In a Romanian village on Epiphany day, horses are blessed for health and strength during the year

Record ID: 163143

  • Title: In a Romanian village on Epiphany day, horses are blessed for health and strength during the year
  • Date: 6th January 2017
  • Summary: PIETROSANI, ROMANIA (JANUARY 6, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF HORSE CARTS ENTERING FIELD NEAR PIETROSANI HORSES DECKED IN RED RIBBONS AND SMALL BELLS PEOPLE GATHERED IN FIELD WITH HORSES VARIOUS OF PIETROSANI RESIDENT, NICOLAE, PREPARING HIS HORSE FOR RACE (SOUNDBITE) (Romanian) PIETROSANI RESIDENT, NICOLAE, SAYING: "We are coming here like our parents and grandparents used to do. We are maintaining this tradition through our children." MAN STANDING NEXT TO HORSE (SOUNDBITE) (Romanian) PIETROSANI RESIDENT, LAURENTIU, SAYING: "We prepare our horses two or three days earlier. We'll see who wins the race. If you don't win, it doesn't matter. Our animals will bring wealth to our households anyway." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WITH THEIR HORSES MEN PUTTING TOGETHER LOAD OF WOOD FOR HORSE STRENGTH COMPETITION HORSE BEING PREPARED FOR COMPETITION VARIOUS OF HORSE DRAGGING LOAD AWAY VARIOUS OF PRIEST BLESSING HORSES VARIOUS OF RACE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Romanian) RACE WINNER, IONUT, SAYING: "It was very difficult. The road was very bad, but my horse helped me." IONUT RIDING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 21st January 2017 13:31
  • Keywords: Epiphany horses blessing belief
  • Location: PIETROSANI, ROMANIA
  • City: PIETROSANI, ROMANIA
  • Country: Romania
  • Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015XXZFW9
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Horses decked in red ribbons and small bells were blessed on Friday (January 6) in the small Romanian town of Pietrosani to celebrate Epiphany.
    Hundreds of people gathered to see the horses race after the blessing at the traditional annual event.
    For Romanians, Epiphany marks Jesus's baptism aged around 30. The celebration takes place 12 days after Christmas - on January 6 or on January 19 for Orthodox Christians who celebrate Christmas on January 7.
    Some other countries remember the Wise Men (Three Kings) who visited Jesus in Bethlehem after his birth.
    "We are coming here like our parents and grandparents used to do. We are maintaining this tradition through our children," horse-breeder Nicolae told Reuters as he prepared his horse.
    In Pietrosani, horses first have to prove their strength by dragging heavy pieces of wood over a snowy field before priests standing on a cart splash them with holy water.
    Following the baptism horse breeders race across the field as locals cheer them on.
    "We prepare our horses two or three days earlier. We'll see who wins the race. If you don't win, it doesn't matter. Our animals will bring wealth to our households anyway," participant Laurentiu said.
    This year's winner was Ionut, who dug in his spurs to race to victory while others tripped in the tricky field.
    "It was very difficult. The road was very bad, but my horse helped me," he said.
    In Romania Epiphany marks the end of winter season festivities.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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