For Christians, holy water is one of the symbols of their religion. The baptism of Christ symbolized a new birth, cleansing from sins and life from a new leaf. All people pass through this during the sacrament of Baptism. Drinking holy water supports the physical and psychological health of Christians.
You shouldn't think that holy water is medicine. Without sincere faith in God, it will bring no more benefit than an ordinary spring. In addition, a special prayer is required for the acceptance of holy water, for it is a shrine that must be drunk according to certain rules.
How to use holy water
Consecrated water is taken for diseases and as a preventive measure for spiritual health. But the use of water in itself does not have any benefit if you drink it mechanically, without participating in the ritual with your heart.
There are several rules for taking holy water. First, it is done on an empty stomach. Secondly, water is necessarily poured into a separate cup, and not drunk from a common can or bottle.
In addition, sick people can drink it at any time of the day, regardless of their diet. Also, holy water is used externally - for rubbing the sore spot.
What words to say before and after use
There is a common prayer for the acceptance of holy water and prosphora. Sometimes water is drunk separately. Then the word "prosphora" is dropped.
So, before drinking the holy water, you need to cross yourself and say: “Lord, my God, let Your holy gift (prosphora) and Your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and physical strength., in the health of my soul and body, in the conquest of my passions and weaknesses, through Thy infinite mercy through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen."
You can also read a short prayer: "Lord, may it be for me a sinner (sinner) to use this sacred water not for judgment and condemnation, but for cleansing, healing and eternal life, amen." At the end of the ritual, you need to thank the Lord and pray for healing (if the person is sick).
Holy water storage rules
Consecrated water is a shrine, and the attitude towards it should be appropriate. It is imperative to store water separately from food. Best of all - in the place where the iconostasis is located.
It is advisable to stick a label on a jar or bottle with holy water so that household members do not confuse and drink the shrine like ordinary water. You also need to keep holy water from animals.
Holy water does not disappear and does not lose its taste. Once consecrated, it retains this property forever. In addition, ordinary water can be consecrated with Epiphany holy water - one drop is enough for a bottle.
If you still have to pour out holy water (for example, after compresses), in no case should you do it down the drain. You need to pour it on the ground or into the river.
