What kind of water should be collected for baptism? Can a simple person sanctify water on his own by reading prayers over it?
It must be said right away that holy water becomes like this on the night of January 19th. No additional prayers are required, just believe. Although here it is immediately worth clarifying the fact that it is best to go to churches on the eve of Epiphany on January 18 in the evening. Solemn services are held there, after which the first rite of blessing of water is carried out. This water is already considered holy and healing, you can take it home.
But the question remains when to draw Epiphany water from the tap and whether it can be done. In general, in churches they say that after the ceremony of the great consecration of water, it becomes healing precisely on Epiphany Eve and precisely on Epiphany in all bodies of water and everywhere. That is, based on this logic, from the tap that night, the usual tap water will also be therapeutic. She has unique properties cleansing a person from his sins, healing the body and soul from ailments.
When to dial
When Epiphany water appears from the tap in the apartment - on the night of January 18-19. That is, it is on this night that all water is considered Epiphany. Epiphany falls on the same day every year in the Christian calendar. The holiday itself falls on the 19th, but the first consecration of water takes place on the evening of January 18th, and the transition from Christmas Eve to the holiday is the period when you need to get some water, even from the tap, if you really don’t have time to go to church.
On the other hand, clergy note that holy water from the tap is the way least resistance. If a person believes in God, believes in the holiday of Epiphany and in the great blessing of water, then he should go to church for a service. If possible, you should first receive communion and confession. This does not have to be done on January 18 and 19; you can prepare for Epiphany in such a situation in advance.
Where else to get water
In addition to the fact that the water is blessed in the temple, already on Epiphany Eve the clergy go to open bodies of water: rivers, lakes and ponds. There, ice holes are made in the shape of a cross and the water is also blessed. This is called the action of the great consecration of water and you can swim in the ice hole: the water is considered sacred, and you can also collect this water. Because it is considered clean.
Interesting! In some regions of our country, ice holes are not just carved into the ice. If there is frost, and this is exactly what happens on Epiphany, then various holiday decorations are made from ice. Some carve chapels, domes and even real temples out of ice.
You can open the water tap to draw holy water from 18.00 on January 18 on Epiphany Eve. The clergy say that from now on you can get water from the church. During this period, the collected volume of water is already considered sanctified and is valid until the evening of January 19. On the morning of Epiphany, the second rite is performed, when the water is baptized and blessed. A supply of water collected on the 18th after 6 pm is also considered blessed. Even if the water was simply taken from the tap. The main thing is to do this with a pure soul and an open heart.
Important! Do not be upset if the time when you can collect Epiphany water during this holiday has been missed. Because during the entire holiday week you can go to the temple and get water there. This can be done on any of the seven days following Epiphany on January 19.
If water is simply drawn from a tap, then it is best to do it at night, from one o’clock in the morning, when the feast of Epiphany has already begun. This is what they write on some forums, although the opinion of the clergy is worth emphasizing once again: water can be collected as early as 6 pm on Epiphany Eve.
What to dial
The container in which the water will be collected is of great importance. If possible, this should be a glass vessel. Plastic bottles are also suitable, but it is better to buy such containers specifically in church shop. Although, people who are not inclined to believe in superstitions can simply put water in any cleaning bottle. The main thing then is to ensure proper storage, and for this the lid must be closed.
Important! Dishes left over from alcoholic drinks are definitely not suitable for these purposes.
Last year's water, if there is any left, should under no circumstances be simply poured down the drain. Housewives in Rus' usually watered the plant with it and added it to the laundry. It doesn’t matter that this is last year’s water, it is healing and has strong energy, so you also need to use it correctly.
In conclusion of this material, I would still like to note that collecting blessed water for Epiphany from the tap is an extreme option, when there is absolutely no possibility of going to church on this day. Therefore, try to get water in the temple. Moreover, this can be done from six o’clock in the evening on Epiphany Eve, then on Epiphany itself and another seven days after this holiday.
Explore healing properties.
On the eighteenth of January, all Christians around the world celebrate one of the main holidays of humanity -
When and where to collect Epiphany water?
One two-liter bottle will last the whole family for a year.
According to the Church, the consecration of water occurs on the eve of Epiphany. A special procedure, called liturgy, is performed on Epiphany Eve. From this moment on, the water can be considered blessed, but historically, water is blessed twice.
There are no problems with this in the Church. And on January 18 and 19, after the rite of blessing of water, you can come and draw baptismal water. For those who collect Epiphany water from the tap at home, the rule is simple: after midnight (00:00) on the night of January 18-19.
In the absence of such an opportunity, you can absolutely safely collect Epiphany water in the morning and even throughout the entire month of January 19th. The time for Epiphany water has not yet passed.
Greed is a sin
There is no need to stand at the temple to fill 20 liter canisters, one bottle will be enough. You can increase the volume of Epiphany water at home: just add a few drops of Epiphany water to regular water.
Healing properties
Holy Epiphany water has many healing powers. It gives not only spiritual, but also physical healing. All Christians have firmly believed in this since the Baptism of Jesus Christ. This point of view is supported by many doctors and even some scientists.
The following unusual properties are attributed to Epiphany water:
- ability for long-term storage;
- miraculous healing;
- getting rid of negative energy and evil;
- body rejuvenation;
- transfer of healing properties to ordinary water (lighting through touch);
- spiritual cleansing and protection through sprinkling and ingestion.
All these properties are preserved in Epiphany water for many days, until the next Christmas Eve. However, remember, if the water has spoiled, and this may happen, you should not use it internally.
When to swim in an ice hole and is it necessary?
Swimming is not necessary, but many people like it
Self Epiphany bathing takes place on the same Epiphany night from January 18 to 19. However, no one forbids doing this during the day. Before swimming, it would be a good idea to get a blessing from the priest.
It is not at all necessary to take an Epiphany swim in the ice hole called “Jordan”. The very fact of bathing does not make you better or worse.
The basis of everything - internal state person and sincere repentance. How you do this in an ice hole or a warm bed matters little.
For me, these dips are just fun, extreme. Our people love something unusual: diving into an ice hole, and then drinking vodka and talking about piety. For most, this is akin to fist fights on Maslenitsa. Archpriest Alexy Uminsky
What can’t be done with Epiphany water?
Many people are concerned about whether Epiphany water can be used in one way or another. You can drink Epiphany water with prayer as you like, even making healing and good wishes during this.
The rule here is simple: remember that Epiphany water is a shrine and treat it accordingly, then it won’t even occur to you to do anything inappropriate with water. All this applies to water received in temples, and of course, does not apply to tap water. At the same time, churchmen claim that all the water on the planet becomes sanctified, including that which comes from the tap.
Misconceptions
Many folk beliefs about Epiphany water from the evil one
The Great Blessing of Waters was overgrown with many folk signs and superstitions, which not only have no logical basis, but are also far from church traditions.
Epiphany water never spoils
If stored carelessly, anything can be ruined. You should not use water that is clearly rotten, although it is baptismal. But shouldn't it be poured down the drain? That's right, you can water the plants, or take them to the temple and pour them into appropriate place(dry well).
This is “Epiphany” water, and this is “Epiphany” water
It is believed that there are two types of water: “Epiphany” water blessed on January 19 and “Epiphany” water blessed on Epiphany Eve on January 18. Any intelligent priest will confirm to you that this Epiphany water is no different from Epiphany water. Moreover, in both cases the same sequence of prayers is used.
I’ll take a swim in the ice hole and become baptized
Without repentance it is impossible to accept the Sacrament of Baptism. Bathing in Epiphany water and Baptism are not directly related to each other.
I’ll dive into the hole and get rid of all diseases and problems
There are people who actually testify to this. But the majority do not get rid of their life’s troubles after bathing in Epiphany water.
Epiphany water protects against the evil eye and curses
Christians believe in God, and such phenomena as damage or the evil eye are considered nothing more than superstition. Priests recommend praying to God asking for protection from the evil of others and your own. And all kinds of witchcraft are considered nothing more than charlatanism.
On this day, planets and stars are arranged in a special way.
The Great Blessing of Water occurs through the prayers of the Church. According to Christian tradition, after prayers, the Lord God sanctifies the water and gives it his grace-filled power.
It is not necessary to go to church - all the water on Earth is Epiphany
Indeed, all waters are sanctified. But water itself should not be an end in itself. The entire holiday is dedicated to glorifying God in gratitude for the benefits of His Son, and not to simply collecting healing water.
Alternative opinions from the evil one
Epiphany water is truly special. Epiphany holy water is called in the Orthodox Church the great Agiasma - the great Shrine. You can dial it only two days a year - January 18, on Epiphany Eve, and January 19, on the feast of Epiphany. Holy water collected on both January 18 and 19 has the same healing power.
Epiphany water is the same holy water; it has long been believed that it has even stronger properties. It can treat serious illnesses, helps in difficult times, and can create protection. If you can use holy water, knowing that it is easy to fill up another bottle at any time, then Epiphany water is usually kept for special occasions.
Also read: Epiphany water - truth and superstitions
In general, the rules for its use are the same as for holy water:
- It is necessary to take Epiphany water on an empty stomach
- after drinking Epiphany water, eat prosphora
- Be sure to take holy water with sincere prayer.
During illness or severe moral condition, it is allowed to take Epiphany water during the day, not on an empty stomach. It is permissible to sprinkle your home with it and lubricate sore spots. If there is little water left, you can safely dilute it with it plain water- then she will also become sanctified and receive a piece of holiness. You just need to do this also with prayer. It must be stored next to the home iconostasis, in a sacred place. Every year on the feast of Epiphany you can collect new water.
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 boundless mercy through Your prayers "Pure Thy Mother and all Thy saints. Amen."
Epiphany water at home: does holy water flow from the tap?
If you read Holy Bible, then you can really find words there that all water on the day of the Baptism of the Lord is made holy. However, in this case we are talking more about natural sources than about running water.
It is worth remembering exactly how the water is consecrated - a prayer must be read over it, a cross must be lowered into it. The Blessing of Water for Epiphany is a special church sacrament, which, of course, cannot happen with tap water. So church ministers urge not to take the words about the universal holiness of water in Baptism too straightforwardly.
Moreover, you should not draw water from the tap and call it holy. It is much easier to go to the nearest church and get water there, over which a prayer has actually been read, because it is absolutely free and accessible, especially in big cities.
Blessing of water is a specific church tradition, and many Orthodox Christians admit that they like to come to church, draw water, and feel involved in the holiday.
Read also: Epiphany water - when to collect, how to store and how to use
What to do if Epiphany water has spoiled
Epiphany water does not spoil - all Christian believers know this. even after standing for a year, it does not change its taste and color. But in some cases, Epiphany water does not behave as usual. Should you think about the bad if Epiphany water has spoiled? Or it could be related to natural causes? And what to do with water in this case?
Most often, Epiphany water spoils for obvious reasons:
- water was collected in a not very clean container,
- container with Epiphany water stood in the sun for a long time,
- other storage conditions were not met.
Holy water, despite everything, has the properties of ordinary water, which means it can spoil. Of course, there are cases when all storage conditions were met, but the water could not survive until the next Epiphany. Sometimes this happens in homes where there is discord, and there are often quarrels and disagreements. After all, water absorbs all human emotions and atmosphere, especially if it is consecrated.
There is nothing wrong with the spoilage of Epiphany water; you should not attribute non-existent reasons to this event. This water can no longer be used: it must be poured into the ground or into running water. It is advisable not to use the bottle from it further in the household. You can thoroughly wash the container, dry it and fill it with new Epiphany water for the next year.
Reading time: 6 min.
On the night of January 18-19, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate one of their most revered holidays - the Baptism of the Lord, also called Holy Epiphany. Epiphany water, which is brought into the house on Epiphany Eve and Epiphany, is considered special.
It does not deteriorate for several years, maintaining its structure. This water is used for healing and the home is sprinkled with it. Epiphany water also helps in many other cases.
According to the priests, it is considered Epiphany from January 18 to 19. It just so happened historically that there are two liturgies, after which the water is blessed. One in the evening, the second in the morning. Therefore, it can be recruited over two days.
Learn more about the holiday of Epiphany, what you can and cannot do on this day.
When to collect water?
From time immemorial, water collected on the night of January 18-19, from 0 hours 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or a little later, has been considered miraculous. At this time, “the sky opens” and the prayer addressed to God will be heard.
Our grandparents used it for treatment, cleansing, expelling evil spirits and bad thoughts, splashing it in a person’s face or in the corners of the house.
Want to check it out? It is not hard. Just try to do everything exactly according to the rules, carefully preserved in people's memory. 
After the first star
On Christmas Eve, January 18, you cannot eat anything until the first stars appear in the sky. Drink only clean water, try to spend the whole day quietly and calmly, without getting irritated, without entering into conflicts, bring cleanliness and order to the house. In the evening, after the first star, you can have dinner. Prepare glass containers with lids, such as 3-liter jars or bottles. Sterilize them thoroughly.
After 0 hours 10 minutes, fill this container with water from a well, spring or other clean source. You can just do it from the tap. It is advisable to pass it through a cleaning filter, but this is not a prerequisite. Take at least 3 liters and close the jars with lids.
It is better to store Epiphany water in a cool, dark place. And if in the future for some reason you want to pour this water, then under no circumstances pour it into the toilet or sink.
Dilute with plain water and then pour or water the plants (by the way, it has been noted that undiluted Epiphany water has different effects on plants: some bloom, others, on the contrary, die. Therefore, it is better not to take risks and act carefully).
How to use Epiphany water
For those who managed to stock up on the most active Epiphany water, and it doesn’t matter where you got it - from a water supply, from an open source, or brought from a church - scientists remind that you need to drink it regularly, preferably every day and on an empty stomach.
It perfectly boosts immunity and makes a person resistant to many infections. Epiphany water is a psychotherapeutic remedy for relieving increased anxiety, irritability, so after a hard, nervous day, drink half a glass of holy water - and you will feel the tension go away, peace and tranquility come. For example, if you regularly give a child this water, he will catch colds less often.
It is useful not only to drink Epiphany water, but also to wash your face with it in the morning and at night.
It would also be a good idea to give baptismal water to the living creatures and water the plants. Epiphany water is used for washing, irrigation and drinking.
How to take a bath?
This night, pour yourself with Epiphany water three times or take a bath. Between 0:10 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., fill the bathtub cold water from the tap. Cross the water and yourself three times, read the prayer and knock with your fist right hand across the chest three times to cause the body to vibrate in harmony with the vibrations of the water.
Then, without screaming or making noise, sit in the bath and plunge your head three times, hitting your chest each time.
Silently leave the bath (if someone else in your household wants to swim in Epiphany water, fill the bath with new water).
Do not dry yourself immediately; let the water absorb into the skin. At this time, perform self-massage or vigorously tap your fingers all over your body from head to toe. Then put on warm clothes, underwear, socks, everything new and always washed and ironed. Drink herbal tea with honey.
Ablutions and irrigation
Bathing is not a mandatory rule, priests say. This is a blessed thing, but not necessary. After all, people are different, some can swim in icy water in winter, but others cannot, for some it is not useful - their health condition is such that they cannot afford it. The Church does not require a person to perform feats beyond his strength.
In order to get the most bioactive Epiphany effect without leaving home and without swimming in the cold in an ice hole, you need to wait until half past one in the morning and in the next half hour wash your face, take a shower or bath with tap Epiphany water, and drink a little of this unusual water from the tap.
While swimming, read a prayer or simply say the following words to yourself: “Water takes away all sorrows and sorrows, my heart and soul are pure.”
The results of research using the dowsing method show that this immediately affects the body, increases the size of a person’s biofield tens and hundreds of times, energizes it and has a healing effect.
And it doesn’t matter where you swam, in an ice hole or in a bathtub, the blessed power of Epiphany water is the same. And it depends not on the temperature of the water, not on its quantity and quality, but on the faith of the person.
The most favorable time for water procedures is from 0 to 2 am on January 19th.
At this time, the energy charge of water, even ordinary water from any spring or well, is at its maximum.
Holy water (blessed in church) is applied to sore spots. Moreover, you don’t need to pour it generously - just anoint the sore spot with it in a cross shape. The essence of the procedure is not in the duration of exposure, but in the very contact with the miraculous water.
In the old days, women collected Epiphany snow from stacks - it was believed that washing with melted Epiphany water bestows beauty and prolongs youth. Rinse your face and chest with it. There is no need to dry yourself with a towel - let the water absorb into the skin.
How long to store water?
Epiphany water, stored in glass containers, can be used throughout the year. This is a very strong energy water, so drinking it constantly is not recommended. But to take it as a medicine, if you are unwell, add it to the bath (from one teaspoon to one glass per bath), rinse your mouth, wash your face, spray your face, eyes, whole body - it is very useful.
No need to dry yourself. To cleanse the home, Epiphany water is sprinkled in the corners of the rooms, and then a small part of the water is poured into a glass vessel, without closing the lid, and left in the room.
When to collect water for baptism January 18 or 19, 2018
The Great Water Christmastide occurs after the entire series of January holidays on the evenings of January 18-19, 2018. Prepare for this big and happy holiday start every year on the evening of the 18th.
The festive meal on Epiphany Eve will be a large festive feast of seafood, kutia and low-fat salads. They should only be on the table Lenten dishes. In addition to the festive dinner, the Russian people have a belief - to swim in an ice hole, consecrated Orthodox cross.
Some people start collecting water right on the night of January 18th, others adhere to strict rules for collecting blessed water on the 19th. For Orthodox people Epiphany Christmas Eve remains an unknown mystery when to collect water for Epiphany on January 18 or 19, 2018.
Epiphany of Christ or Orthodox holiday Baptism
Nativity of Christ and Orthodox Easter can rightfully be compared in importance to the Great Epiphany. In the sacred chronicles that have survived to this day, there is a belief that during the Baptism of Christ the Holy Spirit descended to him and notified everyone with his presence. Therefore, in many Christian churches and monasteries, after reading the divine service, they release white dove as a symbol of the Epiphany of the Lord.
If Easter day is set every year by the main Orthodox Church, then the date of the celebration of Epiphany always remains unchanged on the night from January 18 to 19.
The significance of Epiphany water
On January days: the 18th and 19th there are usually the most severe frosts and icy winds. Before you start diving into an icy pool or ice hole consecrated by the cross, you must completely defend church service, take communion and confess. Thus, you seem to ask the Lord for permission to dive into the blessed water and take it for the treatment of various diseases.
Church clergy assure that it is on Epiphany Day that water acquires healing properties and is able to cure even the most terminally ill people. For example, many cases have been known that after immersion in holy water, many infertile women could become pregnant, the blind had their vision restored, the deaf had their hearing restored, etc.
Epiphany water can cleanse a person’s spiritual and physical state, protect one’s home from evil spirits, the evil intentions of people and is called upon to give God’s grace to people. First of all blessed water at Epiphany helps believers who need the salvation of the Lord.
When bathing, a person is washed from his own sins in specially cut ice holes. At this moment, it is necessary to take blessings from the priest in order to swim in baptismal water. This method of obedience should be taken with the utmost responsibility and seriousness, since this sacred ritual is considered one of the most effective and efficient, capable of cleansing humanity from sinful thoughts and atrocities.
The old tradition of using Epiphany water
When to collect water for baptism on January 18 or 19 should not matter to you special significance. These days are considered the festive Epiphany, therefore any water: in an ice hole or from a tap is automatically considered sanctified.
According to tradition, in every corner of the home it is necessary to draw crosses with holy water, sprinkling your sacred abode. Epiphany water is also used as a relic when performing fortune-telling rituals on the last evening of Christmastide. It is believed that consecrated water cannot deteriorate and lose its medicinal properties. Therefore, it is advised to drink it every day on an empty stomach in the morning until your water supplies run out.