The Church feast of the Epiphany, which the Orthodox celebrate on January 19, is associated with the sacrament of blessing of water. This ritual came to Russia from the custom of the Jerusalem Church. It is believed that on this day all the water becomes holy, even that which runs from an ordinary tap. Believers use the water sanctified by priests for drinking, washing, and add it to food.
Instruction manual
1
By the holiday of Epiphany, many temples are stocked with water from artesian wells or healing springs. They begin to sanctify her there already on January 18 after lunch, so you can pick her up in church on January 18 or 19. You can bring water with you. In temples popular among believers, parishioners are usually very crowded these days, so if you are not able to stand a long line, it is better to find out the schedule for distributing water. In many churches, it continues to be poured to all comers a few days after Baptism. The water, consecrated on January 18 or 19, has equal holy power.
2
Historically, according to church tradition, the blessing of water occurs twice. For the first time, January 18, on the eve of the holiday, it is consecrated in churches, on January 19 it is consecrated living water in open reservoirs, sources: lakes, rivers, springs. Therefore, you can dial it there after the ceremony of lighting.
3
It is believed that all water on this day becomes holy, it is purified and sanctified itself. The church says that a faithful person will receive holy water even from a faucet. Practice shows that such water has all the same properties as those collected in the church, it will not deteriorate after storage for a year, and it will be inherent in all those wonderful properties that water of great consecration possesses - it can be used to bless the home, it will heal and drive away evil spirits. If your faith is strong, dial it on January 19 at any source, sanctifying it yourself with a special prayer of blessing.
Useful advice
If you will bless the water in the temple, take a plastic container with you so that glass jars do not break in a crush.
No need to draw holy water in large quantities. A small capacity is enough, because adding a few drops of holy water to ordinary water, you will give it all the wonderful properties that it has.
To cure diseases, drink holy water on an empty stomach, faith will help you recover. Holy water can sprinkle food and the food itself. Saints told the elder that holy water and faith are the most powerful medicine.
Related article
When to draw holy water at the Epiphany