Penza, 18 January 2012. PenzaNews. Orthodox believers of the Penza region celebrate Epiphany Eve on January 18. This is the eve of Epiphany or the Baptism of the Lord, one of the greatest Orthodox holidays. Orthodox tradition holds that Epiphany Eve is a day of fasting in memory of the tragic fate of John the Forerunner who baptized Jesus in the Jordan river and was executed at the order of King Herod.

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Like on Christmas Eve, on the eve of the Baptism people fast until the first star appears in the sky, but meals should be more modest than on Christmas Eve with traditional food called “golodnaya kutya” [boiled rice with raisins and honey].

On the morning of January 18 Bishop Veniamin of Penza and Kuznetsk conducted a celebratory service and performed the great blessing of water at Uspenski cathedral in Penza.

According to the press service of Penza eparchy, Bishop Veniamin will hold a night-long vigil service at a church in the village of Treskino of Kolyshleisky district of the region on January 19.

The great blessing of water takes place twice a year: on Christmas Eve and on the Baptism of the Lord. On these days believers also spray blessed water in their houses.