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Epiphany (The feast of Lights)
The day
before the Epiphany (Theophania) we fast in order to
prepare for the Great Blessing of the Waters which
occurs on January 6. The Small Blessing of the Waters
occurs on January 5th. We can drink the Holy Water of
the Small Blessing without fasting. We must fast,
however, in order to receive the Holy Water that is
distributed by the church on the Day of the Theophania.
The day of the Epiphany, after the Divine Liturgy, all
churches meet by a lake, river or sea and the priest
throws the cross in the water. In some areas they
release three white doves that symbolizes the Holy
Trinity. Many young men dive in order retrieve the
cross. The first one to retrieve, is blessed by the
priest and is said to have good luck for the rest of the
year.
Another tradition during the month of January is to have
the priest bless our homes.
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