When they bless water in church. How much and where can I get Holy water? When to go for Epiphany water
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.
An alternative name for Epiphany is 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 the globe so that we could plunge into 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, cleanses the room from 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 to ward off evil spirits.
It is worth noting that Epiphany water does not spoil - it can be stored indefinitely. Use it according to church rules better on an empty stomach.
When to collect water
The holiday itself is celebrated on January 19, however 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 sanctified. If you don't want to type a large number of water, then you can take a liter and pour it into larger containers at home.
Do not forget that the sacrament of confession and communion, accepted 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. Good luck, and don't forget to press the buttons and
16.01.2017 04:22
Epiphany water has unique properties. It is used for rituals aimed at getting rid of troubles and...
Ordinary water taken from a spring or well, water pipe or river can become holy after a special prayer service. We first experience the healing properties of the shrine during baptism. Agiasma (“shrine”) removes sinful thoughts, renews strength and revives faith. Epiphany water becomes a kind of amulet when it is used to consecrate temples, buildings and sprinkling people during prayer services and procession. The strength and power of water is recognized by everyone, from young to old.
The ritual of imparting holiness and strength to water is performed on January 18 on Epiphany Eve and on January 19 on Epiphany. The shrine is also called the Great Agiasma. Other smaller-scale consecrations are also carried out throughout the year, but in such water there is no power equal to Epiphany.
The first water prayer service takes place on the morning of January 18 in the church. On the feast of Epiphany itself, it is customary to consecrate living water springs and rivers. A special ice hole (Jordan) is made in the pond and decorated with candlesticks, angels and an improvised iconostasis made of ice. The festive procession takes place accompanied by the singing of troparions and censing.
Why is water holy?
The tradition of blessing water is quite ancient, but it has fully survived to this day.
There is an opinion that a silver cross immersed in it gives holiness to water, but this is not entirely true. She receives miraculous power thanks to the special blessing of God. Agiasma is the keeper of the heavenly gift and an inexhaustible reservoir of Divine power.
The reading of a prayer by the priest and the immersion of the cross fills ordinary water with God's grace. After which she herself becomes a shrine, with which people and objects are sprinkled.
How and when is water blessed in church?
The ritual of blessing water in churches is carried out throughout the year, so you can collect Epiphany water as needed.
The clergy adheres to three ranks:
- Giving holiness during the sacrament of baptism;
- Great consecrations on Vespers and the Feast of Epiphany;
- The minor rite is carried out during temple holidays and when needed.
The power of Epiphany water is the same in all cases; it is considered a sin to compare its capabilities.
The main rite begins with a service behind the pulpit, after which the clergy and the parishioners head to the water while singing chants (stichera). The censing and general prayer for the endowment of water with the “blessing of the Jordan” and “healing of mental and physical infirmities” ends with the immersion of the cross in the ice hole and the sprinkling of the people with Saint Agiasma.
There is an opinion that immersion in the Jordan washes away sins, but it is not justified and is not considered mandatory. Only repentance and prayer can cleanse the human soul and thoughts.
Where to get holy water
You should not pour water into large canisters on Epiphany, making a supply for the whole year. At any time you can take it in the temple or add a few drops of Saint Agiasma to ordinary water. The power of water lies not in its structure and energy, but in prayer and blessing.
In addition to Baptism, water is blessed on other temple holidays and when necessary. For the ritual, take clean containers, preferably glass, as well as spring water.
Where to store holy water
No one will dispute that holy water is a real shrine, but it must be stored and used wisely.
A glass or ceramic vessel with liquid is kept next to icons and other consecrated objects. It is forbidden to place it in a refrigerator or cupboard with food and cereals, or keep it in the sun.
Mustiness and yellowness of water can be caused by a difficult situation in the home, frequent quarrels, fights and adultery. It is advisable to remove any label on a plastic or glass bottle.
The main thing to remember is that water should not stand idle; it is drunk after morning prayer.
How to use holy water
Blessed water is used for good and various needs: they sprinkle the home and its inhabitants for healing and expelling evil spirits.
After reading morning prayer, a person must take a sip of the great Agiasma on an empty stomach, and on Epiphany they drink it throughout the day. To heal an illness, people drink water often, but not more than 0.5 glasses at a time, and even take medications with it. In times of grief and depression, they are also saved by water and prayer. They wash themselves with it and sprinkle it on their loved ones.
The shrine is treated with reverence. If a vessel is broken or water is spilled, collect it with a cloth and squeeze out the moisture into another container or into a flower pot. Water with glass fragments is poured into the river, but under no circumstances is it sent to the sewer.
How do you sprinkle holy water?
An aspergillus (aspergillus) for sprinkling water is usually made from basil sprigs, but in Russian churches they use an artificial device made of fibers with a handle. Such religious utensils are used to consecrate a home and drive out demons from a person during a “reprimand.”
Prayer before taking holy water
The grace of Epiphany water extends not only to man, but also to his home, animals, plants, car, etc. Any request must be accompanied by a prayer to holy water.
Why do they wash with holy water?
Many people believe that by washing with holy water they “remove damage,” but this is a common misconception. By performing such a ritual, a person’s face comes into contact with God’s grace.
When washing with the great Agiasma, you should not spray it over the sink. Remember that you have a shrine in your hands.
The power of holy water
Holy water heals by God's will and there is no magic in it. Without faith and prayer, its strength is lost. True Faith in Christ, in his power, worship and righteous life - these qualities direct a person to the true path.
The powerful energy of Epiphany water is being studied by many scientists. Some are inclined to believe that water absorbs information, emotions of goodness and prayers, others are of the opinion that the disinfecting property of silver prevents it from disappearing and helps to heal, and still others are supporters of charging water from space, because it is on January 19 that the Earth goes through special irradiation.
There was a recorded case when a dying man was given Epiphany water to drink and he began to recover. Or another incident with a woman who brought fortune telling cards in an Easter basket to the temple for sprinkling. In those places where drops of water fell, burnt spots formed on the cards.
Holy water from the evil eye
Jealousy and envy often become the cause of the evil eye. Negative energy affects another person and causes him harm, causing illness and anxiety. Holy water has long been considered and today is considered the most effective protection from any negativity.
Great and small Agiasma are suitable for removing the evil eye. Having sprinkled it on the patient, they allow the sufferer to take a few sips. If there is strong negativity, they do a ritual with a bath. To do this, fill the vessel halfway with warm water and pour in holy water crosswise. They sit in the bathroom and read “Our Father.” With this ritual, not only does the evil eye disappear, but also bruises and rashes disappear.
How to wash a child with holy water from the evil eye
Babies have a weak protective shell, so they are most susceptible to unclean things. Whims, unreasonable rise in temperature and restlessness of the child indicate negative impact. In such cases, you should not immediately run to the fortune teller or seek help from doctors, but use prayer and holy water to remove the excess negativity yourself. There is no need to completely immerse the baby in water; just rub a small amount of water over the face, wet the head and say a prayer.
Do they drink holy water?
Drinking water consecrated in the temple is not only possible, but also necessary. Do this on an empty stomach in the morning along with prayer. IN Everyday life They sprinkle the home with the great Agiasma and drink it for illnesses and the evil eye at any time.
The main thing is not to forget about its holiness and treat water accordingly.
How to consecrate an apartment with holy water
Sprinkling of things and homes is carried out to fill them with God's grace, as well as to drive out an unclean spirit. In such rooms, Christ is close to family members.
Before the ritual, the home is put in order. The windows are not covered with curtains, the vents are opened slightly so that the light penetrates into the rooms as much as possible. On Sunday they go to the temple for a blessing; you can perform the ritual without it. They wash their hands, pour water into a deep plate, read a prayer and right hand walk around the room clockwise. They finish and begin the consecration at the front door.
Sprinkling is carried out by saying the words:
At the end of the ceremony, a vessel with water is placed next to the icons.
Prayer before holy water and prosphora
The prayer for accepting water with prosphora and water alone is identical, only in the first case the word “prosphora” is added.
How long is holy water holy
As such, there is no shelf life for Epiphany water. The shrine is used for a long time, since it does not lose its pious qualities and does not deteriorate for a long time. Often they try to use Epiphany water before the next holiday.
Where and when can you get holy water?
Parishioners stock up on Epiphany water after Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Water, January 18 and 19. IN large temples holy distribution water is coming around the clock, during breaks between services. You can replenish your supply of Shrines throughout the year in churches on temple holidays of slightly smaller magnitude from Epiphany.
Old holy water what to do with it
The remaining supply of old water, which has been stored for several years, can be poured into a place where people do not go: into a river or stream. It will not be disrespectful to the shrine if you pour water on indoor flower or tree.
Inappropriate inscriptions on vessels with water, for example, “Vodka,” can cause it to become musty and green.
It is forbidden to pour the sacred thing into the sink for sewage - this is a “crime” before the Almighty.
Holy water spell:
The importance of water is invaluable. It not only supports vitality, but is also capable of healing a person, making him unhappy or rich. Over time, people learned to perform various rituals with water.
for love
The conspiracy is carried out on the waxing moon. As it fills, the feeling of being chosen will grow. They read the plot in front of a glass of water, which is tied with a red ribbon, near a photo of their loved one. The words are pronounced three times, they cross themselves and place water near the icon. The woman first drinks the charmed water and then pours it on the man.
A prerequisite is that the chosen one must be in a good mood.
from drunkenness
The conspiracy against drunkenness is read over a jar with an airtight lid. At the beginning of the ritual, they remove it, place water in front of the icon and, bending low towards the jar, whisper the words of the conspiracy. They read the prayer three times, cross themselves and close the jar. The vessel is opened only to add the charmed water to the drunkard.
for trade
To increase trade turnover and attract buyers, the conspiracy is carried out in the workplace. Holy water is poured into a clean glass, a coin is placed in it and a prayer is read. Then they take the charmed water into their mouth and spray the workplace. The remainder is poured out near the counter, and the coin is sent to the left pocket to remove the negative.
Remember, holy water is powerless if a person lives without God in his soul. Follow his commandments, love God and your neighbors, participate in Christian sacraments in churches and perform prayers at home.
@olga.parfoto
Epiphany, which Orthodox Christians celebrate on January 19, is one of the most revered church holidays. It is accompanied by solemn services and rituals. Hundreds of believers gather for the blessing of water. However, not everyone understands when and how to properly collect water for Epiphany 2019.
What date can you go for Epiphany water?
In church tradition, it is customary to collect holy water on Epiphany Eve - January 18 and on the Feast of Epiphany - January 19. Unlike Easter, which does not have a fixed date, Epiphany always falls on the same day - January 19.
Most often, Christian priests bless water twice. On January 18th it happens in Orthodox churches, in which a special container is installed. Into it while reading special prayers The cross is lowered three times and the water is considered blessed. According to tradition, it is called agiasma and is revered as a shrine. You can pick it up and take it home.
The second time the consecration takes place on January 19 on an open body of water - a river, lake, reservoir. A few days before the event, a special hole in the shape of a cross is cut out of the ice - a Jordan - and a cross is installed. In Jordan, parishioners collect holy water, and those who wish can take a dip, imitating Jesus Christ, who was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River 2 millennia ago. Swimming in the Epiphany ice hole, contrary to popular belief, does not eliminate sins, but this tradition has a long history.
During the consecration, the clergy reads a special prayer, a cross is lowered into the hole 3 times and the water acquires healing properties. After the service, believers begin to collect life-giving moisture.
Thus, Epiphany water can be collected on both days 1 and 2. In addition, it is believed that since the feast of the Epiphany lasts 7 days, during this entire time you can take advantage of the opportunity to collect agiasma in a temple or in Jordan during the week.
How and where to collect Epiphany water?
Priests do not advise coming to the temple or Jordan just to stock up on shrines. It is advisable to take part in the ritual, if possible and at the command of your soul and heart, pray, confess, and receive communion.
Most often, a queue forms at the container with agiasma. You can’t push, be nervous, or scold, you must patiently wait for your turn and calmly collect moisture into your container. If necessary, you need to help the elderly, the sick, who may find it difficult to bend over to the ice hole.
Parishioners who try to collect water with buckets and multi-liter cans are mistaken. It is enough to scoop it up in a small jar or bottle. Even this amount can be enough for a long time, since it is enough to dilute 1 spoon of agiasma in any amount of plain water to give it healing properties. According to the clergy, a drop sanctifies the sea.
The container for collecting liquid must first be thoroughly washed and removed from labels, if any. It is unacceptable to use alcohol containers for this purpose. You can use plastic bottles, but then you will need to pour the moisture into glass jars.
How to store water?
Agiasma must not only be collected correctly, but also stored in special conditions. Often, when you come home, you put it in the same container in which you collected it in the temple or in the ice hole and put it in the refrigerator along with other foods and drinks. This should under no circumstances be done.
The consecrated moisture must be poured into a glass jar and tightly closed with a lid. The container is placed in the place where the icons and lamps are located. If there is no such corner in the house, you need to place the dishes in a dark, cool place away from the TV and computer. It is advisable that this place is not accessible to children and animals.
Agiasma has healing properties and a special structure, so it almost never spoils. If this does happen, it is unacceptable to throw it down the drain. Disrespect for consecrated moisture is condemned by the church. It is advisable to return the liquid to nature - pour it into a reservoir or onto the ground, but only where people and animals do not trample.
You can dilute agiasma and water your house plants or give your pets a drink. This is the best solution for residents of city apartments.
They use holy water to drink in small portions for illnesses, ailments, mental disorders, and difficult life situations. They use agiasma with reverence, prayer to the Lord and deep faith. It can be washed, added to baths, sprinkled on homes, cars, and pets.
Can I dial it at home?
Among people who know little about the Sacraments of the Church, there is a widespread belief that all natural water acquires special qualities on January 18 or 19, and in order to make a supply, it is enough to simply pour it at home from the tap. However, this is not quite true.
For a deeply religious person who regularly attends church, collecting water on the feast of the Epiphany has not only a utilitarian meaning. They carefully prepare for the trip to Jordan for the shrine, confess, and receive communion. At the moment of consecration, despite the frost, Christians pray together and become partakers of the Sacrament.
Therefore, water collected personally from a source has special meaning for a believer.
However, if a person is sick or lives far from places where water is blessed, he can also collect it from a water supply or well. It must be stored and used in the same way as that which is collected directly from a consecrated source.
As soon as the opportunity arises, you should try to purchase properly blessed water in order to be confident in its healing power.
Many people claim that the blessed water that is drawn into the Great Orthodox holiday Baptism has magical properties: it can heal from many diseases and protect from 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?
Blessing 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 services, then pray and light candles in the temple.
After the last evening service ends, the clergy go to the reservoirs that are located near the temple, and the blessing 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 no reason, 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.
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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.
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.
The Lesser Blessing of Water is considered obligatory on the Feast of the Holy Cross of the Lord (August 14) and Mid-Pentecost (25 days after Easter)
In some churches, the rite of blessing water can be carried out on patronal holidays 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 when the solemn consecration of the entire temple takes place.
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 order a water-blessing prayer service at which the priest, at the end of the liturgy, can perform the blessing of water.