What is Epiphany water? What is the difference between “Epiphany” water and “Epiphany” water? What do they do with 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 were originally intended to have 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- this is water blessed on Epiphany Eve and on the Feast itself at the Great Blessing of Water. Often water that was blessed on January 19 is called Epiphany water, and water blessed 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 the same water, blessed by the rite of the Great Blessing of Waters in Epiphany Christmas Eve or on the day of Epiphany itself. The Feast of the Epiphany is also called Epiphany - hence the two names of the water. There is no difference.
Why is water blessed twice? On this topic 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. The two blessings of water 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 of how, 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). Epiphany water is also distributed after All-night vigil 18th in the evening.
IN large temples V major 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 related to 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 blessing 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, and also to listen attentively to the prayers heard during the consecration and, together with other believers, ask the Lord through the water of Epiphany to receive the grace of God and the healing of mental and physical infirmities.
When should you 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, that's not true.
Andrey Krashenitza, www.flickr.com
We have important sacraments of the Church, such as repentance and Communion of Saints Christ's Mysteries, 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 to people, according to grave sins or for some other reason deprived of the opportunity to begin 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 deteriorate for a year or more and is capable of helping 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 a “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 the temple and mix it with plain water 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 communion with 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 with other believers, 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 Epiphany 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 where 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 the 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, not on an empty stomach, if any special conditions have developed.
But, in general, this is a tribute to pious tradition - to consume it on an empty stomach, before tasting something else. Eating sacred things is not easy 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 prayer evening 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 haven’t made any effort for it?
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 complained very much 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!
Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences Mikhail Kurik
Every year on January 19, people line up near churches to get Epiphany water, and the bravest ones rush to swim in the ice hole. After all, it has long been believed that this water is healing. Both the clergy and ordinary people. And more recently, scientists too!
Physicists and chemists in different countries conducted experiments and found out: the structure of holy Epiphany water is many times more harmonious than on an ordinary day, and its energy and beneficial properties simply unique.
Ukrainian experiments on volunteers
At the Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Mikhail Kurik has been conducting his research on Epiphany water for about 9 years. In the scientist’s laboratory there are dozens of bottles of water, dated from the end of December-January different years. Epiphany water for many years remains transparent, odorless and almost without sediment.
– As a scientist, I was primarily interested in the fact itself - what Epiphany water represents from the point of view of physics. Patriarch Filaret blessed our research, specially allocated a hieromonk, a graduate student of the Theological Academy, to help, and we plunged into work,” Mikhail Vasilyevich tells BLIK.
One of the experiments was carried out over five years on several volunteers, with the participation of an employee of the Institute of Human Ecology, Viktor Zhukov. The experimental subjects drank 150 ml of water in small sips, and after 30 minutes the condition of their body was measured using the electropuncture diagnostic method. For the experiment, water samples were taken from the same church well. One water sample was taken in December - early January; the other - on the morning of January 19th.
“In experiments with water collected from a church well at the end of December - beginning of January, no effect on the subject’s body was found,” says Mikhail Vasilyevich. – The electrical conductivity values did not differ in any way before and after the subject drank water. Here's the action drinking water, collected on January 19 from the same church well, always made itself felt with a spasmodic effect - sharp increase bioenergetic activity in all subjects. We came to the conclusion that Epiphany water improves and equalizes the circulation of energy, enhances human energy, which has a beneficial effect on human health, and unblocks “stuck” energy.
Perfect crystals
What happens to the water physical level? You probably know that frozen water has a crystalline structure. So, scientists took different types of water, froze it and looked at it under a microscope. Crystals tap water looked like ugly monsters, water from an ordinary river or lake - almost the same. But the crystals of the water over which prayers were read, and especially Epiphany holy water, are perfect shape symmetrical crystals. And it conveys its harmony to people who drink it or plunge into Epiphany ice hole.
By the way, the famous Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto came to the conclusion that any water “hears”, perceives and absorbs information: if it plays music, speaks kind words, read prayers, then its structure becomes more harmonious and cleaner.
Ukrainian scientist Mikhail Kurik also studied water not only from church sources, but also from lakes, ordinary bottled water, tap water.
– All our experiments have shown that any water collected on the morning of January 19 is subject to the “Epiphany” phenomenon - that is, it has increased energy.
And specialists from the drinking water supply laboratory of the Moscow Institute named after. Sysin began monitoring the water on January 15th. The water collected from the tap was settled, and then the amount of radical ions in it was measured. During the study, the number of radical ions in water began to rise from January 17th. At the same time, the water became softer, its pH value increased, which made the liquid less acidic. The water reached its peak activity on January 18th, in the evening. Because of large quantity radical ions, its electrical conductivity was really like that of water saturated with electrons. At the same time, the pH value of water jumped over neutral by 1.5 points. The researchers also studied the degree of structure of Epiphany water. They froze several samples - from a tap, from a church spring, from a river. So, even tap water, which is usually far from ideal, when frozen, presented a harmonious spectacle under a microscope. The curve of electromagnetic activity of water began to decrease in the morning of January 19 and by 20 it had taken its usual form.
Water is “charged” by space
To understand why water becomes bioactive at Epiphany, scientist Mikhail Kurik decided to go further. He began collecting water samples from December 22, the day of the winter solstice, in order to more accurately trace why and how the water changes its structure on January 18–19.
And I came to the conclusion that the properties of water are influenced by the energy fields of the Earth, the Moon, the Sun, the fields of the planets of the solar system, various cosmic radiation.
“Everything is explained by the laws of nature,” says Mikhail Vasilyevich. – Every year on January 19th the Earth together with solar system in Space it passes through rays of special irradiation, as a result of which all life on Earth comes to life, including the increase in the bioenergy of all the waters of the Earth. It is on January 18–19 that water receives additional energy due to changes in the gravitational field in galactic space. For what? It's simple! After all, spring is approaching, and all living things need energy to be born again.
But according to the results of research by Russian physicist Anton Belsky, in space before January 19 a whole series years, intense bursts of neutron flux were recorded, exceeding background levels by 100-200 times. The maximums occurred on both the 18th and 17th, but sometimes exactly on the 19th.
The energy channel structures water
Astrologers also adhere to the “cosmic” theory of the origin of Epiphany water.
– On this day, the water becomes clean and carries a charge of holiness and rejuvenation. And this is not just like that,” says Pavel Mikhlin, candidate of technical sciences, astrologer.
It is believed that the Sun, Earth, and the center of the galaxy are located in such a way that on January 18–19, a line of communication opens between our planet and the center of the galaxy, and everything begins to interact. The Earth falls under an energy channel that structures everything, in particular water on Earth. In addition, it is usually frosty at Epiphany, and frozen water absorbs and “preserves” positive energy during services and prayers. And during the consecration, people themselves charge the water with their positive energy, because they really believe that water should become healing, sanctified.
By the way
Many people ask: if a person is 70% water, can our bodies be cleansed of all bad things on Epiphany night and immediately be cured of all diseases? But no, this is impossible, the churchmen say.
– After all, there is nothing automatic in religion. A person consists not only of water and protein - a body, he also has a soul, says Abbot Evstratiy. “You can’t just cleanse your soul that way.” You can lie in holy water all day long, but you will not become a saint. To cleanse the soul, you need to live and pray righteously. And holy water is just a blessing for this.
How to use holy water
Often we ourselves do not know how to use holy water, although we literally collect it in the church in liters. But this is not necessary. Hegumen Evstratiy, press secretary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, told BLIK about these subtleties and some secrets.
They drink holy water during illness and every day on an empty stomach a little - 60-100 grams.
They store it in a glass vessel near the icons so that light does not enter.
You can enhance the effect of water by reading a prayer over it, for example - “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”
Holy water cannot be used for household purposes - washing dishes, making tea, cooking something, or even taking a bath from it. After all, it can’t go down the drain.
It is not necessary to take consecrated “temple” water; you can bring your own water for consecration – even tap water.
It is advisable to take clean and high-quality water for consecration, because physical dirt will not go away.
Blessed water can be diluted with regular water; such water acquires the qualities of holy water. You shouldn't bring soda, mineral water, it’s better to take the regular one.
You can sprinkle your home with Epiphany water.
The water stood for three years
Usually Epiphany water is stored for a year until the next Epiphany. But few people know that such water can last longer - three or even ten years.
“My Epiphany water stood for three years and did not spoil or bloom,” says Father Barsanuphius, treasurer of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. “I collected it from our holy spring of Anthony.” After I drank it, I felt a surge of strength all day and felt blessed. I know that scientists came and even collected water for experiments from the source of St. Anthony. After all, studies have shown that the optical density of Epiphany water is higher than water from the same sources in ordinary days. Moreover, it is close to the optical density of water from the Jordan River.
But Abbot Evstratiy, press secretary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, told BLIK that he knows of a case when Epiphany water stood for 10 years and did not spoil!
Epiphany magic will preserve beauty and fulfill wishes
The main thing is to remember the dream
Everyone knows about Epiphany fortune telling. But also ordinary dreams on the night of Epiphany - these are “letters from the future.” Before you fall asleep, you need to ask a question about your destiny that interests you most. Single girls In the old days, they put a comb or the king of diamonds under the pillow and asked for the betrothed to appear in a dream. Spend the evening before as calmly as possible, go to bed early, and on the morning of the 19th wake up without the alarm ringing. In this case, there is a greater chance of seeing prophetic dream and don’t forget it right away. They say that your sleep will be brighter and remembered better if you eat something salty at night, but do not drink water. Place a pen and notepad next to your bed, and when you wake up, immediately write down your dream or tell it to someone right away - this way you’ll have a better chance of remembering it.
The most cherished
It is believed that the night from the 18th to the 19th - perfect time to make the most secret desires. It is believed that at this time the sky hears best what people ask for, and requests are fulfilled. There is only one main condition: you need to make wishes with a pure soul. And only good ones! Before asking for anything for yourself or your loved ones, it is better to first at least mentally ask for forgiveness from those whom you have hurt over the year, whom you have harmed, even if reluctantly. And also - thank God for all the good things in life. And only after that, with with an open heart, make wishes. How? Even just by going out onto the balcony and looking at the sky! You can write 12 wish notes and put them under your pillow. And when you wake up in the morning, pull out three of them. They will definitely come true.
Wrinkle-free all year
Here is some advice for ladies who want to maintain their youth for a long time. Early in the morning of December 19, pour Epiphany water into a bowl and look at your reflection. You need to examine yourself very carefully, noticing wrinkles and flaws, and then wash your face with your hands three times. Water the flowers with the remaining water. The effect will increase if the water comes from a river, where the woman herself goes to get it early in the morning. But, if you believe that during Epiphany all water gains strength, ordinary water left overnight under the sky may also be suitable. They say that after such a magical procedure, your face will be fresh and attractive all year round.
Read a book about Epiphany water:
Why is holy water used to consecrate temples, houses and vital objects? How does Epiphany water differ from the water blessed at the water prayer service, and from the water in holy springs, springs and wells? How are prosphora consecrated and what is the difference between antidor and artos?
And finally, what is the significance of these shrines in the life of an Orthodox believer and how should they be treated?
You will find the answer to all these questions in this book.
See also section books Nature's Pantry- there are interesting publications about water and its properties.
Many people remember from childhood how their grandmothers used to say that there is such a special water called Epiphany. It has long been proven (scientifically proven!) that on the night of January nineteenth the crystalline structure of water changes, acquiring properties that are truly unique - the water becomes healing!
You can draw Epiphany water on the night of January eighteenth to nineteenth even from the tap located in the kitchen own apartment. You can collect this water from a river, lake or spring. True, many people prefer to go to church to get Epiphany water. Here, as they say, whoever wants it. Servants of the religious cult claim that Epiphany water can only be collected in the temple of God and nowhere else. Well, let's figure it out.
When is the best time to collect Epiphany water?
It has long been known that water collected on the night of Epiphany has the ability to help everyone. And it doesn’t matter at all whether a person believes in Jesus or not. After all, Water is one of the Elements. And the most important thing here is respect for the water itself.
If you decide to collect water in the temple, then you need to know the following essential points: from the evening of the eighteenth to the morning of the nineteenth of January, two liturgies are held in churches. One is evening, the other is morning. It is believed that it is best to collect water in the interval between them, although you can also collect it on the nineteenth day.
Properties of Epiphany water
Regardless of faith and its strength, people traditionally wait every year for the onset of Epiphany to stock up on water. After all, it has long been noted that this water is alive, that it is truly healing. Epiphany water not only has a beneficial effect on human body, restoring the nervous, immune, endocrine and other systems, but is also used for cleaning premises, to remove all kinds of negativity (damage, the evil eye, fears, etc.).
Nowadays, there are many legends about how, with the help of Epiphany water, in the literal sense of the word, people were pulled out from the other world. You can believe in it or not, but one thing is obvious: they wouldn’t talk about it in a vacuum. And there are a lot of such stories. One is more convincing than the other.
Epiphany water can be consumed every morning on an empty stomach. It is worth knowing that Epiphany water, in a sense, resembles an elixir of health, which should not be drunk in liters, like any elixir. A couple of sips will be enough to heal the body. You can wash your face with Epiphany water, because it has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. This water can also be added to tea or coffee; some people sprinkle it on food, which is also not prohibited. Based on this water, you can make aqueous emulsions and other medicinal compositions. You will get nothing but benefit.
Epiphany water can be stored for more than one month and even more than one year. It does not deteriorate, does not weather (its taste and color, as well as its smell, remain the same).
Why does Epiphany water have healing properties?
It is worth saying that for a long time there was no more or less sensible scientific answer to the question: why is Epiphany water so useful? Today, scientists have found an explanation that seems to suit the majority of those living on the planet. The fact is that every year on the nineteenth of January an avalanche of particles that have no charge falls on the Earth. The exposure to neutron radiation is incredibly high, with the Dead Sea area receiving the maximum radiation. Neutron exposure has a pronounced sterilizing effect. Pathogenic flora, located in water, is instantly destroyed. So it's pretty simple. The only thing that is surprising is how our ancestors, without special equipment, were able to find out that the “attack” of neutrons occurs precisely on a certain day of the year.
History of Epiphany water
The first version is Christian. Epiphany water becomes so useful and healing due to the fact that the God-Man came into contact with it. Jesus Christ, as you know, was baptized not just anywhere, but in a mountain river called the Jordan. (This river still exists today.) Jordan flows into salt lake Kinneret (which once upon a time was called the Sea of Gennesaret). Oddly enough, the water of the fresh Jordan does not mix with the salty waters of Kinneret for three hundred meters, continuing its rapid path until the mega-salty Dead Sea flows into it.
There is evidence from which it is known that at the moment of Christ’s baptism, fresh waters The Jordan suddenly turned around its usual course and flowed backwards, and at the same moment the Holy Spirit descended on the God-Man. This sign has been repeated every year for many centuries. Nowadays, it is customary to float wooden crosses along the Jordan River. These same crosses, after some time, end up in the Dead Sea, but after just one day, the crosses come back. But this is not even surprising, but the fact that the water in the fresh Jordan on the day of the return of the crosses becomes salty.
The government of Jordan (on the territory of this country is now the very place where the God-Man was baptized) allows once a year, on the banks of the above-mentioned river, to hold religious service. Many tourists have the opportunity to see true miracle, which looks like this: seething, the waters of the Jordan begin to flow backwards. The branches of trees growing along the river, every time it begins its run, begin to reach for the water.
Every year on the nineteenth of January, it is important for true Christians to plunge headlong into the ice hole called Jordan in order to cleanse themselves of all the sins that they have acquired over the course of the year.
The second version is pagan. It is known for certain that our Slavic ancestors had a cult of the Primary Elements: Fire, Wind, Earth and, of course, Water. Alas, these days, people, cut off from their roots, have completely forgotten that they are entirely dependent on the forces of nature. As long as Mother Nature is not indignant, people live in relaxation, but as soon as something out of the ordinary happens, everyone suddenly begins to understand that something is going wrong. Nature, literally raped by man, groans and begs for mercy, but we do not want to hear it. The openly consumerist and boorish attitude cannot continue indefinitely. Sooner or later, the freebie will end, Nature will rebel and shake off from the body of the Earth its unreasonable children, who have turned into stupid consumers of dubious goods.
Our Ancestors had a different attitude towards nature. They valued it and preserved it. Water, like other Primary Sources, was attributed with cleansing, protecting and other beneficial properties. The Slavs lived in harmony with nature and knew everything about healing properties Elemental. After Rus', through fire and sword, adopted Christianity, a huge number of springs, wells and other sources with life-giving water, under the jurisdiction of Mokosh, “passed into the jurisdiction” of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, and a little later into the “rule” of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Our ancestors knew how to make rain, and the Magi, who knew how to interact with the element of Water, could control it. Residents of the Mediterranean still celebrate every May pagan holiday, called Kataklysmos. On this day, or rather night, ritual bathing takes place. Huge number people plunge headlong into the water, because on the night of the Cataclysm, water acquires truly magical properties.
According to one of the versions, which I can’t even call it a poorly thought-out horror story, on the nineteenth of January, the pagans drowned their weak relatives in the rivers, whom they no longer wanted to feed. This day (we repeat) - the nineteenth of January, is called by “experts” from history the day of Veles, “a terrible god (whose name comes from the Indian word “vel”, which means to die) who demanded worship and bloody sacrifices.” If you are a person truly interested in the history and culture of your native people, then you probably know that the day of the god Veles falls on February 11 (or 28 according to the old style). Moreover, you probably know that our ancestors had a cult of the god Rod and their own clan. People honored and revered their ancestors, they knew what clan-tribe they were and who was in what generation, what they did in their family. The cult of ancestors and the drowning of frail old people somehow do not fit in healthy head. However, now we are talking not so much about this, but about the fact that Water is omnipotent, benevolent and helpful at all times, was, is and will be, regardless of religion, regardless of other conventions.
Popular beliefs associated with January 19
Today, few people believe, much less know, the beliefs that guided our ancestors. We live a completely different, “plastic” life, which is alien to our body and our consciousness, and it is alien to our Soul. However, each of us has our own circumstances and our own reasons for what is happening. And yet, in spite of everything, you need to know the traditions of your ancestors, at least from the point of view of expanding your own horizons.
So, on the nineteenth of January, the girls collected snow in the fields. It was believed that this melted snow had a very good effect on the skin. They could cure some ailments associated with skin. If you wash your face with this melt water on January 19th, you can become more attractive in the eyes of the opposite sex.
On this day, adult women also went to the field to get snow, because only with such snow could the canvases be bleached.
Villagers believed that evening snow (on the eve of Epiphany) had miraculous properties. It was collected, heated, and then used for various purposes.
The difference between Holy water and Epiphany water
To tell the truth, you can put an equal sign between the first and second water. Both waters are considered healing and, of course, alive. In some sources Epiphany water is also called Agiasma. Another question is that Epiphany water can only be on the nineteenth of January, but Holy water can be available on any day. You can get it as follows: natural source, and in the church. Or you can create it yourself.
January 19 is one of the days on which everyone Orthodox churches crowded to capacity, because it is on this day that the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ and ancient tradition The consecration of water is performed, which is called the Great Blessing of Water. Unfortunately, this one church holiday accompanied by a trail of various folk superstitions that have no basis in church tradition. Together with the cleric of the Saratov Church of the Supreme Apostles Peter and Paul, priest Vasily KUTSENKO, we will try to consider the most common superstitions in order to understand how to treat holy water and what to do with it according to church tradition.
1. There is “Epiphany” water (blessed on January 18, on Epiphany Eve) and “Epiphany” water (blessed on January 19, the day of the Epiphany itself).The Great Blessing of Water is performed twice, this is true. The first blessing of water is on the eve of the Epiphany holiday, January 18, on Epiphany Eve, and the second on the day of the holiday itself. But there is no difference in this water, because on both January 18 and 19 the same rite (that is, sequence of prayers) of water blessing is used. Water consecrated according to this rite is called the Great Agiasma, that is, the Great Shrine. There is no separate “Epiphany” and separate “Epiphany” water, but only the Great Hagiasma. In liturgical books Orthodox Church The feast of the Epiphany is called " Holy Epiphany"Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ." The word "Epiphany" is a short expression of the events that occurred during the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist on the Jordan River. The Gospel of Matthew describes it this way: “Having been baptized, Jesus immediately came out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and descending on Him. And behold, a voice from heaven said: This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16-17). That is, Baptism was a manifestation of Divine glory and confirmation of the Sonship of God of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is difficult to accurately answer the question of what the practice of two water blessings is connected with. It is known that already in the 6th century in Palestine there was a tradition of consecrating water in the Jordan River on the eve of and on the very day of the Epiphany holiday. IN Ancient Rus' there was a custom, which is still preserved in some places, to perform the Great Blessing of Water on January 18 in the temple, and on January 19 - outside the temple, organizing religious procession to a specially prepared ice hole - Jordan.
2. On the day of the Baptism of the Lord, having plunged into an ice font or doused yourself with water, you can consider yourself baptized and wear a cross.
Indeed, there is a tradition of swimming in an ice hole on the feast of the Epiphany. But this is precisely bathing, and not the Sacrament of Baptism. Although, if you get acquainted with the history of the feast of the Epiphany, you can see that this particular day used to be the day on which adults were baptized. A person who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for a certain time prepared to accept the Sacrament of Baptism, which was a new birth for life with God and entry into the Church. Such people were called catechumens. They studied Scripture and basics Christian faith and prepared to repent of all their sins before accepting Baptism, because the adoption of Christianity must begin with repentance, that is, with a change in life. Therefore, Baptism without repentance was simply impossible. And so, on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, the bishop performed the Sacrament of Baptism for adults. Such baptisms were also performed on the eve of the Nativity of Christ, on Holy Saturday(Saturday before Easter), on Easter itself and on the Feast of Pentecost, which is also called the day of the Holy Trinity or the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. The Great Blessing of Water on the day of the Epiphany is a reminder for modern Christians of the ancient baptism of catechumens. But we must remember that the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism was preceded by preparation, repentance of sins and confirmation of the sincerity of one’s intentions before the church community. Therefore, it cannot be said that plunging into the Jordan hole and receiving Baptism are the same thing.
3. By swimming in an ice hole on Epiphany night, you can get rid of all diseases, sins and the evil eye. If you get sick during the year, you need to drink Epiphany water for healing.
It is necessary to place emphasis: separately - illness and sin, separately - the evil eye. The evil eye, damage and the like are superstitions. And you need to get rid of only one thing - belief in superstitions. Christians believe in God, and not in evil eyes, damage, love spells, etc. When we turn to God in prayer, we ask that God protect us from evil. For example, in the prayer “Our Father” there are the words: “Deliver us from the evil one,” that is, from the devil. Devil - fallen angel who opposes God and wants to turn people away from God, that’s why we ask God to deliver us from the devil and all the evil that he is trying to sow in people. If a person sincerely believes in God, in the fact that the Lord God protects believers from all evil, then at the same time it is impossible to believe in damage, the evil eye, and the like.
By accepting Epiphany water (like any other shrine, for example, prosphora or blessed oil), a person can pray to the Lord that this shrine would serve him as a means of healing from illnesses. In the rite of the Great Blessing of Water there are the following words: “Let us pray to the Lord for the gift of this water of consecration, for the removal of sins, for the healing of soul and body, and for every good benefit” (Russian translation: “So that this water of consecration may become a gift, deliverance from sins, for healing of soul and body and fit for every useful work, let us pray to the Lord." We ask that through the use of agiasma a person receives the grace of God, cleansing sins and healing mental and physical infirmities. But all this is not some kind of mechanical or automatic action: I drank water - and everything immediately became fine. What is needed here is faith and hope in God.
If we understand some words (for example, “today - that is, today, now - the waters are sanctified by nature ...") from the rite of the Great Blessing of Waters in a broad sense, then we can say that the consecration of all waters actually occurs. But again, it is important to understand that this does not happen on its own, but through the prayers of the Church. The Church asks that the Lord God sanctify the waters, give His grace-filled power to cleanse and sanctify the nature of the water. Unfortunately, it often happens that many come to the temple specifically for water, without participating in the service of the feast of the Epiphany. It turns out that Epiphany water becomes an end in itself. And this is wrong. First of all, we must glorify God for his good deeds to the human race, which He revealed through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of the whole world, because it is in memory of the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan that the consecration of water is carried out.
5. Epiphany water never spoils.
There is testimony from St. John Chrysostom, who lived in the 4th century: “On this holiday, everyone, having drawn water, brings it home and keeps it for the whole year... The essence of this water does not deteriorate due to the length of time, but... for a whole year, and often for two or three years it remains intact and fresh and after such a long time is not inferior to waters just taken from sources.” But it also happens that Epiphany water can spoil. This happens either due to careless storage, irreverent attitude towards the shrine, or for some other completely natural reasons. In this case, you need to pour holy water into an untrodden place (in churches there are special “dry wells” for this purpose).
6. You need to add Epiphany water to the bath in which babies are bathed so that they do not get sick.
I think this is also one of the superstitions. Every person can get sick. And great saints suffered from physical illnesses. For example, Venerable Seraphim Sarovsky could not straighten his back due to the injury. He was attacked by robbers and severely beaten. Saint Matrona of Moscow was blind from birth until the end of her days. No one forbids giving holy Epiphany water to infants (it is still better to drink holy water), including during illness. But once again we need to be reminded that the use of a shrine is not a mechanism, but an action that requires faith and hope in God.
There is a tradition: to sprinkle houses, plots and everything that is there with water taken from the temple on the day of the Epiphany. Therefore, it is quite possible to sprinkle your home and household items with Epiphany water. At the same time, you can sing or read the troparion (the main hymn) of the holiday: “I am baptized in the Jordan, Lord...”.
It is forbidden. This superstition is probably also due to a misunderstanding of church traditions. Water consecrated on the feast of Epiphany, even being a Great Shrine, as has already been said, still cannot replace the communion of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although, for example, there are certain similarities in the practice of Communion and drinking agiasma - you need to take communion and drink agiasma on an empty stomach. This emphasizes the special attitude towards water blessed for Epiphany. According to the rules of the Church, the Great Hagiasma was recommended to be used as spiritual consolation for people who various reasons were under excommunication from the Sacrament of Communion, that is, it was not a question of a complete and equivalent replacement, but only of spiritual consolation.
8. And a simple person can sanctify water on his own by reading prayers over it.
Indeed, the prayers of the Great Blessing of Water, like all other church prayers, are performed on behalf of the entire Church. The priest, calling believers to prayer, says: “Let us pray to the Lord in peace!” (Russian translation: “In peace, that is, in a peaceful state, let us pray to the Lord!”) - we will pray, that is, all those who are at the service. Believers are not observers of what is happening, but living participants in worship, together with the clergy, offering a single prayer to God. Therefore, we can say that each believer participates in sanctification through his own prayer, which becomes the single prayer of the entire Church. Therefore, in order to participate in the Great Blessing of Water, each of us can come to the church service on January 19.
Newspaper "Saratov Panorama" No. 2 (930)
Epiphany water is not a magic potion. It can be drunk on an empty stomach, by the unbaptized and even by non-believers. Archpriest answers the most common questions about Epiphany water. Konstantin OSTROVSKY.
After the rite of the Great Blessing of water, queues will begin to form around churches for Epiphany water, which is one of the greatest shrines Churches. Believers, treating this shrine and its properties with special reverence, often try to be as strict as possible about the rules for its use. Is it really not possible for everyone and not always to drink holy Epiphany water? Archpriest Konstantin OSTROVSKY, dean of the Krasnogorsk district, rector of the Assumption Church in the city of Krasnogorsk, answers this question to the NS.
— Father Konstantin, is it possible for unbaptized people or non-believers to drink Epiphany water?
This question can be answered in the same way as the Typikon answers the question whether it is possible to drink Epiphany water on an empty stomach. Can. After all, if this water is sprinkled on homes and animals, then any person is not forbidden to use it. By the way, when consecrating a house, they even sprinkle it on the toilets, and that’s okay. Of course, it does not follow from this that the unbaptized need to be specially given Epiphany water to drink, but I don’t see any harm in any unbaptized person drinking it. If he believes in God, but has not yet been baptized, and if at the same time he feels reverence for the church shrine, then this will only be for the good. If an unbaptized, unbelieving person, and simply not understanding anything, decided to drink it, nothing bad will happen either, he drank and drank. But if a person is not just not a believer, but a fighter against God, and specifically drinks this water with an evil feeling, then such consumption of Epiphany water, of course, cannot be recommended. However, this also applies to baptized people.
— Is it possible to secretly add Epiphany water to the food of non-believers, in the hope that they will thus come to God? I know that this is often done by pious wives who want to bring their unbelieving husbands to the temple.
One cannot think that if an unbaptized person is lured somewhere into holy place or pour holy water into him on the sly, this will lead him to salvation. If a wife prays for her loved one, and with a prayer she also added some water, then it’s okay, but if she doesn’t trust in God, but believes that this Shrine will somehow secretly affect him, then I think this is already magic.
On the other hand, there is such a case in life righteous Alexy Mecheva. There was a time when he advised one of his spiritual daughters to give prosphora to her unbelieving husband. She began to give, and then came and complained: “Father, he eats them with soup!” And Father Alexy tells her: “Even if it’s with soup, let him eat it.” And then this husband turned to God. Everything is determined by a person’s internal state and intention. Therefore, I would not tackle this issue one-sidedly.
— Father Konstantin, there is such a delicate question. Is it possible for women who are unclean to drink Epiphany water?
The Holy Fathers expressed various opinions about the ritual significance of menstrual cleansing for women. Some, and very authoritative authors, considered it unacceptable for women to receive communion in such a state. This custom is very firmly established in the Church, and I do not believe that it is necessary to fight it. We do not know all the depths of human nature. Perhaps, during the days of menstrual cleansing, something happens to both the body and soul of a woman, because of which it is better for her to postpone Holy Communion if possible.
But I see no reason not to drink Epiphany water in this state. There is no need to indulge in excessive mysticism. It is our sins that make us unworthy of shrines, not physiological conditions.
— Is it true that Epiphany water does not spoil, and where can Epiphany water be poured?
It happens differently. We don't have any statistics to draw conclusions and understand why it sometimes goes bad. It doesn't matter at all. I have had a bottle of water from the Jordan in my closet for fifteen years, and the water has not spoiled. But, if suddenly the natural processes of decomposition of some organisms begin in it, this does not mean that there is no God and that the water is not holy.
If, nevertheless, the Epiphany water has spoiled, then, according to custom, it must be poured into some “untrammeled place.” It's either special place at the temple, where holy water or a river is drained if necessary. You can pour it on the lawn or under a tree. In any case, if possible, it is better not to pour it down the drain, because symbolic actions still have meanings for our soul. But, while observing customs, you should not immerse yourself in them with all your soul, but you need to pray to God, hope in Him and try to live according to His commandments.
