I ask you, I fall down to you: do not refuse me your protection, so that my soul may be restored by repentance, as by a second baptism, for you were a preacher of repentance and a baptist. Ask for mercy for me so that I can (could) receive the forgiveness of sins and could (could) enter someday where nothing can enter the kingdom of heaven. Amen.