Every Orthodox Christian should have some holy Theophany water at home. Traditionally, the Orthodox drink the holy water consecrated on Theophany Day on an empty stomach with a prosphora after morning prayers. This water is sacred and demands utmost respect.
Saints on Holy Water
Saint Demetrius of
Kherson wrote, “Consecrated water is a powerful means of sanctifying the souls
and bodies of those who use it.” If we take it with faith and prayer, it can
cure our physical illnesses. St. Seraphim of Sarov would always make his
visitors drink some holy Theophany water after confession.
Saint Luke of Crimea
advised, “Drink holy water as often as possible. It is the best and the most
effective medicine. I’m saying that not just as a priest but also from my
experience as a doctor.”
St. Seraphim of
Vyritsa always recommended his spiritual children to sprinkle raw and cooked
food with holy Theophany water, which, according to him, “consecrates
everything all on its own.” Whenever anyone fell seriously ill, St. Seraphim
would bless them to take a tablespoonful of holy water hourly. He used to say
that there are no better remedies than holy water and holy oil.
Good to Know
The Greater Hagiasma
is viewed by Church canons as a lower level of Holy Eucharist: in the cases
when a member of the Church is forbidden to take the Holy Body and Blood of
Christ due to their wrongdoings, the canon law usually adds, “he may drink
hagiasma, though.”
It is good to know
that dipping in consecrated water reservoirs on Theophany Day is a folk custom.
It doesn’t make you free from sins and cannot be regarded as the substitute for
the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Christians should do their best
to participate in church services and the greatest Sacrament of the Church,
i.e., the Holy Eucharist, on church holidays.
May One Sprinkle Unclean Places with Holy Water?
The power of the
Cross can shield people like exorcism does. Thus, consecration has two
meanings: either we use holy water to ‘fill something with grace’ or ‘to
prevent any evil spirit from hiding in a certain place’ such as our bathroom.
May One Drink Holy Water After Eating?
Traditionally, people
drink holy water on an empty stomach in the morning, which is understandable:
first you take holy water and then your regular food. As far as the rest of the
day is concerned, the Typikon (Chapter 48, Menaia for January 6) contains the
following regulations:
Let it be known of the holy water: those who do not
drink it because they have already consumed food, are mistaken, for God’s grace
is granted for the sanctification of the entire world and all creatures. We
sprinkle all places, including unclean ones and even the floor under our feet,
with holy water. Where is the reason of those who do not drink it because of
having eaten food?
Therefore, it isn’t
reasonable to abstain from holy water because of having eaten some food. The
Church does not prohibit us to drink holy water, even Theophany water at any
time, and admonishes those who believe that it is forbidden to drink holy water
not on an empty stomach.
Where Should We Store Holy Water?
Holy water is stored
in a special vial or bottle. You can attach a note to the bottle to avoid using
the water for the purposes that it isn’t intended for. You can find special
bottles for holy water in many church stores.
Translated by The Catalog of Good Deeds
Source: https://azbyka.ru/voda-svyataya
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