What to do with last year's Epiphany water? Prayer for the blessing of baptismal water
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Ecology of life: When we come to a festive church service, we first of all go to meet God, to meet that joy...
When we come to a festive service in a church, we first of all go to meet God, to meet the joy that, in theory, we should share at this hour with our loved ones and those around us.
But does this happen in our real life? It's coming soon Feast of the Epiphany and we will jostle 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?
Traditions and rituals on the feast of the Epiphany
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.
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 blessed on January 19 is called Epiphany water, and water blessed the day before is called Epiphany water. In fact, the water on these two days is consecrated with the same rite, has the same properties and is called the Great Agiasma differently. "Agiasma" is translated from Greek language like a 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?
Epiphany and Epiphany water are different names 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 later 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, everything is sanctified water element on the ground. But this is a one-time occurrence God's grace, while the 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 the All-Night Vigil on the 18th evening.
In large temples in 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.
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 blessing of baptismal water
Prayers for consecration Epiphany water pronounced 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 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, that's not true.
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.
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 for some other reason, are deprived of the opportunity to begin Communion.
The Divine Service Rules stipulate 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 shouldn’t 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 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 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 baptismal water.
During the Great Blessing of Water, the Church prays: “About the existence of this water, the gift of sanctification, the remission of sins, for the healing of the soul and body of those who draw from it and eat it, for the sanctification of houses... and for every good benefit (strong)”.
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 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 in 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 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.
How to sanctify with baptismal water?
It is clear that a person can perform any sanctification independently. Just take a sprinkle or a tail from a rosary, holy water.
You need to moisten the brush in holy water and, with the prayer “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” sprinkle the room with it in a cross shape.
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. It is also in prayer books, and can also be found on the Internet. So, you can read this prayer, and then sprinkle the thing you are consecrating in the same way with a cross.
How to sanctify an apartment with Epiphany water?
There is a special prayer for the consecration 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".
But again, the most important thing is to do everything with reverence and faith.
Is it possible to heat a bathhouse with Epiphany water?
It is possible and necessary! There is no such thing as too much holiness. On the contrary, you need to quickly take it and use it, because tomorrow there will be nowhere to get it.
Is it possible to swim in Epiphany water?
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 drawn here that, maybe this is 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!published . If you have any questions about this topic, ask them to the experts and readers of our project .
Tonight the Orthodox celebrate Epiphany Eve. As often happens in Rus', pagan traditions are closely intertwined with Orthodox rites. There is a lot connected with Epiphany Christmas Eve folk signs and believe. In the old days, for example, a bowl of water was placed on the table to witness the Baptism of the Lord. At the same time they said: “at night the water itself will sway,” - this was a sign. If at midnight the water in the bowl really swayed, people ran to see the “open heavens” - what are they talking about? open sky If you pray, it will come true.
In the villages, on Epiphany, old women and girls collected snow from stacks. Old women - in order to bleach canvas, it was believed that only this snow could make it snow-white. And girls - in order to whiten their skin and become more beautiful. They believed that after washing herself with this snow, a girl becomes very attractive. In addition, according to legend, Epiphany snow could even store water in dry wells for the whole year. Snow collected on Epiphany evening was considered healing and was used to treat various ailments.
Epiphany Christmas Eve is strict fast. On this day they fasted and ate juices, i.e. lean porridge, vegetable pancakes, honey pancakes, baked juices with berries. Kutia was prepared from rice, honey and raisins. In general, everything vegetable is suitable for food, porridge, tea, compote, bread. But everything is very modest.
Epiphany Christmas Eve is an evening of preparation before the big Orthodox holiday, which is called the Epiphany of the Lord's Baptism. This festival Orthodox Church, belongs to the Twelve. Celebrated on January 6th Art. Art. (January 19 new century). On this day, the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist (Baptist) in the Jordan River is remembered. (The Greek word, translated into Slavic and then Russian by the word “baptism,” should more accurately be translated by the word “immersion.” John’s Baptism was actually a cleansing wash. Christian baptism is understood as taking on the cross). The baptism of John the Baptist had the meaning of a spiritually cleansing action. Therefore, when Jesus Christ came to be baptized, John began to hold Him back, saying: “I need to be baptized by You.” The Feast of Epiphany is also called the Feast of Epiphany - since on this day God revealed Himself clearly to the world in three persons of His Divinity: God the Son - Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended on Him in the form of a dove, God the Father testified to Jesus Christ with a voice from heaven . All-night vigil The feast of Epiphany consists of Great Compline, Litia, Matins and the first hour.
On the day of the holiday and on the day of Epiphany Eve, the Great Blessing of Water is performed. In the courtyards of churches there are long lines for holy water. If a person for some serious reason cannot go to service or lives a thousand kilometers from the nearest church, he can resort to healing power plain water taken from an ordinary reservoir in Epiphany night, although such water cannot actually be considered holy. On the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, the water in churches is consecrated according to a special rite - the great Jordanian consecration and is called Epiphany. There is such a Greek word - "agiasma", it is translated as shrine. And the attitude towards it, towards the great shrine, should be special.
She eats it on an empty stomach, a spoonful at a time, a little at a time. The man stood up, crossed himself, asked the Lord for a blessing for the day that had begun, washed, prayed and accepted the great agiasma. If the medicine is prescribed to be taken on an empty stomach, then holy water is taken first, followed by the medicine. And then breakfast and other things to do. Devotees of Christian piety call consecrated water the best cure for all spiritual and physical ailments. Often confessors “prescribe” Epiphany water to their sick children - a spoonful every hour, with faith, of course, but without faith, drink at least half a canister. You can wash the patient with it and sprinkle the bed with it. True, women are not blessed to take Epiphany water on critical days. But this is if the woman is otherwise healthy. And if she is sick, then even this circumstance does not matter. May Epiphany water help her!
It is believed that holy water does not spoil, so there is no need to put it in the refrigerator. Orthodox Christians keep it in the Red Corner, next to the icons. In addition, a drop of shrine sanctifies the sea. You can take ordinary, unconsecrated water and add a drop of Epiphany water to it, and it will all be sanctified.
When taking or receiving holy water, it is strictly forbidden to quarrel, swear, or indulge in ungodly actions or thoughts. As a result, holy water loses its holiness and often simply spills.
Orthodox believers celebrate Epiphany Eve on the evening of January 18th. This holy evening has its own traditions and rituals, which you should definitely know about in order to properly celebrate great holiday.
It was customary for our grandmothers and great-grandmothers to wash the entire house on Epiphany Eve. Traditions on Epiphany Eve say that it is time to take down all the Christmas decorations and put away the tree. There should be traditional ritual dishes on the table that evening. But the most important symbol of Baptism is, of course, water. She is a symbol of new life and purification, good health. The blessing of water in churches also begins on January 18, during the Christmas Eve period. Epiphany Christmas Eve on January 18 includes the blessing of the house with holy water. It is important to sprinkle a cross of water on every corner of the home, as well as the entrance doors and windows: to protect the house from evil spirits.
This is interesting! It was believed that on the night of January 18-19, evil spirits gained strength and could cause misfortune to people. Therefore, even before bringing home holy water, to protect themselves from evil spirits, people drew crosses with chalk on frames and doors.
Traditions require fasting on this day and not eating until the first star appears in the sky. It is best to abstain from food altogether and drink very little. On festive table traditionally poor dishes were served. After all, the ancestors believed that on this night, despite all the protection, evil spirits would definitely enter the house. Poor dishes were placed on the table so that the evil spirits would remain hungry. The traditional ritual dish was Poor or Hungry kutia.
The dishes that were always put on the table were not only kutia, but also uzvar. Of course, the meal began with holy water. All dishes on Christmas Eve should be lean, and their number on the table should be 7, 9 or 12. In principle, the festive table on Epiphany Eve can repeat the festive table on Christmas Eve. Only the dishes that will be served on the table at Epiphany should be even more modest.
So, the meal on Holy Christmas Eve began with holy water. Then each person at the table had to eat a spoonful of kutya and wash down the porridge with a sip of uzvar. After this, you can proceed to the rest of the dishes. Often these were cookies in the shape of crosses, a variety of Lenten pies, dumplings, cabbage rolls. Sometimes they served.
This is interesting! IN western regions In Ukraine, special ritual loaves - karachuns - were baked on Epiphany Eve. This food was treated to domestic animals and livestock. Also, some owners prepared kutya for animals. They left a little ritual porridge from Christmas, New Year and Epiphany and prepared kutia from this mixture.
Another interesting custom was associated with kutia at Epiphany. When the porridge ran out, the children began to bang their spoons on the table and on the empty plate, saying that kutya had gone from pokutya. They also went out into the street with noise and knocking to drive away the kutya. This custom was considered a logical conclusion and a noisy farewell to the merry Christmastide and Christmas holidays until next year. In Western Ukraine, it was customary to sing carols on Epiphany Eve.
On the day of Baptism itself, it was necessary to wash with holy water and sprinkle each other with it. Later, many went to nearby ponds and rivers to plunge into the ice-hole. Our ancestors drank holy water on an empty stomach, because it was considered a medicine that treats not only diseases of the body, but also diseases of the soul. Epiphany water must be stored throughout the year. She has healing power, and it is best to store it next to the icons. Under no circumstances should consecrated water be stored in vessels that stand on the floor.
Signs for Epiphany Christmas Eve
At night you need to put a bowl of water on the table. If at midnight the water in the bowl sways, then you need to run outside. This means that the heavens have opened and you can pray for what you really want. The dream will definitely come true;
In the villages, old women collected snow from stacks on Epiphany Eve. They did this because it was believed that this snow could make the canvas snow-white;
The girls also collected snow from the stacks, but they did it for a different reason. They wanted to whiten their skin and become even more beautiful;
Epiphany snow, according to old beliefs, is capable of preserving water for the whole year even in dry wells;
The snow that was collected on Epiphany Eve was considered healing. They could treat various diseases;
If there is a blizzard and snow on Epiphany, then the year will be fruitful;
If the snow bends the tree branches to the ground, then the year will be fruitful and the bees will swarm well;
If there is not enough snow on the trees, then in the summer you don’t have to look for mushrooms and berries in the forest: there won’t be any;
If the stars in the sky burn brightly on Christmas Eve, then there will be fertility of lambs in the year;
If there is a snowstorm on Epiphany, the same weather should be expected on Maslenitsa;
If southern winds blow on Epiphany, it means that in the summer there will be rain and thunderstorms.
Also more interesting information you can find out on our website.
Rituals on the eve of this holiday are rarely observed. But it’s never too late to use the wisdom of your ancestors to do everything according to the rules. Some people place high hopes on blessed water, forgetting that this is not the only tradition that must be honored on the eve of Epiphany.
Friends, I congratulate you on this wonderful Christmas holiday!
The first star will rise
Foretelling miracles.
Snow will sweep away adversity.
Heaven will send you peace!
May Christmas Eve give you
Feelings of warmth and clarity of thought!
Pray to heaven
This Christmas Eve.
May God hear you
And he will repay you a hundredfold.
Happiness will arrive on the threshold,
What is more valuable than all awards!
Epiphany Christmas Eve- this is the threshold of the big church holiday Epiphany of the Lord. On this day, the first Great Blessing of water takes place, which has healing and miraculous properties.
January 18, according to the old style January 5 is the eve of the feast of the Epiphany, or Epiphany. On this day, people prepared themselves for the holiday by fasting, so the evening was called hungry. We only ate sochi, lean porridge, vegetable pancakes and honey pancakes.
By popular belief, on the eve of Epiphany, snow acquired special properties; It was believed that only Epiphany snow can whiten any canvas, that it can heal ailments, and if you wash in a bathhouse with water from melted Epiphany snow, you can preserve beauty and youth for a long time.
At midnight on Epiphany they went to the river to fetch water: they said that it could stand without spoiling, and had the same wonderful properties as Epiphany snow.
The starry sky on Epiphany Eve foreshadowed good harvest bread, snowfall - buckwheat, and a blizzard - that bees will swarm well.
The snowstorm that day promised a blizzard for Maslenitsa, and a strong south wind promised a stormy summer.
Signs on Epiphany Eve:
“If there is a blizzard, snow or drifting snow on this day, there will be a harvest,”
“If the snow bends the branches on the trees, there will be a good harvest, bees will swarm well,”
“There is not enough snow on the branches of the trees - in the summer you don’t look for mushrooms or berries,” hence the people’s gratitude: “Thank you, frost, for bringing snow.”
If in the sky full month on Epiphany Eve - to a large flood of rivers. If dogs bark a lot, then there will be a lot of game and animals in the forest.
On Epiphany Christmas Eve it was customary to clean and wash the entire house, remove Christmas decorations and prepare ritual dishes.
Water plays a major role in this holiday. Water is a symbol of new life, purification, health. On the evening of January 18, churches began to bless water. After which the owners hurried home and, with the help of spikelets and dried herbs, consecrated all corners of the house and barn so that the house would be a full cup and their loved ones would not get sick.
In addition, there was a custom to draw crosses with chalk above the doors and window openings, as well as in the corners of rooms to ward off evil spirits.
Epiphany Christmas Eve is also called Hungry or Poor (second) Kutya.
This name can be explained in different ways: on this day, before the first star, they observed a very strict fast, that is, they abstained from food and drank very little, after the first star they sat down at the table and ate lean or otherwise hungry dishes.
It was also believed that on this night various evil spirits wanted to enter the house, so the kutya was called hungry, so that all the evil spirits would remain hungry.
There were always traditional ones on the table: uzvar, kutia (lenten, seasoned with vegetable, most often hemp, poppy or nut milk and honey) and, of course, blessed water, with which the meal began. On the hungry Kutya, all dishes were lean, and their quantities were 7, 9, 12, as on Christmas Eve, although they were more modest.
The meal began with holy water. Then we ate kutya and washed it down with uzvar. After which they proceeded to the rest of the meal: cookies in the form of crosses, Lenten pies and pampushkas, oat and wheat pancakes, dumplings, cabbage rolls, cabbage rolls, and less often fish dishes and lean borscht with beans were served.
In the western regions of Ukraine, ritual loaves called karachuns were also baked. They treated both domestic animals and livestock to holiday food so that they would be healthy.
Sometimes housewives left a little bit of kutya from different holidays: Christmas, New Year and Epiphany - they mixed these leftovers with flour and fed the animals.
By the way, there is an interesting custom associated with kutya, which has its roots in pagan antiquity: after the ritual porridge was eaten, the children banged spoons on the empty dishes and kicked out the kutya with the words:
“Get out, kutya, from pokutya!”
There was even a custom - after dinner, to go out into the street, knock and shout in order to drive away the kutya. Thus, our ancestors said goodbye to happy holidays until next year.
On western Ukraine On Epiphany Christmas Eve they were generous.
On the day of Epiphany, it was customary to wash and sprinkle each other with water, and later to plunge into the waters of various rivers and reservoirs.
At the beginning of the day, they drank consecrated water on an empty stomach as a medicine, because it was believed that holy water could treat not only physical illnesses, but also help heal spiritual wounds.
Epiphany water was kept all year, because it had healing powers.
For Epiphany dinner, equal amounts of lean and fast dishes were served.
We started the meal with kutya and uzvar, then took turns trying lenten dishes and only then moved on to the fast ones: porridge seasoned with butter and cream, sweet pies and juices, knishes, as well as rich borscht seasoned with lard, and baked pork, jellied meat, and sausages.
On this day we ate pancakes, pancakes, and pancakes with honey. It was believed that the more you eat, the more generous the new year will be.
At the table, everyone present exchanged wishes for health and happiness. Already on January 20, the winter meat-eating period began, which lasted until Maslenitsa.
On the night of January 18-19, all the water on the planet becomes not just life-giving moisture, but its abilities can be the most incredible!
This consecrated water does not deteriorate over time, no matter where it is stored. Compared to ordinary water, which after a few days begins to emit bad smell, this water remains crystal fresh even after a year!
In the old days, many people washed themselves with snow on this day, believing that it would help get rid of serious illnesses.
The girls used it as cosmetic product for whitening the face, and melt water as healing compresses. Interesting fact is that a drop of consecrated water imparts the same properties to ordinary water, which is why the expressions appeared “A drop of shrine will sanctify the sea!”.
According to legends, on the eve of the Epiphany of the Lord, people turned to God with requests, which he fulfilled if they were sincere.
I really want human deeds and thoughts to be as pure as water on Epiphany Eve, but only we ourselves can do this, so we should think about our actions!
Epiphany Holy Water.
All our lives there is a great shrine next to us - holy water (in Greek “agiasma” - “shrine”).
Blessed water is an image of God's grace: it cleanses believers from spiritual impurities, sanctifies and strengthens them for the feat of salvation in God.
We first plunge into it at Baptism, when, upon receiving this sacrament, we are immersed three times in a font filled with holy water.
Holy water in the sacrament of Baptism washes away the sinful impurities of a person, renews and revives him in new life in Christ.
Holy water is necessarily present during the consecration of temples and all objects used in worship, during consecration residential buildings, buildings, any household item. We are sprinkled with holy water on religious processions, during prayer services.
On the day of Epiphany, every Orthodox Christian carries home a vessel with holy water, carefully preserves it as the greatest shrine, prayerfully communing with holy water in illnesses and all infirmities.
“Consecrated water,” as St. Demetrius of Kherson wrote, “has the power to sanctify the souls and bodies of all who use it.” She, accepted with faith and prayer, heals our bodily illnesses.
The Monk Seraphim of Sarov, after the confession of the pilgrims, always gave them to drink from the cup of holy Epiphany water.
The Monk Ambrose of Optina sent a bottle of holy water to a terminally ill patient - and to the amazement of the doctors, the incurable disease went away.
Elder Hieroschemamonk Seraphim Vyritsky always advised sprinkling food and the food itself with Jordanian (baptismal) water, which, in his words, “itself sanctifies everything.”
When someone was very sick, Elder Seraphim gave his blessing to take a tablespoon of consecrated water every hour.
The elder said that there is no stronger medicine than holy water and blessed oil.
The rite of water blessing, which is performed on the feast of Epiphany, is called great because of the special solemnity of the rite, imbued with the remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord, in which the Church sees not only the mysterious washing of sins, but also the actual sanctification of the very nature of water through the immersion of God in the flesh.
Blessing of water in the Sretensky Monastery.
The Great Blessing of Water is performed twice - on the very day of Epiphany, and also the day before, on the eve of Epiphany (Epiphany Eve). Some believers mistakenly believe that the water blessed these days is different.
But in fact, on Christmas Eve and on the very day of the feast of Epiphany, one rite is used for the blessing of water.
St. John Chrysostom also said that the holy Epiphany water remains incorruptible for many years, is fresh, pure and pleasant, as if it had just been drawn from a living source just that minute. This is the miracle of God’s grace, which everyone sees now!
According to the belief of the Church, agiasma is not plain water spiritual significance, but a new being, spiritual-physical being, the interconnectedness of Heaven and earth, grace and substance, and, moreover, very close.
That is why the great hagiasma, according to church canons, is considered as a kind of lower degree of Holy Communion: in those cases when, due to sins committed, penance and a ban on approaching the Holy Body and Blood of Christ are imposed on a member of the Church, the usual canonical reservation is made:
“Let him drink the agiasma.”
Epiphany water is a shrine that should be in every home Orthodox Christian. It is carefully kept in the holy corner near the icons.
In addition to Epiphany water, Orthodox Christians often use water blessed at prayer services (small blessing of water) performed throughout the year. It is obligatory that the minor consecration of water is performed by the Church on the day of the Origin (destruction) of the Honest Trees Life-giving Cross Lord's Day and on the day of Midsummer, when we remember the words of the Savior, full of the deepest mystery, spoken by Him to the Samaritan woman:
“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life” (Gospel of John, chapter 4, verse 14).
It is customary to drink Holy Epiphany water on an empty stomach along with prosphora after the morning meal. prayer rule with special reverence as a shrine.
“When a person consumes prosphora and holy water,” said the reclusive Georgy Zadonsky, “then the unclean spirit does not approach him, the soul and body are sanctified, thoughts are illuminated to please God, and the person is inclined to fasting, prayer and all virtues.”
Prayer for accepting prosphora and holy water:
Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my mental and physical strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities, according to Your infinite mercy through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints Yours. Amen."
There are many people baptism signs , knowing which you can prevent a lot of trouble for yourself and your family:
1. The evening before Epiphany, the mistress of the house must draw crosses over the doors and windows to protect her home from evil spirits and other evil forces.
2. On Epiphany Eve it is worth stocking up on Epiphany water, for which you go to the river or springs at midnight. This water has amazing healing powers.
3. Before the holiday of Epiphany, you cannot take anything out of the house and lend money so as not to feel the need for the whole year.
4. On Epiphany Christmas Eve, the eldest woman in the family counts the tablecloths. Whoever does this will always have many guests in his house.
5. A bird knocking on the window at Epiphany announces that the souls of the dead ask for prayers and all sorts of godly deeds for their forgiveness.
6. On January 19, if someone from the family leaves home, they do not remove the ashes from the ash pit until he returns, otherwise trouble will happen to the person on the way.
The most basic prohibition on the eve of Epiphany– Do not fill your home with quarrels and bickering. After all, negative energy accumulates in the corners of the apartment and does not intend to simply disappear, but like a spark tries to ignite a flame. That is, it will affect those living in this room people with the aim of provoking them to new scandals and anger.
To cleanse your home of negativity, you can use basic but effective methods:
Firstly, ventilate your home at least once a week. The air contains charged particles that are good at destroying clots negative energy and thus clean the home.
Try to do wet cleaning once a week. Add a tablespoon of salt to a bucket of water. According to magical analogies, salt is a substance with positive energy, since, being a preservative, it prevents destruction. Be sure to keep a geranium bush at home. There is no hassle with it, and the protection is excellent.
Light natural wax candles. Unlike paraffin and stearin suppositories wax contains a large charge of pure positive energy, which will be absorbed by your body and cleanse the apartment.
During the evening service, small churches often cannot accommodate everyone who wants to atone for their sins, especially during the ritual of blessing the water, since most people were firmly convinced that the earlier you take the blessed water, the more healing it will be.
After the water was dedicated in the church, each owner, with all his household members, took a few sips from the brought jug, and then sprinkled holy water on all his property in order to protect his home for the whole year not only from troubles, but also from the evil eye.
It is necessary to sprinkle the housing with a pinch right hand, crosswise, going around the room clockwise. That is, starting from the entrance, go deep into the house on the left side and go around all the rooms. You need to finish the sprinkling where you started, at front door. When sprinkling, the door or window must be open or slightly open. When sprinkling a house, it is necessary to say the words: “By sprinkling this holy water, every unclean and demonic action may be put to flight.”
After all these rituals, holy water was placed near the icons, since everyone not only believed in the healing power of this water, but were also convinced that it could not spoil.
Water collected from an ice hole on the eve of Epiphany is also considered healing and is used for the prevention and treatment of diseases throughout the next year.
I believe, that means I love:
There are different traditions for celebrating Christmas Eve. But the essence of them all comes down to one thing - the joyful anticipation of the miracle of the Nativity of God - the man Christ and his baptism.
These rituals, like many others in Orthodoxy, are aimed primarily at strengthening the humanistic principles of life, love, mutual understanding and forgiveness.
The sacred evening - Epiphany Christmas Eve.
Tomorrow is our Epiphany.
On the great holiday revealed by God
Purification awaits us.
We will be baptized, we will fast
Let's go bless the water
This water heals pain
We walk with faith in our souls.
Leaving the temple, we congratulate everyone
Happy holiday like this
We congratulate everyone and wish
Faith, hope, love.
The Dean of the parishes of the Donetsk district, Priest Vladimir Tatarkin, kindly told us about the feast of the Epiphany and what is connected with it.
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.
Epiphany water is water consecrated 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, the water on these two days 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.
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.
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.
As for the frequency of drinking Epiphany water, Saint Luke Voino-Yasenetsky said: “Drink holy water as often as possible.”
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.
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 a “church medicine,” but with faith, prayer, reverence, and the desire to change oneself and go to Christ.
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 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.
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.”
Prayer for receiving Epiphany water.
“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".
Is it possible to swim in Epiphany water?
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 defile it, precisely by our behavior, then this will not be good; if it is used for cooking, or for washing the diseased organs of our body, or for 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 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 surround ourselves with 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?
Happy holiday to everyone, dear friends!
Photo: editors N. and from open sources