From ancient history knows that the holy water of the Epiphany has said in his sermons Patriarch of Constantinople, the great theologian and ecumenical teacher and saint, John Chrysostom.It turns out that before the XII century in ancient Russia did not have the tradition to bless the water.She appeared only after the Russian Orthodox Church of Jerusalem liturgical act became a decree which has repeatedly criticized and overturned.But reformist Patriarch Nikon generally banned in 1655 holy water on the Epiphany.In 1667 the Great Moscow Council lifted the ban.Now it is necessary to deal with a lot of questions when you can take Epiphany water, how to use it, why it does not deteriorate, and so on. D.
Rite vodoosvyascheniya
Eating Christianity Epiphany water goes back to the II century.The Church was then a special ceremony, which had the name - vodoosvyascheniya.It was associated with the Old Testament tradition and the biblical story tells of how, in the River Jordan John baptized Christ himself.Archaeological excavations of East and West world filled with rare museum specimens of special clay vessels, which kept the ancient Christian holy Epiphany water.
three rites Blessing of the Waters
now focus on when taking Epiphany water.But first, you need to familiarize yourself with the fact that the Orthodox have three orders for which holy water.The first rank is held in Epiphany Eve, January 18 and the day of Epiphany - January 19.That same day, the procession takes place "at the Jordan," a local pond, for the traditional blessing of the water.
second rank is abbreviated great blessing of the waters.His committed before baptized person.The third rite - a small blessing of the water, it is carried out on special holidays, when special prayers are read.
Secrets baptismal water
Today, people come to the temple to collect there Epiphany water.Then it is logical question is: when can take Epiphany water and for what?People believe that after a special rite of prayer and the water begins to show some of his special qualities and did not spoil what happens, by the way, not always.Yes, indeed, in the Epiphany water descends a special blessing, and it begins to be stored divine power.That's the secret baptismal water.Therefore, the people who will use it in awe, really get sanctification and grace.
How sanctify apartment baptismal water
In the great feast of the Epiphany is traditionally recruited Epiphany water, and with a prayer "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," consecrated walls of dwellings, various objects and even animals.
Whereas sanctify apartment baptismal water, right?To do this, bought in a special shop kropiltse (whisk) or using ordinary twig of a tree or bush, all sprayed with holy water.And also spelled special troparion.
When people take Epiphany water, somehow begin deeply mistaken in this regard: the most healing water 18 or 19 January?The main thing to understand for themselves that the water in these two days sanctified by the same.In most temples so consecrated water poured a few more days in a row.
Properties Epiphany water
Many people are very interested in baptismal water, its properties.People try to use it as a tablet from all sorts of diseases, such as drunk - and immediately recovered.The mystery lies in the baptismal water that gained in the feast of Epiphany, she really has powerful medicinal properties, but take it always with prayer and faith, and only then can you get a real healing.During the consecration of water on the Christian tradition it is called the grace of the Holy Spirit, which gives it a powerful healing force.
Epiphany water.How to use this
not drink water to quench their thirst, and to get a strengthening of faith, healing body and soul.Good strength - Epiphany water: its properties truly healthful, mostly it is used to restore the mental and physical strength.Moreover, it is recommended to use a small cup of water on an empty stomach.But the Fathers of sick people blessed Epiphany water to drink every hour one tablespoon.It turns out that even a few drops of water, taken during his illness, could change the course of the disease.Seraphim Vyritsky argued that the consecrated oil and water to help the best medicine.He advised her to sprinkle food.
People always ask: what is useful Epiphany water, how to use it?It is able to strengthen the immune system, and people will be resistant to infections and will be less likely to catch a cold.It is necessary to wash.Ambrose Optina terminally ill man sent a bottle of holy water, and, to the amazement of doctors, an incurable disease receded.
Based on the opinion of Patriarch Pavle of Serbia, it is necessary for yourself to understand that in the days of the monthly women can not only partake of the Mysteries of Christ.This time her condition remains full for the service of God.This means that it may, at any time, touch the shrines and kiss them, smeared with fragrant oils and drink holy water.
Holy water from the tap
Many believe that Epiphany water from the tap in the holy holiday too.However, all this in the first place depends on the faith of the man himself.If it is the sacrament of Baptism fits totally unprepared and lack of faith, nothing good it will not receive.A deep and true believer really see that even the Epiphany water from the tap can work wonders, and thanks to its unique properties did not deteriorate, the whole year will be well kept and help.But due to the fact that faith in people is generally very weak, should take holy water in the church.
Asked when we can take Epiphany water, the Orthodox Church claims that all the water on earth 18 and 19 January are equally sanctified and purified.
Epiphany water rivers and lakes
questions about it there a lot.For example, it is possible to drink or prepare food from the water taken from the feast of the baptism in the waters, or where and when you can take Epiphany water?
course, there are ponds with clean water from which to drink, but most rivers and lakes is still undrinkable.Any Bogoyavlenskoye nature does not necessarily need to drink, they are cleansed and sanctified, and, therefore, to all and should always be treated reasonably.Epiphany bathing in ponds, sprinkle objects, houses, animals, and more.But to drink this water use is not necessary.Seawater we do if they wanted to drink will not, so it is best to collect holy water at the church and not to experiment.
How to store Epiphany water
First of all, we must always remember that even the Epiphany water at all its physical parameters is still water.But on the metaphysical after Epiphany rite of consecration takes on divine power.However, to save the water for a long time, also require some care.
to have enough water for the entire year, do not overstrain and drag her entire tubs.In fact, just a small amount is enough to last until the next Epiphany.After the water has one special feature: diluted with plain water, it is all consecrates it.This water should preferably be stored near the icons and away from the sun, and it is better to immediately sign, you do not accidentally use it for other purposes.
reverent storage
documented cases, when an old woman holy water kept since 1947 and has been usable because it is not deteriorated as it protects with reverence and great love.
But a painful condition of the human soul, too, can affect the water.The water is bad, where people quarrel and say dirty words, where fornication and adultery.Through the water, God can show it all abominable desolation in the house.Now the answer to the question why the Epiphany water is not spoiled, is clear enough.
But some negligent owners spoil the water stored in the container, which remained the same labels on alcoholic or carbonated beverages.Even if the water turned bad, it's not a reason to pour her drink it is no longer possible, but you can put it on.But the priests still advised not to be too lazy to go to church and score another consecrated water.
says one case is associated with the sacred water.Woman secretly put in the Easter basket fortunetelling cards, because she was told that they would be better to tell the truth.But when they got a drop of holy water, they literally have burned the paper, like hot melted tin particles.Therefore, people need to beware and not to use the shrine in their magical purposes, as God for it can confound the most unexpected way.
term "Holy Water»
turns out, the concept of "holy water" is incorrect, there is the right word - consecrated.From the Greek "mega agiazma" means "most holy," but not a "saint" ("Agia").The word "holy" says about the sanctity of the object, but does not make him a saint, because "One, Holy, the Lord is one ...".Due to the image of man can be holy or gifts and temples, because it can be a special place of stay of the Lord.And the water can only be hallowed or sacred.Her consecrated with great solemnity, it is much honor and attach great importance.
Many do not know what to do if spilled Epiphany water, and if it can be poured into the sink.Strait of consecrated water wipe clean towel and squeeze in a pot of house plants or pond, well or simply poured into the ground, not in shell, and public sewers, where it is simply unacceptable to merge.
port or does not deteriorate
Some people wonder why Epiphany water does not spoil?As mentioned previously, water may still deteriorate, primarily due to the fact that it is taken and poured into a clean vessel is not enough or collect water from contaminated sources, or it is stored in the sun or in the hot spot.Such an attitude in the Holy water in Eastern Christianity, when the water has a musty smell, greening, sediment, mold, may be cause for shame neblagochinnyh people.
Sanctified water can heal only by the will of God, not because it has some magical powers.God acts on man through sanctification of the watery element.And he does this in a variety of forms - someone takes the blessing of healing, and someone will warn up to the disease.
real Christian
Epiphany water, prayer and faith - that's a real weapon of a true Christian.Orthodox believers always have the need to pray, to consecrate their homes and all around, and thus to devote his life to serving the Lord.Therefore, in the house of a Christian, there are always icons, filled with holy water, the blessed oil, and kept tueski antidoron for everyday making water, and it is always with a prayer.Such communication with the shrines gives you the opportunity to feel the true divine power, which strengthens and protects.
If you recall the history of the Gospel, the Lord not only healed people, and blew, spat, and anointed the eyes of the blind man, the clay has made or put his fingers in the deaf man's ears.
Dual rank Great Blessing
Generally this double rite of the Great Blessing of Water has a long tradition exists only in the Russian Orthodox Church.In the ancient church consecrated water only on Christmas Eve, that is, before the feast of the Epiphany.On Christmas Eve directly served Vespers celebration of the Enlightenment, this is a great day also so called.And then, at the end of Vespers, the progress made to the power to commit the Great vodoosvyascheniya.
tradition of dual rank vodoosvyascheniya gone since the XV century, while not all villages had a church, so the priests went to the villages, to sanctify the water is already there on the day of Epiphany.And canonized this tradition - to bless the water in celebration of Baptism, but now needs a about it.Now answer the question when taking Epiphany water will be clear.And so the most likely of all is to draw water in the Eve of Epiphany - January 18 (January 5), and who could not make it on Christmas Eve falls on a day later - on 19 January.The properties of water that on Christmas Eve that on the day of the Baptism of the same, so double its gain is not necessary.
Epiphany water, prayer and faith - that's a real weapon of a true Christian.
