Will holy water flow from the tap on Epiphany night? Why is it considered that at baptism the water in the tap is also baptized? You can collect holy water from the tap.
On the night of January 18-19, Orthodox Christians all over the world celebrate one of their most revered holidays, 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 collected within two days.
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 getting into conflicts, keep the house clean and tidy. 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.
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 and 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 with cold tap water. Cross the water and yourself three times, read the prayer and hit the chest with the fist of your right hand three times to cause a body vibration that is 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 state of health 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, charges it energetically and has a healing effect.
And it doesn’t matter where you swam, in an ice hole or in a bathtub, the beneficial 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.
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—it’s enough to simply 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 if you are unwell, take it as a medicine, 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.
Orthodox Christians believe that the water of Epiphany has unique healing properties. The great consecration of water in churches and open reservoirs occurs only 2 times a year - on January 18 and 19. Most often, believers use water collected on Epiphany Eve and Holy Epiphany to treat illnesses, consecrate living quarters, and improve well-being. Such holy water can be stored for years without changing its properties at all. From a scientific point of view, this is a real phenomenon that many scientists have tried to understand. Some of them were able to scientifically prove that this is not a myth and holy water in reality does not spoil for decades. Read more about what unique properties holy water has, where and when it should be collected and how to use it in the next article.
Holy water for Epiphany: where and when is the best time to collect water
There is an opinion among the people that it is best to collect holy water in the morning of the Epiphany itself, that is, directly on January 19th. In fact, as mentioned above, the great consecration of water begins on Epiphany Eve - January 18. In other words, already in the evening on the eve of Epiphany, in Orthodox churches and temples, a ceremony of consecration of water takes place, which believers can take home. But on January 19, early in the morning, the clergy also go to bless water in open reservoirs. One of the main traditions of this Orthodox holiday is associated with this procedure - diving into a river/ice hole/lake after the consecration ceremony. It is believed that such a bath helps to overcome the ailments of the physical body and cleanse oneself of sins.
When and where is the best time to collect holy water on January 19th for Epiphany?
If we talk about where and when to collect holy water for Epiphany, then it is best to do this directly in the church after the service on January 18 or 19. However, many believers cannot be personally present at the temple and therefore collect holy water from any available body of water. As a rule, these are springs that don’t freeze in winter, ice holes in the shape of a cross, ordinary rivers and lakes. Also, for drinking purposes, holy water can be collected directly from the tap at home.
Holy water for the Epiphany of the Lord: when to collect (at what time) water from the tap at home
Most often, holy water for Epiphany is collected from the tap at home early in the morning of January 19th. But in fact, this can be done much earlier. Since the great consecration of water begins on the eve of the feast of Epiphany, you can collect supplies of holy liquid on the evening of January 18th. In addition, consecrated water does not lose its healing properties throughout the Epiphany. Therefore, you can dial it until midnight from January 19 to 20.
From what time can you draw holy water for Epiphany at home from the tap?
Some believers want to know not just when, but from what hour they can draw holy water for Epiphany from the tap at home. Most clergy agree that this can be done after 12 o'clock on the night of January 18-19. However, after 8 o’clock in the evening on the eve of Epiphany, you can try to collect water in a special container. By the way, you need to treat holy water with great respect. Under no circumstances should you put it in dirty dishes, or in containers containing alcoholic beverages. It is best to store the liquid next to the icons, away from direct sunlight.
Why water collected for Epiphany does not spoil - a scientific explanation of the phenomenon of holy water
For a long time, the phenomenon of water collected for Epiphany, which does not spoil for years, had no scientific explanation. And although the Orthodox do not need any scientific arguments to believe in a miracle, scientists did not give up trying to find out the nature of this phenomenon. At the moment, there are several theories that, to one degree or another, explain why the water at Epiphany does not spoil.
Scientific theories explaining why holy water collected at Epiphany does not spoil
One of the most popular hypotheses about holy water is related to the consecration procedure itself, for which silver items (crosses, dishes) are traditionally used. It is no secret that silver ions have disinfecting properties. Based on this, the “longevity” of holy water, from a scientific point of view, is explained by the fact that the use of silver elements in the church during the great consecration helps to destroy microorganisms that may cause the water to spoil. Scientists are also confident that long-term storage of water is facilitated by sub-zero temperatures, or rather severe frosts, which can often be observed at Epiphany.
Water is something without which life is impossible, both in the everyday and in the spiritual sense. Holy water is always present during the consecration of temples, residential buildings, buildings, and any objects. We are sprinkled with holy water during religious processions and prayer services.
What is "holy water"?
This is water that is ordinary in composition and original origin (well, spring, lake, river, tap), miraculously acquiring sanctifying, grace-filled properties after the performance (by the priest) of a special prayer service called holy water. Blessed water is an image of God's grace.
Blessing of water happens small And great. Small things are done repeatedly throughout the year: during prayers and the Sacrament of Baptism. The Great Blessing of Water takes place on the very day Epiphany, or Epiphanies(January 6/19), as well as on Eve of Epiphany(January 5/18). Between the water blessed on these two days, there is no difference.
Is it true that on Epiphany night even holy water comes from the tap?
This opinion is based on the words of prayers that on this day all waters of nature are sanctified. But it should be understood: 1) water is sanctified not by the arrival of a calendar date, but by the prayers of the Church; 2) whether water will become a source of grace for a person depends on his sincerity and faith. Only if a person does not have the physical opportunity to visit the temple (he is sick, the temple is extremely far away, other objective circumstances), he can get water from the nearest body of water or even from a tap (and the water will have the same properties), but this must be done with faith and prayer.
Is it necessary to swim at Epiphany?
The traditions of swimming in ice holes are not directly related to the Feast of the Epiphany itself, are not obligatory and, what is especially important, not cleaned person from sins. Forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God and His Church is possible only in the Sacrament of repentance, during confession in church.
How to use holy water?
The use of holy water is varied: it is consumed on an empty stomach in small quantities, usually together with a piece of prosphora (this especially applies to the great agiasme- this is the name of water consecrated on the eve and on the very day of the feast of the Epiphany; but if you have a special need for God’s help, you can drink it at any time), they sprinkle it on their homes, and add it to their food.
Can non-Orthodox people, for example, Muslims, drink and use Epiphany water?
Despite the fact that Epiphany water is a great shrine, representatives of other religions can use it. But - fearing God, reverently and with faith. At the same time, they can, and even need, mentally turn to God in their own words, ask for health of soul and body.
What to do if holy water has spoiled?
Spoiled holy water is poured into a stream or river - where there is a current, into the so-called living, running water. You can also water plants and flowers with this water.
Can a simple person sanctify water on his own by reading prayers over it?
No. Only a priest can do this.
In case of shortage of holy water you can add it (dilute it) to simple, clean, transparent water with the prayer: “ Save, O Lord, Thy people and bless Thy inheritance; granting victories to Orthodox Christians against resistance, and preserving Your residence by Your Cross", and she will be completely sanctified. The Fathers of the Church say: a drop of shrine sanctifies the sea.
If you have questions or doubts about the use of holy water, it is better to contact the priests.
Blessed water is a church shrine, which has been touched by the grace of God, and which requires a reverent attitude towards itself. Then it remains fresh and pleasant to the taste for a long time. It should be stored in a separate place, preferably next to the home iconostasis.
For holy water to be beneficial, it is necessary to take it with living faith in God, in the power of the prayer of the Church, with a sincere and pure desire to change your life for the salvation of the soul.
It is customary to consume holy water and prosphora with prayer: “ 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 the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen».
It so happened that what we cannot explain based on our own direct knowledge, we tend to instantly attribute to social and cultural stereotypes, the role of which is often played by religious beliefs. And modern science in the overwhelming majority of cases simply denies all principles or methods of cognition that are unusual for it, instead of integrating the best of them into its system. Therefore, in society there is constantly a confrontation between scientific and religious knowledge instead of an attempt to find common ground and finally begin cooperation.
Unique studies of Epiphany water taken from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, carried out several years ago at the Moscow Institute of Information Wave Technologies, showed that the frequency spectrum of the Epiphany water radiation is similar to the electromagnetic radiation of healthy human organs! That is, it turned out that the Epiphany church water contains a certain information program in the form of an ordered set of healthy frequencies of the human body!
In Tyumen, a group of enthusiastic researchers has also been conducting research for 5 years (as of 2011) to study changes in the structural properties of water on Epiphany, January 19, and their impact on humans. If the healing properties of Epiphany water in church are known to everyone, then few people know that ordinary tap water on Epiphany night can also become bioactive and then retain its special qualities not only for a whole year, but much longer.
It turns out that tap water annually on January 19 changes its structure many times over the course of a day and a half. The studies carried out included measurements of the biofield of water, acid-base balance, hydrogen potential, specific electrical conductivity, as well as the result of its impact on humans during internal and external use (using gas-discharge visualization methods, dowsing, laboratory studies). To do this, starting from the evening of January 18, samples of water flowing from the tap were taken at short intervals and measurements were taken. For control purposes, samples were left in storage for a long time.
Data obtained by various methods indicate a positive effect of Epiphany tap water on human health. An increase in the human biofield by tens and hundreds of times has been recorded, as well as an improvement in its physical and energy indicators when using Epiphany tap water as drinking water and externally. This improves immunity and helps improve health, strengthening a person’s natural defense against pathogenic environmental radiation. Theoretically, it can be assumed that the essence of Epiphany water is to cleanse the body of harmful pathogenic and toxic formations.
Over the course of several years, a group of Tyumen researchers established two peaks of water bioactivity during January 19: around two o'clock in the morning and at twelve o'clock in the afternoon. Moreover, they coincide with the highest indicators of electrical conductivity of water, which also constantly changes during the day, during the entire period of the phenomenon under study; tap water remains bioactive all the time, but to a greater or lesser extent. According to various sources, on January 19, the structure of all water on Earth changes, as this is a planetary, cyclical phenomenon. And it doesn’t matter whether this water flows from a tap, is poured into a kettle, a bottle, a jar, or is it in a river, sea, snow, etc. But already on January 20 it returns to its normal structural state.
It has been established that all water samples taken on Epiphany subsequently have improved physical and chemical parameters and an increased biofield, different from tap water on ordinary days. But only the water that was drawn from the tap by a person at approximately two o’clock in the morning on January 19 subsequently retains maximum bioactivity, acquiring new properties. In addition, studies have shown that this particular tap Epiphany water does not lose its properties when mixed and diluted multiple times, just like water taken from the church. All remaining water returns to its normal structural state the very next day.
Thus, as the researchers say, every year, starting from fifteen minutes past midnight on January 19, a person can consciously draw water from the tap at any time during the day for subsequent storage and use of it as bioactive throughout the year. And if he still wants to receive the most bioactive Epiphany effect without leaving home and without swimming in the cold in an ice hole, then he needs to wait until at least half past one in the morning and in the next half hour he can calmly wash his face, take a shower or bath using tap Epiphany water, without even leaving home, or just drink a little of this unusual water from the tap. 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, charges it energetically, that is, has a healing effect.
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
Epiphany bathing itself 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 carry out Epiphany swimming in the ice hole called “Jordan”. The very fact of bathing does not make you better or worse.
The basis of everything is a person’s inner state 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 will never even occur to you to do something 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 popular beliefs about Epiphany water are from the evil one
The Great Blessing of Water was overgrown with many popular signs and superstitions, which not only had no logical basis, but were 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 a suitable 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