Orthodox Epiphany in Georgia
The majority of Georgia’s population is Orthodox Christian and the Georgian Orthodox Church will mark Epiphany by holding a mass baptism and conducting water blessing rituals.
When is Orthodox Epiphany?
In the Orthodox church, Epiphany is celebrated on January 19th.
Epiphany is one of three major Orthodox Christian celebrations along with Christmas and Easter.
In the Orthodox Church, Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus rather than the arrival of the Magi (Three wise men) which is celebrated on 6 January as Epiphany in the Western Church.
Also known as The Feast of Theophany, this observance commemorates Christ's baptism by John the Forerunner (John the Baptist) in the River Jordan, beginning of Christ's ministry on earth and revealing the Holy Trinity of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit to mankind. Though no date for the baptism is given, it is generally accepted that Jesus was about 30 years old when he was baptised.
Did you know?
In Russia, an increasingly popular tradition is going for a plunge in icy water on either Epiphany or the evening before. In 2018, some 1.8 million people took part in more than 7,300 ice swimming events. Though ice swimming was orignally a folk custom, many do it today to celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ.
In Ukarine, brave and dedicated celebrants must find a suitable place to cut a cross-shaped hole in the ice over a river or pond – then jump in.
Despite the baptism of Jesus not being part of the nativity of Jesus, The Feast of Theophany is the culmination of the Christmas Season.
Epiphany is derived from the Greek word 'epiphaneia' and means manifestation. In religious use, the term means the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form.
