How do pseudoscientists explain the “special” properties that water acquires during Baptism, why they are wrong and how one can be poisoned by holy water, explains Indicator.Ru.
The properties of water attract both scientists and ordinary people equally. Only if for the former it is a subject of study that demonstrates interesting physical properties, then others often consider water a mysterious substance to which incredible abilities are attributed.
In Russia, the latter is especially evident on the eve Orthodox Baptism January 19, which is associated with biblical history about the baptism of Jesus. Many believers are sure that water acquires healing properties on the eve of this church holiday. Let's see if there are scientific justification properties attributed to water.
First, let's repeat some material from school curriculum. From it we all should have learned that water has a truly unique set of characteristics. For example, the solid phase of water, ice, has a lower density than liquid water, and is also characterized by extremely large specific heat capacity and surface tension.
The structure of the molecule, in which two hydrogen atoms form an angle of 104.45° with an oxygen atom, and the properties of these atoms themselves provide high value dipole moment (this is why water heats up well in microwave oven), and also make it a good solvent for polar substances.
However, none of the above is mentioned by semi-religious figures in the context remarkable properties this liquid. Usually you can hear “terms” from them like “energy-information memory”, “structuredness”, “aquacommunications” and the like.
One of the works often cited in such cases is “What explains the healing properties of holy water, Orthodox prayer and the sign of the cross? electrical engineer Angelina Malakhovskaya. In it, the author describes how water’s physical properties change and healing qualities manifest when exposed to various religious rituals. Among other things, a change in optical properties was announced, namely an increase in optical density in the region of 200-260 nm.
However, employees of the Physics Faculty of St. Petersburg State University were unable to confirm Malakhovskaya’s conclusions even using a hundred times more accurate equipment. The structure of water is an eternal topic of pseudoscientific articles, the authors of which are not familiar with the current results of scientific research.
Meanwhile, it has long been shown that structures that, according to some, “remember” and “record” information, live in water only for extremely short periods of time (about a picosecond).
Another common myth is that there is some special configuration magnetic field Earth on the eve of January 19, providing water with “special” properties. In fact, the Earth’s magnetic field does not assume any specific state, because its source is the rotation of the core - a very inert process that cannot change significantly on a scale of days.
The real change in the Earth's magnetic field manifests itself in the form of movement of the magnetic poles at a characteristic speed of several kilometers per year and field reversal, which occurs on average once every half a million years.
Among the special properties of Epiphany water - and consecrated water in general - is also often mentioned its ability not to spoil for a long time. Some especially ardent believers even reserve it for a year in advance.
This opinion can only be due to a lack of understanding of the reasons why water becomes undrinkable. In fact, the culprit is bacteria, which decompose particles invisible to the naked eye. organic matter, dissolved in water.
It is logical that water taken from a clean source, especially at low ambient temperatures, and stored in a tightly sealed container, will deteriorate much more slowly than usual. Another possible explanation is frequent use silver objects in church rituals. Silver ions, even in small quantities entering the water, have bactericidal properties and effectively suppress the growth of bacteria.
By the way, if the water for consecration is not taken from a clean source, then the amount of bacteria in it will be quite dangerous to health, this has been proven by Austrian scientists. During the work, the researchers took water samples from 21 holy springs and 18 samples from special vessels for holy water located in churches in Vienna.
During the water analysis, it was shown that only 14% of the samples met sanitary standards and were suitable for drinking. In the remaining 86% of samples, microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli), Staphylococcus aureus ( Staphylococcus aureus), salmonella, as well as bacteria of the genus Campylobacter.
Another favorite “explanation” of the mysterious properties of water among obscurantists is reference to certain “cosmic influences.” Here, each interpreter gives free rein to his imagination, so the absurdity of the theses is limited only by the number of scientific terms familiar to a particular person.
Here you can find neutrinos emanating from the center of the Galaxy, which is lined up with the Sun and Earth, and cosmic rays, awakening electrons sitting deep in the lithosphere, and hypotheses about the impact of interplanetary space on the bioinformational fields of water.
It is very difficult to refute such a number of heterogeneous unconfirmed hypotheses, but you can consider the problem as a whole. Of course, particle flows from space change over time. In particular, the flux of solar neutrinos correlates with the 11-year cycle of solar activity, but is in no way connected with what is happening on Earth.
The number of particles recorded on the surface of the planet from deep space depends on time much less: the usual variations are a fraction of a percent and, again, do not have any pronounced anomalies during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
In general, we can say that none of the “miraculous” properties of Epiphany water are not only not confirmed by real scientific research, but also do not have any substantiated scientific basis. Water is already very interesting substance, and its physical and chemical properties There will certainly be more research on this in the future.
January 19 is one of the days on which everyone Orthodox churches crowded to capacity, because it is on this day that the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ and, according to ancient tradition, the consecration of water is performed, which is called the Great Blessing of Water. Unfortunately, this particular church holiday is accompanied by a trail of various folk superstitions that have no basis in church tradition. Together with the cleric of the Saratov Church of the Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul, priest Vasily KUTSENKO, we will try to consider the most common superstitions in order to understand how to treat holy water and what to do with it according to church tradition.
1. There is “Epiphany” water (blessed on January 18, on Epiphany Eve) and “Epiphany” water (blessed on January 19, the day of the Epiphany itself).
The Great Blessing of Water is performed twice, this is true. The first water blessing is on the eve of the feast of Epiphany, January 18, on Epiphany Eve, and the second on the day of the holiday itself. But there is no difference in this water, because on both January 18 and 19 the same rite (that is, sequence of prayers) of water blessing is used. Water consecrated according to this rite is called the Great Agiasma, that is, the Great Shrine. There is no separate “Epiphany” and separate “Epiphany” water, but only the Great Hagiasma. IN liturgical books The Orthodox Church calls the feast of the Epiphany “Holy Epiphany, the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The word "Epiphany" is a short expression of the events that occurred during the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist on the Jordan River. The Gospel of Matthew describes it this way: “Having been baptized, Jesus immediately came out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and descending on Him. And behold, a voice from heaven said: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). That is, Baptism was a manifestation of Divine glory and confirmation of the Sonship of God of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is difficult to accurately answer the question of what the practice of two water blessings is connected with. It is known that already in the 6th century in Palestine there was a tradition of consecrating water in the Jordan River on the eve of and on the very day of the Epiphany holiday. IN Ancient Rus' there was a custom, which is still preserved in some places, to perform the Great Blessing of Water on January 18 in the temple, and on January 19 - outside the temple, organizing religious procession to a specially prepared ice hole - Jordan.
2. On the day of the Baptism of the Lord, having plunged into an ice font or doused yourself with water, you can consider yourself baptized and wear a cross.
Indeed, there is a tradition of swimming in an ice hole on the feast of the Epiphany. But this is precisely bathing, and not the Sacrament of Baptism. Although, if you get acquainted with the history of the feast of the Epiphany, you can see that this particular day used to be the day on which adults were baptized. A person who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for a certain time prepared to accept the Sacrament of Baptism, which was a new birth for life with God and entry into the Church. Such people were called catechumens. They studied the Holy Scriptures and the foundations of the Christian faith and prepared to repent of all their sins before receiving Baptism, because the adoption of Christianity must begin with repentance, that is, with a change in life. Therefore, Baptism without repentance was simply impossible. And so, on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, the bishop performed the Sacrament of Baptism for adults. Such baptisms were also performed on the eve of the Nativity of Christ, on Holy Saturday (the Saturday before Easter), on Easter itself and on the Feast of Pentecost, which is also called the day of the Holy Trinity or the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. The Great Blessing of Water on the day of the Epiphany is a reminder for modern Christians of the ancient baptism of catechumens. But we must remember that the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism was preceded by preparation, repentance of sins and confirmation of the sincerity of one’s intentions before the church community. Therefore, it cannot be said that plunging into the Jordan hole and receiving Baptism are the same thing.
3. By swimming in an ice hole on Epiphany night, you can get rid of all diseases, sins and the evil eye. If you get sick during the year, you need to drink Epiphany water for healing.
It is necessary to place emphasis: separately - illness and sin, separately - the evil eye. The evil eye, damage and the like are superstitions. And you need to get rid of only one thing - belief in superstition. Christians believe in God, and not in evil eyes, damage, love spells, etc. When we turn to God in prayer, we ask that God protect us from evil. For example, in the prayer “Our Father” there are the words: “Deliver us from the evil one,” that is, from the devil. Devil - fallen angel who opposes God and wants to turn people away from God, that’s why we ask God to deliver us from the devil and all the evil that he is trying to sow in people. If a person sincerely believes in God, in the fact that the Lord God protects believers from all evil, then at the same time it is impossible to believe in damage, the evil eye, and the like.
By accepting Epiphany water (like any other shrine, for example, prosphora or blessed oil), a person can pray to the Lord that this shrine would serve him as a means of healing from illnesses. In the rite of the Great Blessing of Water there are the following words: “Let us pray to the Lord for the gift of this water of consecration, for the removal of sins, for the healing of soul and body, and for every good benefit” (Russian translation: “So that this water of consecration may become a gift, deliverance from sins, for healing of soul and body and fit for every useful work, let us pray to the Lord." We ask that through the use of agiasma a person receives the grace of God, cleansing sins and healing mental and physical infirmities. But all this is not some kind of mechanical or automatic action: I drank water - and everything immediately became fine. What is needed here is faith and hope in God.
4. Water at Epiphany becomes holy everywhere, and there is no need to go to church to get it; you can get it from the tap at home.If we understand some words (for example, “today - that is, today, now - the waters are sanctified by nature ...") from the rite of the Great Blessing of Waters in a broad sense, then we can say that the consecration of all waters actually occurs. But again, it is important to understand that this does not happen on its own, but through the prayers of the Church. The Church asks that the Lord God sanctify the waters, give His grace-filled power to cleanse and sanctify the nature of the water. Unfortunately, it often happens that many come to the temple specifically for water, without participating in the service of the feast of the Epiphany. It turns out that Epiphany water becomes an end in itself. And this is wrong. First of all, we must glorify God for his good deeds to the human race, which He revealed through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of the whole world, because it is in memory of the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan that the consecration of water is carried out.
By the way, the famous Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto came to the conclusion that any water “hears,” perceives and absorbs information: if you play music, say kind words, read prayers, then its structure becomes more harmonious and cleaner.
Ukrainian scientist Mikhail Kurik also studied water not only from church sources, but also from lakes, ordinary bottled water, tap water.
– All our experiments have shown that any water collected on the morning of January 19 is subject to the “Epiphany” phenomenon - that is, it has increased energy.
And the laboratory specialists drinking water supply Moscow Institute named after. Sysin began monitoring the water on January 15th. The water collected from the tap was settled, and then the amount of radical ions in it was measured. During the study, the number of radical ions in water began to rise from January 17th. At the same time, the water became softer, its pH value, which made the liquid less acidic. The water reached its peak activity on January 18th, in the evening. Because of large quantity radical ions, its electrical conductivity was really like that of water saturated with electrons. At the same time, the pH value of water jumped over neutral by 1.5 points. The researchers also studied the degree of structure of Epiphany water. They froze several samples - from a tap, from a church spring, from a river. So, even tap water, which is usually far from ideal, when frozen, presented a harmonious spectacle under a microscope. The curve of electromagnetic activity of water began to decline in the morning of January 19 and by 20 it had taken its usual form.
Water is “charged” by space
To understand why water becomes bioactive at Epiphany, scientist Mikhail Kurik decided to go further. He began collecting water samples from December 22, the day of the winter solstice, in order to more accurately trace why and how the water changes its structure on January 18–19.
And I came to the conclusion that the properties of water are influenced by energy fields Earth, Moon, Sun, fields of planets of the Solar system, various cosmic radiations.
“Everything is explained by the laws of nature,” says Mikhail Vasilyevich. – Every year on January 19th the Earth together with solar system in Space it passes through rays of special irradiation, as a result of which all life on Earth comes to life, including the increase in the bioenergy of all the waters of the Earth. It is on January 18–19 that water receives additional energy due to changes in the gravitational field in galactic space. For what? It's simple! After all, spring is approaching, and all living things need energy to be born again.
But according to the results of research by Russian physicist Anton Belsky, intense bursts of neutron flux were recorded in space for a number of years before January 19, exceeding background levels by 100-200 times. The maximums occurred on both the 18th and 17th, but sometimes exactly on the 19th.
The energy channel structures water
Astrologers also adhere to the “cosmic” theory of the origin of Epiphany water.
– On this day, the water becomes clean and carries a charge of holiness and rejuvenation. And this is not just like that,” says Pavel Mikhlin, candidate of technical sciences, astrologer.
It is believed that the Sun, Earth, and the center of the galaxy are located in such a way that on January 18–19, a line of communication opens between our planet and the center of the galaxy, and everything begins to interact. The Earth falls under an energy channel that structures everything, in particular water on Earth. In addition, it is usually frosty at Epiphany, and frozen water absorbs and “preserves” positive energy during services and prayers. And during consecration, people themselves charge the water with their positive energy, because they really believe that the water should become healing and consecrated.
By the way
Many people ask: if a person is 70% water, can our bodies be cleansed of all bad things on Epiphany night and immediately be cured of all diseases? But no, this is impossible, the churchmen say.
– After all, there is nothing automatic in religion. A person consists not only of water and protein - a body, he also has a soul, says Abbot Evstratiy. “You can’t just cleanse your soul that way.” You can lie in holy water all day long, but you will not become a saint. To cleanse the soul, you need to live and pray righteously. And holy water is just a blessing for this.
How to use holy water
Often we ourselves do not know how to use holy water, although we literally collect it in the church in liters. But this is not necessary. Hegumen Evstratiy, press secretary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, told BLIK about these subtleties and some secrets.
They drink holy water during illness and every day on an empty stomach a little - 60-100 grams.
They store it in a glass vessel near the icons so that light does not enter.
You can enhance the effect of water by reading a prayer over it, for example - “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Holy water cannot be used for household purposes - washing dishes, making tea, cooking something, or even taking a bath from it. After all, it can’t go down the drain.
It is not necessary to take consecrated “temple” water; you can bring your own water for consecration – even tap water.
It is advisable to take clean and high-quality water for consecration, because physical dirt will not go anywhere.
Blessed water can be diluted with regular water; such water acquires the qualities of holy water. You shouldn't bring soda, mineral water, it’s better to take the regular one.
You can sprinkle your home with Epiphany water.
Usually Epiphany water is stored for a year until next Epiphany. But few people know that such water can last longer - three or even ten years.
- I have Epiphany water stood for three years - and did not deteriorate, did not bloom,” says Father Barsanuphius, treasurer of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. “I collected it from our holy spring of Anthony.” After I drank it, I felt a surge of strength all day and felt blessed. I know that scientists came and even collected water for experiments from the source of St. Anthony. After all, studies have shown that the optical density of Epiphany water is higher than water from the same sources on ordinary days. Moreover, it is close to the optical density of water from the Jordan River.
But Abbot Evstratiy, press secretary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, told BLIK that he knows of a case when Epiphany water stood for 10 years and did not spoil!
Epiphany magic will preserve beauty and fulfill wishes
The main thing is to remember the dream
Everyone knows about Epiphany fortune-telling. But even ordinary dreams on the night of Epiphany are “letters from the future.” Before you fall asleep, you need to ask a question about your destiny that interests you most. In the old days, unmarried girls put a comb or the king of diamonds under their pillow and asked them to dream about their betrothed. Spend the evening before as calmly as possible, go to bed early, and on the morning of the 19th wake up without the alarm ringing. In this case, there is a greater chance of seeing prophetic dream and don’t forget it right away. They say that your sleep will be brighter and remembered better if you eat something salty at night, but do not drink water. Place a pen and notepad next to your bed, and when you wake up, immediately write down your dream or tell it to someone right away - this way you’ll have a better chance of remembering it.
The most cherished
It is believed that the night from the 18th to the 19th - perfect time to make your deepest wishes. It is believed that at this time the sky hears best what people ask for, and requests are fulfilled. There is only one main condition: you need to make wishes with a pure soul. And only good ones! Before asking for anything for yourself or your loved ones, it is better to first at least mentally ask for forgiveness from those whom you have hurt over the year, whom you have harmed, even if reluctantly. And also - thank God for all the good things in life. And only after that, with an open heart, make wishes. How? Even just by going out onto the balcony and looking at the sky! You can write 12 wish notes and put them under your pillow. And when you wake up in the morning, pull out three of them. They will definitely come true.
Wrinkle-free all year
Here is some advice for ladies who want to maintain their youth for a long time. Early in the morning of December 19, pour Epiphany water into a bowl and look at your reflection. You need to examine yourself very carefully, noticing wrinkles and flaws, and then wash your face with your hands three times. Water the flowers with the remaining water. The effect will increase if the water comes from a river, where the woman herself goes to get it early in the morning. But, if you believe that during Epiphany all water gains strength, ordinary water left overnight under the sky may also be suitable. They say that after such a magical procedure, your face will be fresh and attractive all year round.
Why is holy water used to consecrate temples, houses and vital objects? How does Epiphany water differ from the water blessed at the water prayer service, and from the water in holy springs, springs and wells? How are prosphora consecrated and what is the difference between antidor and artos?
And finally, what significance do these shrines have in the life of an Orthodox believer and how should they be treated?
You will find the answer to all these questions in this book.
See also section books Nature's Pantry- there are interesting publications about water and its properties.
One of the main traditions of Epiphany is the collection of holy water, which on this day acquires special properties. It must be collected at a strictly defined time.
Alternative name for Epiphany - Epiphany, since it was on this day that God revealed himself to the world in three forms. Jesus Christ received the sacrament of baptism in the Jordan River, but this rite had a completely different meaning - the Savior thus blessed all the waters on globe so that we can take a dip in holy water on the same day. This day in Orthodoxy is January 19th. It is unchanged from year to year.
Properties of Epiphany water
Epiphany water has many properties. They are explained by the special symbolism that the rite of baptism has. This is not just water, but a source of holiness. You can simply drink it, but many people save it throughout the year to use in a variety of situations.
Epiphany water heals diseases. It's no secret that drinking holy water helps people recover from any ailment. The stronger your faith, the more likely you are to be healed. For people far from religion, this may seem something strange, but for believers the power of baptismal water is not in doubt. Medicine still cannot explain why holy water has such an effect on people.
Epiphany water lifts your spirits and relieves depression. The mechanism of action in this case is the same, but the water acts not on the body, but on the soul. Mental wounds are sometimes deeper and more serious than physical wounds. They also need to be treated on time so that life becomes brighter. When you feel that your faith is weakening, when your soul turns into a clot of dark threads, then drinking baptismal water will help unravel the tangle of doubts and despondency.
Blessed water drives out evil and cleanses the room of negative energy. Those who believe in God also believe in the Devil, who greedily takes for himself what God cannot take. If you feel that there are some strange entities in your house that are not giving you peace, then simply sprinkle the room with holy water. If unexplained things happen to you or you dream bad dreams, then sprinkle water on the bed and its headboard. Wash your face with water before going to bed and read the Our Father to ward off evil spirits.
It is worth noting that Epiphany water does not spoil - it can be stored indefinitely. According to church rules, it is better to use it on an empty stomach.
When to collect holy water
The holiday itself is celebrated on January 19, but you can collect water after the evening liturgy on the evening of January 18. The water becomes sacred after a special prayer service.
If you did not attend the service on the 18th, please do so on January 19th. Attending the liturgy is considered mandatory if you have the opportunity. You can come and simply collect holy water, but this is absolutely correct. There is no difference between water collected on Christmas Eve on the 18th or on the holiday itself.
It is very important to remember that it is not necessary to pour a hundred liters of water to have enough for you and all your relatives. According to the rules of the church, any drinking water into which you pour a small amount of holy water will also become consecrated. If you don’t want to collect a large amount of water, you can take a liter and pour it into larger containers at home.
Do not forget that the sacrament of confession and communion, received on the feast of Epiphany, has a very high spiritual value. Treat this day as a great holiday that requires good deeds and prayers from us!
Everyone who believes in God often visits church to pray for health, for peace, and simply to be alone with God. But, on January 18 and 19 every year, the day when the feast of Epiphany is celebrated in the religious world, the church is literally overcrowded, which is due to the desire of people to take Epiphany water. The whole point is that the properties of Epiphany water still remain a mystery to scientists. This water, even in its structure, is truly different from other waters, and with its help you can treat diseases, cleanse the body and much more.
In addition to questions about what properties Epiphany water has, believers are also interested in information about how many days Epiphany water remains holy, and when should the water be collected? Church officials say that Epiphany water counts on the night of January 18-29. But this is not the only time when water sanctifies in the temple. Historically it has happened this way. That in honor of Baptism two liturgies are held: in the morning and in the evening, and therefore the water is blessed twice. It is for this reason that Epiphany water can be collected over two days, and not only on the night of January 18-19.
About the properties of Epiphany water
About healing and amazing properties Many people know Epiphany water firsthand. After all, this water is considered the most powerful and healing, which is not denied even by doctors who are accustomed to relying on scientific facts.
If we talk about human health, Epiphany water and its properties have a positive effect on:
Immunity;
Nervous system;
Endocrine system.
At the same time, Epiphany water does not need to be prepared in any special way, it does not need to be infused; it is enough just to collect it in the church for Epiphany and drink it daily. There are other health problems that Epiphany water can help heal, since its properties affect both the functioning of the brain and the respiratory system. Epiphany water helps alcoholics get rid of delirium tremens and restores the ability to coordinate the body.
Interesting! According to reviews of the people and centuries-old practice, there have been cases when just a few drops of water helped people get out of a coma and avoid anaphylactic shock. There are many such cases that are difficult to explain logically.
Even if there are no health problems, it is useful to drink Epiphany water as a preventive measure. To do this, you need to start your day by taking Epiphany water on an empty stomach, and also wash your face with it in the morning, which has a beneficial effect on the skin.
Despite all its power, Epiphany water is not suitable for constant use. For her to give her all unique properties for the benefit of a person, it is enough to drink it in the morning, but do not brew tea or coffee with it, or put it in bottles in order to quench your thirst during sports. It is also appropriate to take some medications Epiphany water, but nothing more.
Other recommendations for using Epiphany water include the need for priests to sprinkle food on the table with it, and for women to wash their faces with such water in order to preserve their youth and beauty. If a person is sick, then he can use Epiphany water as a medicine, because the properties of Epiphany water, as has already been found out, have a beneficial effect on health.
A few facts about Epiphany water
Church ministers claim that Epiphany water has such strong properties because it contains divine power. But it is human nature not to trust such statements, and to look for a catch in everything or remain skeptics.
However, even in scientific circles, numerous studies have been carried out on the properties of Epiphany water, and here is an interesting observation made by scientists, who, by the way, are also inherent in skepticism: the water that was taken from the reservoir on the day of Epiphany stood in the laboratory for 4 years. During this time, neither the structure of the water nor its properties changed, not to mention the fact that the water from the reservoir for so many years never even bloomed. It is important to note here that, for example, tap water is not suitable for consumption after 2 months. This leads to another curious and mysterious property of Epiphany water: it never spoils.
Scientists have found the answer why Epiphany water does not spoil. The fact is that this particular water is different high level energy. Moreover, it is at Epiphany that the water becomes softer, its pH level increases by one and a half points. At the same time, some logical explanations this phenomenon has not been found until now, and therefore there are so many secrets and mysticism surrounding this water.
It is best to collect Epiphany water in churches on the eve of Epiphany on January 18 after Divine Liturgy, or all day on January 19th.
But, at the same time, it can be noted that Epiphany water changes its properties on the holiday, regardless of where it is located. The issue of faith plays a very important role here; if you really believe in the properties of Epiphany water, then it will certainly become an elixir.
There are three rules to follow here:
If you don’t believe in the power of Epiphany water, then it simply won’t help;
The water collected for Epiphany should be stored close to the icons, in glass or plastic containers;
Epiphany water must be treated with respect, as a shrine, drink it only with good positive thoughts, and also rub it and sprinkle it on your home.
Of course, it is difficult to believe in such a miracle, and many questions remain. But there are facts that are confirmed by scientists: Epiphany water is different from other water and really has inexplicable properties. But to believe in it or not is a personal matter for everyone.
Date: 17.01.2017 / 09:45
WHAT THE RESEARCH SHOWED
There is only one solution to the mystery of Epiphany water - its divine origin, - my grandmother inspired me. - We mortals are not supposed to know more...
But, apparently, this is how we mortals are designed - we always want to taste the forbidden fruit. A sensational discovery was made by physicists from the Research Institute of Human Ecology and Hygiene environment them. Sysina RAMS. During the Epiphany holidays, the institute's staff examined water taken from the tap day after day. So, the phenomenon has been scientifically confirmed - the water at Epiphany differs from ordinary water in its high level of energy. Moreover, the occurrence of this unusual property in Epiphany is influenced by... interplanetary magnetic fields.
About what heals, extinguishes the flames of passions and drives away evil spirits, the church has known from time immemorial. But what exactly makes it so magical? Many scientists have asked this question. Specialists of the drinking water supply laboratory of the Institute named after. They didn’t try to guess Sysin, they just took it and carried out a serious research.
The first step was to record the phase of transition of water into an unusual state,” says one of the participants in the experiment, Candidate of Technical Sciences Anatoly STEKHIN. - We started “following” her from January 15th.
- How?
- Yes, we just took water from the tap, settled it and measured the number of radical ions in it . At Epiphany, water changes properties in all sources, including water supply. So, the number of radical ions in water has increased since January 17th. At the same time, the water became softer, its pH value (pH level) increased, which made the liquid less acidic. The water reached its peak of activity, as expected, on the evening of January 18th. Due to the large number of radical ions, its electrical conductivity was really like that of an artificially created catholyte (water saturated with electrons). At the same time, the pH value of water jumped over neutral (7 pH) by 1.5 points.
“We also studied the degree of structure of Epiphany water,” explains Stekhin. To do this, we had to freeze several samples - from the tap, from a church spring, from the Moscow River. So, even tap water, which is usually far from ideal, when frozen, presented a harmonious spectacle under a microscope. Water electromagnetic activity curve began to decline already in the morning of January 19 and by the 20th it had returned to its usual form.
- So what was the reason for such sharp increase electromagnetic activity of water in Epiphany?
- Large cluster radical ions in the Earth’s lithosphere,” Stekhin answers. - After all, it is a real reservoir of electrons and transfers most of them to water. On normal days, the amount of energy in the water varies depending on the time of day. From 7 pm to 9 am, water is most active (but not to the same extent as Epiphany). This is the most good time in order to wash and stock up for household needs. When the sun rises, a large number of radical ions “fly away” from the water into the upper layers of the atmosphere. Such channels through which energy “escapes” from us are all vortex processes in the atmosphere.
It’s not without reason that many people feel worse during cyclone activity.. We simply don't have enough aquatic electromagnetic energy. But the most extreme phenomenon, which literally devastates the Earth energetically, is earthquake.
As for the three Epiphany days, this, according to Stekhin, is an “abnormal” period when an anticyclone always dominates on Earth. And the electrons, obeying some kind of cosmic influence, quietly “sit” in the lithosphere and water and saturate us healing powers. The only explanation for this can be a special redistribution of the poles of the magnetic field that exists between the Sun and the Earth. It is the cosmic forces that hold the energy on Earth during Baptism.
- By the way, in past years, when we made one-time measurements of Epiphany water indicators, its activity was higher than in the current, notes the scientist. The decline in parameters was certainly influenced by the many cyclones that raged on Earth before Epiphany and the warm weather. Perhaps this is nature's way “hints” to us that over time it may completely deprive sinful humanity of its favor.
EXPERT OPINION
When the Savior entered the Jordan and received baptism from John, the God-Man came into contact with matter. And to this day, on the day of Epiphany, according to the church style, when water is blessed in churches, it becomes incorruptible, that is, it does not spoil for many years, even if it is kept in a closed vessel. This happens every year and only on the feast of Epiphany according to the Orthodox, Julian calendar. On this day, according to one of the church stichera, “the nature of all waters is sanctified,” therefore not only the water in the church, but all waters acquire the primordial property of incorruptibility. And the next day, after Baptism, all the waters again acquire their usual properties.
On the day of Epiphany, every Orthodox Christian carries home a vessel with holy water, carefully preserves it as the greatest shrine, prayerfully communing with holy water in illnesses and all infirmities.
How to use holy Epiphany water?
The use of holy water in everyday life Orthodox Christian quite varied. For example, it is consumed on an empty stomach in small quantities, usually together with a piece of prosphora (this especially applies to the great agiasma - Epiphany water), they sprinkle their home.
She eats it on an empty stomach, a spoonful, a little at a time, every day and with prayer:
« Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my mental and physical strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities, according to Your boundless mercy through the prayers of the Most Pure One Your Mother and all Your saints. Amen«.
The man stood up, crossed himself, asked the Lord for a blessing on the day that had begun, washed himself, prayed and accepted the great agiasma. If the medication is prescribed to be taken on an empty stomach, then first take holy water, and behind it comes the medicine. And then breakfast and other things.
But if there is a special need for God’s help - during illnesses or attacks by evil forces - you can and should drink it without hesitation, at any time or every hour.
Devotees of Christian piety call blessed water the best medicine from all spiritual and physical ailments.
You can wash the patient with it and sprinkle it on it. Is it true, women in critical days It is not blessed to receive Epiphany water. But this is if the woman is otherwise healthy. A if she is sick, then even this circumstance does not matter. May Epiphany water help her!
With reverent attitude, holy water remains fresh and pleasant to the taste for a long time.
It should be stored in a separate place, next to the home iconostasis.. Because the Great Agiasma is one of the main shrines of the Orthodox Church. The word “Agiasma” itself means “shrine”. And you don't need to put it in the refrigerator. It is also unacceptable for holy water to get into the drain..
A special property of holy water is that, added even in small quantities to ordinary water, it imparts beneficial properties to it, therefore, in case of a shortage of holy water, it can be diluted with plain water from a clean container.
We must not forget that blessed water- this is a church shrine, which has been touched by the grace of God, and which requires a reverent attitude towards itself.
- You should drink holy water in the morning on an empty stomach or in the evening before bed (but not from the general container).
- At very serious illness or if a person is in a state of intense spiritual struggle, despondency, it can be drunk in unlimited quantities, regardless of food intake.
- After drinking, you need to pray for healing.
- For pain or just a sore spot, you can apply a compress moistened with holy water.
- Holy water has enormous healing power. There are cases where a few drops of such water, poured into the mouth of an unconscious patient, brought him to his senses and changed the course of the disease. But this does not mean that you do not need to see a doctor. Special property Holy water is that, added even in small quantities to ordinary water, it imparts beneficial properties to it.
- Holy water should be stored near the icon or behind the icon.. Just please label or label the bottle accordingly. Be careful that your loved ones do not accidentally pour out holy water or use it irreverently. This type of water should not be stored in the refrigerator.. You should not keep it near food.
- This water is not given to animals.
- You can only sprinkle it on your home (while reading a prayer), a car, or some other thing, also clothes, and even pets.
- If the water has spoiled, it must be poured into a river or other natural source. Holy water should not be poured down the sink or drain.. Holy water is not thrown onto the ground. It is poured into an “untrampled” place, that is, to the place where people do not walk ( don't trample underfoot) and dogs don't run. You can pour water into the river, you can flower pot, you can go to a clean place under a tree.
HOLY WATER SHOULD NOT ONLY BE STORED CAREFULLY, BUT ALSO BE USED REGULARLY.
- It is unacceptable to keep water “in reserve” forever if it was brought from the temple once for Epiphany according to the principle “so that it is in the house, because everyone has it.” This is a kind of imprisonment of the shrine. The grace of holy water does not decrease, no matter how long it is stored, but people who do not turn to the shrine are robbing themselves.
- Once consecrated water is always consecrated.. In the case when we have little holy water left, but we need some significant amount, we can add holy water to ordinary water. All water will be sanctified.
Finally, the most important:
Holy water will not bring us any benefit if we spend our lives away from God. If we want to feel God in our lives, to feel His help, His participation in our affairs, we must become Christians not only in name, but in essence.
To be a Christian means:
- Fulfill God's commandments, love God and neighbors;
- Participate in church Sacraments and perform home prayer;
- Work on correcting your soul.
May the Lord help us, no matter how far we are from the house of our Heavenly Father, to return to Him.
January 19 Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord. Otherwise, this holiday is called the Epiphany, since at this moment the manifestation of the Fullness of the Divinity took place - the appearance of all the Persons of the Holy Trinity: the Father, who testified with a voice from Heaven about the Son, the Son who received Baptism, and the Holy Spirit, who descended on the Son in the form of a dove.
What the Orthodox Church says
Epiphany water in Greek is called “Great Agiasma” (“shrine”). This water, the church teaches, provides healing for mental and physical ailments, extinguishes the flames of passions, and drives away evil forces. Therefore, baptismal water is sprinkled on the home and every thing that is consecrated. Saint John Chrysostom, who lived in the 4th century, said that holy water remains incorruptible for many years, is fresh, pure and pleasant, as if it had only been drawn from a living source a minute ago. Many saints, in response to requests for healing, sent the sick a bottle of Epiphany water, or simply advised prayerfully, reverently, to drink such water every day.
Attitude to Epiphany water Orthodox people special. For example, it is not customary to pour holy water where it can be trampled under foot, and if for some reason the need to pour out Epiphany water arises, then this should be done somewhere in the garden, at the roots of a tree, or in a flower bed. Epiphany water should be stored next to the images, and drunk in the morning, on an empty stomach, after reading morning prayers. It is also believed that if you dilute with Epiphany water plain water, then all the liquid will become holy.
What Science Says
Scientists, even non-believers, in general, have never denied such a property of Epiphany water as the ability to remain fresh for a long time. Is it strange if this water is taken during the coldest period of the year, when the activity of microorganisms is zero? In addition, when consecrating water, a silver cross is immersed in a vessel, but everyone knows that silver ions destroy microorganisms. However, it recently became clear that the properties of Epiphany water are not limited to this.
Some scientists explain the healing properties of Epiphany water by the characteristics of the Earth's magnetic field. On this day it deviates from the norm and all the water on the planet becomes magnetized. What causes these changes has not yet been studied.
Russian experimental physicist Professor A. Belsky conducted the following experiment: on the night of January 19, he took water samples from a nearby pond. Polyethylene bottles with samples stood in his laboratory for several years. The water in them remained clear, odorless and sediment-free. At a scientific conference, Belsky told about this to a professor he knew from the Research Institute of Nuclear Physics at Moscow State University, who was studying neutron fluxes from space and from the Earth. He became interested and promised to look at the experimental data of his laboratory over recent years.
So, according to these data, before January 19, bursts of neutron flux were regularly recorded, exceeding background levels by 100-200 times. There was no strict connection to January 19: the maximums fell on both the 18th and 17th, but sometimes exactly on the 19th. Specialists of the drinking water supply laboratory of the Institute named after. Sysina also conducted a scientific study of the properties of Epiphany water. As A. Stekhin, candidate of technical sciences, said, the goal of the experiment was to record the phase of transition of water into an unusual state; for this, they began to monitor the water from January 15. Tap water was settled and the amount of radical ions in it was measured. The number of radical ions began to increase from January 17th.
At the same time, the pH value (pH level) increased, making the water less acidic. On January 18th, in the evening, the changes reached their peak of activity. Due to the large number of radical ions, the electrical conductivity of the water was like that of an artificially created catholyte (water saturated with electrons). At the same time, the pH value of water jumped over neutral (7pH) by 1.5 points. However, it is necessary to warn that links to scientific publications Professor A. Belsky and Candidate of Technical Sciences A. Stekhin are either not there at all, or there are so few of them that no one can detect them.
What do neopagans think?
But astrologers and followers of various mystical practices devote a lot of space to the properties of Epiphany water. They claim that on the night of January 19, the Sun, Earth, as well as the center of the Galaxy are positioned in such a way that a line of communication opens between the heart of our planet and the center of the Galaxy. At this time, a special energy channel operates, which structures everything that falls into it. Water on Earth and everything made from it undergoes this structuring.
Followers of the teaching, which they call the “Slavic Vedas,” believe that the name “Epiphany water” does not come from the word “baptism,” but from the name of the ancient Slavic deity Khors. And the word “water” comes from the word “Veda”. This is the water, “Khorsa Knowing”. And the followers of this teaching offer to swim at baptism not in ice holes cut in the shape of a cross, but in open reservoirs and ice holes.
For Christians, the experiments of scientists and the speculations of mystics are unnecessary. They know that water is sanctified by the Grace of God, and they believe in its power and healing properties.
