S

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Traditions and customs
specific to winter holidays
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Without our customs and traditions,
without out costumes and our language we cannot
call ourselves romanians
romanians
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Holidays and folk customs, grouped around the
winter (December 20 to January 7), are
generically called winter holidays. The period
begins and ends during holidays prefaced by
Christmas Eve, Christmas and Epiphany, and
intersecting in the middle of New Year's Eve. The
main festivals of the winter cycle - Christmas,
New Year, Epiphany - worked over time as
independent moments of renewal of time and
beginning of the year.
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Calendar habits and those of family life are a
perennial part of our traditional culture.The
holidays between December 6 and January 7 is
related to the richest repertoire of habits that
are focused around the two old men Christmas Eve
and Christmas. Therefore, a full moon in the
tradition is honored. The most common and lavish
habits, traditions proved to be those of the
great Feast of Christmas, New Year and Epiphany.

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For all of us, winter is not only snow and cold
weather, but also that of joy occasioned by many
customs and traditions related to the celebration
of the Nativity.Last month of the year, Daylight
,popularly called, is full of religious events of
winter customs and habits of old, who resisted
passage of time, being taken as such or adapted
to modern times. Christmas and New Year also go
through a whole ritual of traditions, among
which stands out carols, songs, star, various
shouts of Plugusor, which vary from one region to
another and even from one village to another.
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• Period of Advent, prayer, Christian meditation,
  during which almost is not usually a day without
  any remains of ancient times - starting in
  mid-November. With the start of Advent, the
  traditional village installs a state of
  agitation. Work on the field ended long ago, corn
  was well put in storage in every household, and
  now all attention is directed towards community
  preparation activities of the holiday season.
  Sezatorile also begin.

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Before Christmas, the winter holidays begin with
Saint Nicholas.
S aint Nicholas
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Patron of
Greece, Russia and many cities in Western Europe,
is one of the most popular saints of
Christianity, because of the many miracles both
during his life and after his death, being called
"Wonderworker", keeping the role of Santa
children.St. Nicholas comes from a wealthy
family and is known as the protector of the
wrongly accused, traders, travelers, maidens,
brides and especially small children. It is said
that he was often seen dressed in red and white
bishop's robes, riding on a donkey and making
gifts to the needy.

Saint Nicholas
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Miracles of St. Nicholas, and the
resurrection of the three children killed by an
innkeeper or save from the wreck of ships are
known. Of the many stories that we have a hero,
the most famous being the daughters of a rich man
who had lost his fortune. St. came in one night
and threw them out the window three bags of gold,
which they have the dowry. In the Middle Ages,
many churches were built in honor of St.
Nicholas. In the eleventh century his remains
were deposited in a church in the Italian city of
Bari.


The children s protector
"Minunile savârsite de Sfântul Nicolae, precum
învierea celor trei copii omorâti de un hangiu
sau salvarea de la naufragiu a unor corabii, sunt
binecunoscute. Dintre multele istorisiri care îl
au ca erou, cea mai cunoscuta este cea a fiicelor
unui om bogat care îsi pierduse averea. Sfântul a
venit într-o noapte si le-a aruncat pe fereastra
trei saci de aur, pe care sa îi aiba drept zestre
.
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Saint Nicholas church
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St. Nicholas was a real person, Archbishop of
Myra and was born in the town of Patara in Asia
Minor in the second half of the third century. At
the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicea in
325, he was recognized as a great defender of
orthodoxy. The council condemned the heresy of
Arius, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but a
man with supernatural powers. Holy, worried about
a possible rift that could take place in the
Church, gave the heretic Arius a slap.
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St. Nicholas, the protector of children and
people who are in trouble, is one of the most
celebrated saints in the world.  Holy Feast is
on December 6, the day that traditionally offered
gifts, especially to children. During the
Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century,
Martin Luther tried to stop the worship of
saints, and the Feast of St. Nicholas was
abolished in many European countries. Dutch, like
the Romanians, Hungarians, French, and other
Europeans have survived until today the customs
of Saint Nicholas Day, on 6 December It is said
that today is the day in which good wins evil,
the light beats the darkness.
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If St. Andrew was put in sprouting wheat to see
how will be the coming year, St. Nicholas is
putting in water twigs of fruit trees, because
they bloom, proof of pardon mistakes, as the folk
traditions.For the most awaited celebration in
December, Christmas, Romanians turned equally to
tradition and customs . Christmas itself is
preceded by another day with special significance
- Ignatius
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Ignat is the solar deity who took the name and
date of the celebration of St. Ignatius Theophany
(December 20) in the Orthodox calendar,
synonymous with Ignatius Pigs.On December 20 in
the Orthodox calendar is celebrating St.
Ignatius. In this day tradition ordains to be cut
the Christmas pig. With pig blood they will
make a sign of the cross on the foreheads of
children to be healthy throughout the year.
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After timing popular Christmas traditions start
the day before Christmas Eve (December 23) when
celebrating death which descends from heaven to
earth for mankind. After midnight mass is a
fasting food (cakes, boiled wheat, beans, etc.)
for waiters spirits of the dead. Morning after
sanctification table, food is divided to family
members and neighbors.All evening of December 23
starts the wandering children, who are
considered good luck and happiness Santa's
Eve.Ignatius is followed in natural sequence,
the feast of Christmas full of light.
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Carols singing is an ancient custom ,
pre-Christian of course , but in time came to do,
they say , good house with Christianity. Songs
that attract luck and blessings on people and
households for the whole year ahead. In ancient
carols were "specialized" ( priest , pastor , big
girl , etc. . ) . An important category is
strictly about Christmas carols church , evoking
the worship of the Magi ( Viflaimul or Nativity
Drama - beat your name Bethlehem ) or panic and
cunning Herod ( Herods ) , culminating in cutting
infant ( the 14000 , which the Church
commemorates the 29 December). The scenarios are
simple, charming in their naivety . Around the
same time , young men walking with " Goat " (
Turkish, Weathercock ) or " bear " in mottled and
noisy bands ( reminiscent pagan ) . Star songs
that are familiar today (especially " top rising
star ..." ) . " Plugusorul " and " Sorcerer " are
related to the renewal of the year , having no
connection with religious cycle of Christmas.
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Since the night of 23 December 24 at midnight
and until dawn streets of small villages singers
voice sound .In cities we meet carols from
evening until midnight.In the villages,
especially, are much better preserved the
traditions this time of year. One of the most
popular traditions is the Romanian carols, ritual
texts composed of ceremonial dances and gestures.
So on Christmas Eve, groups of carolers,
traditional costumed at the homes of householders
wishes for health, happiness and prosperity,
fulfillment of wishes in the new year.

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Santa's Eve anticipates the coming of
Christmas. The first Christmas carols are sung in
the night of December 23 to 24.Children of
villages and towns, swimming through snowdrifts
and huddling cold, go cheerfully, in bands from
house to house with the bag by the neck, waiting
for the wishes uttered bagels, coils, apples and
nuts. But, for some time, besides the picturesque
old usually intervened "choirs" which very often
sing .
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Carols send wishes of good health, rich
fruit, fulfillment of wishes in the new year.
Carols is the most prevalent tradition of
Romanians. When people do not get carol carolers,
close doors or give gifts, magical effects are
opposite, they are breaking the rules of this
custom.             In this case, we get a
unique custom Romanian territory called
"descolindat" upset that they did not receive,
carolers utter wishes of ill-fated and ridicule,
usually certified by researcher Peter
Caraman.
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Carol begins in the evening and after some
rules . On Christmas Eve carol only children,
symbols of purity, the physical and moral
cleanliness. It was not until Christmas Day carol
young men and women are excluded. Group of
carolers is held on the neighborhood and go from
house to house, for their greeting is considered
auspicious.
23
Their arsenal consisting of bells, sticks and
whips have meant that by the noise to chase away
evil forces. In the same context to recall games
with masks goat with its variants - and even
camel , giraffe, bear, Little Horses meant to
stigmatize all ills in the community. Are also
represented occupational profiles Innkeepers
,coppersmith ,farmer setc. From costume unfailing
string of bells, with the same purpose - to
remove evil forces
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Christmas eve
December 24th is Christmas Eve, and the customs
of the day are religious. Around this important
holidays they listen carols, music for the soul,
and received carolers. Since the morning that day
until midnight, groups of children between five
and fourteen years go by "Christmas Eve" ("Trick
or treat ...?") And receive mostly nuts and
pretzels.
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According to popular belief, Christmas Eve (24
December), the heavens open and make oracular
practices for staying away from diseases and crop
next year. It is customary that on the Christmas
Eve on the meal are put two loaves of bread,
salt, fish, wheat and a glass of water to the
dead who come to eat. Another popular belief is
the threat trees, the men are going to ax trees
in garden and threatening that if they did not
bear fruit as it should, you cut them.
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Also in the night, Santa Claus comes to kids
and make them presents under the tree. But nobody
knows for sure how Santa gets into people's
homes, but all the stories keep the note of
mystery. Some children believe that in the
window, others think a stick magic helps to make
small and penetrate through the keyhole, and
others, more cosmopolitan, believes that Santa
comes from the chimney.
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Coming Christmas is one of the most anticipated
times of the year. He is the reason of joy for
the entire family, loved ones occasion that
gathers around the Christmas tree, drank a glass
of wine in honor of the Nativity and listen to
carol singers greeting. On Romanian lands, they
are very well preserved especially in the rural
world where customary at this time of celebration
is caroling, going with goat star or Plugusorul.
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In Romania , winter holidays , especially the
Christmas celebrations are true soul ones. It
brings back strong childhood memories in mind and
soul, snow rich and abundant fruit foreboding ,
singing carols and bells , the smell of fresh
pine , and the cake , the gifts under the tree
waiting impatience Winter , all create an
atmosphere in the family of fairy , peace and
love. Christmas , is also called " family
celebration " is the occasion when all come
together parents, children, grandchildren
change their gifts , enjoy the moments spent
together around the table , with the belief that
by properly honoring celebrations will be a rich
year. From St. Nicholas to St. John, Romanians
feel festive . They wait , however , Christmas ,
the feast of the Nativity considered . People
have cultivated over time , creating traditions
and customs adapted to their specific culture .
29
Christmas is celebrated throughout the country
with specific differences in major geographic
areas Bucovina, Maramures, Transylvania,
Moldova, etc.. These ancient Christmas customs
are practiced in some areas even today.
30
Christmas Traditions in Moldova - Keeping
light    One of the oldest traditions of
Christmas, keeping the light is kept very few
Moldovans. Feast of the Nativity, Christmas binds
the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of
the year. To "extend" and keep as much daylight,
people did pyre of logs to light. Nowadays, this
custom was reduced to bread image that symbolizes
the well being.
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Christmas traditions in Bucovina
Sezatorile of Advent,the renewal of houses,
preparing traditional food, carols, the ritual
of slaughter pig, riding Star and Sorcova are
part of the Christmas traditions which are kept
in Bucovina. Advent evening is held until
Christmas Eve, when the priest icon householders
reach homes and sanctifies the food. Women cooked
meals for Christmas day . we find pickle meat
dumplings ,Beverage , meat, meat with
horseradish and cream, walnut and poppy seed
cakes, smoked sausages.
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BANAT
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One of the oldest traditions is the Christmas
carol. In some villages in Banat centuries old
Christmas traditions are still preserved today,
going caroling from house to house both children
and youth divisions. On the first day of
Christmas carolers caroling star, reminiscent of
the star that they followed the three wise men to
reach the place where the Christ child was
born.Another ancient custom is Viflaimul or
Herods, representing a play by recovering
children the story of Jesus' birth. Tradition
says that the person who will receive the carol
will be blessed and will have good luck in the
coming year, a sign of wealth and if the first
person to enter the house for Christmas is a man.
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MARAMURES
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• Houses must be lit and doors must be
  open.OnChristmas Eve , bands of young men walked
  caroling.Once you have prepared thoroughly for
  this day , the men begin to wander from house to
  house . They will come only where they are
  welcome . Therefore houses must be lit and the
  door open , just so men will know where to come
  . It's shame that men do not step into the
  house. Carol you until the day when all the
  groups of young men meet in the church.Viflaimul
  is the climax .After the end of Mass on December
  25 , men should play Viflaimul . "It's a play
  that represents the early days of Jesus' life .
  In front of the church , everyone should know
  their role well . No one is allowed to make
  mistakes. Even after hundreds of years, this is
  usually enforced for Maramures . Viflaimul is the
  highlight of Christmas.

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Oltenia
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In Oltenia, traditions and customs are unique,
which is still preserved in the countryside and
is a uniqueness in our country.Searching in the
fire it is a custom practiced in most villages
Oltenia, on Christmas Eve. All family members
gather around the fire and, in turn, give with a
stick in the fire, saying"Morning's Eve? Like
them better by Christmas? In a good watch? Sheep
wool? Cows milk? Horses incurable? Healthy
people? Let there be pieces, corn, wheat."
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Gathering garbage it is a ritual that is
practiced even on Christmas Day. They walk
through the courtyard of the house and collect
all the garbage, in the belief that the household
will have many chickens and women squats as hens
will sit on the eggs, in the following
year.Carols in all Oltenia there are many
carols sung, but the most popular and widespread
are the Star and the Great plow. Star an ancient
tradition that is still alive on Christmas Eve
and until dawn. Plow the Great Usually what is
the most common practice in the New Year. The
plow is organized by the young men of the
village, and was led by a valiant boy named
"staroste", which have the task of keeping the
plow horns and passing greeting. The gang usually
consisted of 12 boys and unlike Plugusor, went
only to wealthy families in the village.
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Habits for finding Fates The New Year is
believed that unmarried girls can be weird for
fulfilling certain prescribed rituals. Thus, they
included the link with closed eyes seem tenth of
wattle and the next day went to see as hair, to
know how to show the weird. If hair was straight,
her future husband will be handsome. If one piece
of wood was peeling, the girls will have an ugly
man, and if it was gnarly, they will get a rich
partner.
41
Star songs that are familiar today (especially
"top rising star )This usually like to remember
the star that announced the birth of Jesus and
guided the three wise men.   Songs about star
come from different sources some Orthodox
Byzantine literature, some from medieval Latin
literature of the Catholic Church, some of the
literature shade Calvin and many of them, even
the local traditions. Little chorus of stellar
entering the house in the days of Christmas,
singing religious verses about the birth of
Jesus "Star rises up" "In the city of
Bethlehem," "what happened at the wedding,"
"Three Magi from the east".Besides great evening
of carols and carols evening is St. Basil, along
with Plugusorul.
42
From Christmas to Epiphany, children walk with
"star", an old custom that meets all Christian
peoples. Sing carols Christmas Eve until
Epiphany. Like any other traditional customs,
carols, they have a lot of variants and versions
specific to different regions.
43
In Romanian mythology legend myth merged with
Pastor Christmas Nativity. It is said that
without the husband Craciuneasa host receives the
Virgin, offering a stable shelter. About this
Christmas is soon her husband, a man noted for
his wickedness in the land. As a reward he cut
his wife's hands but they are stuck in a place of
Our Lady. Christmas miracle converts himto
christianity. Of joy that his wife escaped the
punishment of reckless, Christmas lights a
bonfire of pine stumps in his yard and play dance
with all his servants. After the game divides
pastoral gifts of the Holy Family milk, cheese,
curd, cream. From here Santa's transfiguration
into a saint, who brings gifts to children on
Jesus' birth, which usually coincides with the
memory of the gifts, as legend evangelical Magi
Kings brought them into the fold of the new
Messiah.
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Songs of Christmas joy to all of his servants was
turned into carols .Met over two thousand years
Santa Claus lured by the smell of fir and cake,
fresh out of the oven comes loaded gifts for the
little boy. Arrived at the North Pole with elves
and reindeer, according to the latest standards
he sits gifts under Christmas trees beautifully
decorated.
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Christmas tree as we know it today, decorated
with ornaments which reflect shimmering light
candles or electrical , it has always been thus
adorned . While in Europe , pre-Christian origin
is not disputed by anyone, opinions are still
divided some see the tree representation of the
" Tree World" ( from the old cult of trees ) ,
others consider it a direct reference to the "
Tree of Paradise " adorned with a bright red
apple , reminiscent of the sins committed by the
people first before their expulsion from Paradise
.Until the late fifteenth century were adorned
with green twigs homes for Christmas , as gifts
and people did to each other were considered
pagan tradition . But before long , will be used
in place of a whole tree . According to the
documents , in 1605 , in Strasbourg was erected
the first Christmas tree in a public market .
There was still adorned with candles and red
apples . In 1611, in Breslau , Duchess Dorothea
adorns first Christmas tree as we know it today .
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. Any Christmas tree has lights. Elders say that
candles and Christmas tree lights banishes evil
in the world, the home of the soul.
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Until the nineteenth century , Christmas
was not a very popular character that scare and
threaten children . It seems that Santa has
become a totally different commercial factor .
These two events publishing and advertising
campaign .   Clement Moore was the one who wrote
in 1822, "The Night Before Christmas ' " for his
family. The story was picked up by a newspaper
and reprinted in magazines , spreading around the
world. Moore admitted that the author of the
story until 1938 . In his poem is the image of
gentle and kind old man who goes by reindeer sled
enters the chimney and leaves presents under the
Christmas tree, stuffed sack . There was then a
series of illustrated stories in " Harper 's
Weekly ", where Santa Claus was seen working in
his workshop toys, children's reading and
checking letters and gift list . Finally , the
image of Santa with a white beard , chubby cheeks
and eyes were playful printed advertising
campaign of Coca- Cola in the 30's , which
continued until 1964 . The author of this image
is Haddon Sundblom .
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Christmas Day (December 25), the former Dacian
new year, is full of ancient traditions carols,
riding star (up to Epiphany, the Saint John),
Herods (the coming of the Magi by star).
Christmas customs include the partition of the
first coil flakes Christmas poultry and cattle to
be protected from diseases ,superstition that if
Christmas is warm, Easter will be cold, and vice
versa . On Christmas Day people don t sweep
and do not remove the garbage out of the house
overnight.
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The goat
Starting today and ending Ignatius Christmas
elsewhere since Christmas day, and the others are
only accustomed day of Saint Basil, the lads
walk with the bear, goat and children with Star
("Who receives star the beautiful and bright ...
"). As in other games with masks applied during
the winter holidays, and the goat and gave way,
in addition to traditional masks (goat shepherd,
Gypsy) masks of devils and estates which by
cries, shouts, funny movements, increase grade
humor and cheerfulness, sometimes giving a hint
of the grotesque.
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The goat game
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The game "goat" (killing, crying, burial,
resurrection) at home was of course a serious
ceremony, a religious element. The game became a
ritual meant to bring fruitful year ahead, growth
in the livestock herds shepherds, the success of
crops - beans invoked and evoked host is cast
over the procession "goat. The goat plays after
the whistle, and the end, one of the lads,
approaching the table where family members begin
to have fun. The lads play the mistress of the
house, the girls and even the maid, if in the
house, and then thanking removed.
54
For Christmas, we think of loved ones, be they
near or far, which we send greetings. The custom
was started by Sir Henry Cole in 1843, the first
card was designed by JC Horsley, selling
thousands of copies in London. Another English
artist, William Egley, produced a popular card in
1849. From the beginning, the themes and images
were varied as Christmas customs around the
world. From props are not missing candles, flame
tree with ornaments, Santa Claus.  Santa Claus
is a symbol of what we have better. Wisdom,
honesty, cheerfulness, good humor are some of the
features of the old man who became famous in the
mid twentieth century.
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The traditions of the winter holidays with the
family, there are many tales, poetry and love.
Who wants to know the Romanian soul to enter his
house, especially in winter. We see then how he
worships with his face to the East, where the
light comes, he makes the sign of the cross
before and after meals or as before cutting the
bread, she made ??over her with a knife, sign of
the cross three times.    We are a rich nation
spiritually. Many traditions and customs of rare
beauty and of great spiritual value are
concentrated around two major winter holidays
Christmas, Nativity of Christ, and that the New
Year. We have inherited from our ancestors Roman
feast of the New Year, adorned with lots of
traditions. To these were added poetry and
legends of the shepherds in the Carpathian
Mountains Dacians.
56
Plugusorul and Sorcova are related to the renewal
year, having no connection with religious cycle
of Christmas
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Sorcova? Cheerful ? Let flourished? Like an
apple? Like hair? Like a strand of rose? Hard as
a rock? Quick as arrow? Quick as iron? Strong as
steel '? Next year and happy birthday
58
After the New Year, the most practiced habits are
Sorcova winter, cross Chiraleisa and Leaving
water on Epiphany.Sorcova or seeding is an
ancient custom practiced on the first day of the
New Year, St. Basil, when children go to
neighbours and relatives branches of artificial
flowers, adorned with colored ribbons, or, in the
absence of such rods, armed with wheat, rice,
barley, beans and other grains that throws the
door of the householder. Chiraleisa practice on
the eve of Epiphany, when groups of girls and
boys wander "Chiraleisa! Chiraleisa! Chiraleisa!
"Religious formula adapted version of" Rent
Eleison. "Epiphany, after the religious service
in the church officiating is going in procession
to "the sacred water", the priest throws a cross
in icy water, and a boy goes quick to remove.
That habit of letting water enter cross basically
string winter holidays.
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Eve of Epiphany day fasting    Epiphany Eve
take fasting, people do not eat and do not drink
anything. Canons of the Church teaches that
Theophany Eve is totally fasted, and the next day
take holy water on an empty stomach.  Theophany
or Epiphany, celebrated on January 6 next day the
Holy Prophet John the Forerunner, celebrated on
January 7, ending cycle of winter holidays and
has, in addition to the Christian meanings -
spiritual moment of birth of the Saviour - traits
celebration popular.
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Epiphany the sainting of waterOn the day of
Epiphany Water holiness occurs during Jordan .
Preparing this time point , and today , with
attention , in every community . Venue of the job
is chosen together with the village priest ,
usually a larger space - which is at least a well
- in the immediate vicinity of streams, a man in
the household or in the churchyard . For this
time fetching water , which was placed in large
wooden vessels , and now everything is cut , the
river, a large cross ice . Around this cross or
around the cross which is normally in the
churchyard , takes place throughout religious
ceremony , in which all the souls of the
community.After the consecration of the water,
turned into holy water , each villager takes the
holy water in vessels of wood or glass that came
from home. On the way back they cry " Chiraleisa
" - for future wealth Crops , air purification
and increase as high as hemp - and pour a little
holy water in all wells in sight . Once home,
sanctify the people with holy water the shed ,
barn animals, barn , orchard trees , the house
and inside the house.
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Feast of St. John the Baptist - Forerunner of
the Lord     The day after Theophany on January
7, Church commemorates St. John the Baptist, the
Forerunner of the Lord called the last great
prophet of the Old Testament, but also the one
who made ??the move to the New Testament period.
In memory of Christendom he will remain as the
one baptizing the Saviour Jesus Christ in the
Jordan, discovered the first world, that Jesus is
truly the Messiah, the great messenger of God,
Saviour expected by everyone, as they come to us
deliver them from the bondage of sin and death.
John the baptist
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Happy birthday!!