The Significance of Boboteaza
Boboteaza, or Epiphany, is celebrated on January 6 by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. This event concludes the 12-day cycle of winter holidays that begin on Christmas Eve. Derived from the Greek words “Theophany” or “Epiphany,” Boboteaza translates to “The Appearance of the Lord,” symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
While Western Christians primarily commemorate the visit of the Magi to baby Jesus, marking His manifestation to the Gentiles, Orthodox Christians focus on the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, a revelation of the Son of God to the world.
Traditions during Boboteaza
In many Romanian towns located near rivers, the Danube, or the Black Sea, priests conduct ceremonies involving the symbolic act of throwing a wooden cross into the icy waters. Brave young men dive into the freezing water to retrieve it. Another common practice is the blessing of water, known as agheasmă (or holy water), used to sanctify people, animals, homes, and even nature itself.
Before Romania’s communist regime, this tradition included grand ceremonies in Bucharest, where the Patriarch would lead a procession to the Dâmbovița River, accompanied by men dressed in white who would dive into the freezing waters to recover the cross.
Traditional customs also include magical and agricultural practices adopted into Christianity, emphasizing purification, fertility, and honoring water and fire. Practices such as burning fires in fields, chanting, and making loud noises serve to cleanse and ward off evil spirits. Foods like aspic, boiled wheat, and red wine are typically consumed during this time.
Boboteaza and Weather
The holiday is often associated with extreme cold in Romania, hence the term “Boboteaza frost.” However, in 2018, the weather defied tradition, with record-high temperatures of 17°C in Bucharest on January 6.
Boboteaza remains a blend of spiritual, cultural, and folk traditions, combining Christian symbolism with ancient rituals to purify, protect, and prepare for the year ahead.
The process of priests blessing the house, Chiraleisa, is described here:
Sources used: Wikipedia
Dracula's Guide to Romania 
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