When can you get holy water in the temple? When to collect holy water for baptism

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, ordinary tap water will also be healing. It has the unique properties of 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 path of 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 at a church store. 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.

Any Christian needs and can drink holy water. Keeping God's grace within itself, the water consecrated in the temple is a shrine.

Water is blessed in all churches on the church day of Epiphany, endowing it with incorruptible good properties.

From that distant moment when Jesus Christ, entering the Jordan, took on all human sins, holy water has been called upon to bring God’s grace to all Orthodox and peaceful people.

You should treat water with respect and reverence, not use it in excess, and only for good purposes.

Is it possible to drink holy water just like that and other doubts

Instead of the usual

You need to take a sip with reverent prayer, under no circumstances should you drink it like regular water. According to the canons of the Church of Christian teaching, blessed water is a kind of instrument of communication with God, with the help of which you can strengthen your prayer or appeal to the Almighty.

Don't drink on an empty stomach?

It is considered correct to drink holy water on an empty stomach, better - on an empty stomach. The exception would be a serious illness, a strong desire of the believer, or his fear of the invasion of evil forces - only in such cases can water be drunk after eating.

Should I use it when I am sick?

A sip of miraculous water has saved people from illness more than once. Christian, those who were constrained by illness were healed more than once by baptismal water from the temple.

There are cases when half a sip restored consciousness to those who were hopeless and suffering from recovery.

Is diluting with plain water allowed?

It is possible and even necessary, due to the holiness of water - even a small part is capable of spreading its miraculous properties to large volumes. No need to take liters of water to church, You can bring a little, and in prayerful reverence pour it into a vessel with the volume necessary for the family.

What about boiled?

It is prohibited to boil or use holy water for cooking. For consecration in churches, they generally take only potable water, which, upon receiving grace, becomes even more clean, fresh and does not spoil for a long time.

Daily?

If the impulse to drink church water implies the performance of a daily esoteric action or ritual, then this is prohibited by Christian teaching. You can drink holy water every day only after cleansing your heart in prayerful desire to get closer to the Creator.

Last year's water?

Knowing that such water almost never spoils and remains fresh for several years without losing its divine properties, we can safely say that You can drink last year's water.

Holy water with pills?

It is better to take the medicine with plain water. There is no direct prohibition against taking medications with holy water.

However, taking this gift of God in vain, you should not hope for an increase in the properties of the pill or the indulgence of divine help and healing.

Are the unbaptized and unbelievers allowed?

There are no prohibitions on drinking such water. For an unbaptized but believing person who is about to receive the Sacrament of Baptism and reveres the church, holy water will be an exceptional blessing. If a non-believer drank holy water, not knowing that it was consecrated, nothing bad would happen either. though any blasphemous treatment of a shrine, in thoughts full of evil intent, is unpleasant and unacceptable.

Why you shouldn't drink holy water

There is an opinion that you should not drink holy water. The theoretical component of this theory is that the priests, lowering a heavy, full-weight silver cross into the water during Baptism, turn the water into lifeless. Microparticles of heavy metals are added to the liquid, thereby charging it with silver ions, which, when consumed in large quantities, contributes to the development of numerous serious ailments. Holy water can burn like fire if consumed in excess and ungodly attitude towards her.

How to drink holy water for baptism

It is better to keep the vessel with the shrine near the icons. Epiphany water, blessed only twice a year - on January 18 and 19, is called the Great Agiasma - a gift to God's people.

Considered a cure for all diseases of the soul and body, it is drunk throughout the day at Epiphany, and in subsequent days, according to tradition, on an empty stomach.

It is stored all year round, and even more, next to or behind the icons.

Be sure to use holy water, and not just keep it in the house next to the holy faces.

Epiphany water is considered a means of achieving and receiving God's grace, but drinking it solely because of a serious illness or unsolvable mental troubles and burdens is also not worth it, since it is not a magical panacea.

You can collect holy water in any temple throughout the year, minor water blessing occurs almost every day, so it is always available. There is no more or less blessed holy water - any was consecrated by a clergyman, in the circle of Christian believers praying for the mercy of God, and it cannot be compared.

Conclusion

The attitude towards church water should be especially respectful, because it is a kind of conductor to the Almighty.

A life far from the church and the Lord God, without thinking about Him in business, life, without accepting His help, without working on one’s soul, will not change in any way by drinking holy water.

Spoiled water should not be poured down the drain. Its shelf life can be calculated in years, but it happens that the water may spoil and need to be thrown out. Then under no circumstances should the sink or sewer lines be used.

Washing your face by rubbing it with your palm is a good action that can be performed for yourself and for your child, even an unbaptized person, but not to remove damage or other undivine rites. You should not wash your face with water like regular water from a washbasin. The attitude must be careful, as befits a source of grace.

There is no need to wash yourself with such water. If human faith is indestructible, then the amount of water does not matter, be it one drop or a tub. Holy water is drunk only as a source of grace, connection with the Lord, with a request for forgiveness of sins and healing of illnesses.

It is possible and necessary to baptize a pectoral cross, home, pet or vehicle with Epiphany water. There is a prayer for this. But such a requirement must be performed by a priest as prescribed.

You cannot pour holy water into an animal’s bowl.

Before communion and during the morning and night Liturgy, you are not supposed to drink holy water, however, due to poor health or treatment, you can ask permission from the clergyman and drink a little if necessary.

A drunk person is not prohibited from drinking holy water, but there is no need. However, it happened that relatives brought a person in an intoxicated state into consciousness by sprinkling him with holy water and reading prayers over him for the mercy of the Lord.

It is not advisable for a drunk to go to church for water or to take a bath in an ice hole on Epiphany night, but it would also be wrong not to take a bottle of water that was held by a drunk person - this does not make the water itself lose its holiness. There is no need to drink from a bottle. Holy water is sacred and should be drunk accordingly.

You need to take holy water as needed, as much as the experience of your spiritual life tells you. “Great Agiasma,” as Epiphany water is also called, is called great because there is also a “small Agiasma,” i.e. holy water, which is blessed at water-blessing prayers throughout the year. This water is intended more for everyday use. The Great Agiasma is intended for the consecration of houses, habitats of people and animals, for ingestion during illnesses and illnesses, during special spiritual and demonic temptations, when ordinary holy water has insufficient power of beneficial influence.

It is accepted by those who are excommunicated from Holy Communion (carrying penance), of course, not as a replacement for the latter (!), but to strengthen the spiritual and physical strength of a person. As for exactly how much water is required, Usually 1 - 1.5 liters of Epiphany water is enough per year per person, or even per small family. If the water runs out, you can always add fresh water to the remaining holy water, which is sanctified and becomes suitable for use until you take a new one. How long can Epiphany water be stored? Ideally, you should take fresh water every year, but old water can also be successfully stored and used after a year, or two, or three, remaining as if taken from the source yesterday. Where is the best place to get water? Here you need to understand the following. The Lord, being the giver of all blessings, desiring salvation for all people, not leaving without mercy and care all those “who are in the sea far away” (any unbeliever and apostate), providentially sends his grace to all water sources, sanctifying the entire water element on the day of Baptism. But this does not mean that this gift must be used as a “gift” without giving anything in return. What can we give God in return that He doesn’t have? Naturally, nothing... Except one, - our love and grateful heart for Him. And we can fully express all this only through prayer in the Church, for only the Church connects a person with God, being the legal mediator between Earth and Heaven. Therefore, it is very appropriate and should be on the day of the Baptism of the Lord in the church for the Divine Liturgy, which, being a sacrifice of thanksgiving, carries, at the same time, mercy to the whole world, and to each person in particular; and then, having prayed together with the Church at the water prayer service, take the Holy Epiphany water with reverence in the temple. We should not forget about the worthy placement of this shrine in the house. Storing it somewhere in a dusty corner next to a trash can, or in general, on the floor, is unlikely to be good. A decent place for storage is in the holy corner, next to the icons. What to do if the water has “bloomed” or otherwise lost its original properties? Sometimes sediment naturally falls out of the water due to the abundance of calcium and magnesium salts, and this is normal. And yet, what to do? In any case, don’t judge anyone! And, God forbid, condemning the Church that “they did something wrong there”; such a thought itself is sinful and reprehensible. Also, one should not look for any omens in this, but one should reflect: have we not desecrated this shrine with our negligence, have we ourselves committed some grave sin (adultery, drunkenness, foul language, condemnation, anger, etc.), What could cause the holy water to spoil? And if this happened, repentance should be brought to the church.

Holy water in Christianity is considered to be water consecrated in a church (temple, cathedral, etc.) during rituals involving such a procedure.

The use of consecrated water in Christianity began around the 2nd century. Traditionally, its use is associated with the story from the Bible about the baptism in the waters of the Jordan of Christ, as well as with the traditions of worship described in the Old Testament. It has long been believed that holy water has healing properties and can help when used during illnesses and all kinds of misfortunes. But there are people who deny this fact. But, be that as it may, any Orthodox Christian should know where to get holy water and when, and how to use it.

What water is considered holy and where is it taken?

It is believed that the water that you collect during the Christian holiday “Epiphany” (Epiphany), celebrated on January 19 of each year, has especially healing properties. Such water can cleanse the souls of sinners, drive out unclean spirits, and also relieve despondency and all kinds of depression. On this day, the consecration of water is performed with a solemn procession of the cross to natural reservoirs, and this ritual is called the “walk to the Jordan.” On the day of “Epiphany,” the great consecration of water takes place, after which it is called the “Great Hagiasma.” On this day, you will be able to collect holy water in any Christian church (special container inside), or in the reservoir to which the crusade took place.

Many people mistakenly think that on this holiday, any water, even tap water, will be holy - this is not true. The water is necessarily blessed with silver (silver cross) by the clergy, after which it can be stored for a long time without spoiling.

In addition to the great consecration of water, in the Orthodox Church there is a concept - a small consecration, which can be carried out during prayer services throughout the whole year. As a rule, such water-blessing prayers are performed on Christian holidays, which determine the liturgical instructions. The minor consecration of water is obligatory carried out on the day of Midsummer and the day of the Destruction (Origin) of the Honorable Trees of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, on Easter, the day of remembrance of St. Agates (Catholic Church), etc. In addition, minor consecration is performed during the consecration of temples, temple holidays, and sometimes at the request of parishioners. These days, holy water can be taken in a special container installed inside the church (cathedral, temple, etc.).

In addition, holy water can be collected in a specific place, for example, it could be the grave of one of the saints. In this case, you will have to make a pilgrimage to her. Options for such trips and their schedule can be checked at most temples. During such a pilgrimage, you will be invited to visit the burial place of the saint, swim in the spring and take some holy water for yourself.

It is also believed that ordinary bottled water can become holy if a small amount of water consecrated in a temple or church is added to it. Therefore, there is no need to make huge reserves of holy water collected in the church - one bottle will be enough. Since holy water is stored in sufficient quantities in the church, you can take it there every day.

How to store and dispose of holy water

As a rule, a supply of holy water is made during “Baptism”, and it will be considered fresh until next year, i.e. from "Baptism" to "Baptism". But even if you have some supply of such water left from last year, it will still have its beneficial properties for some time. It is necessary to store holy water in a ceramic or glass container in close proximity to icons (images). If you store it in plastic bottles, then you need to remove all stickers and labels from them.

Under no circumstances should spoiled or expired holy water be poured down the drain; it is better to take it to some open reservoir or water flowers.

This article is found by searching: “Where can you get holy water”

If we return 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 endows it with 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!”