Christmas Eve January 6, 2018: what you can’t do and what you can do on this day. Every year, Christmas Eve is celebrated on the eve. It is celebrated on January 6th.
Christmas Eve January 6, 2018 is a day dedicated to preparations for the bright holiday of Christmas. Along with all Orthodox holidays, Christmas Eve has its own prohibitions and restrictions, and there are also things that are considered obligatory on this day.
Christmas Eve January 6, 2018: what you can’t do and what you can do on this holiday. On this day you can restore order and get rid of old and unnecessary things. Also on January 6, a festive dinner is usually prepared on Christmas Eve. But since this day is the last and most strict day of the Nativity Fast, you cannot eat food until the evening, or rather until the first star appears in the sky. It is at this moment that the Orthodox sit down to festive table. Dishes served for a gala dinner should be lean. Meat dishes can only be tasted on the morning of January 7, 2018, on the Nativity of Christ.
There should be twelve lenten dishes on the table during the ceremonial meal. They symbolize the twelve apostles. The main dish is kutia or sochivo. It is from the word “sochivo” that the name of the holiday “Christmas Eve” comes from. Sochivo is prepared from wheat or rice grains, honey, poppy seeds, dried fruits, and nuts are added. The traditional drink for the holiday is uzvar. It is prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages on Christmas Eve on January 6, 2018.
In addition to kutya and uzvar, the twelve obligatory Lenten holiday dishes Christmas Eve on January 6, 2018 includes peas, cabbage soup, borscht, cabbage rolls, fish, dumplings, pancakes, porridge, pies, pampushki.
There cannot be an odd number of people at the table. In this case, you need to supply an additional set of cutlery.
You cannot wear old and dark clothes on this holiday. The outfit should be light and festive.
You cannot swear, quarrel, scold, or sort things out. You can and should ask for forgiveness from those who were offended, and also forgive the offenders.
You also need to light candles in the house or light a fireplace on Christmas Eve, January 6, 2018, to attract prosperity to the house.
Even on Christmas Eve you need to go outside and look at the sky. If you are lucky enough to see a shooting star this holiday evening, make a wish. People believe that such a wish will definitely come true.
What can you eat on Christmas Eve?
January 6 is the most strict day of the 40-day Nativity Fast. Believers are only allowed to drink water. You can start your meal after the first star rises in the sky, after which you are allowed to eat juice - wheat grains boiled in honey or boiled rice with raisins. IN folk tradition It is customary to serve other lenten dishes for dinner.
What not to do on Christmas Eve
It is prohibited to work on the evening of Christmas Eve. On this holiday you cannot quarrel and sort things out. It is not allowed to eat until the first star appears in the sky. On this day you cannot be greedy.
On Epiphany Christmas Eve, people prepare for the great holiday and many different signs, rituals and traditions are associated with this day. There is a certain list of prohibitions, that is, things that are strictly forbidden to do on this day. It is believed that if you neglect them, you can bring trouble upon yourself.
Christmas Eve – what can you do and what can’t you do?
Since ancient times, on the eve of Epiphany, people have tried to spend time with their families and prepare for the celebration. Most of the time it is customary to prepare lean food for the festive table. It is important to understand what it is, what you cannot do, and what you can do, so as not to bring trouble upon yourself and not anger the Higher Powers.
- On the eve of the celebration, it is customary to prepare sochivo, which is a dish of porridge and sweet additives and it must certainly be on the table.
- Before Baptism, fasting is observed, and believers can determine the extent of it themselves, focusing on their own health. It is important to consume only lean foods, do not use vegetable oil. There are people who completely refuse food and drink on Christmas Eve.
- For those who are interested in how to behave on Epiphany Christmas Eve, you should know that on this day it is customary, with the appearance of the first star, to go outside, looking at the sky and asking Higher powers help in fulfilling your cherished desire.
- You definitely need to collect sacred water, which has enormous energy. You should definitely sprinkle your home with it in order to... They also drink water for health, wash their faces with it and use it for other purposes. It can be added to ordinary liquid, and it acquires the properties of a saint.
- It is recommended to visit church on this day to pray for yourself and your relatives.
To understand how to celebrate Epiphany Christmas Eve, you need to know what is strictly forbidden to do on this day:
- The Church does not approve of noisy parties and celebrations on this day; in order to better listen to yourself and become closer to God, you need to behave modestly, fast and read prayers.
- When studying what Epiphany Eve is and what cannot be done on this day, it is important to note that scandals and quarrels are strictly prohibited. It is necessary to control yourself and restrain yourself not only externally, but also internally.
- It is forbidden to overeat during the evening meal, since gluttony is not welcome. You cannot eat meat and fish, so there should be only lean dishes on the table.
- Another rule regarding what not to do on Christmas Eve is to sweep the trash out of the corners and throw it away. In ancient times, it was believed that on this day the souls of dead people come to the holiday, gather in the corners, and after Baptism return to heaven.
Is it possible to work on Epiphany Christmas Eve?
When a church holiday comes, many people think about whether it is allowed to engage in physical labor on this day. The clergy assure that on this day it is necessary to give up activities that are not obligatory, for example, working in the garden, construction, and so on. On Christmas Eve, you cannot be distracted from preparing for the celebration and it is important to devote time to rest and prayer.
Is it possible to do laundry on Epiphany Eve?
To obtain accurate information regarding such issues, it is better to contact clergy, who assure that there are no prohibitions regarding washing, and this applies to everyone Orthodox holidays. It is worth noting that on Epiphany Christmas Eve you can do laundry, but you only need to do it before lunch. If possible, it is best to postpone such chores for a while. For Baptism, water is an important component, so washing is prohibited for another two days after it.
Is it possible to clean on Epiphany Christmas Eve?
On the eve of the great holiday, according to tradition, the whole family should gather to prepare. Almost the entire day is devoted to preparing treats that will be served on the table in the evening, so it is recommended to clean up in advance. For those who are interested in whether it is possible to clean the house on Epiphany Eve if a lot of dirty dishes or dust has accumulated, the answer is clear: cleaning can be done, but it is recommended to do this before lunch.
Is it possible to heat a bathhouse on Epiphany Eve?
IN modern world The bathhouse is more viewed as an entertainment option, while just a few decades ago, it was a place where people performed hygiene procedures. If a person is guided by this goal, then washing in a bathhouse on Epiphany Eve is not prohibited, especially since this is how the believer cleanses the body of dirt and prepares for the service. As for pagan traditions, it was believed that snow on this day had enormous power, so they drowned it and washed it in the bathhouse with the resulting water. This helped women stay young and beautiful for a long time.
Is it possible to tell fortunes on Epiphany Eve?
If you ask the clergy this question, the answer will be a clear “no,” and it applies not only to this holiday, but to other days. The Church believes that magic is from the evil one, and therefore performing any rituals is prohibited. If we turn to pagan traditions, then since ancient times people have used different methods of predicting the future. Many people believe that telling fortunes on Epiphany Eve is not only possible, but also necessary, since this is the last day of Christmas fortune-telling.
There are a huge number of different rituals with which you can find out about what to expect in the future, whether you will be able to find love, improve your financial situation, and so on. It is important to take fortune telling seriously and do everything according to the rules, otherwise you should not count on a truthful answer. Another rule is that you cannot tell anyone about the use of magic and it is better to perform rituals alone.
Is it possible to knit on Epiphany Christmas Eve?
In ancient times, handicrafts were not only a way of entertainment, but also an opportunity to create beautiful things for yourself. In the modern world, handmade items are becoming more and more popular. Many people believe that knitting on Epiphany Eve is prohibited because it is a sin. The clergy say that if this action is necessary, then time can be allocated for it. It is important that needlework does not interfere with prayer. One more thing prerequisite You cannot devote time to selfish goals, that is, if knitting is a source of income, then you should give it up on holidays.
Is it possible to embroider on Epiphany Christmas Eve?
All the rules regarding needlework have been described above and they are also suitable for those who want to take up embroidery or sewing. If all preparations are completed, the temple is visited and prayers are said, then you can do what you want. For those who are interested in whether it is possible to sew on Epiphany Christmas Eve, you can give one more useful advice– during the process it is recommended to read any prayer, for example, “Our Father.” Many needlewomen report that while embroidering on holidays, the thread often breaks or gets tangled, and this should be taken as a sign that you need to stop.
Is it possible to cut your hair on Epiphany Eve?
According to existing superstitions, you cannot cut your hair on all religious holidays. It is prohibited to carry out any manipulations with the hair, from combing to different hairstyles. As for whether it is possible to get a haircut on Epiphany Eve, the eve of the celebration is considered the ideal time to get a haircut, get rid of negative energy, and prepare for the holiday. It is important to consider that if you cut your hair on the day of Epiphany, you can shorten your life and attract illnesses.
Is it possible to drink alcohol on Epiphany Eve?
Many church holidays are accompanied by feasts and if the preparation of dishes is more or less clear, then disputes over whether you can drink alcohol or not often arise. Answering the question regarding whether it is possible to drink alcohol on Christmas Eve, the clergy say that dinner should be fast and only wine can be served at the table, and it does not matter whether it is red, white, dry or dessert.
Understanding what Epiphany Eve is and what cannot be done on this day, it is worth pointing out that any strong drinks are prohibited. It is important not to drink a lot so as not to reach the stage of intoxication, since religious holidays are not a reason for drunkenness, as many believe. You cannot violate this prohibition, since it is considered a sin, and a double one.
Our ancestors knew well what to do on Christmas Eve before Christmas and Epiphany. Christmas Eve was considered a special magical day when spirits and evil spirits come to earth and predict the future. There are many signs before Christmas that can predict what the year will be like. Before Epiphany there are also traditions, by observing which people become spiritually purer and healthier. It is believed that in the period from January 6 until Epiphany, you can tell fortunes, predicting fate, and such fortune-telling will be the most truthful.
What to do on Christmas Eve before Christmas - signs and traditions
Since ancient times, Christmas Eve has been considered a special day on which it is necessary to adhere to strict rules and know what needs to be done: fasting, maintaining peace and preventing evil thoughts. On this day, all Orthodox people look forward to a miracle in the form of the appearance of the first star in the sky - a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, signifying the birth of Christ. At this moment, strict Lent ends, and, according to tradition, all relatives gather together. Traditional porridge is served on the table. They also prepare uzvar, a drink made from dried fruits. It is believed that it is necessary to dress festively, preferably in white, and black clothing is not allowed. According to tradition, young people sing carols and receive treats. There are also prescriptions for what to do on Christmas Eve before Christmas - signs that can predict the weather, harvest, luck and love.
Signs of Christmas Eve
- A snowstorm on Christmas Eve means a short winter.
- Frost-covered tree branches - to a rich wheat harvest.
- A cold spring is heralded by warming temperatures on Christmas Eve.
- A good harvest and early spring are heralded by snowfall on January 6th.
- If you go hunting on Christmas Eve or during the holidays, then a misfortune may happen to the hunter in the near future.
- A falling star from the sky is a very good omen.
- Warm Christmas Eve - soft bread.
- If a young girl sneezes during the evening meal, it means marriage. If he's a guy, he'll be a good Cossack.
What to do on Christmas Eve before Orthodox Christmas - fortune telling on January 6
Eve Orthodox Christmas is not only the threshold of a great holiday, but also has a special mystical meaning. From time immemorial, young women have been telling fortunes about their betrothed or good luck on Christmas Eve. However, the church believes that doing fortune telling on Christmas Eve before Christmas is a great sin.
Fortune telling on Christmas Eve January 6
- The girl lies face down in the snow, and then quickly gets up and leaves without looking back. The next morning you need to come to this place and evaluate the print. If the depression is deep, it means several marriages. If the imprint is noticeable, it means loneliness. If there is a snowdrift in this place, you need to be careful throughout the year. If the print has smooth, clear contours, the husband’s character will be good, and if the mark is excised, the husband will have a difficult character.
- Squeeze a blank sheet of paper in your hands, place it on an iron utensil and set it on fire. Then, following the trail of burning paper, they look at what the outline looks like and thus predict fate.
- From the evening of January 6 to 7, a piece of bread is placed in the boot of one of the household members, and in the other boot - plain paper. If the next morning a person puts on a boot with bread first, it means a rich year, if with paper, it means an empty and unsuccessful year.
- They take several onions and sign them with the names of the expected future grooms, then put the onions in water. The bulb that sprouts first indicates the name of the future groom.
- Mirrors - large and small - are placed opposite so that a corridor is formed. Lighted candles are placed at the edges. It is believed that if you peer into the corridor for a long time, you can see the future groom. If an image appears, quickly say: “Forget me.”
- The girl must throw her shoe over the fence. The direction in which the sock is facing will be the one from which the future groom will come.
What to do on Christmas Eve before Christmas - conspiracies on this day
Christmas Eve has a special mystical power, so it is believed that any conspiracies before Christmas come true. True, the church does not approve of such rituals, considering that making conspiracies on Christmas Eve before Christmas is a sin. We will give some of the powerful conspiracies.
Spells that are done on Christmas Eve
- A church candle is placed on the windowsill facing east and the electricity is turned off. When the first star appears, they say the words three times: “... just as a star shines in the sky, speaking of joy, when Christ appeared, so great happiness awaits me, and good luck will follow nearby. I, God’s servant (name), will be happy and successful in all my accomplishments.” After this, the candle is extinguished.
- They buy a new linen towel and slander it: “I charm you against seventy-seven ailments and illnesses, from seizures and damage. Just as the Mother of God washed her son and dried him with a towel, so my towel will be blessed. Whoever I wipe with it, I will erase all ailments from him.” If someone in the family is sick, this towel is used to wipe the sick person.
- Take a joint photo with your loved one or glue together single ones. They are placed on a light tablecloth and a church candle is lit at midnight. In the photo, candles are dripping with wax and saying the spell words: “Power of Christmas, help, love (name)’s dear one. Let him love as I love. Let him not sleep, just as I do not sleep. Let him be engaged to me from now on, unite with me forever.”
What to do on Christmas Eve before Epiphany - traditions on January 18
Epiphany Christmas Eve is the day before the great holiday of January 19 - Epiphany. Epiphany Christmas Eve is a preparation for the holiday, therefore on this day, January 18, certain traditions are observed by believers. We described below what to do on Christmas Eve before Epiphany and the traditions of the holiday.
Traditions of Epiphany Eve - what to do on this day
- The water in churches is consecrated with the Great Jordanian Consecration after the Liturgy.
- Before the service, believers do not eat anything in order to drink holy water after the Liturgy and take holy items with them.
- At night or on Vecherie, it is customary to swim in an ice hole or in a consecrated pond. Swimming gives mental strength and health.
- Guys and young girls go caroling to their neighbors as mummers, receiving treats for it. This tradition is common in some areas, and the evening itself is called "Generous Evening". Women dressed up as men, men dressed up as women until the mummer no longer recognized himself.
- In ancient times, it was customary to collect snow on Epiphany. The women knew that such snow could bleach any canvas. And if you wash your face with it, then beauty and attractiveness are guaranteed. This snow was used to treat diseases and was thrown into wells to keep water in them.
Is it possible to guess on Christmas Eve before Epiphany - what is done on the night of January 18 to January 19
The ancients believed that Epiphany Eve turns the year around, so this evening is most favorable for fortune telling. There are ancient and modern methods predict the future, and the ritual is always performed in the evening or on the night of January 18-19 by candlelight. Many rituals are performed on Christmas Eve before Epiphany, but whether it is possible to guess - everyone decides for himself.
How can you tell fortunes on Epiphany Christmas Eve from January 18 to 19
- At night, 12 wishes are written on paper and placed under the pillow. In the morning they pull out one of them. Whatever happens will come true.
- At night, a mirror is placed under the pillow with a wish written on it and fir branches are placed around it. If the inscription is completely erased in the morning, the wish will come true.
- With the help of cereals or nuts you can predict your future. You need to scatter them on the table and make a wish, and then count them. If the number is even, it will come true, if it is odd, it will not.
- The girls run out into the street. If the first person you meet is a young man, get married, if you are an old man, no.
- A group of girls does not fill the basin with water to the brim. Inscriptions with names are attached to the edges of the pelvis or fateful events are written: meeting a loved one, wedding, failure, birth of a child, illness. Using a walnut shell, they make a kind of boat, put the stub of a lit candle inside and put it into the water. Whatever event the shell floats to, that will come true.
Now one can only guess how fun our ancestors had a time, with what impatience people waited for this magical time - Christmas Eve and Christmastide, when it is necessary to observe traditions before Epiphany, have a lot of fun with carols, fortune telling and spells before Christmas, and so many Christmas signs could show the future.
According to Church tradition, the Nativity of Christ is celebrated from January 6 to 7. Among the Orthodox, the evening of January 6 is called Holy Evening or Christmas Eve. Until this day, Christians adhere to strict fasting, so the main dish consists of wheat grains. People call this dish Christmas Eve. Many people wonder what can be done on Christmas Eve before Christmas, what customs and signs exist.
As a rule, in the time of our grandfathers, children were the first to learn about the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem; they were the ones who, in anticipation of a miracle, spent the entire evening on the street and waited for it to appear. If the weather was cloudy outside and it was difficult to see the star, people waited until it was dark, and only after that, the whole family sat down to the festive table. Of course, before starting the meal, everyone prayed to the Lord, thanked him for the food, and asked for prosperity and good health.
What is prohibited to do on Christmas Eve?
On Holy Evening it is forbidden to cook, wash, clean the house, sew, cut, chop wood, or, in a word, engage in heavy physical work. Especially on this holiday, you should not sweep trash out of corners and throw it away. Why? In ancient times, it was believed that on a festive evening the souls of deceased relatives come, they all gather in the corners. After Baptism they all returned to heaven. Therefore, any housework should be done in advance to make the holiday bright and carefree.
Christmas Eve Customs
One of the most popular traditions is carols. People with families changed clothes with interesting costumes and performed various performances on the theme of Christmas. The men put on casings and fur coats inside out, various animal masks and sang Christmas carols. There is an opinion that on Christmas night two forces reign: good and evil.
The power of good invited people to glorify the Birth of Christ, treat children with goodies and listen to carols. But the power of evil drew people to fortune telling, and witches to Sabbaths. Christmas night is considered magical. Many are sure that if you see a shooting star on a holiday, you can safely make a wish, because it will definitely come true. Also one of the traditions was the observance holiday menu. Twelve Lenten dishes were placed on the table, which had to be eaten only after the end of the evening service. And only on January 7 it was allowed to eat non-lenten food.
Weather signs on Christmas Eve
If there is a lot of snow on Holy Evening, expect early spring.
If there is thick frost on the trees on the morning of January 7, it means a rich harvest.
January 6 is warm - get ready for a cold spring.
Heavy snow fell on January 7 - you will be pleased with a generous harvest.
And finally, we note that the traditions and signs of Christmas Eve have been formed over centuries, and even if you do not believe in them and have never observed them, you must respect them.
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