How to properly pour cold water in the morning. What is the best place to start? The effect of dousing with cold water on the brain: benefits and harms

This is one of the so-called twelve Orthodox holidays, which from time immemorial has been very revered in our country. It is with Baptism, also called Epiphany, that a lot of very original Russian customs and traditions are associated, a lot of folk signs. However, this very holiday "provokes" our fellow citizens to do some wrong things.

What should not be done on Epiphany days?

- I will probably disappoint many of your readers by telling them that you cannot do exactly those two things that are most famous and popular among the general population. Namely: swimming in an ice-hole and doing fortune-telling, ”Father Vladimir, the priest of the Church of All Saints in Nikolskoye,“ delighted ”. - Well, with the second act from the point of view of the Church, everything is quite clear. These "great-grandmother's" rituals with plates, candles, shoes, supposedly contributing to a future prosperous life, finding a betrothed, a successful marriage, in fact, can be regarded as divination, a return to paganism. Instead of all this, an Orthodox person should simply pray to the Lord properly, turning to Him requests for the same prosperity, a successful marriage ... And not only on Epiphany Eve, but also on other days.

As for Epiphany bathing in the ice-hole, this tradition arose in Russia a very long time ago, however, in the canons of the church, such a dip in the waters of rivers and lakes on the occasion of the Feast of the Epiphany is not mentioned. That is, you can swim, but it is by no means necessary. And in the current situation it turns out that it is even harmful. Not for the human body (although here you can also overdo it), but for his soul.

Unfortunately, modern Epiphany realities are as follows: tens, hundreds of thousands of people celebrate this holiday, limiting themselves only to an external, ostentatious action - valiant immersion in the "Jordan". He came, flung himself into the ice-hole, and sort of washed away all the sins from himself. It would be too primitive! No, my dears, it is right on these days - January 18 and 19, to visit the temple, pray, attend the rite of the Great consecration of water and sprinkle it on all parishioners, conducted by priests, and besides, observe strict fasting on Christmas Eve, refraining from meager food and especially from strong drinks ...

- But the clergy at Epiphany conduct a special rite of consecration of ice-holes ...

- Quite right. However, this primarily symbolizes purification, blessing by the higher powers of lake and river waters, which people can then scoop in buckets, jugs and carry to their home ...

And then the time has come to recall one more Epiphany "no".

Of course, the water brought home, consecrated by the priest - from the temple, from the hole in the river - can be used in different ways. Someone is washing with it, someone is reverently drinking (but here we are talking, of course, about the water taken in the church), someone sprinkles it on the dwelling, trees in the garden, someone gives livestock to drink, which helps to strengthen it and an increase in offspring ... However, with any method of use, one should not allow the baptismal holy water to be poured into the sewer, into pits with sewage, on a clearly contaminated floor that has not been washed before ...

- And if a person at home decided to wash with the baptismal water brought in, or even pour himself over himself, how to avoid getting the drops and jets flowing from the body into the sewer?

- So you get into the pelvis and then start pouring out. And at the end of the procedure, pour the water accumulated in the basin into flower pots, on the lawn, on the beds and flower beds in the garden ...

Ethnographer Nikolai Popov spoke about some of the baptismal prohibitions.

- Of course, Father Vladimir is right when he says that fortune-telling on Christmas Eve is not good from the church point of view, by this you “indulge the evil spirits”. Our ancestors also understood this, therefore they had a rule of cleansing from such a sin. Those who, observing the tradition, on Christmastide, on Christmas Eve and Epiphany, were still engaged in fortune-telling, must necessarily pour themselves over holy water on the Epiphany - without fail with prayer. Thus, the sin of divination is washed away.

There are a few more "taboos" associated with this well-known custom. Although here it is already possible to speak, rather, about popular beliefs, and not about the strictness of the church.

In no case should you go down into the hole, turning your face to the west. It is imperative to turn to the east - after all, this is the direction from where the Almighty sends us his grace.

The next portion of "bathing" prohibitions concerns the fairer sex. In general, women cannot plunge into the Epiphany ice-hole, who have just come on critical days. And everyone else is unacceptable to dive into the "Jordan" bareheaded or in a frivolous swimsuit. The rules require you to tie your head with a scarf, and put on an undershirt at least up to your knees, and better to your ankles.

As for men, they are strictly ordered to take off their hats before dipping.

It was believed that after a prayer ceremony performed by a priest at an ice hole, the water in a river or lake becomes holy for three days. Taking this into account, the housewives in the villages could not wash and rinse clothes during such a three-day period, so as not to defile the miracle water with "dirty rags". There was a popular belief that those who break this rule will surely have pain for a long time after washing their hands. (But in the following days and weeks, the baptismal water stored in the house was actively used by women to bleach linen: when rinsing washed canvas and linen fabrics, they sprinkled them with this consecrated miraculous water. The result of such a seemingly insignificant procedure was almost always very impressive - modern household chemicals resting!)

Separate prohibitions have long been formulated by our ancestors for the most festive Epiphany day. Basically, such restrictions are dictated by folk signs: taking care of their future, people tried to avoid certain actions at Epiphany.

For example, the opinion has taken root that on this twelveth holiday nothing can be done to improve the house and economy. Especially fraught with future troubles is the use (without absolutely absolutely absolute necessity) with scissors!

The most sad consequences next year awaited those villagers who, for some reason, locked the door of the house, not allowing the priest to enter it (the priest, according to tradition, during the day of Epiphany, went around all the rural houses and in each prayed and sprinkled the rooms with holy water, cleansing dwelling from the dark forces).

It is unacceptable to throw in the trash the porridge made from wheat specially cooked for the coming of Epiphany - the so-called sychovo. Even if the hostess did not succeed in this dish for some reason, it is better to give it to pets or scatter it over the meadow so that the birds will peck.

It is very bad if in the house where an unmarried young woman lives, before the onset of Epiphany, the owners did not draw a cross over the front door and windows with chalk or charcoal. According to the old belief, in case of such impermissible forgetfulness, a dangerous werewolf, nicknamed the "Fiery Serpent", can visit the dwelling. This villain "in the bud" destroys young girls, appearing to them in the form of a handsome man. Young ladies inevitably fall in love with him, and such love - forever, supposedly, everlasting - drives the unfortunate people crazy, plunges them into longing for the werewolf-pretender, "dries up the soul and body, destroys the beauty of the girl." The cross, drawn ahead of time over the door and window openings, reliably closes the villain's access to the dwelling where the young woman lives.

The rules of treatment with Epiphany water.

On the night of January 18-19, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate one of their most revered holidays - the Baptism of the Lord, also called Epiphany.

WHEN TO FILL WATER?

So, if you are tormented by ailments, stock up on healing Epiphany water. This water, collected on the night of January 18-19, from 0 hours 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or a little later, from time immemorial was considered miraculous. At this time, "heaven opens" and the prayer addressed to God will be heard.
Our grandparents used it to heal, purify, drive out evil spirits and bad thoughts, sprinkle 8 a person's face or in the corners of a house.
Want to check it out? It is not hard. Just try to do everything exactly according to the rules carefully preserved in the 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, clean and tidy the house. In the evening, after the first star, you can dine. Prepare glassware with lids, such as 3 liter jars or bottles. Sterilize them thoroughly.
After 0 hours and 10 minutes, fill this dish with water from a well, spring, or other clean source. You can and just from the tap. It is advisable to pass it through a cleaning filter, but this is not a prerequisite. Draw at least 3 liters and close the jars with lids.
It is better to store Epiphany water in a cool dark place. And if in the future for some reason you want to pour this water, then in no case pour it into the toilet or sink.
Dilute with plain water and then pour or water the plants (by the way, it has been noticed that undiluted Epiphany water affects plants in different ways: some bloom, others, on the contrary, perish.Therefore, it is better not to risk it and act prudently).

HOW TO TAKE A BATH?

On this night, pour yourself three times with Epiphany water or take a bath. Fill the bathtub with cold tap water between 0 hours 10 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes. Cross the water and yourself three times, read the prayer and bang your right fist on your chest three times to vibrate your body in harmony with the vibrations of the water.
Then, without yelling or noise, sit in the bathtub and plunge headlong three times, hitting your chest each time.
Silently get out of the bath (if someone else from your household wants to bathe in Epiphany water, fill up the bath with new water).
Do not dry off immediately; let the water soak into the skin. During this time, self-massage or tap vigorously all over your body from crown to heels. Then put on warm clothes, underwear, socks, everything new and must have been washed and ironed. Drink herbal tea with honey.

DOES YOUR WATER “KIPIT”?

Does cold water scare you? Are you afraid of a cold? There, dilute the cold Epiphany water hot to the temperature that you can withstand. Children and the elderly can take a warm bath not at night, but during the day, but you still need to draw water from 0 hours 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.
When bathing, pay attention to how the water in the bathroom behaves. If, when immersed in it, the water "boils" or bubbles go, it means that the cleansing process is very active, the evil eye is removed, negative energy comes out.

HOW MUCH TO STORE WATER?

Epiphany water, stored in glassware, can be used throughout the year or even. This is a very strong energetic water, therefore it is not recommended to drink it constantly. But to take it as medicine, if you are unwell, add to the bath (from one teaspoon to one glass per bath), rinse your mouth, wash your face, spray your face, eyes, the whole body - it is very useful.
I remind you: you don't need to dry yourself. To cleanse the dwelling, baptismal water is sprayed 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.

"An evil spirit under the earth, kind on the earth."

Ritual for health

Held at Epiphany and Old New Year.
At midnight, take off your thing and burn it with the words:
"I burn the thing, but I remove the disease from myself forever."

RITUAL FOR MONEY

The Lord God will appear to the world,
And money will appear in my wallet.
Key, lock, tongue.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

BAPTISM TREATMENT

On the night from 18th to 19th, all the water in taps and reservoirs is considered holy.
If you wash yourself with this water, the most terrible diseases will go away from a person.
When washing yourself with water at night, you should say:
"From the street voditsa, from me a lich."
Do not leave your shoes outside the threshold on Epiphany night, otherwise you will get sick.

If there are problems in the house, take some water at night, leave it open at the doorstep, and in the morning wipe the shoes of each family member with this water. Then pour the water into a latrine with the words:
"An evil spirit under the ground, good on the ground."

On the eve of Epiphany, you cannot eat until the blessing of water.

On the eve of Epiphany, the hostess should draw crosses over doors and windows with chalk or pencil in order to protect her house from Satan.

Whoever dreams of not aging for a long time should bring a basin of pure snow into the house, melt it, wash with this water with the words:
“Nebushka water will fix everything.
And (name) will add beauty to my white face.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".
Properties of Epiphany water. Epiphany water treatment

She eats it on an empty stomach, spoonfully, little by little. The man got up, crossed himself, asked for the blessing of the Lord for the day that had begun, washed, prayed and accepted the great hagiasma. If a fasting medication is prescribed, then first take holy water, followed by the medicine. And then breakfast and other things. Ascetics of Christian piety call consecrated water the best medicine for all spiritual and bodily ailments. Often, confessors "prescribe" Epiphany water to their children who are ill - every hour a spoonful, with faith, of course, and without faith, drink at least half a canister. You can wash the patient with it, and sprinkle the bed with it. True, women on critical days are not blessed to receive baptismal water. But this is if the woman is otherwise healthy. And if she is sick, then even this circumstance does not matter. Let the Epiphany water help her!

There is a pious tradition to sprinkle Epiphany water on your dwelling on this day with the singing of the troparion of the Epiphany. Baptismal water is consumed all year on an empty stomach in small quantities, usually together with a piece of prosphora "so that we might receive from God the strength that strengthens health, heals diseases, drives away demons and repels all hostility."

At the same time, the prayer is read: "Lord my God, may there be Thy holy gift and Thy holy water for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my soul and body, for the health of my soul and body, for the conquest of my passions and weaknesses. by Thy infinite mercy by the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen. " With ailments or attacks of evil forces, you can and should drink water without hesitation, at any time.

A special property of holy water is that, added even in small amounts to ordinary water, it imparts beneficial properties to it, therefore, in case of a shortage of holy water, it can be diluted with plain water.
It is believed that holy water does not deteriorate, so there is no need to put it in the refrigerator. The Orthodox keep it in the Red Corner, next to the icons. In addition, a drop of the shrine sanctifies the sea. You can take ordinary, unconsecrated water and add a drop of Epiphany water there, and it will all be sanctified.

It is categorically forbidden, taking holy water or taking it, quarreling, swearing, allowing impious acts or thoughts. From this, holy water loses its sanctity, and often simply spills.
We must not forget that consecrated water is a church relic, which has been touched by the grace of God, and which requires a reverent attitude towards itself. With a reverent attitude, holy water does not deteriorate for many years. It should be stored in a separate place, preferably next to the home iconostasis.

The "watery" conspiracy for Epiphany is designed to protect you from losses and bring financial well-being. To do this, you need to take holy water from the church, bring it home and, successively bypassing all the rooms and premises, say: “Holy water has come into the house, brought me well-being.
There will be losses this house will bypass, there will be prosperity every day.
I will be lucky in everything, I will not know failure in anything ”.

Leave this water overnight in the place of the house that you consider most important, and wash with it in the morning.
Healing at Baptism

Completely defend the Epiphany service, take holy water in the church.
When you come home, read over it (three times in turn) prayers in the sequence: "Our Father", "I believe", "May God rise again."
Then on the Epiphany water three times (sincerely, with warmth in your heart) whisper the conspiracy:

"Heal, Lord, my body and soul, for I am sinful, and in sin my soul and body ache. Please, heal, Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of our Eternal Heavenly Father, my body from sickness, from aches, dryness, pain, blood. Heal my soul from envy, anger, hatred. On this day, heaven opens on us sinners, I ask, Lord Jesus Christ, fill my body with health and strength, and my soul with peace. To the glory of Your Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen!"
Take three sips of water and wash the rest of your body.

Since ancient times, the most severe damage was removed for Epiphany, using the miraculous Epiphany water in treatment. To do this, you need to bring water from the temple and, standing in the bath, pour yourself from head to toe with the words:

The Lord was born
I was baptized into Baptism,
Became famous by the name
Jesus Christ.
Like this water
Flowing off me
So that
And all the corruption
She left me.
Now and ever
And forever and ever. Amen.

I'm home with holy water
And you, money and luck, follow me.
All the troubles and losses
Take the other side.
Key, lock, tongue.
Amen. Amen. Amen.

Consecrated water is a church relic, therefore it is necessary to treat it properly.
Unfortunately, many housewives for Epiphany collect water for cooking, bathing children. This should never be done. If a person is sick, he should be given to drink it, moisten his face, but not wash in it.

You need to store holy water in an appropriate place, preferably next to the icons, in no case in the refrigerator. It is best to collect Epiphany water in glassware, which must be cleanly washed.
With a reverent attitude, Epiphany water does not bloom and does not rot for many years. But if this happened (most often due to careless storage or for spiritual reasons), then the water must be poured either into indoor flowers, or under plants outside the city, or into running water.
In no case should you use water for household needs, give it to animals, pour it down the drain.
Epiphany water is a great shrine, touching which we touch the Lord himself, to Divine grace.

Prayer read when eating prosphora and holy water _________________

"O Lord my God, may Thy holy gift and Thy holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my soul and body, for the health of my soul and body, for the conquest of my passions and weaknesses, according to Thy infinite mercy with the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen. "
Epiphany water treatment rules:

On the night of January 18-19, Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate one of their most revered holidays - the Baptism of the Lord, also called Epiphany.

WHEN TO FILL WATER?

So, if you are tortured by ailments, stock up on healing Epiphany water. This water, collected on the night of January 18-19, from 0 hours 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes or a little later, from time immemorial was considered miraculous. At this time, "heaven opens" and the prayer addressed to God will be heard.

Our grandparents used it to heal, purify, drive out evil spirits and bad thoughts, sprinkle 8 a person's face or in the corners of a house.

Want to check it out? It is not hard. Just try to do everything exactly according to the rules carefully preserved in the 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, clean and tidy the house. In the evening, after the first star, you can dine. Prepare glassware with lids, such as 3 liter jars or bottles. Sterilize them thoroughly.
After 0 hours and 10 minutes, fill this dish with water from a well, spring, or other clean source. You can and just from the tap. It is advisable to pass it through a cleaning filter, but this is not a prerequisite. Draw at least 3 liters and close the jars with lids.

It is better to store Epiphany water in a cool dark place. And if in the future for some reason you want to pour this water, then in no case pour it into the toilet or sink.

Dilute with plain water and then pour or water the plants (by the way, it has been noticed that undiluted Epiphany water affects plants in different ways: some bloom, others, on the contrary, perish.Therefore, it is better not to risk it and act prudently).

HOW TO TAKE A BATH?

On this night, pour yourself three times with Epiphany water or take a bath. Fill the bathtub with cold tap water between 0 hours 10 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes. Cross the water and yourself three times, recite the prayer and bang your right fist on your chest three times to vibrate your body in harmony with the vibrations of the water.

Then, without yelling or noise, sit in the bathtub and plunge headlong three times, hitting your chest each time.

Silently get out of the bath (if someone else from your household wants to bathe in Epiphany water, fill up the bath with new water).

Do not dry off immediately; let the water soak into the skin. During this time, self-massage or tap vigorously all over your body from crown to heels. Then put on warm clothes, underwear, socks, everything new and must have been washed and ironed. Drink herbal tea with honey.

DOES YOUR WATER “KIPIT”?

Does cold water scare you? Are you afraid of a cold? Then dilute the cold Epiphany water hot to the temperature that you can withstand. Children and the elderly can take a warm bath not at night, but during the day, but you still need to draw water from 0 hours 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes.

When bathing, pay attention to how the water in the bathroom behaves. If, when immersed in it, the water "boils" or bubbles go, it means that the cleansing process is very active, the evil eye is removed, negative energy comes out.

HOW MUCH TO STORE WATER?

Epiphany water, stored in glassware, can be used throughout the year or even. This is a very strong energetic water, therefore it is not recommended to drink it constantly. But to take it as medicine, if you are unwell, add to the bath (from one teaspoon to one glass per bath), rinse your mouth, wash your face, spray your face, eyes, the whole body - it is very useful.

I remind you: you don't need to dry yourself. To cleanse the dwelling, baptismal 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.

January 19 is one of the days on which all Orthodox churches are overcrowded to capacity, because it is on this day that the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ and, according to ancient tradition, the blessing of water is performed, which is called the Great Blessing of Water. Unfortunately, this particular church holiday is accompanied by a train of various folk superstitions that have no basis in the church tradition. Together with the clergyman of the Saratov church of the First Apostles Peter and Paul, priest Vasily KUTSENKO, we will try to consider the most common superstitions in order to understand how one should relate to holy water and what to do with it according to church tradition.

The great consecration of water is performed twice, it is true. The first consecration of water is on the eve of Epiphany, January 18, on Epiphany Christmas Eve, and the second - on the very day of the holiday. But this water has no difference, because on January 18 and 19 the same rite (that is, the sequence of prayers) of consecration of water is used. Water consecrated according to this order is called the Great Agiasma, that is, the Great Shrine. There is no separate "Epiphany" and separate "Epiphany" water, but only the Great Agiasma. In the liturgical books of the Orthodox Church, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is called "Holy Manifestation, the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ." The word "Epiphany" is a short expression of the events that took place during the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist on the Jordan River. In the Gospel of Matthew it is described as follows: “Having been baptized, Jesus immediately went out of the water, and lo, the heavens were opened to Him, and John saw the Spirit of God, which descended like a dove and descended on Him. And behold, a voice from heaven saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ”(Matthew 3: 16-17). That is, Baptism was a manifestation of Divine glory and confirmation of the Divine sonship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is difficult to answer the exact question of what the practice of two consecrations of water is connected with. It is known that already in the 6th century in Palestine there was a tradition of blessing the water in the Jordan River on the eve and on the very day of the feast of Epiphany. In Ancient Russia, there was a custom, which is still preserved in some places, to perform the Great Blessing of Water on January 18 in the temple, and on January 19 - outside the temple, arranging a procession of the cross to a specially prepared ice-hole - Jordan.

2. On the day of the Baptism of the Lord, having plunged into an ice font or doused with water, you can consider yourself baptized and wear a cross.

Indeed, there is a tradition of swimming in an ice-hole on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. But this is exactly bathing, not the Sacrament of Baptism. Although, if you get acquainted with the history of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, you can see that this particular day was earlier the day on which adults were baptized. For a certain period of time, a person who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ was preparing to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, which was a new birth for life with God and entry into the Church. Such people were called catechumens. They studied the Holy Scriptures and the foundations of the Christian faith and prepared to repent of all their sins before accepting Baptism, because the adoption of Christianity should begin with repentance, that is, with a change in life. Therefore, baptism without repentance was simply impossible. And on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, the bishop performed the Sacrament of the Baptism of adults. Such baptisms were also performed on the eve of the feast of the Nativity of Christ, on Great Saturday (the Saturday before Easter), on Easter itself and on the feast of Pentecost, which is also called the day of the Holy Trinity or the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. The great blessing of water on the day of the Baptism of the Lord is a reminder for modern Christians of the ancient baptism of the catechumens. But it must be remembered that the reception of the Sacrament of Baptism was preceded by preparation, repentance of sins and confirmation of the sincerity of one's intentions before the church community. Therefore, it cannot be said that plunging into the ice-hole-Jordan and receiving Baptism are one and the same.

3. Having bathed in the ice-hole on Epiphany night, you can get rid of all diseases, sins and the evil eye. If you get sick during the year, you need to drink baptismal water for healing.

It is necessary to place accents: separately - sickness and sin, separately - the evil eye. The evil eye, damage and the like are superstitions. And you need to get rid of only one thing - from belief in superstition. Christians believe in God, not in evil eyes, corruption, love spells, etc. When we turn to God in our prayers, we ask God to protect us from evil. For example, the prayer "Our Father" contains the words: "Deliver us from the evil one," that is, from the devil. The devil is a fallen angel who opposes God and wants to turn man away from God, which is why we ask God to deliver us from the devil and all the evil that he is trying to sow in people. If a person sincerely believes in God, in the fact that the Lord God protects believers from all evil, then at the same time it is impossible to believe in corruption, evil eye and the like.

Taking baptismal water (like any other shrine, for example, prosphora or consecrated oil - oil), a person can pray to the Lord that this shrine would serve him as a means of healing from diseases. In the rite of the Great Water Consecration there are the following words: "About the hedgehog existence of this water of sanctification, a gift, deliverance of sins, for the healing of soul and body and for every good benefit to the Lord, let us pray" (Russian translation: "So that this water of sanctification becomes a gift, deliverance from sins, for for the healing of soul and body, and for every useful deed fit, let us pray to the Lord "). We ask that through the use of hagiasma a person receives the grace of God, cleansing sins, healing mental and physical weaknesses. But all this is not some kind of mechanical or automatic action: I drank water - and everything immediately became good. Faith and hope in God is needed here.

If we understand some words (for example, “today - that is, today, now - the nature of the waters is being blessed ...”) from the rite of the Great Blessing of Water in a broad sense, then we can say that the blessing of all waters really takes place. But again, it is important to understand that this does not happen by itself, but through the prayers of the Church. The Church asks the Lord God to sanctify the waters, to give His grace-filled power that cleans and sanctifies the nature of water. Unfortunately, it often happens that many come to the temple precisely for water, without participating in the service of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It turns out that Epiphany water becomes an end in itself. And this is wrong. First of all, we must glorify God for his good deeds to the human race, which He manifested through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the sins of the whole world, because it is in memory of the Baptism of Christ in Jordan that the sanctification of water is performed.

5. Epiphany water never gets spoiled.

There is a testimony of St. John Chrysostom, who lived in the IV century: “On this holiday, everyone, having drawn water, brings it home and keeps it all year ... intact and fresh, and after such a long time is not inferior to the waters just taken from the springs. " But it also happens that Epiphany water can deteriorate. This happens either due to careless storage, a disrespectful attitude towards the shrine, or for some other, completely natural reasons. In this case, you need to pour the holy water into an unsupported place (“dry wells” are specially arranged for this in churches).

6. It is necessary to add baptismal water to the bath in which babies are bathed so that they do not get sick.

I think this is also one of the superstitions. Everyone can get sick. And the great saints suffered from physical diseases. For example, the Monk Seraphim of Sarov could not straighten his back due to the injury he had received. He was attacked by robbers and severely beaten. Saint Matrona of Moscow was blind from birth to the end of her days. No one forbids giving holy baptismal water to babies (it is still better to drink holy water), including during illness. But once again it is necessary to remind that the use of a shrine is not a mechanism, but an action that requires faith and hope in God.

There is a tradition: to sprinkle houses, plots and everything that is there with water taken from the church on the day of the Epiphany of the Lord. Therefore, it is quite possible to sprinkle baptismal water on both your home and household items. At the same time, you can sing or read the troparion (main chant) of the holiday: "In the Jordan, the Lord baptizing you ...".

It is forbidden. This superstition is probably also associated with a misunderstanding of church traditions. The water consecrated on the feast of Baptism, even being a Great shrine, as already mentioned, still cannot replace the communion of the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although, for example, there are certain similarities in the practice of Communion and the use of hagiasma - one must take communion and drink hagiasma on an empty stomach. This emphasizes the special attitude to the water consecrated for Baptism. According to the rules of the Church, the Great Agiasma was recommended to be used as spiritual consolation for people who, for various reasons, were excommunicated from the Sacrament of Communion, that is, it was not a complete and equivalent replacement, but only spiritual consolation.

8. And an ordinary person can consecrate water on his own by reading prayers over it.

Indeed, the prayers of the Great Blessing of Water, like all other church prayers, are performed on behalf of the entire Church. The priest, calling the believers to prayer, says: "In peace let us pray to the Lord!" (Russian translation: “In the world, that is, in a peaceful state, let us pray to the Lord!”) - we will pray, that is, all those who are at the service. Believers are not observers of what is happening, but living participants in the service, together with the clergy raising a single prayer to God. Therefore, we can say that in sanctification, each believer participates in his prayer, which becomes the one prayer of the entire Church. Therefore, in order to participate in the Great Blessing of Water, each of us can come to church services on January 19.

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Very soon, in the round dance of New Year's holidays, a special day will visit us, which Orthodox Christians are eagerly awaiting. It is customary to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord on the night of January 18-19 and the whole next day. The tradition of swimming in the ice hole is associated with this truly wonderful holiday. This rite is carried out by praying and making the sign of the cross. According to Orthodox canons, it is necessary to dive into the ice hole three times, head first.

Not everyone is able to withstand with dignity such a difficult test of the strength of the human body and sincere faith in God. If you have a desire to swim in the icy Jordanian font, we advise you to carefully read a few simple but effective rules of behavior in the cold.

Water hardening is indicated for those who do not suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, diabetes, conjunctivitis and a number of acute and chronic diseases. Ask your healthcare provider if you can swim in ice cold water and if it will harm your health.

Remember that Epiphany water is healing, but it is not a guarantee of ARVI prevention. For water to be a source of health and vitality, take care of the right place for swimming.

You need to plunge into the ice hole in a checked place, the depth of the reservoir should be no more than 1.8 m. We advise you to choose a fenced font, without dangerous whirlpools, springs and cliffs.

Take with you a warm terry robe, a large towel and comfortable shoes, but not with slippery soles. Before proceeding to comprehend the beneficial properties of water for Epiphany empirically, thoroughly rub and warm up the body.

Going underwater with your head is correct, but not necessary. Take care of your health - you are unlikely to be able to dry your wet hair enough.

Even if you are an experienced walrus, and regularly carry out procedures with cold water hardening, you should not stay in the hole for too long. When immersed in the scalding cold waters, a person has a feeling of euphoria. We hasten to warn you: this is not exactly God's grace, but rather the work of the hormones of the human body. Do not sit in the hole for more than a couple of minutes.

After bathing, be sure to thoroughly dry and massage your body and drink a glass of sweet tea from a thermos. Dress quickly, otherwise you cannot avoid hypothermia. You must not drink alcohol before swimming! The maximum that you can afford is a little ecclesiastical cahors post dive.

The structure of water continues to amaze certified physicists from around the world. Many people believe that on Epiphany "living" water becomes especially sensitive to the information field. Take advantage of this and walk into the water with sincere prayer. Ask for ice water to relieve you of problems, illnesses and fill you with health.