In January, the Orthodox Church solemnly recalls two historical events that turned the tide of world history - the Nativity of Jesus Christ and the Baptism of the Savior. On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord (January 19), believers come to the temple not only to offer prayers to God, but also to collect holy baptismal water.
According to the tradition established in modern Russia, water is blessed twice on the feast of the Baptism of the Savior of the world. The first consecration is performed at the end of the liturgy on the Epiphany on January 18th. Considering the fact that the liturgy on this day usually begins at nine in the morning and ends at the beginning of the eleventh, the subsequent consecration of the great blessing of water (this is the name for the baptismal blessing of the blessing in the treasury) begins around the beginning of the afternoon and lasts about half an hour. Practicing Orthodox Christians always want to pray at the liturgy, and then stay on the rite of blessing the water.
The second time, water is sanctified directly at the very celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. The time for the commencement of worship on this saving day is sometimes different in the temples, depending on the blessing of the priest. So, the service for Epiphany can begin at 11 o’clock on the eve of the holiday and smoothly pass into the Epiphany night itself, and in other churches the Divine Liturgy may well be performed at nine in the morning on January 19th. In both cases, the rank of baptismal blessing of water for the holiday itself is performed at the end of the festive liturgy.
Usually the blessing of water takes place in the temple itself, but sometimes (in large cathedrals, which have an impressive pre-temple square), this rite is sent before entering the church on the street. Water tanks are brought out and the consecration of water is carried out in the manner prescribed by the church charter.
According to a common tradition, Jordan is consecrated by the clergy on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Water sanctified at the springs is usually not used for everyday needs, although it has the same miraculous properties as the liquid sanctified in the temple. In such fonts, Orthodox believers plunge with awe and reverence, offering prayers to God for the gift of health. The consecration of Jordan begins individually in each parish.
It must be remembered that the water on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord only there acquires its wonderful properties, where the rite of consecration takes place. Therefore, a believer can not be satisfied with the water collected at 12 o’clock in the night in an ordinary tap.
