How to properly collect water on Epiphany night. When to collect water for baptism. History of Epiphany water
When we come to a festive church service, we first of all go to meet God, to meet the joy that, in theory, we should share at this hour with loved ones and those around us. But does this happen in our real life? Soon it will come and we will be jostling in lines for Epiphany water(I wish I could dial it quickly), plunge into all sorts of ice holes, but why? Just because we're used to it?
Everything we do must have some meaning, otherwise it is wasted work.
And, unfortunately, traditions, which initially had a beneficial meaning, in this regard take on an entertaining connotation. Let's try to figure out what's what. For answers to the most common questions about Epiphany water, we turned to priests Dimitry Baritsky and Andrey Efanov.
Epiphany and Epiphany water
People often ask:
What kind of baptismal water?
Epiphany water is water blessed on Epiphany Eve and on the Feast itself at the Great Blessing of Water. Often water that was consecrated on January 19 is called Epiphany water, and water consecrated the day before is called Epiphany water. In fact, on these two days the water is consecrated with the same rite, has the same properties and is called the Great Agiasma differently. "Agiasma" is translated from Greek as shrine.
Epiphany and Epiphany are the names of the same holiday. The Church remembers how Christ received Baptism from John the Baptist, and at that moment the Holy Trinity was revealed: the Son of God stood in the waters of the Jordan, the Voice of God the Father sounded from Heaven, and the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove.
As a great shrine, believers bring home water from the temple, blessed during the celebration of these Gospel events, and keep it all year, until the next feast of Epiphany.
Which water is stronger - Epiphany or Epiphany?
Photo by Vladimir Eshtokin
Epiphany and Epiphany water are different names for the same water, blessed by the rite of the Great Blessing of Water on Epiphany Eve or on the day of Epiphany itself. The Feast of the Epiphany is also called Epiphany - hence the two names of the water. No difference.
Why is water blessed twice? About this theme for a long time there were disputes. Only in 1667 did the Russian Church decide to bless water twice - both on Epiphany Eve (the day before the holiday) and on the Epiphany holiday itself. Two water blessings go back to two different church traditions. The first of them is associated with the early Christian custom of baptizing converts on the eve of Epiphany, on the Eve of the holiday. But subsequently there were so many people who wanted to become Christians that a few days a year were not enough for this. Baptisms began to be performed on other dates. The custom of blessing water on Epiphany Eve has been preserved.
The tradition of consecrating water a second time initially concerned only the Jerusalem Church. There was a custom there to go out to the Jordan on the day of the holiday to bless water in memory of the baptism of the Savior himself. From there, the custom of the second consecration of water gradually spread throughout the Christian world.
Water on Epiphany night
What happens to water on Epiphany night?
It is generally accepted that on Epiphany night all water becomes holy. This is stated in one of the stichera of the holiday: “Today the waters are sanctified.” That is, the entire water element on Earth is sanctified. But this is a one-time manifestation of God’s grace, while water collected after the Great Blessing of Water does not lose its properties over time.
There is evidence that during the years of persecution of the Church on Epiphany night, believers collected water wherever they could, and, despite the fact that the priest did not say prayers over it, this water was stored for years and did not spoil. This can only be explained as a miracle: seeing the deep faith of people and their impossibility of being in the temple, the Lord gave them His grace.
There is a popular tradition on Epiphany night to plunge into the Jordan - a specially designated place on the reservoir. Sometimes you can hear the opinion that in this way you can “wash away all your sins.” But the Church reminds us that it is not water that helps to cleanse ourselves of sins, but the Lord through the sacrament of repentance - Confession. And He does this, seeing a person’s sincere desire to change. It is impossible to “renew” by taking a dip, drinking or pouring holy water on yourself.
On the feast of Epiphany, believers remember how Jesus received Baptism from John the Baptist on the Jordan River, and from here, from that very moment, His Path began, ending with the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Only the desire to follow Christ, to be with Him not just one night a year, but every day, the desire to live like a Christian and participation in the sacraments of the Church help cleanse the soul.
When to collect Epiphany water - January 18 or 19?
Epiphany water can be collected both on January 18, on Epiphany Eve, and on January 19, on the Holiday itself. Water consecrated on Vespers (eve) and on the day of Epiphany itself has the same grace.
Agiasma begins to be distributed to believers after the Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Water. Liturgies are served in the morning of January 18, in the morning of January 19 (or at night from the 18th to the 19th). Also baptismal water distributed after the All-Night Vigil on the 18th evening.
In large churches in large cities, water can be collected throughout the day (and even around the clock) on January 18 and 19. But during services (Liturgy and All-Night Vigil on the evening of January 18), water is usually not poured. It is best to clarify in advance how the process of distributing water will be organized in the temple you are going to.
When does water become baptismal?
We begin to celebrate Epiphany on the 18th. Then the first consecration of water takes place. That is, water that is blessed in the morning is already considered baptismal. Then the water is also blessed on the 19th, directly on the feast of Epiphany itself. And she is also baptized. In general, this is the same water.
Photo by Vladimir Eshtokin
As legend says, on this day the entire water element is sanctified.
There is some symbolic moment in this, connected with the fact that the Spirit of God descended onto the water. It is clear that He does not descend on any individual container of water, but He descends on the entire element at once.
Epiphany water is called the Great Agiasma, that is, the great shrine, since this is the most important and final consecration of water.
Prayer for the consecration of baptismal water
Prayers for the consecration of Epiphany water are said during the Great Blessing of Water. This rite is performed only twice a year - on the eve and on the feast of Epiphany itself; during the rest of the year, the water is blessed with a small rite.
The Great Blessing of Water is more solemn than the usual one (at a prayer service for water, for example). First, troparia are sung, then Old Testament prophecies, a fragment from the Epistle of the Apostle Paul and the Gospel are read. All this reminds us of the Gospel event that the Church celebrates these days - the Baptism of the Lord.
Then with the words “Let us pray to the Lord in peace…” general prayer requests begin. Believers pray that the water will be sanctified “by the power and action and influx of the Holy Spirit,” and that holy water will help cleanse the soul and body from sins and ailments...
Finally, the priest, reading a prayer, censes the water, calling on the Lord to consecrate it. Then the priest immerses the cross in water three times. At this time the troparion of the holiday is sung:
“In the Jordan I am baptized to You, O Lord, Trinitarian adoration appeared: for the voice of your parents testified to You, naming Your beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove announced your words of affirmation. Appear, O Christ our God, and enlighten the world, glory to Thee.”
That is: “At Your baptism in the Jordan, Lord, the worship of the Trinity was revealed: for the voice of the Parent testified of You, calling You beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed His words as immutable. O Christ the God who appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee!”
When coming to the Great Blessing of Water, which takes place in a temple (or on a reservoir) after the service, it is not necessary to know any special prayers. It is enough to know or at least understand the troparion of the holiday, as well as to listen attentively to the prayers heard during the consecration and, together with other believers, to ask the Lord through baptismal water to receive the grace of God and the healing of mental and physical infirmities.
When to go for Epiphany water?
As mentioned above, water can be collected both on Christmas Eve and on the feast of Epiphany itself. However, it is important not just to draw water, but to become, as it were, an accomplice in its consecration, an accomplice in universal prayer.
Epiphany water does not turn into something else, it does not become some kind of “magic substance” that will instantly change a person’s life and cleanse him of all sins. No, it's not.
Andrey Krashenitza, www.flickr.com
We have important sacraments of the Church, such as repentance and Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, which should not be forgotten.
It is not important when to draw baptismal water, but with what intentions, with what heart you approach the temple and perform certain actions. After all, if you don’t make any effort, even the desire to understand the meaning, then you can devalue anything in this way, even the Great Agiasma.
What is the difference between Epiphany water and holy water?
There is no device capable of distinguishing Epiphany water from holy water in degrees of holiness.
Epiphany water occupies a special place in, let’s say, ritual life. Simply by the fact that this water is blessed only two days a year, it is distinguished in a special way, is considered separate and is not equated with holy water. But there are no parameters by which one could determine why Epiphany water is better than holy water, what are the differences. This is the same holy water, only it is dedicated to a specific holiday.
Just as there is a prosphora of the Lamb (it is from this prosphora that the priest cuts out the Lamb - a rectangular particle that will become the Body of Christ during the Liturgy), but it is not in itself the Body of Christ - it is also the same prosphora that we eat.
Photo by Vladimir Eshtokin
How to drink Epiphany water correctly?
It is considered correct to drink Epiphany water with faith, prayer, and on an empty stomach. Only two days a year - on Epiphany Eve and on the Holiday itself - believers drink water throughout the day. The rest of the time, it is customary to drink Epiphany water in the morning.
This is due to the fact that Agiasma is a shrine, and the attitude towards it is appropriate. Agiasma is blessed to drink as a consolation for people who, due to grave sins or some other reason, are deprived of the opportunity to receive Communion.
The Divine Service Charter stipulates that those who excommunicate themselves from holy water only because they have already “tasted the food” are wrong. Thus, if there is a need to drink Epiphany water (in case of illness, some kind of mental or spiritual illness), one cannot refuse just because the person has already eaten. But Epiphany water should always be received with reverence, as a gift.
As for the frequency of drinking Epiphany water, Saint Luke Voino-Yasenetsky said: “Drink holy water as often as possible.”
Prayer for receiving Epiphany water?
The prayer for receiving Epiphany water is read the same as for receiving prosphora and any holy water:
In this prayer, believers turn to the Lord and ask him for help. But you should not rely only on the miraculous power of water and exclusively Divine action. While reading the prayer and receiving baptismal water, one must remember that a person himself must strive to leave sins and conquer his passions and infirmities.
What do they do with Epiphany water?
Is it possible to drink Epiphany water?
You can and should drink Epiphany water.
Two days a year - on the eve of the holiday and on Epiphany - Epiphany water can be drunk throughout the day without any restrictions, except for observing the fast established on Epiphany Christmas Eve. The rest of the time, according to established tradition, many believers take the Great Agiasma on an empty stomach (except in cases of illness, etc.). But at the same time, it is worth remembering that the Liturgical Charter says that it is wrong not to drink holy water just because of food intake.
Epiphany water has special properties, does not spoil for a year or more and can help in getting rid of physical and spiritual ailments. Saint Theophan the Recluse states: “...grace<…>does not act automatically as a talisman, and is of no use to ungodly and professed Christians.” Therefore, the Great Agiasma must be drunk not as “church medicine,” but with faith, prayer, reverence, and the desire to change oneself and go to Christ.
Is it possible to dilute Epiphany water?
You can dilute Epiphany water, and this will not cause it to lose its properties.
Therefore, it is not at all necessary to collect huge bottles and canisters on the Epiphany holiday. You can bring a small container home from church and mix it with regular water at home, or dilute Epiphany water throughout the year. This must be done with prayer. Even a few drops of Epiphany water will sanctify ordinary water.
But this does not mean at all that having collected Epiphany water once, you can dilute it for years. The main thing in the feast of Epiphany is initiation into church life. Epiphany water may not lose its properties even after two or five years. But by refusing the opportunity to come to Church on the feast of Epiphany itself, to pray together with other believers, and to reverently take Agiasma as a great gift, a person deprives himself of much more than just a bottle of holy water.
Is it possible to sprinkle an apartment with Epiphany water?
You can sprinkle your apartment with Epiphany water. There is even a tradition, after the blessing of water, with the singing of the troparion of the holiday, to sprinkle your home with baptismal water.
During the Great Blessing of Water, the Church prays: “For the existence of this water, the gift of sanctification, the deliverance of sins, for the healing of soul and body to those who draw and eat it, for the sanctification of houses... and for every good (strong) benefit.” That is, you can not only drink Agiasma, but you can sprinkle it on your home and even various objects that are important to a person. But we must understand that sprinkling an apartment with holy water is not the same as the rite of blessing a home performed by a priest.
What to do with last year's Epiphany water?
Not everyone knows what to do with last year's Epiphany water - continue to store it, try to finish it as soon as possible, throw it away?..
Last year's Epiphany water can continue to be consumed as it should be - on an empty stomach with prayer. There are cases when Epiphany water is stored for decades and remains fresh.
If you are concerned about its safety, then you can pour the old Epiphany water into a so-called untrodden place (i.e., clean, closed from walking on it). We must remember that Agiasma is a shrine, and it cannot simply be thrown into the sink or anywhere on the ground. You can pour last year's Epiphany water into a pond with running water or into pots with home flowers.
When can you drink Epiphany water?
There is a tradition of drinking Epiphany water in the morning on an empty stomach with prayer. Two days a year - on Epiphany Christmas Eve and on the day of Epiphany itself, you can drink it throughout the day. However, the Divine Service Charter says that excommunicating oneself from holy water only because of eating food is wrong. Thus, if there is a need to drink Epiphany water (in case of illness, some kind of mental or spiritual illness), one cannot refuse just because the person has already eaten. But Epiphany water should always be received with reverence, as a gift.
At the same time the prayer is read:
“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 infinite mercy through Your prayers Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen".
How to drink Epiphany water?
The first rule is with reverence and prayer. We say on an empty stomach, but we must understand that this is not an absolute rule and it does not apply to all occasions. A person can take holy water, even the Great Agiasma, without an empty stomach, if some special conditions have arisen.
But, in general, this is a tribute to pious tradition - to consume it on an empty stomach, before tasting something else. Eating something sacred is not just a mechanical action, it requires faith and hope in God.
What can you do with Epiphany water?
How to use Epiphany water at home?
In addition to drinking water, according to tradition, on the feast of Epiphany they consecrate (sprinkle) their home with it. You can also consecrate any thing while reading the prayers prescribed for a layperson.
Photo Saint-Petersburg Theological Academy, www.flickr.com
How to sanctify with baptismal water?
You need to moisten a brush or something similar in holy water and, with the prayer “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” sprinkle it crosswise on what you want.
In the evening prayer rule we have the prayer “May God rise again...”; you can perform consecration by saying this prayer.
There is also a 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).
However, it should be remembered that there are objects that you can ask the priest to bless in the temple - icons, pectoral crosses.
How to bless an apartment with Epiphany water?
There is a special prayer for the consecration (sprinkling) of a home: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. By sprinkling this sacred water, all evil demonic action will be put to flight. Amen".
At the same time, let us remind you that there is a special rite for consecrating an apartment - it is already performed by the priest and once. During this rite, we invoke God’s blessing on the house and everyone living in it. And every believer can sprinkle his apartment or house with Epiphany water.
Is it possible to heat a bathhouse with Epiphany water?
Epiphany water is a sacred thing that should be consumed with reverence. Will it be possible to use it in a bathhouse? It’s unlikely... The fact that we take a steam bath with holy water will not make us any holier. But by flushing Epiphany water down the drain, we are doing the wrong thing.
Is it possible to swim in Epiphany water?
Photo by Vladimir Eshtokin
Of course it is possible, but it is very important with what motivation and what attitude we do it. It is clear that if we take this water and begin to somehow desecrate it, precisely by our behavior, then this will not be good; if it is used for cooking, or for a bath, or bathing, then this is wonderful. In this case, water should become a kind of symbol of internal cleansing. That is, it cleanses the body, but symbolizes the cleansing of the soul.
It is very important what attitude we put into our actions, be it bathing in baptismal water or something else.
And in order to join in this great joy of the holiday, it is not at all necessary to force yourself and your family to dive into ice holes. The main thing is to maintain faith and a good attitude in your heart. After all, why is it so necessary for us to observe everything down to the smallest detail, to be surrounded by everything material (bottles of water, for example) - because there is no faith.
Or maybe I’ll drink water or take a dip, and it (faith) will appear, suddenly I’ll see clearly. But this will not happen by itself. Where can good feelings come from if we have not made any effort for this?
Properties of Epiphany water
Why did Epiphany water spoil/turn green?
In our country, for example, Epiphany water lasts for a whole year and does not spoil. For many people, it lasts for a very long time, while other water would have spoiled long ago. And therefore, a certain pattern can be deduced here, that perhaps this is happening due to the human condition. Perhaps he should think about how he lives, in case he uses this water for other purposes. For example, people often use this water for some magical rituals. Maybe the Lord is thereby showing the person that he is doing something wrong.
But if the holy water has spoiled, then you need to take it and pour it into some clean place under a tree, into a flower, into a river. And you can continue to use the bottle.”
Does Epiphany water help you get pregnant?
Faith helps, and water acts as a kind of symbol, because we are material beings and we need some kind of created symbols. And water, earth, oil are created symbols. That is, we should approach it this way. And if a person drinks water, smears himself with this water, and so on, then why not.
I had an incident at my parish. The grandmother was the only one who really complained about herself for giving the cat baptismal water. And she gave it because the cat was sick. But as soon as she drinks, she feels better and gets better, but as soon as she stops drinking, her condition worsens.
In fact, the Lord helps animals through this holy water; in the missals there is an order for sprinkling cattle with holy water.
The same thing with Epiphany water. We can use it for pious purposes. Helping an animal is a pious goal. After all, the Lord loves and has mercy on every Creation.
Therefore, everything is possible by faith. The main thing is what mood we approach, what our motive is.
In order to meet with God, we must be ready for this meeting, we must be open to Him. Having abandoned all prejudices, finally tear your gaze away from the usual and look around you. But this is work that not everyone will do. What then do we want?
Let's first just strive for sincere joy and share it with loved ones. And we will try not to reproach others for doing something wrong, but, if possible, we will carefully guide them. We all have our own paths, we are in different circumstances, but what’s wonderful is that each of us is unique, and the ways of the Lord, as we know, are inscrutable.
Happy holiday to everyone, dear friends!
Holy water at Epiphany has miraculous powers that help people improve their health. This applies to both physical and mental illnesses. It is used for sprinkling homes, Vehicle, animals. Epiphany water helps when Small child often cranky at night. You need to wash the child and he will become calmer. It will also help in cases where a person at work has tense relationships with the team. You need to discreetly sprinkle your workplace. After this, all troubles will bypass the person.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW! Fortune teller Baba Nina:“There will always be plenty of money if you put it under your pillow...” Read more >>
Show all
How and when is water blessed?
Christmas-New Year cycle religious holidays which begin on Christmas Day, ends on January 19 on the day of the Epiphany. The holiday is associated with the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, during which the Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the form of a dove. At this time, a ritual called the “Great Blessing of Water” is carried out in every church. According to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, thanks to this rite, water in reservoirs throughout the earth is sanctified.
Holy Epiphany water can be taken from every church once a year on January 19th. It is distributed in the temple after the service.
Among some believers, it is customary to collect life-giving moisture twice. It must be taken into account that the water that is given to parishioners on January 18 is no different from the water that is blessed on January 19. The fact that the water is illuminated twice occurs because historical reasons: the first time - on the eve of Baptism in the temple, and the second - after the consecration of springs, lakes, rivers.
It is generally accepted that water is sacred from 12 o’clock at night, but this is not entirely true. It becomes special from approximately 6 pm on January 18th and retains its properties until lunchtime on January 19th. After this, life-giving moisture in reservoirs is considered normal.
Water is collected in the temple on the day of the Epiphany. According to church regulations, the holiday continues for another week. BYou can take the sacred baptismal life-giving moisture in the temple on January 20 and a few more days after that.
You need to collect it from the tap in the time period from 00:10 to 01:30 on the night of January 18th to 19th. This time is the best.
What kind of container should you use?
To collect Epiphany water, you should use containers that are intended only for this purpose and are used from year to year.
Glass containers and tanks are suitable for this. It is often collected in large plastic bottles.
An important condition is the utmost cleanliness of the dishes. It is imperative to remove all stickers from the container. Using vodka or beer bottles is blasphemous.
Miraculous properties
There is an opinion according to which the life-giving moisture of Epiphany has miraculous properties due to the presence in it of silver ions from the cross and a bowl made of the same metal, but this is not so. The fact is that the percentage of precious metals in modern church utensils is very low.
Holy water for Epiphany gets its unique properties after reading church prayers thanks to the presence of the grace of the Holy Spirit.
It is used in the morning on an empty stomach. If a person is sick, then you can drink it after meals. If necessary, it is combined with medications.
You should drink no more than half a glass a day. If a person is seriously ill, then he is allowed to consume it in unlimited quantities.
Epiphany life-giving moisture helps both with physical ailments and in difficult mental states, grief, and depression. She's filming increased anxiety, irritability.
Water from Epiphany helps to get rid of toxins. To do this you need to pour 1 tbsp. l. water in a glass of ordinary boiled water and drink in the morning before meals. It helps to tone the body, relieve headache, get rid of conjunctivitis.
After consumption, you must definitely pray for healing.
If present pain, you should apply a compress moistened with it.
How to use the Great Shrine?
The consecrated life-giving moisture should be used only with good intentions.
It can be used for sprinkling objects, apartments and houses, vehicles, animals, plants.
To ensure that a warm and friendly atmosphere always reigns in the house, you should sprinkle every corner of the house. The following words must be uttered: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!” Each family member should take a sip and wash with it.
If Epiphany water runs out, then you can add plain water to it, and then all of it will become holy.
How to drink correctly
On the day of the holiday, you can drink life-giving moisture throughout the day. On other days it is consumed on an empty stomach with prayer. You should drink half a glass at a time.
You can not only drink holy water, but also anoint yourself with it, like holy oil.
How to store Epiphany water?
Epiphany water remains consecrated from Epiphany to Epiphany, provided there is a sufficiently reverent attitude towards it as a Great Shrine.
There are times when life-giving moisture deteriorates. This suggests that its owner has some kind of sin.
Another cause of mold is unpleasant odor is to keep the shrine in the sun. After all, we should not forget that according to physical parameters, Epiphany water still remains water.
An unfavorable environment at home can have a negative impact: constant quarrels, scandals, swearing, bad words, assault, fornication, adultery. In this case, you should go to church for confession and tell about your problem.
Spoiled water should be poured into a river or other natural source, under a tree or flowerpot. It can be poured in an untrodden place where people do not walk and dogs do not run.
What not to do?
There are a number of prohibitions on handling Epiphany water, which are important for every Christian to know about.
Epiphany water should not be given to animals to drink. It can only be used to sprinkle them.
How to sanctify life-giving moisture at home yourself?
If for some reason you cannot visit the temple, then you can bless the water at home on Epiphany night. For this you will need glassware. A three-liter jar works well. It must be filled from the tap and allowed to stand for a while.
During the evening of January 18 and the whole day of January 19, you can collect Epiphany water in any church. Water these days is blessed with one rite. That is, there is no difference when it is Epiphany water, when the time of most activity begins in 2019. This will be the evening after the service on Christmas Eve, and the day of Epiphany itself.
Important! On the feast of Epiphany, believers should not forget that they should visit church, confess and receive communion. Then take water and at home, with prayers and faith, consecrate every corner of your home.
- Great Blessing of Water
- Swimming in an ice hole for Epiphany
Great Blessing of Water
So, on Epiphany Christmas Eve - Epiphany water, when to collect in 2019. IN Orthodox churches In the evening of this day, services are held, after which the water and nearby sources are blessed. These could be rivers and lakes, ponds, or simply fonts at the temple.
Since ancient times, it has been believed that Epiphany water can bring spiritual and physical health to a person. Every year, huge queues of believers line up near the temples and come for water to make supplies for the whole year. You can only drink this water small quantities. It is best to take a couple of small sips immediately after waking up on an empty stomach.
Epiphany water is suitable for consecrating a house or work premises. She is called to give the grace of God to people. But the essence of all Orthodox rituals is not to get water, but to get closer to God and believe in him even more. You must definitely go to church, pray and ask the Lord to cleanse your body and soul through water and give you peace and balance.
Swimming in an ice hole for Epiphany
So, when it is now clear to collect holy water for Epiphany, this can be done in the evening of January 18 after the service, or throughout the entire day of January 19 - on the feast of Epiphany. On the night of January 18-19, as well as a few days later, many believers commit another important ritual this holiday - they swim in the ice hole.The ice hole is called “Jordan” and the water in specially cut ice holes is blessed by priests on the night of Epiphany. You should not treat swimming as a sporting feat. This is one way of obedience. It is recommended to take a blessing from a priest before plunging into the ice hole. It is believed that ablution cleanses from all sins, but this is only if the process itself is approached with all responsibility and seriousness.
Washing in Epiphany water is a testimony of a person’s faith in the power of the Lord, which even thirty-degree frost cannot bend.
Are there any differences in water blessed on January 18 or 19
Many believers are wondering when to collect Epiphany water in 2019: January 18 or 19, thinking that there are some differences. In fact, the water consecrated on January 18 is no different from that consecrated on January 19. Some believers believe that on January 19, the feast of Epiphany itself, all water on the planet is automatically sanctified. The priests emphasize that such an opinion is a prejudice.When consecrating your home with consecrated water, according to tradition, you need to draw crosses in the air when the sprinkling process takes place. It's pretty old tradition, which is associated with Epiphany Christmas Eve. Crosses were once not drawn with chalk, but burned with a candle: soot from a candle was applied to the corners of houses. In modern homes, both soot and chalk are quite radical methods. Therefore, crosses are drawn in the air using holy water. Christmas Eve before Epiphany is the last evening during the Christmastide period when you can.
Using tap water at Epiphany
There are no prohibitions here. It is clear that tap water is not considered blessed. However, the water that will be brought from the temple on Christmas Eve or on Epiphany itself cannot be used for laundry or washing dishes. It must be treated with reverence, as a special relic, and taken care of.
It happens that holy water spoils. In this case, you need to pour it into a river, in the forest under a tree, or simply close it in a vessel that will not allow air to pass through. Many believers have some of their holy water left over from last year, what should they do with it? If everything is fine with the water, then you can use it as usual: drink a few spoons in the morning on an empty stomach after prayer. If something happens to the water, you can pour it into your indoor plants.
Important! It is believed that a woman during the period critical days You can touch the vessel with holy water. But these days it cannot be taken orally, unless it is a matter of life and death.
Already on Epiphany Eve - January 18, after the service, the priests will bless the water. You can pick it up and take it home to cleanse your home, soul and body. But holy water is not the only tradition of the holiday; we must remember about prayers and faith. To decorate the holiday, you can please yourself and your loved ones
On the night of January 18-19, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Epiphany, a holiday also called Epiphany. Traditionally, the holiday of Epiphany is associated with water and swimming in an ice hole - it is believed that on this day any believer can “wash away” their sins.
When to collect water for baptism
If you are tormented by illnesses, stock up on healing Epiphany water. This water, collected on the night of January 18-19, from 0:10 to 1:30 or a little later, has been considered miraculous from time immemorial. At this time, "the sky opens" and a prayer addressed to God will be heard.
It is believed that water collected at Epiphany midnight from any source (even from the tap) has healing properties.
Speaking modern language, Epiphany water is structured. Researchers believe that every year, starting from fifteen minutes past midnight on January 19, a person can draw water from the tap at any time during the day for subsequent storage and use as bioactive throughout the year.
When to collect water for baptism 2019
The first illumination of Epiphany water will take place on the evening of January 18, closer to midnight. The second illumination takes place on January 19th. At this time, you can come with your own container and collect Epiphany water for storage at home.
When to draw water for baptism 18 or 19
When answering the question of when to collect Epiphany water on January 18 or 19, it should be noted that the lighting of the water in the evening of January 18 and January 19 is exactly the same. The blessing of water is carried out in one order, the same prayers are used, so there is no difference between Epiphany water on January 18 and 19. Water reserves in different days have the same properties and are suitable for use for the purpose of cleansing and healing.
Baptismal water is holy even in the tap
In fact, these are two facets of the same opinion. Indeed, there is a belief that on this day God's grace appears in the world and sanctifies the entire water element. However, there is also a special consecration of water - ice is cut out on rivers or lakes, and a great consecration of water is performed, accompanied by prayer. It is impossible to separate one from the other: after all, if the center of Baptism is considered to be simply immersion in cold water, then it is not so important to a person whether a prayer was said. Although in fact the center should be prayer - and whether a person plunged into the water or not is secondary.
Does all water become holy at Epiphany?
Error: There is a popular belief that on Epiphany night all water is blessed. And even holy water flows from the tap. Therefore, you don’t have to go to the temple to get it, but you can get it at home.
Correct: Only that water is considered Epiphany over which the priest performed a special church rite - the Rite of the Great Blessing of Water. It takes place on the eve of Epiphany (Christmas Eve, January 18) and on the holiday itself (January 19). Unfortunately, many go to church specifically for water, without participating in the service of the feast of the Epiphany.
Many people claim that the blessed water that is drawn into the Great Orthodox holiday Baptism, possesses magical properties: can heal many diseases and protect against evil people, troubles and evil spirits. Therefore, every year many people, and not necessarily believers, gather at temples with bottles and other containers to draw water from the font.
Those people who are going to go to church to get water for the first time will probably ask themselves questions: How is Epiphany water used? Does the time of the activity itself come on January 18 or 19?
Consecration of water
The rite of blessing the water takes place at approximately the same time every year. January 18th is Epiphany Eve. All believers fast during the day, then go to church service, then they pray and light candles in the temple.
After the last one ends evening service, the clergy go to the reservoirs that are located near the temple, and the consecration of the water begins. This ceremony is also carried out according to all church rules.
First, holes are cut. Most often, ice is cut in the shape of a cross. In the old days, a carved ice cross was placed next to an ice hole and poured with red juice, for example, tomato or beetroot. Now this tradition is not always observed. After the hole is ready, the priest begins to read a prayer, then dips a silver cross into the water. Then a white dove is released into the sky, which symbolizes the appearance of the Holy Spirit. The water in church fonts is also blessed. After all these rituals, the water is considered sacred and acquires magical properties.
Epiphany water can be collected immediately after consecration, when a person has already served in the church. However, some believers are confident that the most healing water is water collected ten minutes after midnight, that is, already on January 19th. Although church ministers claim that it does not matter when exactly the water was collected. This can be done both on Christmas Eve and on the day of Epiphany, the most important thing is that the person prepares for this, cleanses himself spiritually and does not have any bad thoughts.
Many people believe that water in clean springs, streams and rivers becomes holy on January 19 for nothing, so they collect it there. But the water that flows from the tap does not become holy. However, if you add a little Epiphany holy water to ordinary water, it will also acquire unusual properties.
Use of Holy Epiphany Water
It is worth remembering that the water brought from the church is sacred. This means that it cannot be used in vain for everyday activities. You cannot, for example, do laundry in holy water or wash dirty objects in it.
The person who has just brought holy water from the church should take a little liquid, sprinkle the house with it, and then put the rest of the water in a closed container in a dark place.
Holy water brings many benefits to people. Every morning, after praying, you can drink some water before breakfast. People who are sick should drink holy water. You can apply a compress with holy water to painful areas of the body. The priests also say that a person should wash himself with holy water after someone wishes him harm.
In addition, holy water can be sprinkled on places where conflicts have occurred. In villages, people used to pour holy water on poorly growing trees to make them bear fruit.
Another unusual property of holy water is that it can be stored for a very long time and does not spoil. However, after a year, that is, when Epiphany comes again, it is better to pour it out. You should not send holy water down the drain. It is better to water the flowers in the house or the trees on the property. You can also pour the water into a clean source.