Once a year on the feast of the Epiphany( January 6th) the Eastern Christians celebrate the Greater Blessing of water. The service reminds us of our great creator God and of his might, goodness and light. We ask for enlightenment and for the descent of the Holy Spirit. We remember the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan and its significance for us with words such as ‘Today the blinding mist of the world is dispersed by the Epiphany of our God.’
The actual prayers said over the water as it is blessed with the sign of the cross are very meaningful and worthy of reflection:
O, King who loves mankind, be present now by the descent of Your Holy Spirit, and sanctify this water. Amen (3 times)
And grant it the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan. Make it a source of incorruption, a gift of sanctification, a remission of sins, a protection against disease, a destruction of demons, unapproachable by the adverse powers and filled with angelic strength: so that to all who drink therefrom and receive thereof it may be for the sanctification of their souls and bodies, for the healing of their passions, for the sanctification of their homes, and for every purpose that is expedient. For you are our God who drowned sin in the Water at the time of Noah, You are our God who, through the waters of the sea, at Moses’ hand set free the Hebrew nation from the bondage of Pharaoh. You are our God who cleaved the rock in the wilderness, so that the waters gushed out and the streams overflowed and you have satisfied your thirsty people. You are our God who by fire and water delivered Isreal from the error of Baal at the hands of Elijah.
Wherefore, O Master sanctify this water by your Holy Spirit. (3 Times)
Grant to all those who touch it and who are anointed by it and who drink from it, sanctification, blessing, cleansing and health.
Later, as heads are bowed the Priest says:
Incline your ear and hear us, O Lord, who sanctified water when you consented to be baptised in the Jordan. Bless us all who, by the bowing of our heads, outwardly show you our servitude, and count us worthy to be filled with your sanctification through partaking of this water and being sprinkled with it, and may it bring us, O Lord, health of soul and body.
Tags: Holy Water
