When to collect holy water for baptism. About Epiphany water

If we go back to ancient history, then the holy Epiphany water was previously reported in the sermons of John Chrysostom. It is argued that in Rus' until the 12th century the custom of consecrating water was not performed. It appeared only after the Jerusalem liturgical charter, which was criticized and canceled several times, became widespread. For example, Patriarch Nikon in 1655 generally prohibited the blessing of water at Epiphany. This ban was lifted only at the Great Moscow Council in 1667.

Let's try to understand the question of what holy water is, when to collect it and how to use it.

What is holy water

In Christianity, its use dates back to the 2nd century. in the Church it received its name from a special rite, which was called the blessing of water. This phenomenon is associated with the Old Testament traditions of worship and with biblical history, when the prophet John baptized Christ himself in the waters.

Archaeological museums of the East and West are overflowing with clay vessels and flasks in which ancient Christians kept holy water. This tradition has survived to this day.

Divine grace

Many Orthodox Christians come to the temple to collect blessed water and then use it. After all, they believe that after special prayers it receives some special properties and does not even deteriorate, which, by the way, does not always happen. Such water differs from ordinary water in that a special Blessing descends on it. And she stores Divine power within herself. Therefore, every person who uses this water with reverence will receive sanctification and grace. Many are interested in the question: “What is holy water, when to collect it, on what day?” And it’s worth looking into it carefully.

Baptism: date

In the Orthodox Church there are three rites for the blessing of water. The first rite is the great consecration of water on January 18 (5), the next day, on Epiphany, the date of which is January 19 (6). It is on this day that many believers make a solemn procession to the reservoir (the procession to the Jordan). The second rite is the abbreviated great consecration of water. It is performed just before the sacrament of Baptism. Those being baptized are then immersed in this water. And the third rite is the small consecration of water, which is carried out with the help of certain prayers on holidays.

On the day of Epiphany, you need to sprinkle holy water on your home walls with the words of prayer: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” For convenience, you can buy a special broom - an sprinkler - at any church shop, or in extreme cases, just use a twig of a bush or tree. At this time, it is better to sing a special troparion, which is a short holiday prayer.

Holy water: when to collect

Many are deeply misconceived about when water is most healing and when is it better to collect it - January 18 or 19? The main thing is to understand that on both the first and second days the water is sanctified in exactly the same way.

In some churches it is poured for several more days after Epiphany. Therefore, if it is not possible to stand in a long line, which usually forms on this holiday, then you can find out in the temple on what day it is better to come and calmly draw water.

It is a mistake to use Epiphany water as a pill for an illness - drink it and be cured. Holy water collected for Epiphany has healing properties, but it must be taken with faith and prayer, and only then can real healing really be achieved.

Properties of Epiphany water

The Christian tradition of consecrating water calls upon it the grace of the Holy Spirit, which gives it powerful healing power. They drink it not to quench thirst, but to heal the soul and body. It is recommended to drink a small cup of this water every day on an empty stomach to strengthen mental and physical strength. The Holy Fathers blessed the sick to drink Epiphany water one tablespoon every hour. A few drops taken could change the course of the disease. Seraphim Vyritsky generally believed that consecrated oil and water help better than all medicines.

How to store holy water

You shouldn’t strain yourself and carry whole cans of holy water on yourself. It is enough to collect it in a small amount so that it will last until the next holiday. Since this water has a special property: added to ordinary water, it sanctifies all of it. It is advisable to label the container in which it will be stored and place it with

Some people believe that on the day of Epiphany holy water flows from the tap. In general, any miracle depends on a person’s faith. If he approaches the sacrament of Baptism unprepared and an unbeliever, then nothing good will come of it. God enters a person only when he is willing and ready to accept him. The Church claims that all the water elements on earth are sanctified and purified on January 18 and 19. Therefore, a deeply religious person can get water with all its unique properties from the tap. It will not spoil and will be stored for a whole year. But since people’s faith is often not very strong, it is necessary to take the Epiphany water from the Church. It is also necessary to know that in the temple there is always the opportunity to collect water of minor consecration. Only before accepting it is a prayer for holy water read. Then you can drink it and not necessarily on an empty stomach.

in the ice hole

The tradition of swimming in an ice hole on the occasion of Epiphany has already become stronger in our country. Many people mistakenly believe that if you plunge headlong into an ice hole three times, you can thus atone for all your sins, but this is not true. Without spiritual work on yourself, nothing will happen. For this purpose, the church has the sacrament of confession, where the sins of a sincerely repentant person are forgiven. By plunging into the water, he receives Divine grace and, through his faith, can even be healed.

Gospel story

The Holy Scriptures tell the story that there was once a pool at the Sheep Gate of Jerusalem. And sick people always waited for an angel from heaven to descend onto the water. And when this happened, the first one who plunged into the water was immediately healed. At this font lay a man who had been ill for 38 years and wanted to be cured. The Lord asked him if he wanted to become healthy, and he answered that he really wanted to. But for some reason he was unable to enter the water, since someone was sure to get ahead of him and dive into the font first. And then the Lord had mercy and healed him himself.

This story suggests that healing depends not only on the strength of faith, but also on the degree of readiness for a miracle.

The answers to questions about what holy water is, when to get it and how much, how to use it, are not that complicated. The most difficult and important thing for a person is spirituality and morality; you need to work on this every day with the help of good deeds, visiting church services and holy places. Then God will definitely protect, help and heal. It’s not for nothing that people say: “Trust in God, but don’t make a mistake yourself!”

When we come to a festive church service, we first of all go to meet God, to meet the joy that, in theory, we should share at this hour with loved ones and those around us. But does this happen in our real life? Soon it will come and we will be jostling in lines for Epiphany water (we wish we could get it as quickly as possible), plunging into all sorts of ice holes, but why? Just because we're used to it?

Everything we do must have some meaning, otherwise it is wasted work.

And, unfortunately, traditions, which initially had a beneficial meaning, in this regard take on an entertaining connotation. Let's try to figure out what's what. For answers to the most common questions about Epiphany water, we turned to priests Dimitry Baritsky and Andrey Efanov.

Epiphany and Epiphany water

People often ask:

What kind of baptismal water?

Epiphany water is water blessed on Epiphany Eve and on the Feast itself at the Great Blessing of Water. Often water that was consecrated on January 19 is called Epiphany water, and water consecrated the day before is called Epiphany water. In fact, on these two days the water is consecrated with the same rite, has the same properties and is called the Great Agiasma differently. "Agiasma" is translated from Greek 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?

Photo by Vladimir Eshtokin

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. The two blessings of water go back to two different church traditions. The first of them is associated with the early Christian custom of baptizing converts on the eve of Epiphany, on the Eve of the holiday. But subsequently there were so many people who wanted to become Christians that a few days a year were not enough for this. Baptisms began to be performed on other dates. The custom of blessing water on Epiphany Eve has been preserved.

The tradition of consecrating water a second time initially concerned only the Jerusalem Church. There was a custom there to go out to the Jordan on the day of the holiday to bless water in memory of the baptism of the Savior himself. From there, the custom of the second consecration of water gradually spread throughout the Christian world.

Water on Epiphany night

What happens to water on Epiphany night?

It is generally accepted that in Epiphany night all water becomes holy. This is stated in one of the stichera of the holiday: “Today the waters are sanctified.” That is, the entire water element on Earth is sanctified. But this is a one-time manifestation of God’s grace, while water collected after the Great Blessing of Water does not lose its properties over time.

There is evidence that 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.

Photo by Vladimir Eshtokin

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 consecration of baptismal water

Prayers for the consecration of Epiphany water are said during the Great Blessing of Water. This rite is performed only twice a year - on the eve and on the feast of Epiphany itself; during the rest of the year, the water is blessed with a small rite.

The Great Blessing of Water is more solemn than the usual one (at a prayer service for water, for example). First, troparia are sung, then Old Testament prophecies, a fragment from the Epistle of the Apostle Paul and the Gospel are read. All this reminds us of the Gospel event that the Church celebrates these days - the Baptism of the Lord.

Then with the words “Let us pray to the Lord in peace…” general prayer requests begin. Believers pray that the water will be sanctified “by the power and action and influx of the Holy Spirit,” and that holy water will help cleanse the soul and body from sins and ailments...

Finally, the priest, reading a prayer, censes the water, calling on the Lord to consecrate it. Then the priest immerses the cross in water three times. At this time the troparion of the holiday is sung:

“In the Jordan I am baptized to You, O Lord, Trinitarian adoration appeared: for the voice of your parents testified to You, naming Your beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove announced your words of affirmation. Appear, O Christ our God, and enlighten the world, glory to Thee.”

That is: “At Your baptism in the Jordan, Lord, the worship of the Trinity was revealed: for the voice of the Parent testified of You, calling You beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed His words as immutable. O Christ the God who appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee!”

When coming to the Great Blessing of Water, which takes place in a temple (or on a reservoir) after the service, it is not necessary to know any special prayers. It is enough to know or at least understand the troparion of the holiday, as well as to listen attentively to the prayers heard during the consecration and, together with other believers, to ask the Lord through baptismal water 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.

Andrey Krashenitza, www.flickr.com

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.

Photo by Vladimir Eshtokin

How to drink Epiphany water correctly?

It is considered correct to drink Epiphany water with faith, prayer, and on an empty stomach. Only two days a year - on Epiphany Eve and on the Holiday itself - believers drink water throughout the day. The rest of the time, it is customary to drink Epiphany water in the morning.

This is due to the fact that Agiasma is a shrine, and the attitude towards it is appropriate. Agiasma is blessed to drink as a consolation for people who, due to grave sins or some other reason, are deprived of the opportunity to receive Communion.

The Divine Service Charter stipulates that those who excommunicate themselves from holy water only because they have already “tasted the food” are wrong. Thus, if there is a need to drink Epiphany water (in case of illness, some kind of mental or spiritual illness), one cannot refuse just because the person has already eaten. But Epiphany water should always be received with reverence, as a gift.

As for the frequency of drinking Epiphany water, Saint Luke Voino-Yasenetsky said: “Drink holy water as often as possible.”

Prayer for receiving Epiphany water?

The prayer for receiving Epiphany water is read the same as for receiving prosphora and any holy water:

In this prayer, believers turn to the Lord and ask him for help. But you should not rely only on the miraculous power of water and exclusively Divine action. While reading the prayer and receiving baptismal water, one must remember that a person himself must strive to leave sins and conquer his passions and infirmities.

What do they do with Epiphany water?

Is it possible to drink Epiphany water?

You can and should drink Epiphany water.

Two days a year - on the eve of the holiday and on Epiphany - Epiphany water can be drunk throughout the day without any restrictions, except for observing the fast established on Epiphany Christmas Eve. The rest of the time, according to established tradition, many believers take the Great Agiasma on an empty stomach (except in cases of illness, etc.). But at the same time, it is worth remembering that the Liturgical Charter says that it is wrong not to drink holy water just because of food intake.

Epiphany water has special properties, does not 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 “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, pray together with other believers, and 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: “For the life of this water, the gift of sanctification, the deliverance of sins, for the healing of soul and body to those who draw and eat it, for the sanctification of houses... and for every good (strong) benefit.” That is, you can not only drink Agiasma, but you can sprinkle it on your home and even various objects that are important to a person. But we must understand that sprinkling an apartment with holy water is not the same as the rite of blessing a home performed by a priest.

What to do with last year's Epiphany water?

Not everyone knows what to do with last year's Epiphany water - continue to store it, try to finish it as soon as possible, throw it away?..

Last year's Epiphany water can continue to be consumed as it should be - on an empty stomach with prayer. There are cases where Epiphany water is stored for decades and remains fresh.

If you are concerned about its safety, then you can pour the old Epiphany water into 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.

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, without an empty stomach, if some special conditions have arisen.

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.

Photo Saint-Petersburg Theological Academy, www.flickr.com

How to sanctify with baptismal water?

You need to moisten a brush or something similar in holy water and, with the prayer “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,” sprinkle it crosswise on what you want.

In the evening prayer rule we have the prayer “May God rise again...”; you can perform consecration by saying this prayer.

There is also a prayer for the sanctification of every thing:

To the Creator and Creator of the human race, the Giver of spiritual grace, the Giver of eternal salvation, Lord Himself, send Your Holy Spirit with the highest blessing on this thing, as if armed with the power of heavenly intercession, it will help those who want to use it for bodily salvation and intercession and help, oh Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
(And sprinkle the item with holy water three times).

However, it should be remembered that there are objects that you can ask the priest to bless in the temple - icons, pectoral crosses.

How to bless an apartment with Epiphany water?

There is a special prayer for the consecration (sprinkling) of a home: “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. By sprinkling this sacred water, all evil demonic action will be put to flight. Amen".

At the same time, let us remind you that there is a special rite for consecrating an apartment - it is already performed by the priest and once. During this rite, we invoke God’s blessing on the house and everyone living in it. And every believer can sprinkle his apartment or house with Epiphany water.

Is it possible to heat a bathhouse with Epiphany water?

Epiphany water is a sacred thing that should be consumed with reverence. Will it be possible to use it in a bathhouse? It’s unlikely... The fact that we take a steam bath with holy water will not make us any holier. But by flushing Epiphany water down the drain, we are doing the wrong thing.

Is it possible to swim in Epiphany water?

Photo by Vladimir Eshtokin

Of course it is possible, but it is very important with what motivation and what attitude we do it. It is clear that if we take this water and begin to somehow desecrate it, precisely by our behavior, then this will not be good; if it is used for cooking, or for a bath, or bathing, then this is wonderful. In this case, water should become a kind of symbol of internal cleansing. That is, it cleanses the body, but symbolizes the cleansing of the soul.

It is very important what attitude we put into our actions, be it bathing in baptismal water or something else.

And in order to join in this great joy of the holiday, it is not at all necessary to force yourself and your family to dive into ice holes. The main thing is to maintain faith and a good attitude in your heart. After all, why is it so necessary for us to observe everything down to the smallest detail, to be surrounded by everything material (bottles of water, for example) - because there is no faith.

Or maybe I’ll drink water or take a dip, and it (faith) will appear, suddenly I’ll see clearly. But this will not happen by itself. Where can good feelings come from if we 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 deduced here, that perhaps this is happening due to the human condition. Perhaps he should think about how he lives, in case he uses this water for other purposes. For example, people often use this water for some magical rituals. Maybe the Lord is thereby showing the person that he is doing something wrong.

But if the holy water has spoiled, then you need to take it and pour it into some clean place under a tree, into a flower, into a river. And you can continue to use the bottle.”

Does Epiphany water help you get pregnant?

Faith helps, and water acts as a kind of symbol, because we are material beings and we need some kind of created symbols. And water, earth, oil are created symbols. That is, we should approach it this way. And if a person drinks water, smears himself with this water, and so on, then why not.

I had an incident at my parish. The grandmother was the only one who really complained 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!

Since Old Testament times, water baptism has been a symbol of not only physical, but also moral cleansing. The baptism of Christ in the Jordan River became the first appearance of the Trinity to the world - the Epiphany. In baptism, a person is adopted by the Lord, strips off the old man and puts on the new one, redeemed by Christ, becomes a part of the one Body of Christ, a member of the Mother Church.

• Water is the basis of everything
• Purpose of Baptism
• Epiphany Day

Epiphany of the Lord in 2019, when to collect water

Epiphany of the Lord in 2019 is celebrated on January 19. On the morning of this date, everyone goes to church and collects blessed water. Some people say that you should bring water from the church first, although in fact, this is nothing more than a stupid sign. It’s very unpleasant to watch when people try to get water as quickly as possible and push right into the church. There is enough consecrated water in the church for everyone.
You can also collect blessed water on January 18, this day is called Epiphany Eve. On this day there is also a service in the church.
Many people are interested in when to collect water on Epiphany in 2019, is it better on the 18th or 19th? The priests say that there is no difference, this water is sanctified the same way.
This water is used to consecrate their houses, and the remains are stored in the house all year round in a dark place.
If you cannot go to church, then you can get water from the tap. In this case, you need to know when to get water from the tap for Epiphany in 2019. This is done at night between 00.10 and 01.30. In principle, many believe that it is possible later, but this time is still considered the best.

Epiphany of the Lord in 2019, when to swim

Most often, the liturgy in churches is celebrated on January 19, followed by the ritual of bathing. But in some churches night services are held, the ice holes are consecrated, and on the night of January 18-19 people swim in these ice holes.
The church itself says that bathing is not a canonical position, but has already become a tradition. Therefore, for Epiphany 2019, it is not so important when swimming will take place, from the 18th to the 19th or in the morning of the 19th.
Also, many are interested in the question of where to swim on Epiphany in 2019. Every city has its own places where such rituals are held. Find out in advance where your swimming will take place, you can also find out about it in the church.

Read more interesting traditions for Epiphany in our article about.

Water is the basis of everything

The Savior sanctified water baptism by receiving it in the waters of the Jordan. It is water that reveals the meaning of Baptism in Orthodoxy, being the oldest religious symbol. The basis of life on earth and the destructive force, the basis of death - in Christian theology, water has a dual image. And, of course, water symbolizes cleansing, rebirth and renewal.

Purpose of Baptism

The word “baptism” itself means washing through immersion, pouring. The first Christians performed Baptism in open reservoirs. In later times, Baptism was performed in fonts and baptismal chambers. Orthodox baptism performed in the font is a necessary condition liberation of man from demonic forces and submission to fallen sinfulness.

As a result of sanctification, water returns to its original purpose: to be the source of Eternal Life, the medium of God’s presence, the all-destroyer of demons. In Baptism, the redeemed soul receives a revelation of the Triune God and receives unity with Him.

Eve of Epiphany - Epiphany Eve

Christmastide lasts until candles, as they said in the old days, because after the Great Blessing of water on the eve of Epiphany, candles intertwined with colored threads or ribbons were placed next to the vessel with blessed water. This custom alone shows the importance and solemnity of the blessing of water. This whole day is really spent in a very strict fasting(even children try not to eat until the “first star”), and during Vespers, churches do not always accommodate all the worshipers.

The Great Agiasma (Epiphany holy water) has a special grace; it is collected and carried to every home. First, the whole family reverently takes a few sips, and then - according to custom - you need to take the sacred willow from behind the icon and sprinkle the whole house with holy water in order to protect yourself from troubles and misfortunes. In some villages, they also poured holy water into wells so that evil spirits They didn’t get in there and spoil the water.

Upon completion of all these and other rituals, holy water was usually placed near the images. In order for there to be enough Epiphany water for the whole year, there does not have to be a lot of it: with a single drop it sanctifies any other.

Approximately the same power is attributed not only to water blessed in the church, but also to simple water from rivers, in which, according to popular belief, on the night of January 19, Jesus Christ himself performs ablution. The water taken from the ice hole on the eve of Epiphany is considered healing and helping the sick.

Epiphany Day

On the day of Baptism, as soon as the bell struck for matins, some pious parishioners lit sheaves of straw in front of their houses (so that Jesus Christ, after baptism in the river, could warm himself by this fire). Others, having asked for the priest’s blessing, were on the river, setting up a “Jordan” - a cross-shaped wormwood, near which both old and young gathered for worship.

When the holy cross was immersed in water, everyone was united by prayer and the desire to drink the Epiphany water and wash their faces with it. There have always been brave souls who, despite the Epiphany frosts, bathe in icy water. For many centuries there is no record of anyone getting sick or drowning.

When to collect water for baptism January 18 or 19, 2018
The great Christmastide of water occurs after the whole series January holidays evenings of January 18 to 19, 2018. Preparations for this big and bright holiday begin every year from 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 by an 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
The 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 are released white dove as a symbol of the Epiphany of the Lord.
If the day of Easter is set every year by the main Orthodox Church, then the date of the celebration of Epiphany always remains unchanged on the night of January 18 to 19.

The significance of Epiphany water
In January days: the 18th and 19th are usually the most very coldy and icy wind. Before you begin diving into an icy pool or ice hole blessed with a cross, you must attend a full 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 were known that after immersion in holy water, many infertile women could become pregnant, the sight of the blind was restored, the hearing of the deaf was 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, consecrated water for 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.

During the evening of January 18 and the whole day of January 19, you can collect Epiphany water in any church. Water these days is blessed with one rite. That is, there is no difference when it is Epiphany water, when the time of most activity begins in 2019. This will be the evening after the service on Christmas Eve, and the day of Epiphany itself.

Important! On the feast of Epiphany, believers should not forget that they should visit church, confess and receive communion. Then take water and at home, with prayers and faith, consecrate every corner of your home.

• Great Blessing of Water
• Swimming in an ice hole for Epiphany

Great Blessing of Water

So, on Epiphany Christmas Eve - Epiphany water, when to collect in 2019. IN Orthodox churches In the evening of this day, services are held, after which the water and nearby sources are blessed. These could be rivers and lakes, ponds, or simply fonts at the temple.

Since ancient times, it has been believed that Epiphany water can bring spiritual and physical health to a person. Every year, huge queues of believers line up near the temples and come for water to make supplies for the whole year. You can drink this water only in small quantities. It is best to take a couple of small sips immediately after waking up on an empty stomach.

Epiphany water is suitable for consecrating a house or work premises. She is called to give the grace of God to people. But the essence of all Orthodox rituals is not to get water, but to get closer to God and believe in him even more. You must definitely go to church, pray and ask the Lord to cleanse your body and soul through water and give you peace and balance.

Swimming in an ice hole for Epiphany

So, when it is now clear to collect holy water for Epiphany, this can be done in the evening of January 18 after the service, or throughout the entire day of January 19 - on the feast of Epiphany. On the night of January 18-19, as well as a few days later, many believers perform another important ritual of this holiday - swimming in an ice hole.

The ice hole is called “Jordan” and the water in specially cut ice holes is blessed by priests on the night of Epiphany. You should not treat swimming as a sporting feat. This is one way of obedience. It is recommended to take a blessing from a priest before plunging into the ice hole. It is believed that ablution cleanses from all sins, but this is only if the process itself is approached with all responsibility and seriousness.

Washing in Epiphany water is a testimony of a person’s faith in the power of the Lord, which even thirty-degree frost cannot bend.

Are there any differences in water blessed on January 18 or 19

Many believers are wondering when to collect Epiphany water in 2019: January 18 or 19, thinking that there are some differences. In fact, the water consecrated on January 18 is no different from that consecrated on January 19. Some believers believe that on January 19, the feast of Epiphany itself, all water on the planet is automatically sanctified. The priests emphasize that such an opinion is a prejudice.

When consecrating your home with consecrated water, according to tradition, you need to draw crosses in the air when the sprinkling process takes place. This is a fairly old tradition that is associated with Epiphany Christmas Eve. Crosses were once not drawn with chalk, but burned with a candle: soot from a candle was applied to the corners of houses. In modern homes, both soot and chalk are quite radical methods. Therefore, crosses are drawn in the air using holy water. Christmas Eve before Epiphany is the last evening during the Christmastide period when you can.

Using tap water at Epiphany

There are no prohibitions here. It is clear that tap water is not considered blessed. However, the water that will be brought from the temple on Christmas Eve or on Epiphany itself cannot be used for laundry or washing dishes. It must be treated with reverence, as a special relic, and taken care of.

It happens that holy water spoils. In this case, you need to pour it into a river, in the forest under a tree, or simply close it in a vessel that will not allow air to pass through. Many believers have some of their holy water left over from last year, what should they do with it? If everything is fine with the water, then you can use it as usual: drink a few spoons in the morning on an empty stomach after prayer. If something happens to the water, you can pour it into your indoor plants.

Important! It is believed that during menstruation a woman can touch a vessel with holy water. But these days it cannot be taken orally, unless it is a matter of life and death.

Already on Epiphany Eve - January 18, after the service, the priests will bless the water. You can pick it up and take it home to cleanse your home, soul and body. But holy water is not the only tradition of the holiday; we must remember about prayers and faith. To decorate the holiday, you can please yourself and your loved ones