Epiphany water: how to properly handle the shrine. When water is blessed in Orthodox churches

There are two types of consecration of water - great consecration and small.

When does the great blessing of water occur?

The Great Blessing of Water occurs only twice a year. On the day of Epiphany Christmas Eve (January 18) and on the Epiphany itself (January 19). The Blessing of Water on Christmas Eve takes place in the morning after the end of the liturgy, and the rite of the Great Hagiasma for Epiphany is carried out either on the night of the 19th, or in the morning of the same date, but always after the festive liturgy.

When does a small blessing of water occur?

Small blessings of water occur several times a year. So, on light () Easter water is blessed. This occurs during Easter week, when the Church celebrates the memory of Mother of God Life-Giving Source.

Small Blessing of Water is considered obligatory on Izneseniya Holy Cross The Lord's Day (August 14) and Mid-Pentecost (25 days after Easter)

In some churches, the rite of blessing water can be carried out at patronal feasts or on days of remembrance of revered saints (for example, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker). There is also the practice of small blessing of water on the day, the solemn consecration of the entire temple.

There is a tradition of water-blessing prayers at miraculous springs and springs. This happens on the days of remembrance of revered saints and icons of the Mother of God.

On other days, the blessing of water in the temple can also be observed. Believers can

Take and bless your salt. It is necessary to consecrate the salt before consecrating the water. It should be noted that salt is used mainly as a preservative. Just because it is holy does not mean it can be preserved forever! Here is the speech for the blessing of salt:

“I ask the Blessing of the Almighty Father for this salt, and let all the evils and obstacles go away, and let all the good things remain here, for without You man cannot live, and therefore I ask for blessings and call on You to help me.” – Key to the Book of King Solomon, Book II, Chapter 5.

Read Psalm 103 aloud. If you don't have a Bible handy, wikiHow can help!!

Use natural water. If you can, get water from a nearby lake, stream or river. Try to stay away from tap water since it may contain chlorine and fluorine. However, if your water is natural, filter it first, you don’t want your holy water to be dirty!

Take sacred salt and pour it into the water. As you do so, repeat the following words from the Key to the Book of King Solomon, Book II, Chapter 5:

“I bless you, O Being of Water, by Him Who created you and gathered you together in one place so that dry land appeared, that you revealed all the deceptions of the Enemy, and that you expelled from yourself all the impurities and bad Spirits of the World of Phantasm, so that they can harm me not through the power of Almighty God, Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen".

Repeat the prayers used by Catholic priests. You have two options to choose from:

Prayer #1: Our salvation is the name of the Lord. Who created the heavens and the earth. God's creation, salt, I cast out the demons from you by the real God, the true holy God, the God who ordered you to be thrown into the water - as Elisha did to heal him of infertility. I allow you, purified salt, to be a means for the health of those who believe, a medicine for soul and body for everyone who uses you. Let all evil dreams go away, malice and cunning be driven far from the place where you are sprinkled. And let every unclean spirit shrink from Him, Who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world with fire. Amen.
Prayer #2: Almighty eternal God, we humbly ask that your mercy and goodness will graciously bless this being, the salt that you have given to mankind for their use. May all who use it find in it a remedy for body and mind. And let everything she touches or splashes be freed from impurity and any influence evil spirit; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing of water. Speak more words! Now, in order to clear the water of demons and impurities (yes, this is a form of spell):

God's creation, water, I cast out the demon from you in the name of almighty God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ his son our Lord, and in the name of the Holy Spirit. Can you be purified water, eliminating all the forces of the enemy from afar, in order to uproot and drive out the enemy himself, along with your fallen angels. We ask this through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will come to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire.

Holy water is water of ordinary composition and original origin (well, spring, lake, river, tap), which miraculously acquires special beneficial, sanctifying and healing properties after a special service is performed over it - the blessing of water.

By the consecration of water, the Church brings down to the water by the power of prayer and the Word God's blessing The Lord and the grace of the Most Holy and Life-giving Spirit.

Water consecrated according to a special great rite, on the feast of the Epiphany, is called “agiasma”, which means “shrine”.

St. John Chrysostom speaks about Epiphany water:

« A clear sign is happening“This water in its essence does not deteriorate over time, but, drawn today, it remains intact and fresh for a whole year, and often two or three years, and after a long time is not inferior to waters just drawn from sources.”

And Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus compares the change in the “nature of the waters” with the transformation of water into wine in Cana of Galilee.

We must never forget that blessed water- this is a great church shrine, which has been touched by the grace of God, and which requires a reverent attitude towards itself.

This great shrine has been next to us all our lives. Blessed water is an image of God's grace: it cleanses believers from spiritual impurities, sanctifies and strengthens them for the feat of salvation in God.

We first plunge into it in baptism, when, upon receiving this sacrament, we are immersed three times in a font filled with holy water. Holy water in the sacrament of baptism washes away the sinful impurities of a person, renews and revives him in new life in Christ.

IN Orthodox Church holy water has the most wide application, as the source of God's grace in the mysterious sanctification of everyone and everything.

Holy water is necessarily present during the consecration of churches and all objects used in worship, during the consecration of residential buildings, buildings, and any household item. We are sprinkled with holy water at religious processions and prayer services.

How to use holy water?

Epiphany water is a shrine that should be in every home of an Orthodox Christian. It is carefully kept in the holy corner, near the icons. In addition to Epiphany water, Orthodox Christians use water blessed at prayer services in their home or church.

Holy water is usually taken by believers on an empty stomach in small quantities, after the morning prayer rule with special reverence and prayer.
However, in case of special need for God’s help, during illnesses or attacks by evil forces, it can be drunk with prayer and reverence at other times. You can also anoint sore spots with holy water and sprinkle your home.

In Typikon or Minee for January, on the 6th (19th) date, a special note was made about Epiphany water:

“Let everyone know about holy water. As if some people separate themselves from holy water for the sake of partaking, they do not do good, for grace for the sake of God was given for the sanctification of the world and all creation. Likewise, in all sorts of stingy places, it is sprinkled everywhere, even under our feet. And where is the understanding of these, so as not to drink sow? but let us know that it is not for eating for the sake of food that we have impurity, but from our bad deeds, and cleansed from these, we drink without a doubt this holy water.”

Prayer for accepting prosphora and holy water

Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be 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 infinite mercy through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints Yours. Amen.

Prayer for the sanctification of every thing

To the Creator and Creator of the human race, the Giver of spiritual grace, the Giver of eternal salvation, Lord Himself, send Your Holy Spirit with the highest blessing on this thing, as if armed with the power of heavenly intercession, it will help those who want to use it for bodily salvation and intercession and help, oh Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

(And sprinkle the item with holy water three times).

Hermogenes Ivanovich Shimansky writes about the use of consecrated water:

“The water consecrated on the eve of the holiday and on the very feast of the Epiphany is called the great agiasma, that is, the great shrine, because through the influx of the Spirit of God it received within itself great, Divine and miraculous power. Therefore, this water has an important and extensive use among of Christians. The houses of believers are sprinkled with it on eternity and the feast of Epiphany; believers can use it at any time with great reverence, eat it before eating, carefully preserve it throughout the year, sprinkle it and signify it for the health of their souls and bodies. of the world, during the consecration of the antimensions and during the consecration of the artos on the day of Easter, the Church determined that this same Epiphany water, together with the antidoron (that is, with the remainder of the prosphora, from which part was removed for the Holy Lamb), should be given instead of communion of the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ. who have been excommunicated from communion of the Holy Mysteries or have not prepared themselves to receive them. Finally, the Church uses it when consecrating various substances that have been defiled in some way.

Water blessed according to the rite of the small consecration of water is called small agiasma, in contrast to the great agiasma - the water of the Holy Epiphanies, but its use is even more extensive than the latter. It is used by the Church when performing various kinds rites and consecration prayers, such as: during the consecration of temples, dwellings and everything that serves to support our bodily life, i.e. food and drink. The Church uses it when performing prayers that bless our good intentions, namely: when consecrating a new house, when setting off on a journey, before beginning good deeds. In all these cases, a small blessing of water and sprinkling of St. is performed. water for encouragement and grace-filled strengthening of believers for the labors and deeds set before them. Finally, the minor consecration of water is performed in difficult times of public and private disasters, because the Church, in the sanctified element, wants to give us grace that delivers us from troubles, illnesses and sorrows. The minor consecration of water is performed on church holidays before the liturgy, as a sign of the renewal of the unfading grace imparted to the church during its consecration.”

What are the benefits of drinking holy water?

The priestly prayer during the blessing of water lists the gifts of the grace of water: resolution of sins, healing of ailments, destruction of demons.

Holy water extinguishes the flames of passions, drives away evil spirits - that is why they sprinkle holy water on their homes and every thing that is consecrated.

“When a person consumes prosphora and holy water,” said the recluse Georgy Zadonsky“Then the unclean spirit does not approach him, the soul and body are sanctified, thoughts are illuminated to please God, and the person is inclined to fasting, prayer and all virtues.”

“Consecrated water,” as he wrote Saint Demetrius of Kherson, - has the power to sanctify the souls and bodies of all who use it.”

Not only Church Tradition convinces us of the miraculous power of holy water, but also personal experience believers. Descending onto the water at the prayers of the priest God's grace gives her the power to heal illnesses, quench passions and weaken emerging sinful inclinations, free from all evil, cleanse from defilement. Any item used by an Orthodox Christian is sanctified with holy water.

Reverend Ambrose Optinsky sent a terminally ill patient a bottle of holy water - and incurable disease to the amazement of the doctors she walked away. Saint Seraphim of Vyritsky always advised sprinkling food and the food itself with Jordanian (Epiphany) water, which, in his words, “itself sanctifies everything.” When someone was very sick, Elder Seraphim gave his blessing to take a tablespoon of consecrated water every hour. The elder said that stronger than drugs than holy water and blessed oil - no.

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.

How is water blessed?

Blessing of water can be small and great: small things are done several times throughout the year (during prayers, the Sacrament of Baptism), and big things are done only on the feast of the Epiphany (Epiphany). The Great Blessing of Water on this Holiday is performed twice - on the day of Epiphany, and also the day before, on the eve of Epiphany (Epiphany Eve).

On Christmas Eve and on the very day of the feast of the Epiphany, during the blessing of water, the same rite of the great blessing of water is performed.

Holy water is absolutely the same on both days - both on the day of Epiphany and on Epiphany Eve.

The blessing of water is called great because of the special solemnity of the rite, imbued with the memory of the gospel event, which became not only the prototype of the mysterious washing of sins, but also the actual sanctification of the very nature of water through the immersion of God in the flesh.

The blessing of water performed on the eve of Epiphany on January 18 serves as a monument to the fact that in ancient times, on the eve of Epiphany, the blessing of water was performed for the baptism of catechumens.

After the liturgy on January 19, the blessing of water is performed in remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord, therefore there is a solemn procession with a cross, the Gospel, lamps and banners, bell ringing and singing the troparion to water sources.

The Great Blessing of Water mainly consists of: singing the stichera “The Voice of the Lord on the Waters,” reading three proverbs, the prokeme, the Apostle and the Gospel, a peaceful litany and a consecrating prayer with requests for the consecration of water. And, finally, the very consecration of the water with the threefold immersion of the holy cross and the threefold singing of the troparion of Theophany: “I am baptized in the Jordan, O Lord.”

Small water blessing is supposed to be done at the beginning of each month. On this basis, it takes place on August 1st and is therefore sometimes called the “August Blessing of Water.” Then the small blessing of water is performed at the end of Pentecost in remembrance of what Jesus Christ taught the people about living water flowing into eternal life (John 4:10). It is also performed before the liturgy on church holidays, on which the church is renewed with prayer and the sprinkling of holy water. Finally, it can be performed at the request of each believer at any time (at home or in church) in conjunction with prayer singing.

The small consecration of water, just like the great consecration of water, dates back to ancient times, to the first times of the Church.

In the Apostolic Decrees, the establishment of the sanctification of water is attributed to the Evangelist Matthew. According to Baronius (132), the ancient custom of performing the minor consecration of water, which existed since the time of the apostles, was established as church rite Alexander, Bishop of Rome, who suffered under Emperor Hadrian. Balsamon, Patriarch of Antioch (XII century) in his interpretation of the 65th rule of the Trullo Council mentions the small consecration of water as ancient custom and explains that the fathers of this Council decided to perform a small blessing of water at the beginning of each month in opposition to the pagan superstitious customs in the new moon, which were held for a long time among Christians.

The final formation of the rite of minor consecration of waters is attributed to the Patriarch of Constantinople Photius, who lived in the 9th century.

Does it happen that holy water “doesn’t help”?

Saint Theophan the Recluse writes: “All grace coming from God through the Holy Cross, holy icons, holy water, relics, consecrated bread (artos, antidor, prosphora), etc., including the Most Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, has power only for those who are worthy of this grace through prayers of repentance, repentance, humility, service to people, works of mercy and the manifestation of other Christian virtues. But if they are not there, then this grace will not save, it does not act automatically, like a talisman, and is useless for the wicked and imaginary. Christians (without virtues)."

“Miracles of healing occur in our days, and they are countless. But the miraculous effects of holy water are awarded only to those who accept it with living faith in the promises of God and the power of prayer of the Holy Church, those who have a pure and sincere desire to change their lives, repentance, salvation. God does not create miracles where they want to see them only out of curiosity, without a sincere intention to use them for their salvation. “An evil and adulterous generation,” the Savior said about his unbelieving contemporaries, “seeks a sign; and the sign will not be given to him." In order for holy water to benefit us, let us take care of the purity of our souls, the dignity of our thoughts and actions."
(Archimandrite Ambrose (Ermakov))

What to do if holy water has spoiled?

Rarely, but due to various circumstances, it happens that water comes into a state that does not allow internal use. In this case, it should be poured into some untrampled place - into a stream or river, where there is a current, into standing (flowing) water, and the vessel in which it was stored should no longer be used for domestic use. This should be a reason for us to treat holy water piously and carefully and to lead a more attentive, pious life.

Is it true that swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany cleanses all sins?

- This is wrong! Swimming in an ice hole (Jordan) is a good old fashioned folk custom, which is not yet a church sacrament. Forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God and His Church is possible only in the sacrament of repentance, during confession in church.
(Archimandrite Ambrose (Ermakov))

Archpriest Vasily Izyumsky. Why do we need the Church.

Compiled using articles from sites: Pravoslavie.Ru
Tatiana's day

In Christian culture it is very great value has holy baptism water. She is credited various properties. The blessing of water for Epiphany has long acquired a sacred meaning. Many are perplexed as to how it is possible to give water completely different properties, but almost no one thinks that it is very changeable and absorbs any vibrations from the outside (both positive and negative).

When water is blessed for Epiphany, a change in the structure of the water occurs. It acquires higher vibrations, which leads to the fact that it can heal both spiritual and physical ailments, as well as help in other difficult life situations.

The peculiarity of the origin of this action and holiday

Baptism has come to us since the time of Jesus Christ. This event is described in the texts Holy Scripture, in the four Gospels. So, let's take a closer look at how this happened, where it happened, the water of which river washed the body of the Savior during the ritual.

The first baptism of water occurred when Jesus Christ asked the prophet John to perform this action. It was a symbol of cleansing from sins, sincere repentance and faith in salvation. Christ was baptized for the sake of humanity and its future salvation. He realized the importance of this event for people, which he said

After Christ came out of the water and prayed, there was a voice from the Lord, which spoke of Him being his beloved son. There was also the descent of the holy spirit in the form of a dove. After his baptism, Christ held a public service.

The formation of the feast of Epiphany

It is not known exactly when the blessing of water for Epiphany became a traditional ritual, as well as when this holiday was established. However, already in the third century, in the “Stromata” of Clement of Alexandria, the first mention of it is found. Until the fourth century, the day of celebration was the sixth of January. It was based on the memory of both the Nativity and the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ.

After the fourth century these two holidays were divided into two different days- Epiphany remained on the sixth of January, and Christmas began to be celebrated on the twenty-fifth of December.

Initially, the baptism of Christians took place once a year, precisely on a holiday. But by the time Rus' adopted Christianity, such a custom almost did not exist.

So, today, when water is blessed for Epiphany, this is a tribute to that ancient event that happened during the time of Jesus Christ. At a time when, through his intercession and sacrifice, he took upon himself the sins of mankind and showed the way to salvation for everyone.

How is this ceremony performed?

The rite of blessing water for baptism in its final version was established in Rus' in 1681. For people it was a great holiday, which everyone celebrated with great rejoicing and obligatory bathing in the ice hole.

Today this is no less solemn holiday, which is also called the Great Blessing of Water. Now let's take a closer look at how this rite occurs and when the water is blessed. Just before the day of Epiphany, the first consecration of this blessed liquid takes place. This action is dedicated to the memory of how the Lord himself was baptized in the Jordan River, as well as how the baptism of catechumens took place.

On the day of Epiphany itself, a remembrance of the event itself occurs. But since Jesus received his baptism outside the temple, the custom arose on this day to go to rivers and lakes and perform the blessing of water. This event is also called “The Walk to the Jordan.”

The very rite of blessing water for Baptism has next steps. At the end of the liturgy, a prayer behind the pulpit or a litany of petition is performed. Then the abbot, in full vestments, must go through to the font or to the source. At the front of the procession are priests carrying candles, and behind them come people chanting the “Voice of the Lord” troparia. Next follow the deacons and priests, and the rector brings up the rear, carrying the Cross in front of him.

At the place where the blessing of water is supposed to begin, there should be a table with a bowl of water and three candles. Then the abbot censes the water, and if the ritual takes place in the temple, then the altar and those present during the ceremony.

When the water for Epiphany is blessed, many passages from the Gospel are read, as well as passages from the book of the prophet Isaiah, from the Apostolic Reading. Many prayers are said in which it is asked that grace be sent down to the water, so that as a result it can heal both spiritual and physical infirmities. At the end of the ceremony, the abbot must bless the water with his fingers and the Cross, and then immerse the latter three times in the liquid. At the same time, he sings the special troparion “I am baptized in Thee, O Lord.” The ritual ends with a cross-shaped sprinkling in all directions, as well as the singing of stichera.

When does this action happen

Nowadays, after a long decline Orthodox faith, many prejudices have emerged about the “quality” of water. The liquid that was consecrated in the evening and the one that was consecrated in the morning are identical in their properties. So, if you answer the question: “When is the water for baptism blessed on the 18th or 19th?”, then it would be correct to note that there is no difference in this, because the rite is the same. The grace-filled power that descends on this liquid is the same both during the Vespers and after the morning Liturgy.

Swimming in an ice hole for Epiphany

Another ritual for Epiphany is immersion in water in an ice hole. To carry it out, an ice hole in the shape of a cross is cut out in advance in the place where the swimming will take place. The priest reads a rite (prayer) over the water, and then blesses the water. Traditionally, people plunge into the ice hole on the evening of the eighteenth, however, you can do it on the nineteenth. By the way, only in an area where there is a river or other body of water nearby does the blessing of running water take place on Evening Day. Most often this happens in the morning, on the day of Epiphany, after the Liturgy.

Although the water on the day of baptism has special properties, you should still follow safety rules while swimming, especially if you are plunging into water for the first time. You should not swim if you have any chronic or acute diseases(especially, inflammatory in nature). If you introduce a child to this ritual, you should do it very carefully; after he gets out of the ice hole, his body should be thoroughly rubbed with a towel, dressed in dry clothes and given hot tea to drink.

It should also be noted that although plunging into an ice hole at Epiphany has healing powers, this alone cannot get rid of all sins. This ritual does not eliminate the need for penitential prayer, Holy Communion, or the Sacrament of Confession.

What are the features of water as a liquid?

Now let's talk about what is so special about this liquid, which on earth contains almost eighty percent of the entire earth's surface. As mentioned above, holy water in baptism has special properties. That is why she has been given a special role since ancient times. In cinema, this topic was well covered in the video film “The Great Mystery of Water.” It filmed statements by various academicians and professors about the properties of this life-giving liquid, about how its structure can change under the influence of various words, musical compositions and even people’s thoughts.

It also talks about how holy water is transformed into baptism. Given the knowledge gained, this does not seem so implausible, and many experiments can be repeated at home.

What happens to water Epiphany evening

So, let's look at how water changes after Baptism. Some scientists analyzed this water and came to the conclusion that after the ritual, the output is purified water, as if from silver. Moreover, this is not only the liquid over which the ritual was performed in the temple (you must agree, after all, it receives more silver from the cross), but also that which is located in large reservoirs where the ritual is performed. The clergy are convinced that this is the influence of prayer, as well as the descent of the Lord's grace.

Baptismal water has special properties. For example, from purely physical ones, this is absolute preservation throughout the year (the color and smell do not change). Agree, in conditions current state water is an indicator. In addition, water also has healing properties, which allows it to be used in unusual situations.

How is holy water used? Its properties

After you have gone to church and brought home some holy water, it is advisable to keep it near the icons, like a shrine. It is believed that it should be in the home of every Christian. Since baptismal water has special properties, it is used in cases where ordinary actions cannot help.

By the way, the prayer during consecration even talks about some of them. This includes deliverance from sins, healing from illnesses, and cleansing from various demons. Many elders and saints spoke out on this matter, and for them there was no greater healing power than drinking holy water.

It can be taken regularly on an empty stomach, in small portions. You should pray before doing this. If there is a special need, then you can drink water at other times (also not forgetting about prayer). If a person has sore spots on his body, then he can anoint them with it. If necessary, it is also allowed to sprinkle the home. For all actions, you need to read special prayers.

Holy water at baptism, when consumed regularly with due reverence and prayer, can sanctify the soul and body. In this case, a person becomes more inclined to any virtue, fasting and prayer. An unclean spirit cannot approach him, nor can he influence him. Using it, raging passions constantly subside, a person becomes calm and balanced. There is a cleansing from evil and defilement.

With the help of holy water, you can consecrate any thing in everyday life, as well as the home itself. Some elders advised sprinkling the food eaten with Epiphany water.

Our ancestors had a special attitude towards it. Grandmothers always advised washing little children with water after visiting bad people or strangers. It also helped with the evil eye or if the baby often starts crying for no reason (you should wash it with water and read It was useful for everything.

By the way, holy water can (sometimes, but it happens) become unusable. It should be noted that this is an indicator of the ungodly life of those living in the house or some other misfortune. If this happens, then pour this water into a place where no one walks (for example, under a tree, or even better - into running water, a river). The container in which it was contained can no longer be used.

Rules that should be followed during the blessing of water and bathing for parishioners

On this day there are also rules for parishioners. On Epiphany Christmas Eve, one should abstain from food until the candles are taken out after the Liturgy, and also until holy water is consumed. On Epiphany (and just like on any other similar holiday), you should be friendly towards other parishioners, not crowd and not create a crush, because a lot of people come to church.

It is sometimes sad to see how some parishioners rush to be the first to be sprinkled with holy water, pushing aside everyone in their path and swearing as they do so. Be considerate of each other.

Before the priest comes out to bless the water, you must open all the containers that you brought with you (they must have a wide neck).

When swimming in an ice hole, especially if it is a place with a large crowd of people, you should also be polite and friendly. You should not bring or drink alcoholic beverages, as this may end badly. Be careful when dipping, do not push other people, take your time. Don't forget to say a prayer before going into the water.

Conclusion

Thus, we see that when the water for Epiphany is blessed, a great action occurs. We get a wonderful liquid from special properties, which can be used in different situations. By the way, this water is also called “agiasma”, which means “shrine”. Some compare this miracle with the one that happened by the will of the Lord in Cana of Galilee, when he turned water into wine.

Remember, when water is blessed on Epiphany Eve, as well as on the next day of Epiphany, it has the same properties. On these two days, the same rite is performed over her and the same grace descends. Use this water with prayer, keep it with reverence, like a shrine, and then it will help you in everything. Do not forget about visiting the temple during the Epiphany holiday, as well as attending the service.

Why is water blessed? How do they do this? What properties does holy water acquire? You will find answers to all these questions in our informative article!

Why is water blessed?

Water plays an important role in our everyday life. However, she also has highest value: characteristic of her healing power, which is repeatedly stated in the Holy Scriptures.

In New Testament times, water serves the spiritual rebirth of a person into a new, grace-filled life, cleansing from sins. In a conversation with Nicodemus, Christ the Savior says: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). At the beginning of His ministry, Christ Himself received Baptism from the prophet John the Baptist in the waters of the Jordan River. The chants of the service for this holiday say that the Lord “grants cleansing with water to the human race”; “Thou hast sanctified the streams of the Jordan, thou hast crushed the sinful power, O Christ our God...”

How is Epiphany water blessed?

The blessing of water can be small and great: the small is performed several times throughout the year (during prayers, the Sacrament of Baptism), and the great - only on the feast of the Epiphany (Epiphany). The blessing of water is called great because of the special solemnity of the rite, imbued with the memory of the gospel event, which became not only the prototype of the mysterious washing of sins, but also the actual sanctification of the very nature of water through the immersion of God in the flesh.

The Great Blessing of Water is performed according to the Charter at the end of the liturgy, after the prayer behind the pulpit, on the very day of Epiphany (January 6/19), as well as on the eve of Epiphany (January 5/18). On the very day of Epiphany, the blessing of water is performed with solemnity. procession to the water sources known as the “walk to the Jordan”.

Will unusual weather conditions in Russia affect the course of the Epiphany holiday and the blessing of the waters?

Such traditions should not be treated as magical rites - the holiday of the Epiphany is celebrated by Orthodox Christians in hot Africa, America, and Australia. After all, the palm branches of the feast of the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem were replaced by willows in Russia, and the consecration of grapevines on the Transfiguration of the Lord was replaced by the blessing of the apple harvest. Also, on the day of the Epiphany of the Lord, all waters will be sanctified, regardless of their temperature.

Archpriest Igor Pchelintsev, press secretary of the Nizhny Novgorod diocese.

How to use holy water?

The use of holy water in the daily life of an Orthodox Christian is 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 (water blessed on the eve and on the very day of the Epiphany) and sprinkled on one’s home.

We must not forget that consecrated water is a church shrine, which has been touched by the grace of God, and which requires a reverent attitude.

It is customary to use holy water with the 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 passions and my infirmities according to Thy boundless mercy through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen".

Although it is advisable - out of reverence for the shrine - to take Epiphany water on an empty stomach, but for 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. With reverent attitude, holy water remains fresh and pleasant to the taste for a long time. It should be stored in a separate place, preferably next to the home iconostasis.

Is the water consecrated on the day of Epiphany and on Epiphany Eve different in its properties?

– There is absolutely no difference! Let's go back to the time of Patriarch Nikon: he specifically asked the Patriarch of Antioch whether it was necessary to consecrate the water on the very day of the Epiphany: after all, the day before, on Christmas Eve, the water had already been consecrated. And I received the answer that there would be no sin in that, it could be done again so that everyone could take water. But today they come for one kind of water, and the next day for another - they say, the water is stronger here. Why is she stronger? So we see that people do not even listen to the prayers that are read at the consecration. And they don’t know that the water is blessed by the same rite, the same prayers are read.

Holy water is absolutely the same on both days - both on the day of Epiphany and on Epiphany Christmas Eve.

Priest Mikhail Mikhailov.

Is it true that swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany cleanses all sins?

This is wrong! Swimming in an ice hole (Jordan) is a good old folk custom, which is not yet a church sacrament. Forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God and His Church is possible only in the sacrament of repentance, during confession in church.

Does it happen that holy water “doesn’t help”?

Miracles of healing still occur today, and they are countless. But only those who accept it with living faith in the promises of God and the power of prayer of the Holy Church, those who have a pure and sincere desire to change their lives, repentance, and salvation, are rewarded with the miraculous effects of holy water. God does not create miracles where people want to see them only out of curiosity, without a sincere intention to use them for their salvation. “An evil and adulterous generation,” the Savior said about his unbelieving contemporaries, “seeks a sign; and the sign will not be given to him.” In order for holy water to benefit us, let us take care of the purity of our souls and the high dignity of our thoughts and actions.

Is water really baptismal all week long?

Epiphany water is such from the moment of its consecration and for a year, or two or more, until its reserves at home run out. Taken from the temple on any day, it never loses its holiness.

Archimandrite Ambrose (Ermakov)

My grandmother brought me Epiphany water, which a friend gave her, but it smells musty and I’m afraid to drink it. What to do in this case?

Dear Sofia, due to various circumstances, although very rarely, it happens that water comes into a state that does not allow internal use. In this case, it should be poured into some untrampled place - say, into a flowing river, or in the forest under a tree, and the vessel in which it was stored should no longer be used for everyday use.

Archpriest Maxim Kozlov

Why can holy water spoil?

This happens. Water must be collected in clean containers in which the water should not spoil. Therefore, if we previously stored something in these bottles, if they are not very clean, there is no need to collect holy water in them. I remember in the summer one woman began pouring holy water into a beer bottle...

Often parishioners like to make comments: for example, they began to explain to one of our priests that he blessed the water incorrectly - he did not reach the bottom of the tank... Because of this, they say, the water will not be blessed... Well, should the priest be a diver? Or that the cross is not silver... There is no need to reach to the bottom and the cross can be wooden. There is no need to make a cult out of holy water, but you also need to treat it piously! One priest I know, in 1988, had a bottle of water that he had kept since 1953 or 1954...

You need to treat water piously and carefully and lead a pious life yourself.

Priest Mikhail Mikhailov.

Is it possible for unbaptized people to use holy water, oil consecrated on the relics of saints, and prosphora?

On the one hand, it is possible, because what harm could a person do if he drinks holy water, or anoints himself with oil, or eats prosphora? But you just need to think about how this could be useful to him.

If this is a certain approach of a person to the church fence, if he, not yet deciding to be baptized, say, having been a militant atheist in the past, now, through the prayers of his wife, mother, daughter or someone else close to him, no longer rejects at least these external as if signs of churchliness, then this is good and pedagogically it will lead him to what is more essential in our faith - to the worship of God in spirit and truth.

And if such actions are perceived as a kind of magic, as a kind of “church medicine,” but at the same time the person does not at all strive to become a church member in order to become Orthodox Christian, only reassures himself that I am doing something like this and it will serve as some kind of amulet, then there is no need to provoke this kind of consciousness. Based on these two possibilities, you decide in relation to your specific situation, whether it is necessary or not to offer church shrines to any of your loved ones.

Archpriest Maxim Kozlov.

Questions and answers about holy water

If God sanctifies all water life on earth on January 19, why then does the priest sanctify water on this day? I asked the priest, he replied that he didn’t know. Alla

We know that the water over which a special prayer is performed is sanctified and becomes holy - the opinion that ALL waters are sanctified on this day is based on a broad interpretation of some expressions from the service of the Feast of Epiphany and is not part of the Orthodox doctrine. In addition, think logically - if all waters are sanctified, then they are sanctified everywhere, including in bad and unclean places. Ask yourself - how can the Lord allow the Holy Spirit to work in unclean things?

Sincerely

Priest Alexy Kolosov

Hello, Nikolay!

The blessing of water is performed according to one rite (the same) on both January 18 and 19. Therefore, it makes no difference when you take the water - January 18 or 19, both of which are Epiphany waters.

John the Baptist performed a ceremony called “baptism.” But the very concept of the cross, as a symbol of Christianity, from which, as it seems to me, the word “baptism” comes, came with the crucifixion of Christ, that is, later than the death of John the Baptist. Then why did John have “baptism” and not, for example, “washing”? Thank you. Igor.

Hello, Igor! In the Greek text of the Gospels, Baptism is indicated by the verb “baptizo” - to immerse, and in the first meaning - to bury. This is quite consistent with the context and meaning of the actions of John the Baptist. The term “Baptism” arose during the actual Slavic translation of the Gospels, when such a specific action was characteristic, first of all, of Christianity. However, I was unable to find precise information about the history of this term. It is very likely that the Sacrament of Baptism came to the Slavic world earlier than the term for it. Perhaps this is precisely why such a term was chosen, as it more clearly explains what happened on the Jordan, and is now inextricably linked in the minds of people with the acceptance of Christ. Sincerely, priest Mikhail Samokhin.

On the day of the Baptism of the Lord, having plunged into an ice font or doused yourself with water, can one consider oneself baptized and wear a cross? Best regards, Alexander.

Hello, Alexander!

No, dipping into an ice hole and dousing oneself is not enough to consider oneself baptized. You need to come to the temple so that the priest performs the Sacrament of Baptism on you.

Sincerely, priest Alexander Ilyashenko

Good afternoon Please tell me, is it true that if an unbaptized person comes to church on January 19 and attends the entire service, then after that he can consider himself baptized and can wear a cross and go to church? And in general, can an unbaptized person go to church? Thank you very much, Elena

Hello, Elena!

An unbaptized person can go to Church, but he cannot participate in Church Sacraments (confession, Communion, weddings, etc.). In order to become baptized, it is necessary that the Sacrament of Baptism be performed on a person, and not attend a service on the feast of the Epiphany. After the service, approach the priest and tell him that you want to be Baptized. This requires your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the desire to live according to His commandments, as well as some knowledge about the Orthodox doctrine and the Orthodox Church. The priest will be able to answer your questions and help you prepare for the Sacrament of Baptism. God help you!

Sincerely, priest Alexander Ilyashenko

Father, I have a 6-month-old daughter, and when I bathe her, I add holy water to the water. Is it possible to drain this water later or not?

Hello, Lena!

When bathing your daughter, there is no need to add holy water to the bath: after all, holy water can only be poured into a special place that is not trampled underfoot. It’s better to give your daughter holy water to drink, and also regularly commune her with the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

Sincerely, priest Alexander Ilyashenko

Hello, please tell me, is it possible to throw the glass bottle in which the holy water was stored in the trash can? If not, what to do with it? Marina

Hello, Marina!

It is better to continue storing Holy water in this bottle, but if this does not work, then it needs to be dried and then thrown away.

Sincerely, priest Alexander Ilyashenko.

Is it possible to give holy water to animals? if not, why not? After all, they are also creatures of God. Thank you for your answer. Elena

Hello, Elena! Why is it necessary to provide something sacred to an animal? It all depends on the specific situation. Based on the literal interpretation of the words of the Lord: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) without special need, you should not give holy things to animals follows. At the same time, in church practice there are cases when, during a pestilence, animals were sprinkled and given holy water. The grounds for such boldness, as you see, must be extremely serious indeed. Sincerely, priest Mikhail Samokhin.

Is it necessary to swim at Epiphany? And if there is no frost, will bathing be Epiphany?

In any church holiday it is necessary to distinguish between its meaning and the traditions that have developed around it. The main thing in the feast of the Epiphany is the Epiphany, the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, the voice of God the Father from heaven “This is my beloved Son” and the Holy Spirit descending on Christ. The main thing for a Christian on this day is presence at church services, confession and Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, and communion of baptismal water.

The established traditions of swimming in cold ice holes do not have direct relationship for the Feast of the Epiphany itself, are not obligatory and, what is especially important, do not cleanse a person from sins, which, unfortunately, is discussed a lot in the media.

Is it possible to douse myself with holy water if a gypsy has jinxed me? Maria.

Hello Maria!

Holy water is not bathing water, and belief in the evil eye is superstition. You can drink holy water, you can sprinkle yourself with it, you can sprinkle your house and things with it. If you live according to God’s commandments, often visit church for confession and communion, pray and observe established by the Church fasts, then the Lord Himself will protect you from everything bad.

With respect, priest. Dionisy Svechnikov.

Tell me: can the Grace of God leave holy water and consecrated objects because of our sins or is it impossible? And one more thing: how to get rid of the evil and negative? Best regards, Alexander.

Hello, Alexander!

It all depends on how a person treats holy water and consecrated objects, and whether he reverently keeps the shrine he receives. If yes, then there is no reason to worry; the grace received during sanctification will benefit the person spiritually and physically. And in order for the Lord to protect from all evil, we must live according to the commandments of God.

With respect, priest. Dionisy Svechnikov.

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