Epiphany water - about the use of holy water. One of the secrets of Epiphany water has been revealed

How do pseudoscientists explain the “special” properties that water acquires during Baptism, why they are wrong and how one can be poisoned by holy water, explains Indicator.Ru.

The properties of water attract both scientists and ordinary people equally. Only if for the former it is a subject of study that demonstrates interesting physical properties, then others often consider water a mysterious substance to which incredible abilities are attributed.

In Russia, the latter is especially evident on the eve Orthodox Baptism January 19, which is associated with biblical history about the baptism of Jesus. Many believers are sure that water acquires healing properties on the eve of this church holiday. Let's see if there is a scientific basis for the properties attributed to water.

First, let's repeat some material from school curriculum. From it we all should have learned that water has a truly unique set of characteristics. For example, the solid phase of water, ice, has a lower density than liquid water, and is also characterized by extremely high specific heat capacity and surface tension.

The structure of the molecule, in which two hydrogen atoms form an angle of 104.45° with an oxygen atom, and the properties of these atoms themselves provide a high value of the dipole moment (this is why water heats up well in microwave oven), and also make it a good solvent for polar substances.

However, none of the above is mentioned by semi-religious figures in the context of the remarkable properties of this liquid. Usually you can hear “terms” from them like “energy-information memory”, “structuredness”, “aquacommunications” and the like.

One of the works often cited in such cases is “What explains the healing properties of holy water, Orthodox prayer And sign of the cross? electrical engineer Angelina Malakhovskaya. In it, the author describes how water’s physical properties change and healing qualities manifest when exposed to various religious rituals. Among other things, a change was announced optical properties, namely an increase in optical density in the region of 200-260 nm.

However, employees of the Physics Faculty of St. Petersburg State University were unable to confirm Malakhovskaya’s conclusions even using a hundred times more accurate equipment. The structure of water is an eternal topic of pseudoscientific articles, the authors of which are not familiar with the current results of scientific research.

Meanwhile, it has long been shown that the structures that, according to some, “remember” and “record” information, live in water only for extremely short periods of time (about a picosecond).

Another common myth is that there is some special configuration magnetic field Earth on the eve of January 19, providing water with “special” properties. In fact, the Earth’s magnetic field does not assume any specific state, because its source is the rotation of the core - a very inert process that cannot change significantly on a scale of days.

The real change in the Earth's magnetic field manifests itself in the form of movement magnetic poles with a characteristic speed of several kilometers per year and field reversal, which occurs on average once every half a million years.

Among the special properties of Epiphany water - and consecrated water in general - is also often mentioned its ability not to spoil for a long time. Some especially ardent believers even reserve it for a year in advance.

This opinion can only be due to a lack of understanding of the reasons why water becomes undrinkable. In fact, the culprit is bacteria, which decompose particles of organic substances dissolved in water, invisible to the naked eye.

It is logical that water taken from pure source, especially at low ambient temperatures, which is stored in a tightly sealed container, will deteriorate much more slowly than usual. Another possible explanation is the frequent use of silver objects in church rituals. Silver ions, even in small quantities entering the water, have bactericidal properties and effectively suppress the growth of bacteria.

By the way, if the water for consecration is not taken from a clean source, then the amount of bacteria in it will be quite dangerous to health, this has been proven by Austrian scientists. During the work, the researchers took water samples from 21 holy springs and 18 samples from special vessels for holy water located in churches in Vienna.

During the water analysis, it was shown that only 14% of the samples satisfied sanitary standards and was drinkable. In the remaining 86% of samples, microorganisms such as Escherichia coli (Escherichia coli), Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus), Salmonella, and bacteria of the genus Campylobacter were found.

Another favorite “explanation” of the mysterious properties of water among obscurantists is reference to certain “cosmic influences.” Here, each interpreter gives free rein to his imagination, so the absurdity of the theses is limited only by the number of scientific terms familiar to a particular person.

Here you can find neutrinos emanating from the center of the Galaxy, which is lined up with the Sun and Earth, and cosmic rays awakening electrons sitting deep in the lithosphere, and hypotheses about the impact of interplanetary space on the bioinformational fields of water.

It is very difficult to refute such a number of heterogeneous unconfirmed hypotheses, but you can consider the problem as a whole. Of course, particle flows from space change over time. In particular, the flux of solar neutrinos correlates with the 11-year cycle of solar activity, but is in no way connected with what is happening on Earth.

The number of particles recorded on the surface of the planet from deep space depends on time much less: the usual variations are a fraction of a percent and again do not have any pronounced anomalies during winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

In general, we can say that none of the “miraculous” properties of Epiphany water are not only not confirmed by real scientific research, but also do not have any substantiated scientific basis. Water is already very interesting substance, and its physical and chemical properties There will certainly be more research on this in the future.

It is also called the Epiphany - because on this day God revealed Himself as the Trinity. Another name for this holiday, which we find in liturgical books, is Enlightenment. The Lord, appearing on the Jordan, enlightened the whole world with Himself. Well, the most famous event associated with this holiday, which takes place annually in Orthodox churches, - blessing of water.

It has been customary in the Church to bless water on the feast of Epiphany since the 5th century. Moreover, in liturgical texts we find a mention that “today the waters are sanctified,” that is, all the water in the whole world is sanctified. But it is not sanctified in itself, but precisely because throughout the world on this day the Church performs an ancient rite.

Epiphany water is known to have special properties. First of all, these are spiritual properties. In the prayer for the consecration of water, we ask that the Lord send “sanctification, health, purification and blessing” to everyone who drinks this water and is sprinkled with it.

Often this water does not spoil throughout the year, or even longer, unlike ordinary water, which after a while blooms and becomes undrinkable. St. John Chrysostom testifies to this miracle: “A clear sign occurs: this water in its essence does not deteriorate over time, but, drawn today, it remains intact and fresh for a whole year, and often two and three years.” However, it happens that Epiphany water blooms. In this case, it should be poured into a place that cannot be trampled. There is no need to see this as some kind of harbinger of misfortune. However, perhaps it’s worth thinking about: isn’t the Lord showing in this way that we need to fix something in our lives?

Atheist-minded people often try to explain the miraculous properties of Epiphany water by natural causes. For example, they say that water does not spoil because the priest immerses a silver cross in it and it thereby ionizes. In this regard, there is such, one might say, an Orthodox problem: “How many silver ions are contained in a liter of consecrated Epiphany water, if the consecration was carried out in an ice hole cut in the ice of the Volga, in a place where the river width reaches a kilometer, the depth is ten meters, the speed of the current - 5 km/hour, and the cross with which the village priest blessed the water is wooden? The answer is obvious.

It is important to remember that Epiphany water is a shrine. And one drop of holy water can sanctify the whole sea

In Soviet times, people who lived far from churches took water from the tap or from the river on Epiphany Day. And since on this day all the water on Earth is sanctified, according to the faith of these people, the Lord gave spiritual properties to such water. But if a person, having the opportunity to go to church and being too lazy to do so, decides to draw ordinary water, of course, such water cannot be considered baptismal.

In the Russian tradition, water is blessed twice - on Epiphany Eve and on the day of Epiphany. Both times the rite of consecration is exactly the same, so there is no difference between the water consecrated the day before and on the very day of the holiday. It also does not matter at all in which temple the water was taken: its holiness, like the holiness of any church sacrament, does not depend either on the priest performing it or on the antiquity of the temple. Therefore, real paganism is the idea that “the water in the seven temples is stronger,” or similar reasoning, which, unfortunately, one encounters.

You need to take as much Epiphany water as you need, so that it lasts for the whole year. It is important to remember that this water is sacred and should not be added to regular food, and especially not to the bath. If you run out of water, there is nothing wrong with diluting it with regular water. And nothing depends on the quantity: one drop of holy water can sanctify an entire sea.

It is customary to drink Epiphany water on an empty stomach. At the same time, one cannot help but notice that this tradition is not at all obligatory. In the service of the Feast of Epiphany it is directly stated that holy water can be taken at any time, because “it is not because of eating food that we become unclean, but because of our bad deeds: having been cleansed from them, we drink without a doubt this holy water.” If we are sick or feel the invasion of some passions, or need spiritual support, then regardless of whether we have eaten that day or not, we can drink Epiphany water.

Swimming at Epiphany does not “wash away sins”

Separately, it should be said about the tradition of swimming on the feast of Epiphany. This tradition is quite late and has never been supported by the Church. And, of course, one cannot draw a parallel between baptismal bathing and the sacrament of Baptism. This bathing does not “wash away sins” and is not spiritually important at all. If a person really wants to get into the water in winter, well, the Church does not prevent this. But we must not forget about the possible consequences. Those who bathe at Epiphany are not at all immune from illness; moreover, even deaths are known during such bathing. And, of course, you cannot swim at Epiphany while drunk: it is not only dangerous, but also simply blasphemous.

It is much more important on this day to attend a service, prepare for the sacrament of Communion, pay attention to your spiritual life - in a word, spend the holiday as Christians should.

May the Lord, who was baptized in the Jordan, give us all physical, mental and - most importantly - spiritual health!

On January 19, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany of the Lord. Otherwise, this holiday is called the Epiphany, since at this moment the manifestation of the Fullness of the Divinity took place - the appearance of all the Persons of the Holy Trinity: the Father, who testified with a voice from Heaven about the Son, the Son who received Baptism, and the Holy Spirit, who descended on the Son in the form of a dove.

Since the New Testament Baptism took place in the waters of the Jordan River, this holiday is closely associated with the symbolism of water and purification. It is no coincidence that in Russia, whose climate is very different from the climate of Palestine, on Epiphany thousands of believers, and not only believers, swim in ice holes. It is believed that on the night of Epiphany, all water, both in ponds and rivers, and even from the tap, becomes holy, baptismal.

What the Orthodox Church says

Epiphany water in Greek is called “Great Agiasma” (“shrine”). This water, the church teaches, provides healing for mental and physical ailments, extinguishes the flames of passions, and drives away evil forces. Therefore, baptismal water is sprinkled on the home and every thing that is consecrated. Saint John Chrysostom, who lived in the 4th century, said that holy water remains incorruptible for many years, is fresh, pure and pleasant, as if it had only been drawn from a living source a minute ago.
Many saints, in response to requests for healing, sent the sick a bottle of Epiphany water, or simply advised prayerfully, reverently, to drink such water every day.

Orthodox people have a special attitude towards Epiphany water. For example, it is not customary to pour holy water where it can be trampled under foot, and if for some reason the need to pour out Epiphany water arises, then this should be done somewhere in the garden, at the roots of a tree, or in a flower bed. Epiphany water should be stored next to the images, and drunk in the morning, on an empty stomach, after reading the morning prayers.
It is also believed that if ordinary water is diluted with Epiphany water, then the entire liquid will become holy.

What Science Says

Scientists, even non-believers, in general, have never denied such a property of Epiphany water as the ability to remain fresh for a long time. What is strange if this water is taken at the very cold period years when microbial activity is zero? In addition, when consecrating water, a silver cross is immersed in a vessel, but everyone knows that silver ions destroy microorganisms.
However, it recently became clear that the properties of Epiphany water are not limited to this.

Some scientists explain the healing properties of Epiphany water by the characteristics of the Earth's magnetic field. On this day it deviates from the norm and all the water on the planet becomes magnetized. What causes these changes has not yet been studied.

Russian experimental physicist Professor A. Belsky conducted the following experiment: on the night of January 19, he took water samples from a nearby pond. Polyethylene bottles with samples stood in his laboratory for several years. The water in them remained clear, odorless and sediment-free.
On scientific conference Belsky told his friend, a professor from the research institute, about this. nuclear physics at Moscow State University, which was engaged in the study of neutron fluxes from space and from the Earth. He became interested and promised to look at the experimental data of his laboratory over recent years.

So, according to these data, before January 19, bursts of neutron flux were regularly recorded, exceeding background levels by 100-200 times. There was no strict connection to January 19: the maximums fell on both the 18th and 17th, but sometimes exactly on the 19th.
Specialists of the drinking water supply laboratory of the Institute named after. Sysin was also held Scientific research properties of Epiphany water. As A. Stekhin, Candidate of Technical Sciences, said, the goal of the experiment was to record the phase of transition of water to an unusual state; for this, they began to monitor the water from January 15. Tap water was settled and the amount of radical ions in it was measured. The number of radical ions began to increase from January 17th.

At the same time, the pH value (pH level) increased, making the water less acidic. On January 18th, in the evening, the changes reached their peak of activity. Because of large quantity radical ions, the electrical conductivity of water was like that of an artificially created catholyte (water saturated with electrons). At the same time, the pH value of water jumped over neutral (7pH) by 1.5 points.
However, it is necessary to warn that links to scientific publications Professor A. Belsky and Candidate of Technical Sciences A. Stekhin are either not there at all, or there are so few of them that no one can detect them.

What do neopagans think?

But astrologers and followers of various mystical practices devote a lot of space to the properties of Epiphany water.
They claim that on the night of January 19, the Sun, Earth, as well as the center of the Galaxy are positioned in such a way that a line of communication opens between the heart of our planet and the center of the Galaxy. At this time, a special energy channel operates, which structures everything that falls into it. Water on Earth and everything made from it undergoes this structuring.

Followers of the teaching, which they call the “Slavic Vedas,” believe that the name “Epiphany water” does not come from the word “baptism,” but from the name of the ancient Slavic deity Khors. And the word “water” comes from the word “Veda”. This is the water, “Khorsa Knowing”. And the followers of this teaching offer to swim at baptism not in ice holes cut in the shape of a cross, but in open reservoirs and ice holes.
For Christians, the experiments of scientists and the speculations of mystics are unnecessary. They know that water is sanctified by the Grace of God, and they believe in its power and healing properties.

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 simple 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 features 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 long 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 by an abrupt effect - a sharp increase in 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 water on the physical level? You probably know that frozen water has a crystalline structure. So, scientists took different water, froze it and looked 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 the Epiphany holy water, are perfect shape symmetrical crystals. And it conveys its harmony to people who drink it or plunge into the 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 good 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. Due to the large number of 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 decline 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 he 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, and various cosmic radiations.

“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 whole line 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 consecration, people themselves charge the water with their positive energy, because they really believe that the water should become healing and consecrated.

By the way

Many people ask: if a person is 70% water, can our bodies Epiphany night cleanse yourself of all bad things 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 Kyiv Patriarchate.

They drink holy water during illness and every day on an empty stomach a little - 60-100 grams.

Store it in glass vessel near the icons so that the 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 anywhere.

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.

Epiphany water You can sprinkle your home.

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 baptismal water stood for three years and did not spoil or bloom,” says Father Barsanuphius, treasurer 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 on 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 even ordinary dreams on the night of Epiphany 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 a prophetic dream and not forgetting 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 is the ideal time to make your deepest wishes. 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 a wish. 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 get Epiphany water on the night of January eighteenth to nineteenth even from the tap located in the kitchen own apartment. Dial this water It is possible in a river, a lake and a 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 in order 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, literally With this word, people were pulled out from the other world. You can believe it or not, but one thing is clear: empty space they wouldn't talk about it. 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's 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 in the water is instantly destroyed. So it's pretty simple. The only thing that is surprising is how our ancestors, without having 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.) The Jordan flows into the salt lake Kinneret (which was once called the Sea of ​​Gennesaret a long time ago). Oddly enough, but the fresh water of the Jordan salty waters The Kinneret does not mix 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 (the very place where the God-Man was baptized is now located on the territory of this country) allows a religious service to be held once a year, on the banks of the above-mentioned river. Many tourists have the opportunity to see a true miracle, which looks like this: the stormy 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 under the jurisdiction” of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, and a little later under the “administration” 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 a pagan holiday every May called Kataklysmos. On this day, or rather night, ritual bathing takes place. A huge number of people plunge headlong into 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 a 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 the 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.