In January, the Orthodox Church solemnly commemorates two historical events that turned the course of world history - the Nativity of Jesus Christ and the Baptism of the Savior. On the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord (January 19), believers come to the church not only to offer prayers to God, but also to draw holy baptismal water.
According to the tradition established in modern Russia, water for the feast of the Epiphany of the Savior of the World is consecrated twice. The first rite of consecration is carried out at the end of the liturgy on Epiphany Christmas Eve, January 18th. Taking into account the fact that the liturgy on this day usually begins at nine o'clock in the morning, and ends at the beginning of twelfth, the succession of the great consecration of water (this is how the rite of the Epiphany consecration of water is called in the missal) begins at about the beginning of noon and lasts about half an hour. Practicing Orthodox Christians strive to necessarily pray at the liturgy, and then stay for the rite of blessing the water.
The second time the water is consecrated directly on the very celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. The time of the beginning of the service on this saving day sometimes differs in churches, depending on the blessing of the abbot. So, the service for Epiphany can begin at 11 o'clock in the evening on the eve of the holiday and smoothly turn into the Epiphany night itself, and in other churches the divine liturgy may well be performed at nine o'clock in the morning on January 19. In both cases, the rite of the Epiphany consecration of water directly on the holiday itself is performed at the end of the festive liturgy.
Usually, the blessing of water is performed in the church itself, but sometimes (in large cathedrals with an impressive pre-temple area) this rite is sent in front of the entrance to the church on the street. Tanks of water are taken out there and the consecration of water is carried out in the manner prescribed by the church charter.
According to a widespread tradition, Jordanians are consecrated by the clergy on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. The water consecrated at the springs is usually not used for everyday needs, although it has the same miraculous properties as the liquid consecrated in the temple. In such fonts, Orthodox believers plunge with trepidation and reverence, offering prayers to God for the bestowal of health. The beginning of the consecration of Jordan is individual in each parish.
It must be remembered that water on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord only there acquires its miraculous properties, where the rite of consecration takes place. Therefore, a believer cannot be content with water drawn at 12 o'clock in the morning from an ordinary tap.
