For many of us, visiting a bathhouse is an opportunity to relax well, relax in the company of friends, have a great time and, ultimately, improve your health. But at the same time, some people think not only about their own relaxation and enjoyment, but also about how the church views the issue of visiting the bathhouse. This applies, first of all, to deeply religious people; to some extent, the church’s attitude towards visiting the bathhouse is also important for those who do not want to violate the canons and commit sins, despite the fact that they do not consider themselves too deeply a religious person.
The attitude of the church towards visiting the bathhouse
Since ancient times, the bathhouse was a place for receiving hygienic procedures - akin to a modern shower, so the possibility of visiting it is not rejected by the church as such, because a person must take care of himself and be neat, but the bathhouse has always been the only village building that was not illuminated.
This fact alone indicates a special attitude towards the bathhouse, which was not as favorable as it might seem. However, people always visited the baths to wash themselves, but only on the eve of church holidays. Usually these days were called bath days, they fell on the day followed by a holiday, or a few days before major religious events.
For example, Maundy Thursday is widely known, when ablution is carried out even before sunrise - two days before one of the biggest Christian holidays in honor of the resurrection of Christ - Easter.
What you can and cannot do on Philip Day January 22, 2022
On Philip Day, January 22, 2022, it is customary to do general cleaning. This day is well suited for various types of work. A good time to make important decisions and find a new profession.
They do not advise resting; Philip did not like it when a person is lazy to do something, even if the work does not bring much profit.
In the old days, after the Epiphany of the Lord, on February 22, a new preparation of firewood began. The men went into the forest to collect branches for February, because it was unknown how long the winter would last. They cleared the snow and fed the animals.
Women in the house cleaned, baked pies, knitted, wove, sewed, embroidered. When everything was done, you could take a bath broom and go take a steam bath. Wash away all the negativity and start the next day with renewed vigor.
On February 22, it was forbidden to swear, say nasty things to each other, or treat people close to and close to your heart badly. People believed that as Philip's day would be, so would the first days of February. It is customary on this day to treat people who come to visit.
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Going to the bathhouse on holiday
Visiting a bathhouse directly on a church holiday has always been considered a sin, but today most people simply cannot follow such church canons, since the vast majority of religious holidays fall on weekends, when a working person wants to relax and meet with friends.
Deeply religious people, of course, often refuse to visit the bathhouse as such. This is due to the fact that in modern realities of a combination of religious and social components, there is simply no time to go to the steam room, unless the bathhouse is built in your yard.
Is it possible to take a bath on Sunday?
There is also an opinion that you cannot wash on Sundays. According to Christian teaching, Sunday is considered a special day because the Bible states that you should work hard six days a week and rest on the seventh day.
Sunday is considered a day to devote to communicating with God. In addition, it is recommended to perform godly acts at this time, such as caring for your neighbor, charity, and studying Orthodox literature.
However, this does not mean that you cannot wash yourself. It’s just that, as in the case of other church holidays, you first need to visit the church and perform other religious rituals, and only then go about your personal affairs, including bathing.
If a person does not go to church, but limits himself only to refusing to swim on Sundays, then he commits a sin, since in this case his actions can only be regarded as superstition.
When not to go to the bathhouse
If you do not consider yourself a deeply religious person, then you should take the instructions of the church more simply and you can go to the bathhouse when you have the opportunity and desire. You should not go here except on major holidays: Christmas, Easter, Trinity, the Annunciation. However, on such major holidays, most people still go to church, so the question of visiting the bathhouse does not arise as such.
People who follow the religious calendar can go to the bathhouse on certain dates without committing sins, but in this case, going to the steam room should be considered not so much a rest and an opportunity to fully relax, but an opportunity to take hygiene procedures and act in accordance with the traditions that were still from our grandfathers.
The best day for a bath
If you adhere to this tradition and do not wash on Sunday, then Saturday can be considered the best day to take a bath or visit the bathhouse. Moreover, this is exactly what the ancestors did: Saturday in Rus' was considered a bath day, when the whole family washed.
People who want to follow folk traditions and those who want to devote Sundays and holidays exclusively to communication with God, without being distracted by worldly things, can do exactly this: wash on the eve of the holiday.
There are church holidays during which washing and cleaning the house is not only not condemned, but is also considered a necessary action.
So, on Maundy Thursday it is recommended not only to bathe yourself and bathe the children, but also to clean the house, completely clearing it of dirt, and also wash all the things that need washing, including bed linen. And at Epiphany, when Orthodox people should swim in an ice hole, those who for some reason cannot do this need to at least take a shower or take a bath.
There is no church prohibition on swimming, as well as on housework and other personal matters on holidays and Sundays. According to the Orthodox tradition, it is believed that Christian believers should devote the days of church celebrations primarily to communicating with God and performing the required religious rituals. And only after that can they engage in worldly affairs. Moreover, refusal to bathe, if a person does not go to church on these days, does not pray and does not perform godly deeds, is a serious offense, since in this case the reluctance to wash on a holiday is nothing more than superstition.
Bathhouse in modern conditions
Modern baths and saunas are very different from those that existed in Rus' before the beginning of modern history, and therefore the attitude that is formed towards them in society turns out to be completely different.
Today, visiting a bathhouse is not only hygienic procedures or an opportunity to have a good rest, but also often medical procedures, an opportunity to get rid of extra pounds or tone up your body.
That is why in modern conditions it is not always advisable to consider the attitude of the church to visiting the bathhouse, since it was formed centuries ago, and today the situation has changed significantly.
History of the holiday Philippi Day January 22
If you believe history, the Great Philip was invited to Tsar Ivan the Terrible, he was offered to be the Moscow Metropolitan. Philip proudly accepted this offer.
The Great Philip was not afraid of Ivan the Terrible, he tried in every possible way to soften the tsar’s orders, and sometimes condemned his demands publicly. The Tsar did not like this behavior of the Metropolitan; first he decided to talk to him. But the conversation did not yield any results.
The enraged Ivan the Terrible ordered the execution of the Great Philip. Some time later he was found hanged in the monastery. Christians canonized him as a saint.
What kind of holiday is this, and why is this particular icon so revered among Russians?
The Day of the Kazan Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or the Kazan Mother of God, is celebrated by all Orthodox Christians on July 21 and November 4. This is one of the most beloved and revered images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Russia. From the very beginning, long before it was declared a state holiday, it was not only a church holiday for Orthodox Russians, but also a national holiday.
In 1649, by order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the holiday in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God became a church-state holiday. Then the sovereign obliged to celebrate not only the day of her appearance, July 21, but also November 4, in memory of the deliverance of Moscow and Russia from the Poles.
The Kazan Icon of the Mother of God has a very interesting history. It was found in 1579 by a nine-year-old girl in the ashes of a terrible fire that destroyed part of Kazan. The fire in Kazan started in the house of the merchant Onuchin. After the fire, the Mother of God appeared to the merchant’s daughter Matrona in a dream and revealed to her that under the ruins of their house there was her miraculous image buried in the ground. At first they did not pay attention to the girl’s words, but when the dream repeated itself three times, they began to dig and found an icon of amazing beauty in the ashes. The holy image, despite the fire, looked as if it had just been painted. The image was solemnly transferred to the parish church of St. Nicholas of Tula, the rector of which was then the pious priest, the future Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Hermogenes.
Signs for Nikola
According to popular beliefs, if a girl was matched on May 22, she would become a faithful and hardworking wife. Other signs for Nikola Letny:
- rain - to a rich harvest;
- if frogs croak, there will be a lot of oats this year;
- good weather indicates warm future days;
- dandelions are closed - it’s getting colder;
- if the birds fly high, then the weather will be good, and if it is low, then you should expect rain.
Our ancestors also paid attention to the Moon. If she was huge and beautiful, then this is a good sign. So, soon you will be happy.
Nicholas the Wonderworker, winter and summer, is especially revered by the Orthodox
The Feast of St. Nicholas is revered by Christians. It is celebrated in winter and summer, but what is the difference between the holidays and who is Nikolai.
In Christianity, Nicholas is considered the patron saint of sailors, children and merchants. He is revered in the same way as Jesus Christ. In 2022, the feast of St. Nicholas falls on 22.05 and 19.12.
According to legend, Nicholas was born into a family of very wealthy Christian believers. From childhood he was accustomed to religion, visited temples and read holy scriptures. Nikolai's uncle was a bishop, who later helped Nikolai become a priest. The parishioners loved the new pastor very much for his compassion and support in grief and generosity. After the death of his parents, Nikolai distributed all his fortune to poor people. In himself, he was meek and modest, hiding good deeds.
Preparation of brooms
Oh, it was a special procedure! Firstly, it was recommended to go into the forest for a broom on a full moon. Allegedly, the trees were imbued with special power at this time. Maybe they are also getting drunk now.
Secondly, if you decided to break branches, you had to ask the tree for forgiveness. Caring for nature is the right approach. Do you agree?
Is it possible to drink wine and other alcohol in honor of the holiday?
Alcoholic libations are generally not approved by the Church. You can only have low alcohol drinks and only a little.
If you are going to dive into the plunge pool, then you definitely shouldn’t drink alcohol. Doctors remind that alcohol reduces attention and a person ceases to adequately assess the situation. In addition, it disrupts the body's natural thermoregulation.
The sacrament of water on the holy holiday of Epiphany
There was an old belief among the people: at Epiphany, the water that Christians collected from 7 churches healed all diseases without exception and protected the house from all evil spirits. Orthodox Christians firmly believe in this belief because of the number 7. Based on the holy book of the Bible, God created the Universe in 7 days. The word "FAMILY" also includes the number 7.
Water on Epiphany, January 19, has a healing effect on the human body. It should be taken orally, usually on an empty stomach. They wash themselves with this water and sprinkle it on the room both inside and outside. It is important not just to drink or wash with water, but to read the Lord’s Prayer at the same time.
What happens if you wash your hair on Christmas Day?
Often laziness is justified by a divine holiday. According to the clergy, work matters, physical labor, and any urgent work can be done. But on one condition: they should not interfere with visiting the temple and prayer.
If you wash your hair and miss the service, it will be considered a sin. If the procedure did not prevent you from coming to church and praying, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The main thing is not to do anything instead of prayer and worship. In addition, all work can be done in the evening, and worldly affairs can be done during the day.
Bathing in a sauna for Christmas: the pros and cons
The bath is a ritual of cleansing and relaxation that many people have observed for many centuries. Our ancestors also went to the steam room to wash themselves and take a break from work. In Rus' in the 18th century, it was thanks to the bathhouse that there were much fewer incurable diseases, such as plague and others. At a time when saunas did not exist in Europe at all, many diseases became widespread there. Many people think that it is not advisable to take a steam bath at Christmas, but some say, on the contrary, that it is possible and necessary.
There is one popular belief, it says that in the bathhouse at Christmas, unclean evil forces appear and enter a person during the bathing process. Therefore, people believe that it is better to postpone this matter until the next day or it is better to do it the day before.
Otherwise, you may face the following troubles:
- health problems;
- scandals and quarrels in the family;
- troubles at work;
- bad relationships with other people.
Therefore, it is better to refrain from taking a bath on January 7 and reschedule it for any other day.
Is it possible to tell fortunes at Epiphany?
The Mystery of Holy Water, or What Everyone Needs to Know about the Baptism of the Lord?
The Church generally has a very negative attitude towards fortune telling. However, in Rus' this stopped few people. Moreover, according to some popular beliefs, on the evening of January 18 and on the night of the 19th the heavens open and you can get an answer to any question. According to others, this is a time of rampant evil spirits, which can also answer questions about the unseen if asked correctly.
But if you are planning to guess, remember that the evening of January 18 is the last day of Christmas fortune-telling. After Baptism, it was forbidden to “torture fate.”
Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for wealth, marriage and more
There is a prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for money
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And there is a special ritual for money on St. Nicholas Day
. To lure money into your life, on St. Nicholas Day they bring a candle from the church. You need to take the wick out of it, then light it on both sides and quickly say:
“Fire is eternal, and my spirit is marked with gold, silver and all good things. Amen".
After which the wick is immediately extinguished, without waiting for it to burn out completely. The burned and cursed wick is stored in a wallet with money.
For all lovers there is a prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for marriage
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And just a prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker for love
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There is also a prayer to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which changes fate in 40 days, and other calls to Heaven on the feast of St. Nicholas - we have previously published in the material Prayer on St. Nicholas Day - how to pray for luck, love and money.
History and features of the holiday January 24, 2022
Both the Catholic and Orthodox churches revere the name of St. Theodosius the Great, the miracle worker and founder of cenobitic monasticism in Palestine. The Orthodox calendar says to remember him on January 24th.
Theodosius the Great gave shelter to all wanderers and helped the poor. During the reign of Emperor Anastasius I, the saint was imprisoned for defending the Orthodox faith and was released after the death of the ruler of Byzantium. Theodosius the Great died at the age of 105 after a long illness. The saint's body was buried in the Cave of the Three Magi, from which his monastic path began.
What is the difference between the summer holiday of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the winter St. Nicholas
The feast of St. Nicholas is not postponed and is celebrated at the same time every year. In spring on May 22 and in winter on December 19. Although both dates of celebration are dedicated to the same saint, the essence of the holidays is still different.
22.05 they celebrate the transfer of the relics of St. Nicholas. In the 19th century, the Turks wanted to destroy the relics of St. Nicholas, but merchants from Italy were afraid of desecration of the shrine and decided to transfer the relics to Bari from Myra Lycia.
Arriving at the temple, they went to the remains of the saint, the monks, not suspecting anything, showed the boyars where the relics were hidden. Soon one of the monks told about his dream, where Nicholas appeared to him and asked him to carefully protect his remains. The monk's story impressed the merchants, and they said that they wanted to move the remains of the saint and even offered them money. The monks refused such gratitude and wanted to tell the residents about the impending disaster. But the arriving merchants tied them tightly, and, breaking the platform, reached the tomb. Opening it, they saw that inside there was a fragrant myrrh.
The merchants wrapped the saint's relics in clothes and carried them onto a trading ship. On May 21, we arrived in the Italian city of Bari, and on May 22, we transferred the relics with all honors to the Church of St. Stefan. A year later, in honor of St. Nicholas, a temple was built. The relics are still kept there, and every believer can come and venerate them.
The day on which the relics were transferred was declared a holiday. At first it was honored only in Bari; other Orthodox countries did not accept the holiday. Since the Greek Church did not talk about him, they considered this day sad due to the loss of the saint’s relics.
The Russian Orthodox Church established the celebration of the summer Nicholas only in 1087 due to the veneration of Nicholas in Rus'.
Winter, or Cold Nicholas, in Christianity is called the day of death of St. Nicholas. It is celebrated every year on December 19th. It was believed that on this day Nicholas descends from heaven to the snow-covered land and travels across Rus', driving away dark evil spirits.
