On January 20, Christians of the Eastern Rite celebrate the Cathedral of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, dedicated to John the Baptist, who baptized Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River. The holiday is celebrated the day after Epiphany, they begin the period of "

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history of the holiday.

John the Baptist was the son of Saints Elizabeth and Zechariah. They had no children for a long time and prayed to God for them. Zechariah received the news of the imminent birth of a child during the service, the Archangel Gabriel appeared to him, who announced that Elizabeth would soon give birth to a son, who would be called John.

John the Baptist was born six months before Jesus Christ. He managed to avoid death among the thousands of babies who were killed in Bethlehem on the orders of Herod. Zakhary refused to give up his son, for which he was killed, but Elizabeth and the child managed to escape into the desert.

John lived in the desert until the age of 30, led an ascetic life, prayed, wore coarse clothes, ate wild honey and locusts. He remained a hermit until the Lord called him to preach to the Jewish people. John went to the banks of the Jordan to prepare the people with a sermon for the acceptance of the expected Messiah (Christ). In the Jordan River, John also performed a special rite of purification for all people, which is called " That's why John is called the Baptist.

According to legend, during the baptism in the Jordan, people from Nazareth and Jesus came to John. John immediately recognized the Savior and said: “I need to be baptized by You or you go to me.? » Jesus replied that “we need to fulfill all righteousness” and was baptized by John.

What not to do on a holiday.

On this day you can not swear, quarrel, swear and wish others harm.

It is also impossible to indulge in despondency and think about the bad.

On a holiday, you can’t talk to anyone before breakfast until you drink the sacred water on an empty stomach.. It is also believed that the festive feast should not start with the first courses..

On this day, you can not kill mice - they are harbingers of an imminent replenishment in the family.

On January 20, it was forbidden to take gifts from strangers.

On this day, you should not wash your face - you can become a victim of deception.