On January 19, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Baptism. It is believed that it was on this day that Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. And every year on January 19, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, a real miracle happens: water in all sources, whether it is a lake, spring, river changes its structure and acquires unique healing properties.
In the Orthodox faith, water is blessed twice. The first time - on Christmas Eve, January 18, in the temple. The second time - January 19, on the day of the holiday in the ponds. If the ponds were frozen, then Jordan is cut in advance in the ice - a hole in the form of a cross, named after the Jordan River, in which Jesus was baptized.
Water on this day becomes extraordinary power, even its structure changes. It is known that if the water collected on this day is stored separately in a sealed container, it will not deteriorate. Experiments were conducted. Three types of water were supplied in the same room in identical containers. So the "holy" water did not change any of its qualities after a year. Ordinary water became completely unusable after 5 months, and non-carbonated mineral water, purchased in a store - after eight.
Holy water is supposed to have a special relationship. It is better to store it in a corner with icons (if there is one). They drink it on an empty stomach on a spoon in the morning, just wash her children, sprinkle an apartment or a house. In addition, it is known that "a sanctuary drop sanctifies the sea." You can add a little sanctified into ordinary water, and all the water in the container will become holy.
It is strictly forbidden to pronounce swear words, swear, or allow vile thoughts when taking holy water. Often the water in such cases simply spills or loses its holiness. It is necessary to protect this gift.
On the day of January 19, one can still observe unusual, inexplicable phenomena. For example, ripples suddenly pass into complete calmness on water surfaces, including in rooms. This can be observed by all people, even those far from Orthodoxy.
The moment of the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist in the waters of the Jordan many years ago was accompanied by amazing signs. The Jordan River flows from the mountains, flows into the Genisaret Sea, but for another 300 meters, already in the sea, it does not alter with its salt waters, but flows with a powerful stream until it flows into the Dead Sea, when Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit - and the waters of the Jordan went back. This sign has since been repeated annually. And thousands of people are witnessing this. However, there is no scientific explanation for this phenomenon. On the eve of the holiday, Orthodox Christians let down wooden crosses with candles on the river. Water carries them to the Dead Sea, and returns them on January 19! On the same day, the fresh water of the Jordan becomes salty.
The place of baptism of Jesus Christ is now located in Jordan. Local authorities only allow one day of the year on January 19 to perform church service on the river bank and bless the water. At this service, there are always many pilgrims and just tourists, so there are a huge number of eyewitnesses who every year observe how the river turns back, and the branches of the trees fall so low that they touch the water surface, as if bowing to a great miracle.
