Orthodox in South Ossetia, as well as throughout the world, are celebrating on Thursday one of the most important holidays - the Epiphany of the Lord.
Divine services are being held in the churches of the Republic. On Thursday night, a service was held in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Tskhinval, after which, traditionally, Epiphany bathing was organized on the Malaya Liakhva River in the village of Dmenis, Tskhinval district of South Ossetia.
The rite of water consecration was performed by Father Sergius (Kokoev).
The service in the Church of the Holy Trinity was attended by President of the Republic Alan Gagloev.
In the Church of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tskhinval, the liturgy will begin at 10.00 am, which will continue at 11.30 am with a cross procession to the Liakhva River in the capital, where the Baptism ceremony will take place.
From 11:00 am until further order, the traffic police will block Cathedral Square and several streets of the capital.
Ambulances and rescuers of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are on duty in the bathing places.
About 100 police officers will be involved in ensuring public order during the celebration of Epiphany.
On the day of the Epiphany, January 19, all rivers and waters are consecrated.
From the history of the holiday
The beginning of the celebration of Theophany dates back to the time of the holy apostles. In their decrees, they command to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, since on this day the appearance of the Divinity of Jesus Christ took place. In the Orthodox Church, this holiday is celebrated with the same grandeur as the feast of the Nativity of Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River at the age of 30. Before the Lord went out to serve the salvation of the world, God sent the prophet John the Forerunner (that is, the predecessor) to prepare people for the acceptance of Christ. Saint John the Baptist preached at the Jordan River and baptized those who came to him with the baptism of repentance.
When the Lord Himself came to him to also be baptized, John stopped Him, saying: “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”; but Christ insisted on this - not because He Himself had a need for Baptism, but in order to "fulfill all righteousness" - that is, to fulfill the law, "bury human sin with waters", sanctify the aquatic nature and give us all the image and example of Baptism.
