The great power of holy water, healing and beneficial properties: a scientific explanation. Where can I get holy water and how to use holy water at home? Prayer for the adoption of prosphora and holy water. Why the Church Prays for Water Springs

Holy water is the greatest Orthodox shrine, it is always available in the house of a Christian who believes in the Lord. She crowns the image of Divine grace: cleanses from filth, strengthens in the feat of salvation.

We plunge into it three times during the creation of the Sacrament of Baptism in the font, it also revives each newly baptized into a new life in God.

Read about holy water:

It is necessary to keep it reverently as the greatest shrine, taking it with prayer and prosphora on an empty stomach in illness, with the invasion of dark forces, in the conquest of passions and other weaknesses. The most daring, in a rush to gain bodily health, plunge into the frosty Jordans built on reservoirs.

Attention! An important and interesting quality of holy water is that even in a meager amount, when added to ordinary water, it communicates its beneficial properties to the second, thereby consecrating all water.

Out of a benevolent attitude towards the shrine, although it is customary to drink it on an empty stomach, in case of ailments or in special need of God's help, one can and should drink it or consecrate things with it at any time.

Holy water is usually stored for a long time and does not deteriorate. But it can “disappear” if it is not reverently stored and used. In addition, it can deteriorate in those people who constantly scandalize, live in sin, it somehow “reacts” to external and internal negativity.

It is forbidden to drink water to several people from one vessel, the neck of a bottle, a can.

Important! Women in impurity should refrain from using agiasma.

Holy water

How to sanctify water yourself

Water can be sanctified at home on your own, because some Christians who, for some valid reason, cannot visit the holy temple. A necessary condition for performing the Sacrament at home is sincere and unconditional faith!

  1. Fill the jar cold water from the tap.
  2. Cross yourself, light a candle and read the opening prayers.
  3. Cross the water three times and read a special prayer for the blessing of water (it can be found in any prayer book). Pour a little into the container Epiphany water from the temple.

It must be remembered that it is still advisable to take consecrated water in the temple or participate in special water-blessing prayers.

Church-wide delusions

  • Many believe that bathing in the Epiphany Jordan can cleanse the soul from sins. This is not true, the absolution of sins is performed only through the Sacrament of repentance (confession) in an Orthodox church.
  • The water collected in the church on the day of the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is baptismal for a year, two, three, and so on, until its reserves run out. People mistakenly think that her holiness "lasts" only a week.
  • There is no difference whether the water was collected on Christmas Eve or on the day of Epiphany. In terms of quality, it is absolutely the same. It is consecrated by the same rite, but many people do not even bother listening to prayers. Some non-believers, for example, come today for water, and tomorrow they repeat the same thing, being sure that "tomorrow's" water is stronger than "today's".
  • Great Agiasma can be used by both Orthodox Christians and non-Christians. It is important that they receive it God-fearing and reverently, with sincere prayer on the lips.
  • It is believed that water drawn from a tap or in a pond on the feast of the Epiphany is consecrated. But such it will be only for those who have strong faith in Christ. But it is better, of course, to get water in the church. Indeed, in its holy walls, during the festive divine service, there is a unity of Christian prayers. It happens that a person does not have the opportunity to come to the temple - then with faith and prayer he is allowed to pour water from the tap and use it.
  • By adding just a drop of holy water to a container of plain water, absolutely all water is consecrated. Therefore, it is unreasonable to collect blessed water after prayers and on the feast of Epiphany with whole buckets, canisters, because "a drop of the sea sanctifies."
  • It is considered a myth to say that if an unbaptized person comes to the church on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord and defends the entire service from beginning to end, then he is already considered baptized and has the right to wear pectoral cross and participate in other church sacraments.
  • It happens that holy water deteriorates, becomes cloudy, changes color, and a rotten smell appears from it. In this case, it is necessary to pour it into a place that cannot be trampled underfoot, for example, under a tree, in flower pot or into a pond. The vessel in which it was stored should no longer be used for domestic purposes.
  • The assertion that a person who daily and according to all the rules takes holy water can not proceed to the Sacrament of Communion is not true. After all, holy water can in no way replace the Blood and Flesh of the Lord, which a Christian takes into himself during communion. According to church rules, agiasma is used instead of Communion only if a person is excommunicated from Communion for a while, that is, penance is imposed on him.

Consecration of water

Popular beliefs

  • Previously, villagers used to collect snow from haystacks on the day of Theophany. The collected snow melted, and the canvas was immersed in the resulting water. People believed that only epiphany water could whiten it. And the girls carried out "cosmetic" procedures and washed themselves with this water in order to whiten their skin.
  • It was and is still believed that if a girl or woman washes her face early in the morning with the snow that fell on Epiphany, then she will be attractive to the opposite sex for a whole year.
  • The snow collected on the evening of January 18 was considered healing, curative. People came up with a variety of methods of treatment that helped them get rid of ailments. Of course, this is a myth, but no one has canceled the placebo effect.
  • Epiphany Christmas Eve was considered the time of the highest revelry evil spirits. In order to avoid its invasion of dwellings, people placed church candles in the corners of the houses and lit them, and a wooden crucifix was hung on the door without fail.
  • Water was poured into the silver bowl on the evening of January 18. The container was installed on a table or on a windowsill. At midnight, people waited for the water to begin to sway, which meant the opening of the heavens and the descent of the Holy Spirit. At this point, people were making wishes. It was believed that everything conceived at that moment would certainly come true.
  • Dreams that occurred on the night of Epiphany were considered prophetic.
  • People believed that the sacrament of Baptism performed on a person on a holiday promises a newly baptized Christian happiness for life.
  • The matchmaking, performed on the day of Epiphany, promised the young couple a long, calm, happy and blessed marital life.

More about superstitions:

On the feast of Epiphany, you should not do physical work, household chores. It is forbidden to swear and commit sinful acts.

Advice! It is considered a pious occupation to attend worship in a temple, confession of sins, communion of Saints. Mysteries of Christ. And after the service, it is desirable to collect holy water.

Even the elders admonished the people that there is no stronger medicine for a person than holy water.

Watch a video about holy water

Orthodox prayer for the adoption of prosphora and holy water

All our life next to us is a great shrine - holy water (in Greek "agiasma" - "shrine").

consecrated water is an image of the grace of God: it cleanses believers from spiritual filth, sanctifies and strengthens them for the feat of salvation in God.

We first plunge into it in Baptism, when, while receiving this sacrament, we are immersed three times in a font filled with holy water. Holy water in the sacrament of Baptism washes away the sinful impurities of a person, renews and revives him into a new life in Christ.

Holy water is necessarily present during the consecration of churches and all objects used in worship, during consecration residential buildings, buildings, any household item. We are sprinkled with holy water at religious processions, during prayer services.

On the day of Theophany, every Orthodox Christian brings home a vessel with holy water, carefully keeps it as the greatest shrine, praying to partake of holy water in sickness and all kinds of infirmity.

“Consecrated water,” as St. Demetrius of Kherson wrote, “has the power to sanctify the souls and bodies of all who use it.” She, acceptable with faith and prayer, heals our bodily diseases. Reverend Seraphim Sarovsky, after the confession of the pilgrims, always gave them to eat from the cup of holy Epiphany water.

The Monk Ambrose of Optina sent a bottle of holy water to a terminally ill patient - and the incurable disease, to the amazement of the doctors, passed away.

Elder Hieroschemamonk Seraphim Vyritsky always advised to sprinkle food and food itself with Jordanian (Epiphany) water, which, in his words, "consecrates everything by itself." When someone was very ill, Elder Seraphim blessed to take a tablespoon of consecrated water every hour. The elder said that medicines are stronger than holy water and consecrated oil, - No.

The rite of consecration of water, which takes place on the feast of Theophany, is called great because of the special solemnity of the rite, imbued with the remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord, in which the Church sees not only the mysterious washing away of sins, but also the actual sanctification of the very nature of water through the immersion of God in the flesh into it.

The Great Blessing of Water takes place twice - on the very day of Theophany, and also on the eve, on the eve of Theophany ( Epiphany Christmas Eve). Some believers mistakenly believe that the water blessed these days is different. But in fact, on Christmas Eve and on the very day of the feast of Epiphany, one rite is used during the consecration of water.

Even St. John Chrysostom said that the holy water of the Epiphany remains incorruptible for many years, it is fresh, pure and pleasant, as if it had been drawn from a living source just this minute. This is the miracle of God's grace, which everyone sees even now!

According to the belief of the Church, hagiasma is not plain water spiritual significance, but a new being, a spiritual and bodily being, the interconnectedness of Heaven and earth, grace and matter, and, moreover, very close.

That is why the great agiasma, according to the canons of the church, is considered as a kind of lower degree of Holy Communion: in those cases when, due to sins committed, a penance is imposed on a member of the Church and a ban on approaching the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the usual reservation is made to the canons: “Yes, drink to the agiasma” .

Epiphany water is a shrine that should be in every home Orthodox Christian. It is carefully kept in the holy corner near the icons.

In addition to baptismal water, Orthodox Christians often use water consecrated at prayer services (small blessing of water) performed throughout the year. A small consecration of water is necessarily performed by the Church on the day of the Origin (wearing) of the Honest Trees Life-Giving Cross of the Lord and on the day of Mid-Midday, when the full deepest secret the words of the Savior, spoken by Him to the Samaritan woman: “Whoever drinks the water that I will give him, he will never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water springing up into eternal life” (Gospel of John, chapter 4, verse 14).

It is customary to use holy baptismal water on an empty stomach along with prosphora after the morning prayer rule with special reverence as a shrine. “When a person uses prosphora and holy water,” said the recluse Georgy Zadonsky, “then the unclean spirit does not approach him, the soul and body are sanctified, thoughts are illuminated to please God, and the person is inclined to fasting, prayer and to every virtue.”

Prosphora originates in ancient times. It was typified by the showbread in the tabernacle of Moses. In the first centuries of Christianity, believers themselves brought bread, wine, oil (that is, olive oil), wax for candles - everything that was needed to perform worship. This offering (in Greek, prosphora), or donation, was accepted by the deacons; the names of those who brought them were entered into a special list, which was proclaimed with prayer during the consecration of the gifts. Relatives and friends of the dead made offerings on their behalf, and the names of the dead were also remembered in prayer. From these voluntary offerings (prosphora), part of the bread and wine was separated for the change into the Body and Blood of Christ, candles were made from wax, and other gifts, over which prayers were also said, were distributed to believers. Subsequently, only the bread used to celebrate the liturgy began to be called prosphora. Over time, instead of ordinary bread, they began to specially bake prosphora in the church, accepting money as a donation in addition to ordinary offerings.

Prosphora consists of two parts, which are made from dough separately from one another and then joined together. A seal is placed on the upper part depicting a four-pointed equilateral cross with inscriptions above the crossbar of the cross IC and XC (Jesus Christ), under the crossbar NI KA (in Greek victory). Prosphora, made from flour from the grains of countless ears, means both human nature, consisting of many elements of nature, and humanity as a whole, consisting of many people. At the same time, the lower part of the prosphora corresponds to the earthly (carnal) composition of man and mankind; top part with a seal corresponds to the spiritual principle in man and humanity, in which the image of God is imprinted and the Spirit of God is mysteriously present. The presence of God and the spiritual principle permeate the whole nature of man and mankind, which is reflected in the manufacture of prosphora by adding holy water and yeast to the water. Holy water marks the grace of God, and yeast - the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, giving life to every creature. This corresponds to the words of the Savior about spiritual life, striving for the Kingdom of Heaven, which He likens to leaven put in flour, due to which the whole dough gradually rises.

The division of prosphora into two parts in a visible way indicates this invisible division of human nature into flesh (flour and water) and soul (yeast and holy water), which are in an inseparable, but also unmerged unity, which is why the upper and lower parts of the prosphora are made separately from one another. , but then unite so that they become one. The seal on the upper part of the prosphora denotes in a visible way the invisible seal of the image of God, penetrating the whole nature of man and being the highest principle in him. Such a structure of the prosphora corresponds to the structure of a person before the fall and the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, who restored in Himself this structure broken by the fall.

Prosphora can be obtained at the candle box after the liturgy by submitting a note “On health” or “On repose” before the start of the service. The names indicated in the notes are read at the altar, and for each name a particle is taken out of the prosphora, why such a prosphora is also called “taken out”.

At the end of the liturgy, the worshipers are given an antidor - small parts of the prosphora, from which the Holy Lamb was taken out at the proskomedia. Greek word antidor comes from the words anti - instead of and di oron - a gift, that is, the exact translation of this word is instead of a gift.

“Antidore,” says St. Simeon of Thessalonica, “is the sacred bread that was brought into the offering and whose middle was taken out and used for the sacrament; this bread, as sealed with a copy and having received the Divine words, is given instead of the Terrible Gifts, that is, the Mysteries, to those who did not partake of them.

Antidor should receive it reverently, folding his palms crosswise, right to left, and kissing the priest's hand that gives this gift. According to the rules of the Church, antidoron should be eaten in the temple, on an empty stomach and with reverence, because it is holy bread, bread from the altar of God, part of the offerings to the altar of Christ, from which he receives heavenly sanctification.

The word artos (Greek for leavened bread) means consecrated bread common to all members of the Church, otherwise - whole prosphora.

Artos throughout bright week occupies the most prominent place in the temple, along with the image of the Resurrection of the Lord, and at the conclusion of the Easter celebrations is distributed to believers.

The use of artos begins from the very beginning of Christianity. On the fortieth day after the Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. The disciples and followers of Christ found comfort in prayerful memories of the Lord - they remembered His every word, every step and every action. Gathering for a common prayer, they remembered the Last Supper and partake of the Body and Blood of Christ. Preparing an ordinary meal, they left the first place at the table to the invisibly present Lord and put bread on this place. Imitating the apostles, the first pastors of the Church established on the feast of the Resurrection of Christ to put bread in the temple as a visible expression of the fact that the Savior who suffered for us has become for us the true bread of life.

The artos depicts the Resurrection of Christ or a cross, on which only the crown of thorns is visible, but there is no crucified Christ, as a sign of Christ's victory over death.

The artos is consecrated with a special prayer, sprinkling with holy water and censing on the first day of Holy Pascha at the liturgy after the ambo prayer. An arthos is laid on the salt opposite the royal gates on the prepared table. After incense around the table with artos, the priest reads a special prayer, after which he sprinkles the arthos three times with holy water with the words “This artos is blessed and sanctified by sprinkling this holy water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

The consecrated artos is placed on the sole before the image of the Savior, where it lies throughout the Holy Week. On all days of Bright Week, at the end of the liturgy with the artos, a religious procession around the temple is solemnly performed. On Saturday of Bright Week, at the end of the liturgy, the priest says a special prayer, during which the artos is broken up, and when the cross is kissed, it is distributed to the people as a shrine.

Artos particles received in the temple are reverently kept by believers as a spiritual cure for illnesses and infirmities. Artos is used in special cases, for example, in illness, and always with the words "Christ is risen!"

Prosphora and artos are kept in the holy corner near the icons. Spoiled prosphora and arthos should be burned by yourself (or taken to the church for this) or put into the river with clean water.

Prayer for the adoption of prosphora and holy water

Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities, through Your boundless mercy, with the prayers of the Most Pure Your Mother and all Your saints. Amen.

Prayer before taking (drinking) baptismal water

A prayer is read before taking (drinking) water:

to strengthen mental and physical

for the health of my soul and body,

by your infinite mercy

the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother

On the great day of the Baptism of the Lord

I wish you to be cleansed with holy water

healthy in spirit and strong in faith.

Part 45 - Prayer before accepting (drinking) baptismal water

Part 40 - Prayer before accepting (drinking) baptismal water

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Throughout the duration of our lives, a large number of shrines accompanies us. One of these great shrines is holy water. It is generally accepted that it is God's grace. With its help, you can be cleansed of spiritual filth, strengthen and sanctify them on the path of the feat of salvation.

We first encounter it at Baptism, when we plunge into the font of holy water three times. She washes away the sinful impurity of people, revives and renews him into a new life with Christ. Often it is used in the consecration of buildings, houses, in worship.

Holy water properties

Such an element of nature as water can carry both the power of healing and destruction. No one can say for sure why this is so, but it acquires its miraculous properties at a certain time of the year. Many scientists cannot come to a definite answer.

But the fact remains that a person who bathes on Maundy Thursday can be healed of various diseases, and a person who bathes at Epiphany in an ice hole will not get sick.

How to make holy water?

Water from any source that is collected on this day does not deteriorate for years. And if you add a saint to an ordinary one, then it will also acquire miraculous properties. Such properties are explained by the harmonious structure of holy water. It carries a strong energy and unique abilities.

To confirm these properties, a large number of experiments were carried out. According to their results, it was noted that it enhances a person’s energy, affects overall health, aligns and improves energy flows.

What to do with holy water?

  • You can drink it, but not from a common vessel
  • It can sprinkle your home
  • Washing will help with a simple evil eye
  • At strong evil eye a holy water bath can help

It must be remembered that sacred water must be handled very carefully. If it turns green, then you need to pour it into any natural source. It is forbidden to pour it into the sewer. If you pour it on the ground, but only on the place where people do not walk and animals do not run. It could be flower pot, clean place under the tree.

Holy water how to use

Use holy water for Everyday life with different purposes. It helps the Orthodox to solve many problems that are connected with everyday problems. But it must be remembered that for all its miraculous properties, it is not a panacea for all ills.

Where to get holy water?

The most powerful is the water on the Epiphany (Epiphany Christmas Eve) and the Epiphany itself. It is believed that these days the water in all sources is sacred. And often every Christian returns home from the temple with a vessel of this divine liquid. But also the baptism of water takes place throughout the year.

How to drink holy water correctly?

Due to its miraculous properties, it is often used by righteous Christians.

  • It is customary to drink it in the morning on an empty stomach or in the evening before going to bed. But it must be poured into a separate bowl.
  • In varying degrees of spiritual strife of a person, it can be drunk in unlimited quantities and regardless of the number of meals.
  • After drinking water, you need to read a prayer for healing.
  • You can also apply a compress to the sore spot, which is moistened with holy water.
  • Often, before taking agiasma (water blessed on Christmas Eve of Epiphany), you need to cross yourself and read a special prayer. Such a ritual is performed on an empty stomach and in small portions. Be careful not to spill a single crumb.

The main thing in this process is sincere faith in the Lord.

Prayer for receiving holy water

“Lord, my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities through Your boundless mercy the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen."

“Lord my God, may Your holy gift be Your holy prosphora and Your holy water for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities according to the boundless Thy mercy through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen."

How to wash with holy water?

Agiasma can also be used for washing. Every person at least once in his life heard such a thing as the evil eye. At the same time, such an imbalance in the energy background of a thing or person can be introduced not only by an envious person, but also by a person who has such a feature from birth.

Many believe that holy water is a panacea for the evil eye and recommend having it on hand at all times. For various degrees the evil eye has its own specific rituals. But the first thing you have to do is wash yourself.

  • To do this, pour water into the palms of your hands and wash your face. .
  • Then dry your face with the inside of your shirt or dress.

If you are often subject to various kinds of evil eye, then perform the following action in the morning: pour water into left hand and wash yourself three times. At this time, say the following words: "What kind of mother gave birth, such a one took away." Do not wipe any remaining water off your face. Let it dry. If your mother died, then instead of the word "took" say "took".

How to wash a child with holy water from the evil eye?

Small children are often subject to the evil eye. It happens that mothers do not know what to do with their crying child. In this case, holy water will also help you. If a small child has been flattened, then it must also be washed and then wiped with the hem of the mother's dress or shirt.

  • The child can be rubbed symbolically. Then you need to stand on the threshold of the house and read "Our Father". Some water should be given to the child to drink. It can be boiled, from this it will not lose its properties. After such a procedure, the child will become calmer and calmer.
  • You can also perform a certain ritual. To do this, the mother took water in her mouth, stand in the doorway so that the threshold was between her legs and say the following words to herself: “Like water from a tooth, so let all reproaches and ghosts leave the baby (name). Then wash the baby three times with water and wipe it three times with the inside of the mother's dress.
  • The third method is also based on agiasma, but it must be poured onto the floor. A certain prayer should also be said for holy water “From the top of the head, water, from the baby of sorrow. Where did it come from, and merged there. Whoever is angry with a child, back with a writhing. Amen".

How to bless an apartment with holy water?

It often happens that people consciously and not, show a certain interest in your life. Thus, some can sincerely rejoice for you, while others envy you. That is why it is recommended to sprinkle with holy water:

Particular attention belongs in this list to an apartment or house. It is there that we spend most of our time, and relations with households will depend on the atmosphere in the house. But it also happens that the negative was left by the previous owners of the home.

How to clean an apartment with holy water?

It is advisable to cleanse the house monthly with holy water or a candle. To do this, go in a circle, from the east and put a cross on the corners and walls, saying these words: "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." It is also advisable to sprinkle the walls with holy water, which you collected in the church for Baptism.

And remember that holy water should be carefully stored next to the home iconostasis.

There are many cases of getting rid of ailments with the help of holy water. Its healing properties are not denied by medicine. But how to use holy water in everyday life?

  • Holy water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach or in the evening before going to bed (but not from a common container).
  • With a very serious illness or if a person is in a state of intense spiritual struggle, despondency, it can be drunk in unlimited quantities, regardless of food intake.
  • After drinking, you need to pray for healing.
  • For pain or just a sore spot, you can apply a compress moistened with holy water.
  • It is customary to use holy water with prayer:

“Lord, my God, may Your holy gift and Your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities through Your boundless mercy the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen.»

  • Holy water has tremendous healing power. There are cases when a few drops of such water, poured into the mouth of an unconscious patient, brought him to his senses and changed the course of the disease. But that doesn't mean you don't need to see a doctor. A special property of holy water is that, added even in a small amount to ordinary water, it imparts beneficial properties to it.
  • It is necessary to store holy water at the icon or behind the icon. Just please label the bottle or stick a proper label on it. Be careful that your loved ones inadvertently do not pour out holy water, or do not use it reverently. You can not store such water in the refrigerator. Do not keep it near food.
  • This water is not given to animals.
  • You can only sprinkle it with your home (while reading a prayer), a car, or some other thing, also clothes, and even pets.
  • If the water has deteriorated, it must be poured into a river or other natural source. Holy water must not be poured down the sink or drain. holy water do not splash on the ground. It is poured into an “untrampled” place, that is, into a place where people do not walk (they do not trample underfoot) and dogs do not run. You can pour water into the river, you can into a flower pot, you can into a clean place under a tree.

HOLY WATER IS NECESSARY NOT ONLY TO KEEP CAREFULLY, BUT ALSO USE REGULARLY. Eternal storage of water "in reserve" is unacceptable if it was brought to their church once for Baptism according to the principle "to be in the house, because everyone has it." This is a kind of confinement of the shrine. The grace of holy water does not decrease, no matter how much it is stored, but people who do not turn to the shrine rob themselves.

Once blessed water is always like that. In the case when we have little holy water left, but we need some significant amount, we can add holy water to ordinary water. All water will be sanctified.

Finally, the most important:

Holy water will not bring us any benefit if we spend our lives away from God. If we want to feel God in our lives, to feel His help, His participation in our affairs, we must become Christians not only in name, but also in essence.
Being a Christian means:
Fulfill the commandments of God, love God and neighbors;
Participate in Church Sacraments and perform home prayer;
Work on fixing your soul.

Lord help us, no matter how far we are from our home Heavenly Father to return to Him.

Holy water and holy spring water

This is a high essence, in which two spirits are mysteriously combined: the spirit of life (inherent in every water) and the Holy Spirit, Who descends into ordinary water thanks to a special sacrament called water blessing. Holy water and the water of holy springs are the strongest medicine, but the medicine is more for the soul than for the body.

Holy water- the strongest medicine. It can help with any ailment, therefore, in illness, it is strongly recommended to take holy water.

Again, this is a scientifically proven fact. Experiments conducted by scientists have shown that different samples of Holy water have the same, and this radiation is very different from the radiation of simple and silver water.

It turned out that the line on the screens of devices that register electromagnets radiation from Holy water coincides with the line that the device shows when diagnosing a completely healthy organ. And to diseased organs, Holy water gives its healthy electromagnetic radiation, thus correcting "sick" frequencies. This means that Holy water can really cure even very serious illnesses. Moreover, holy water heals everyone: both believers and non-believers, both baptized and unbaptized people. But you need to treat Holy water in a special way, not like medicine from a pharmacy, but like a shrine, otherwise it will lose its unique properties. But with proper use and sincere faith, Holy water will help heal almost any disease.

How to Handle Holy Water and How to Store Holy Water at Home

Holy water should be stored in a specially designated place. If you have icons hanging in the “red” corner at home, it is better to store Holy water in the same place, behind the icons or next to them. You can put a vessel with Holy water in a special cabinet (box) where candles, incense, church oil. If it is not possible to put Holy Water near the icons or in a separate cabinet, free a shelf for it in the cabinet or on the shelf, and put an icon next to it.

There is no point in keeping Holy Water in the refrigerator. Do not store it next to food.

How to drink holy water

Holy water should be drunk on an empty stomach after prayer. It is better to eat holy water with church consecrated prosphora.

Prayer for the adoption of prosphora and Holy water

G Lord my God, may Your holy gift and Your Holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities through Your boundless mercy through the prayers of the Most Pure Your Mother and all Your saints. Amen.

In an exacerbation of the disease, Holy water must be taken every hour, reading this prayer. In addition, in the morning and evening after taking Holy water, you need to read a prayer Mother of God"Healer":

Prayer of the Mother of God "Healer"

P riimi, O All-Blessed and Almighty Lady Mistress Virgin Mary, these prayers, with tears brought to You from us, Your unworthy servants, to Your wholesome image, the singing of those who send with tenderness, as if You yourself are here and listen to our prayer. By any request, do fulfillment, ease sorrows, give health to the weak, heal the weak and sick, drive away demons from heaven, deliver the offended from troubles, cleanse lepers and small children, have mercy: still, to the Lady Mistress Theotokos, from bonds and dungeons you free and all You heal many different passions: the whole essence is possible through Your intercession to Your Son, Christ our God. O All-Singing Mother, Holy Mother of God! Do not stop praying for us, Thy unworthy servants, glorifying Thee and honoring Thee, and worshiping Thy Most Pure Image with tenderness, and having irrevocable hope and undoubted faith in Thee, the Most Glorious and Immaculate Ever-Virgin, now and ever and forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers that are read when sprinkled with holy water

You can not only drink holy water, but also sprinkle the house, and in general any thing. At the same time, it is necessary to read a prayer for the consecration of every thing.

Prayer for the consecration of every thing

FROM Creator and Creator of the human race, Giver of spiritual grace, Giver of eternal salvation, Himself, Lord, eat Your Holy Spirit with the highest blessing on this thing, as if armed with the power of heavenly intercession for those who want to use it, it will be helpful to bodily salvation and intercession and help, O Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Then they sprinkle the corner of the house (thing) with Holy water three times. You can sprinkle yourself with holy water. At the same time, the Troparion to the Cross of the Lord is read.

Troparion to the Cross of the Lord

FROM Shepherd, O Lord, Thy people, and bless Thy inheritance, granting victory to the opposition, and Thy keeping Thy Cross living.

If you sprinkle yourself with Epiphany (Epiphany) water, read the Troparion for the feast of the Epiphany.

Troparion for the Feast of the Epiphany

IN in the Jordan, who is baptized by You, O Lord, worship of the Trinity has appeared, for the voice of your parents testifies to you, calling your beloved Son, and the Spirit in the form of a dove knows your word affirmation. Appear, Christ God, and enlighten the world, glory to Thee.

Consecration of water in worldly conditions

Very rarely, but there are situations when there is no place to get Holy water, but it is needed extremely. On the road, in remote places, in a disaster. In such circumstances, you can bless the water without a priest, the so-called worldly rank. Only this must be a truly exceptional case: otherwise it will be an insult to the Holy Spirit. For example, water is consecrated without a priest in a war, when a mortally wounded soldier needs to be baptized (if he is not baptized) or communed - taking Holy water is considered a "small communion". The worldly order sanctifies water only when there is no other way to get Holy water.

To consecrate water, you need clean water (the purest that can be found in these circumstances) and a clean container - a basin or bowl. In extreme cases, a jug with a wide neck will do. If possible, three candles should be lit and placed along the edges of the vessel with consecrated water.

Before consecration, it is necessary to read the preliminary prayer, “To the King of Heaven”, “ Holy Trinity"And" Our Father "(see above). After each prayer, cross the water three times. Then a prayer is read for the blessing of water:

Prayer for the blessing of water

B Oh, great-named, work miracles, they are innumerable! Come to your praying servants, Master: eat Your Holy Spirit and sanctify this water, and give it the grace of deliverance and the blessing of the Jordan: create a source of incorruption, sanctification of the gift, resolution of sin, healing of ailments, death by a demon, impregnable to opposing forces, full of angelic fortresses : as if all who draw it and receive from it have it for the purification of soul and body, for healing by harm, for change by passion, for the remission of sins, for the driving away of all evil, for the sprinkling and consecration of houses, and for every benefit I will like. And if it is in the houses, or in the place of the faithful living, this water will sprinkle, may all impurity be washed away, may it save from all harm, let a destructive spirit settle down there, lower the harmful air, and let every dream and slander of a hiding enemy flee, and if anything eat, a hedgehog, or envy the health of the living, or peace, sprinkling this water, let it be reflected. Yako bless and glorify the most honorable and magnificent your name, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.

Sister Stephanie" The big Book healing properties of water

What properties does holy water have, how to use it correctly, how it helps and from what - we will discuss all this with you now.

What is holy water and where can I get it?

What helpsHoly water?

Holy water can, first of all, be used for treatment.

Here are some diseases that holy water will help:

  • severe colds;
  • eye diseases;
  • daily headaches;
  • problems with the reproductive system;
  • heart disease;
  • skin diseases;
  • gastrointestinal disorders;
  • fractures and cuts;
  • and adults.

It is necessary to be treated with holy water in conjunction with medicines prescribed by the attending physician. In no case should you self-medicate, relying only on the help of holy water alone.

  • In addition to diseases, holy water can cleanse the house from evil spirits and protect it from fires and thieves.
  • Holy water is also drunk to fill the body with energy when you feel tired and overwhelmed.
  • This water can also save a person from the evil eye, damage and other misfortunes induced with the help of black magic.

How to use holy water correctly?

  • If you use water for medicinal purposes or to get rid of spoilage, then to enhance the effect, before you are going to drink it, first read a prayer over the water.
  • First, read three times, and then you can whisper your prayer in which you ask to save you from a specific disease.
  • Here is what prayer you can read in your own words:

“Voditsa, Mother, save me from illness (name the disease). She does not allow me to live in peace and enjoy every day. Let me, dear, live in this world as long as possible. I want to be healthy and cheerful, as before. Amen!"

From now on you know what holy water is and how to use it to be healthy and happy, you now know too.

With painful conditions, headache and depression. It is recommended to wash with healing water and drink three sips. You can attach a handkerchief to your head, soaked in cold water with the addition of a saint. Of course, for these purposes it is necessary to pour some water from the main tank, and only then use it.

For diagnosing and neutralizing the evil eye. If you suspect an evil eye, use the following technique. Pour two thirds of a glass of holy water. Get three regular matches. Hold them in your hands. Pinch their tips in one hand and set fire to the glass with the other hand. While the matches are burning, whisper the Lord's Prayer. Wait for the matches to burn out as much as possible. So that almost the entire match burns out, and the rest of the tree is as small as possible. If anyone manages to intercept the matches by the heads so that they burn out completely - even better. But this is difficult: fingers can be burned. We throw burnt matches into a glass. If they remain floating on the surface, then everything is in order with you; drowned - the evil eye really is. Then you apply holy water in the same way as in painful conditions.

To consecrate a new thing. When purchasing any item or items of clothing, even brand new ones, you cannot be sure that no one has tried them on or has never tried to use them. In such cases, the energy trace of another person remains on things. If he had problems and diseases, then the new owner of the thing can pull them over. Even gifts can carry a negative thought form. And if someone deliberately decided to harm, then even more so. To neutralize someone else's energy, you need to sprinkle things with holy water three times with a lit church candle. At the same time, three times reading a prayer from the church breviary "About the temple, cold from evil spirits."

Cleaning the apartment with holy water. If you feel discomfort in the apartment, negative energy or heaviness and emptiness after someone's visit, then try to clean the apartment using holy water, as well as a church candle and incense or Thursday salt. Light a candle, and slowly, holding it as close to the wall as possible, walk around the apartment, reading prayers, clockwise. Start from front door and return to her. Baptize all doors and windows three times with a candle. Pay attention to places where the candle will smoke or crack. This is done three times. Then, also clockwise, go around all the corners and sanctify them three times with holy water. Use a brush or sprig of spruce. Now it’s the turn of holy salt, which needs to be scattered a pinch in the corners. Or, as with a candle, go around the apartment and fumigate with incense. Each manipulation is repeated three times and is accompanied by a prayer from the prayer book. After such a ceremony, you will feel relief.

For protection in the workplace. Often at work we can meet negative people or ill-wishers. To weaken them Negative influence, it is good to have a bottle or a small spray bottle with healing water with you. Spray yourself or workplace will never be redundant.

For cleaning mascots. If you have talismans, or just rings and jewelry that you often wear, they can accumulate negative influences from which they are designed to protect you. And, in the end, overflowing with bad energy, they themselves can begin to radiate it. Therefore, periodically, for example, once a year, such things must be cleaned. To do this, just put them in a glass of holy water for a day.

Cleaning mirrors with holy water. One of the most occult and dangerous objects is the mirror. Especially if he is old. The energy imprint of everything that has ever been reflected in it remains on the mirror. To remove this information, you need to put it horizontally and fill the entire surface with healing water. Let it stand like this for several hours. The negative is neutralized.

Diagnosis of spoilage by holy water. If you have concerns about the presence of such a complex negative, then use the verification method, which requires holy water and an egg. The main thing is that the testicle is non-dietary (that is, with the participation of a rooster) and immediately from under the chicken, and not from the refrigerator. In the evening, place a glass at your head, three-quarters filled with water without bubbles, and carefully break an egg into it. Leave overnight and go to bed. Take a close look at the glass in the morning. If a large number of bubbles have formed or many threads have gone from the protein, this indicates the presence of a negative. However, the truth of the manipulation is very dependent on the quality of the egg and water.

During astral attacks. In a dream, the soul of a person can travel through the astral space, where it can be attacked by the creatures living there. If you didn’t have a nightmare, and even if your heartbeat quickened, there was a sharp emotional outburst, this means that you were subjected to an astral attack in order to cause damage or feed on energy. To normalize the condition, take a shower. Ordinary water perfectly washes away information. And then douse yourself with some holy water. She will remove the negativity.

Holy water for cooking. Holy water can be added in small amounts when preparing meals for your family. It is great to combine this process with the mental reading of any prayers. This will promote health, peace and well-being.

For watering flowers. And, finally, to use a long standing water, water it with indoor flowers or your favorite tree under the windows. It's good for plants too.

All rituals exist in a large number of interpretations. For each, its own version may be effective, which does not coincide with the above. The strength of the rite largely depends on the energy of the performer. You can use the recommendations from the article, but if you suspect a serious problem, it is better to contact a professional healer. Because not skillfully, you can make any mistakes in which there will be no true result. Let everyone mind their own business.

Of course, the church does not approve of going to healers. However, some of them are canonized after death. Like, for example, the Matrona of Moscow, Amphilochius of Pochaevsky and many others. In extreme cases, the sin of visiting a healer can always be repented of.

Our article will introduce you to interesting information about holy water. You will learn how to properly consecrate, store and receive it.

Our ancestors considered holy water a gift from God and treated it very carefully. After it was consecrated, they collected it in a clean dish and kept it in a red coal.

With her help, they healed various diseases, restored state of mind and protected their homes and households from the evil eye. Modern man less superstitious, but still continues to believe in the miraculous properties of holy water.

Why is water called holy?

Consecration of water in the temple

Water becomes holy the moment the Spirit of God enters it. Consequently, it turns into a healing one when the priest begins to read a certain prayer over it or on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

It is believed that on this day the water in all rivers, lakes and wells changes its usual structure, becoming life-giving. Most believers believe that it does not lose its properties for quite a long time, so at Epiphany they try to stock up on it for the whole next year.

The great power of holy water, healing and beneficial properties: a scientific explanation

Modern scientists were also interested in the phenomenon of baptismal water, so they decided to study it as carefully as possible. Studies have shown that its properties are very different from the liquid taken before the holiday. From the night of Christmas Eve, the amount of positive energy in it sharply increases, it becomes cleaner and, most importantly, substances useful to the human body appear in it.

According to scientists, this is why holy water has a great positive effect on the body. Using it, people simply enrich their body with natural minerals, which help to remove toxins from the body. This leads to the fact that a person begins to feel stronger and more cheerful.

Why doesn't holy water spoil?

Holy water

We all know that the healing properties of water appear after the ritual of consecration. The priests charge her positive energy, thereby preventing its particles from collapsing. In addition, church water is disinfected with silver ions and all this together allows it to remain clean and tasty for quite a long period of time.

How to collect holy water in the church?

In principle, you can collect holy water in any temple and on any day. For this, it is not necessary to wait for the Baptism of the Lord. You can quite easily go to church at a convenient time for you and ask the priest to bless it for you. After he reads a prayer over it, you can type it into a clean glass containers and take it home.

Believe me, such water will have the same qualities as baptismal water. If you accept it with strong faith in God, then it too can heal your body and soul.

How to make holy water at home?

Recommendations for the blessing of water at home

If you do not have the opportunity to go to church for water, then try to consecrate it at home. To do this, first sincerely pray to God and ask for his blessing. Then take a clean container and go to collect water. If possible, try to find a well or spring. Having brought it home, pray to God again and only then begin the process of consecration itself.

To do this, place a container of water in front of you, lean slightly over it and read a special prayer. After that, cross the jar and cover it with a lid. If you do all this with faith in God's blessing, then the water will absorb positive energy and become holy.

Is it possible to drink holy water and how to drink it at home?

You can and should drink holy water. This healing liquid will help you improve your internal condition, relieve you of diseases and even rejuvenate your body. And although it is believed that you can drink it only in the morning and on an empty stomach, there are times when you have to resort to its help at other times of the day.

Therefore, if you need to get rid of, for example, a sudden headache, then take it in the evening. The only thing you should always remember is that it is advisable to drink the healing liquid on an empty stomach and always take three sips.

Is it possible to drink holy water just like that every day?

You can drink holy water only when there are problems.

Holy water is sacred, and therefore it should be treated accordingly. And this means that it is absolutely impossible to replace ordinary drinking water with it. Priests consider this a very great sin and warn their parishioners against such actions. Therefore, it will be better if you use it only in case of urgent need.

For example, if you need to alleviate an illness or protect yourself from negative energy. In all other cases, use ordinary tap water or from a natural source.

Can pregnant women drink holy water?

Pregnant girls and women can drink holy water quite calmly. Whatever it was, it certainly will not bring harm to them. Of course, like everyone else, it is not necessary to quench her thirst, but it is permissible to drink to restore moral and physical strength. If the pregnancy is very difficult, the expectant mother can help her body cope with the load in this way.

In order for the pregnancy to be preserved, one dose of holy water per day will be enough. It will be necessary to drink it during those periods when there will be a threat to the mother's life or her baby.

Is it possible to give holy water to a newborn and unbaptized baby?

Water for a newborn

A small child needs God's protection even more than an adult. Therefore, if you see that the baby has become restless and does not sleep well, then give him some holy water. She will cleanse his body and soul from the negativity that adults have awarded him and restore peace of mind to the child. As for unbaptized children, they simply need holy water.

An unbaptized child does not have a Guardian Angel, which means that you must do everything so that bad energy does not affect him. Therefore, until you christen the baby, be sure to give him a little bit of holy water every day. She will act as a barrier between the soul of the baby and the negativity of the world around him.

Can Muslims drink holy water?

In principle, church rules do not prohibit Muslims from drinking holy water. It is believed that if a person is ready to accept God's gift into his body, then he will not cause any harm to him.

Therefore, if you feel an irresistible desire to drink a healing liquid, then be sure to do it. Just drink it with an open heart and pure thoughts.

Is it possible to drink holy water on an empty stomach?

Holy water can be drunk after meals

Some people argue that you can drink healing water only on an empty stomach. But if you ask any clergyman about this, you will find out that there are no strict rules or restrictions in taking this liquid.

They believe that you can drink holy water both before and after eating, the main thing is that at the time of drinking a person’s heart is open to God. Therefore, if you need to drink it after you have eaten, then boldly do it and do not be afraid that by such actions you will commit a great sin.

Is it possible to drink holy water with a spell?

If a conspiracy was made Christian prayer, then you can quite easily combine both liquids in one step. But still in this case there is one nuance. If you spoke water from drunkenness, alcoholism or from drug addiction, then it will be better if you do not combine the charmed and holy water together.

Since the first one will still carry negativity in itself, it will destroy the healing effect of holy water. In view of this, it would be better if you give the addicted person first the spelled and only then, to consolidate the result, the holy liquid.

Can I drink holy water before communion?

sacrament of communion

Communion is a great sacrament, which is carried out according to certain church rules. And if you are doing this not for the first time, then you probably know that drinking and eating before this ceremony is strictly prohibited. An exception is made only for children and sick people. All others must refrain from drinking water until the end of the service.

If you understand that you cannot do without drinking, then be sure to talk about it with your priest and ask him for a blessing. If he understands that at the moment you just need life-giving moisture, then it is likely that he will allow you to take a couple of sips of water even before communion.

Can you baptize with holy water?

Baptism is performed exclusively with holy water. In order for her to become such, the priest first leads a church rite over her, and only after that the baby is dipped into her. It is believed that if ordinary water is filled into the font, then it will not be able to bring the little person closer to God and, most importantly, will not be able to give him proper protection.

Is it possible to bless the cross with holy water?

Consecration of the pectoral cross

Of course, it would be better if the cross was baptized by a priest in the temple. But if for some reason you cannot get into it, and you need God's protection immediately, then you can consecrate it yourself. To perform this ceremony, you only need holy water and an Orthodox prayer.

So, stand in front of the images, pray to God, and then sprinkle the cross with holy water crosswise. After that, pray again in front of the icons, deviate low from them and you can put on protection.

Is it possible to take pills with holy water?

People who believe in the power of this life-giving liquid claim that it enhances the effect of drugs very well. For this reason, a fairly large number of people try to speed up their recovery in this way and begin to drink pills with holy water.

What do the priests think about this? They do not prohibit, but do not advise to do so. Of course, this is not considered a great sin, but nevertheless, each person must decide for himself whether it is possible to combine the sacred and the creation of human hands.

Can holy water be diluted with plain water?

Holy water can only be diluted with well or spring

You can dilute holy water with ordinary water, the main thing is to do it correctly. If you notice that you have very little life-giving fluid left, then draw water from a natural source, read a prayer (it may even be Our Father), and then combine both fluids together. It is believed that when mixed, ordinary water absorbs the properties of a saint and also becomes healing.

Can holy water be added to tea or food?

As mentioned a little above, holy water is a church shrine, so it should only be used to get rid of physical or spiritual problems. In view of this, it is not necessary to make it just another component of some dish. Some priests, in general, consider this to be uncomfortably disrespectful to Christian traditions but a great sin requiring repentance.

Is it possible to boil holy water, cook food on it?

Holy water is not suitable for cooking

There is no need to boil holy water, since during the consecration it loses all negative energy and completely changes its structure. This allows it to retain its useful qualities and not deteriorate for years. Therefore, no matter how long it stays with you, you do not need to boil it. This healing liquid cannot be used for cooking either.

For these purposes, ordinary water is suitable, but not like a shrine. Since it is needed solely for protection and healing, it can only be used for these purposes.

Is it possible to wash with holy water, add to the bath?

It is impossible to use holy water for everyday hygiene procedures. Usually, after washing or taking a bath, we drain the water into the sewer, but this cannot be done with church fluid. Such treatment of a shrine is considered a rather big sin, so it would be better if you still use ordinary water for washing. The only thing you can afford in this case is to lightly moisten your hands with a healing liquid and thus wash your face.

Holy water from the evil eye and damage: application

Prayer from the evil eye and corruption

If you have a suspicion that someone has jinxed you, then pour a small amount of holy water into a glass, read a prayer over it and then wash it and drink the rest. You need to repeat this procedure three times.

And in order to prevent damage to you again, clean the house of church candles, and then sprinkle all the walls, windows and doors with life-giving liquid. Be sure to accompany all your actions with church prayers.

How to wash a child with holy water from the evil eye?

Pour a little water into a small bowl, cross yourself and cross the baby, and then begin to cross the face of the baby with a church shrine. Do everything carefully so as not to frighten the baby.

Repeat this manipulation two more times, while not forgetting to pray to God all the time. Try to make the baby fall asleep after the ceremony. Yes, and in any case, do not wipe the water with a towel. Carry the baby in your arms and wait until it dries on its own.

Can you drink holy water for menstruation?

Drinking water during menstruation

As practice shows, priests do not have an unambiguous answer to this question. Some believe that it is strictly forbidden for a woman to drink holy water during menstruation, while others are quite loyal to this. Those who are opponents refer to a chapter in the Bible, which states that during menstruation a woman cannot enter the church, pray and touch icons in the way that during this period she is considered unclean.

Opponents of this opinion point out that this ban appeared due to the fact that in ancient times women did not use sanitary pads, so they very often stained shops and floors in the temple with menstrual blood. For this reason, they believe that a woman can quite easily drink holy water during menstruation and are not afraid that by her actions she will desecrate a church shrine.

Where to put the old holy water from last year, where can it be poured?

If it so happened that you did not use the water that you collected at the previous Baptism of the Lord, then in no case pour it out into the street. If you do, you will be committing a rather serious sin. Since water is sacred, it is unacceptable for people or animals to trample on it.

In view of this, it will be better if you use it to water indoor plants or pour it into a pond with running water. So she will have the opportunity to cleanse herself and start helping people again.

Can you pour holy water down the sink?

You can not pour the shrine into the sink

It is strictly forbidden to pour life-giving liquid into the sink. By such actions, you will desecrate the shrine and earn yourself a terrible sin. Priests say that it can only be poured into clean places, such as rivers or lakes. If you do not have the opportunity to get to them, then pour it where no human foot will go. Water the lilac bush or any garden tree.

Why is there sediment in holy water?

If you notice a colorless precipitate in the water, then it is likely that it was simply stored incorrectly or collected in a non-sterile container. But such water can be drunk and used for healing and protection. If the sediment bothers you a lot, then just try to use the liquid as quickly as possible, sprinkle it on the house or just drink it.

Why did holy water go bad, rotten, turned green

green shrine

But if the liquid collected for Baptism turned green or rotten, then this is a reason to be wary. This usually happens for several reasons. Regular scandals in the house or damage caused by an evil person can have such an effect on the shrine.

All these causes destroy the life-giving properties of water, turning it into an ordinary liquid. Therefore, if this happened in your house, then immediately invite a priest and ask him to bless your home.

Is it possible to put holy water on the floor and why not?

Unfortunately, for God, we are all sinners, so putting water on the floor, defiled by human feet, is strictly prohibited. If for some reason you didn’t have enough time to rearrange it to the icons, then it’s better to find a place for it in kitchen cabinet or at worst on the table.

But remember that she cannot stand in such places for a long time, therefore, as soon as you free yourself, immediately transfer her to the so-called corner of faith.

Is it possible to give holy water from home, give it to other people, share holy water with friends?

Holy water can only be given to the closest people.

In principle, there is nothing wrong with pouring holy water to your mother, sister or best friend. But whether it is possible to give it to strangers is a completely different question. Of course, if you are sure that they need it for a good cause, then you can give.

If you suspect that it is being used, for example, for a love spell, then by no means give it. For God, you will be an accomplice in a bad deed, which means you will earn yourself sin.

Can animals give holy water to a dog or cat?

If you are familiar with holy scripture, then you probably know all the precepts of the Almighty. And he said that in no case should animals be allowed to touch the shrines. Therefore, if you are a true Christian and sacredly honor all the commandments of God, then under no circumstances let your cat or dog drink holy water.

Is it possible to wash the floors with holy water, water the flowers?

Do not wash the floor with holy water

It is impossible to wash the floors with holy water, as after cleaning you will walk on them and thereby desecrate the church shrine. It can only be sprinkled on the flooring, and then only if the atmosphere in the house is not quite normal.

But you can quite easily water the flowers with this life-giving liquid. Moreover, this is how you can use last year's water that you did not have time to drink.

In the Orthodox Church, there are three rites of consecration of water: consecration in the rank of the sacrament of holy baptism, on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, as well as a small consecration, which takes place throughout the year.

How to use holy water

Permanent storage of water in reserve is unacceptable. Many bring it once a year from the temple, as a rule, to Epiphany and keep it according to the principle "to stand in the house, because everyone has it." This is fundamentally wrong! Thus, a kind of confinement of the shrine takes place. The grace of consecrated water will not decrease, no matter how much it is stored, but those believers who do not turn to the shrine, that is, do not use it, rob themselves. Holy water should be drunk regularly.

In addition to ingestion, it can be sprinkled on the home. However, you should not rinse a sick person or child with it while bathing, as holy water can get into the sewer. Water can only be sprinkled. Also, do not give it to pets to drink.

How to store holy water

There is no need to keep consecrated water in the closet among the products. Moreover, you should not put it in the refrigerator - holy water does not deteriorate. The container with it should be stored on a separate shelf in a place closed from the penetration of light, or in close proximity to icons and other consecrated objects.

There are cases of spoilage by holy water. If you kept it correctly, but it still deteriorated, in particular, cloudiness appeared in it, an unpleasant smell or it acquired a bad taste, you should definitely tell the priest about this. It is better to do this at confession with repentance for the irreverent attitude towards the shrine. The Church allows pouring spoiled holy water into a river or other natural source. Just don't flush it down the toilet and don't pour it down the sink!

Holy water is ordinary in composition and original origin water (well, spring, lake, river, tap water), miraculously acquiring sanctifying (fertile) and healing properties after performing a special prayer service called water sanctification.

All our life next to us is a great shrine - holy water (in Greek "agiasma" - "shrine"). We first plunge into it in Baptism, when, while receiving this Sacrament, we are immersed three times in a font filled with holy water. Holy water in the SacramentBaptism washes away the sinful impurities of a person, renews and regenerates him into a new life in Christ.

Holy water is necessarily present at the consecration of churches and all objects used in worship, at the consecration of residential buildings, buildings, and any household item. We are sprinkled with holy water at religious processions, during prayer services.

Blessing of water or water blessing, there is a small thing done at any time on prayer service for the blessing of water, and great. The Great Blessing of Water takes place twice a year - on the very day of Theophany, and also the day before, on the eve of Theophany (Epiphany Eve). On Christmas Eve and on the very day of the feast of the Epiphany (Baptism of the Lord), the same rite is performed during the consecration of water.

Epiphany water is a shrine that should be in the home of every Orthodox Christian. It is customary to use holy baptismal water on an empty stomach along with prosphora after the morning prayer rule with special reverence as a shrine.
“Consecrated water,” as St. Demetrius of Kherson wrote, “has the power to sanctify the souls and bodies of all who use it.” She, acceptable with faith and prayer, heals our bodily diseases. The Monk Seraphim of Sarov, after the confession of the pilgrims, always gave them to eat from the cup of holy Epiphany water.

The Monk Seraphim of Vyritsky always advised to sprinkle food and food itself with Jordanian (Epiphany) water, which, in his words, "consecrates everything itself." When someone is very sick, Rev. Seraphim blessed to take a tablespoon of consecrated water every hour. He said that medicines are stronger than holy water and consecrated oil - no.

It is important to know that bathing in consecrated reservoirs is only a tradition, it does not carry any cleansing from sins and is not a substitute for the Sacrament of Penance (Confession). In the days church holidays Christians try to participate in divine services and the main Sacrament of the Church - Holy Communion.

There is no need to store large containers of holy water: when it runs out, just add ordinary water to it. pure water, which will be consecrated by the existing Epiphany.

The Great Hagiasma, according to the canons of the Church, is considered as a kind of lower degree of Holy Communion: in those cases when, due to sins committed, a member of the Church is penalized and forbidden to partake of the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the usual stipulation according to the canons is made: “Let him drink to this agiasma.”

It looks naive to say that holy water acquires its properties due to silver ions from silver cross, which the priest immerses in water during the Rite of consecration of water. There is even an anecdote about this:
“How many silver ions are contained in a liter of consecrated baptismal water, if the consecration was carried out in a hole cut in the ice of the Volga (as was usually the case before the revolution and is practiced today), in a place where the width of the river reaches a kilometer, the depth is ten meters, the speed of the flow is 5 km / h, and the cross with which the village priest consecrated the water is wooden?

The consecration of water in the Sacrament of Baptism is generally performed simply by the hand of a priest. And yet, this water has all the properties that holy water should have.

IN Orthodox Church holy water has the widest application as a source of God's grace in the mystical sanctification of everyone and everything. Thus, newborn infants (or unbaptized older ones) through baptism in water are freed from original sin and unite with Christ, becoming a new creature. A person dies, his remains and the last abode - the coffin, are sprinkled with holy water as parting words to eternity, as well as the resting place - the cemetery.

Who goes on a journey, he is blessed by sprinkling with holy water. Before the start of the teaching, the youths are sprinkled with holy water. Both the foundation of the house and the very dwelling of a person are certainly sanctified with holy water. In the church, everything that has a sacred use is necessarily sanctified through the sprinkling of holy water, just like the temple itself at the foundation, at the completion of its construction, and constantly on deliberate days and holidays of the year.

So, in the temple, everything belonging to the altar and the servants of the altar is consecrated with holy water - the throne, the altar, the antimension, service vessels, crosses, Gospels, altar clothes, vestments of clergy, etc. All sacred objects are also consecrated - icons, crosses, banners, reliquaries, bells, and so on.

It is difficult to find something that would be so necessary for people in their earthly life and constitute such an urgent need as bread and water. Bread is the simplest and natural food of man, supporting and strengthening his strength. A person uses water to quench thirst and cook food, washes the body and the things he uses with it.

These two essential to man in his bodily life substances are for him integral elements and in the spiritual life. Bread, consisting of many grains, personifies the Church - One with the plurality of its members. Bread serves the greatest Sacrament - Holy Communion.

By consecrating water, the Church returns the water element to its original purity and holiness, by the power of prayer and the Word of God, it brings the blessing of the Lord to the water. Consecrated water is an image of the grace of God: it cleanses believers from spiritual filth, sanctifies and strengthens them for the feat of salvation in God, extinguishes the flame of passions, drives away evil spirits.

Therefore, holy water is necessarily present at the consecration of churches and all objects used in worship, at the consecration of residential buildings, buildings, and any household item. Believers are sprinkled with holy water in religious processions, during prayer services.

PRAYER FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF PROSPORA AND HOLY WATER

Lord my God, may Your holy gift be: prosphora and Your holy water for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body, for the subjugation of my passions and infirmities through Your boundless mercy the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints. Amen.

ABC of Faith