On January 6, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord, which completes the cycle of Christmas and New Year holidays-holidays. It is one of the important Christian holidays that has a deep symbolic meaning. It was on this day that John the Baptist performed the baptism of Jesus Christ on the Jordan River, which became an important point in the history of Christianity.
This day marks not only the end of the celebrations, but also the beginning of a new stage of the year. It is believed that from January 6, the earthy frosts begin, as well as this day lays the foundations of weather conditions for the following months. Therefore, people paid special attention to what the weather would be this day. According to folk traditions, on January 6 it has its prohibitions: you cannot work at home. It is a day of spiritual purity and prayer, so you should not do household chores. It is not necessary to cry and sad, as this day symbolizes joy and holiness, so it is important to maintain the mood of celebration. You cannot be buried - it is time for prayer and reflection, not for turning to magic or prejudice. It is also not recommended to give expensive gifts, as this day should focus on spiritual practices, not on tangible values. It is impossible to go into the water without prayer, because the water has holy power this day, and before bathing you need to turn to God. It is not necessary to pour water in vain, as it can be a bad sign that symbolizes the loss of vital forces.
On January 6, there are several folk signs that help determine the weather for the future: if the weather is clear this day, it indicates the dry summer. If the sky is cloudy or snowing, then the year will be fertile. If the day is sunny and warm, it means that the good weather will last for a few more weeks. If it rains on January 6, then there will be rainy weather at the end of January.
On January 6, it was a significant day not only for Christians but also for the history of Ukraine and the world: 1412 - Born Jeanne D'Arc, a national heroine of France, who became a symbol of the struggle for freedom and national dignity. Her role in the Hundred Years War and the effort in the struggle for the French crown made her an unforgettable historical character. 1938 - Born Vasyl Stus, Ukrainian poet, dissident, political prisoner. His work, the struggle for human rights and its stability in times of repression left a great mark in Ukrainian culture. 1846 - Taras Shevchenko in Pereyaslav wrote his famous "Testament", which became a manifesto of national dignity and struggle for Ukrainian independence. This poem is one of the main cultural symbols of Ukraine. 2019 - Orthodox Church of Ukraine received Thomas about autocephaly, which became an important milestone in the history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and symbolized the acquisition of church independence for Ukraine.
January 6 is an important day not only in a religious sense, but also in the context of Ukrainian and world history. It is the day of the Holy Baptism, when the cycle of Christmas and New Year holidays and the easting frost begins. In addition to spiritual importance, this day is also important for folk signs and forecasts a year ahead. And this is a day when important historical events and the birth of great personalities are celebrated, who have contributed to culture, literature and national dignity.
