There are many folk traditions that are equated with Orthodox church practices. Particularly widespread are superstitions associated with holy water, which is consecrated on the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.
Holy baptismal water, according to tradition, is now consecrated twice: on the eve of Epiphany and on the holiday itself, is a great Christian shrine. It is no coincidence that it is called in the Church holy hagiasma or great hagiasma. The attitude of an Orthodox believer to such water should be reverent. However, many people adhere to various popular superstitions associated with this, perhaps, one of the most significant shrines for an Orthodox person.
In particular, many believe that it is necessary to collect holy baptismal water in seven churches. According to another interpretation, you should visit three temples in which you need to collect water. Central to this misconception is that water must be drawn from several churches. Such water, according to some, is no longer just holy, but "super holy". Moreover, it is obtained by mixing water from different temples.
This practice is alien to the Orthodox perception and is ignorance in relation to the very essence and methods of sanctifying holy water. Such superstition can be safely attributed to magic, the preparation of an "Orthodox potion" by mixing various ingredients. A person expresses his distrust of the rite of the great consecration of water, tries to mix water from several temples to make it even "stronger".
In fact, there is only one rite of the great consecration of water. The water consecrated in this way in different temples is exactly the same. All water acquires miraculous properties, divine grace descends on all water (sanctified in temples). Therefore, there is no need to draw water from seven, three or more churches. Mixing water will not give the shrine even greater grace.
It is worth noting that sorcerers, magicians and psychics often adhere to this practice. These people are advised to collect holy baptismal water in different churches, and they themselves use this method for personal purposes, which is a clear example of magic, alien to Orthodox culture.
Thus, a person needs to protect himself from this kind of superstition. The Church treats such practices negatively as traditions that have nothing to do with the Orthodox faith.
