THE BAPTISM Apolytikion, Greece, Jan 06, 2015

Εν Ιορδάνη βαπτιζομένου Σου, Κύριε,

Η της Τριάδος εφανερώθη προσκύνησις.

Του γαρ γεννήτορος η φωνή προσεμαρτύρει Σοι,

αγαπητόν Σε Υιόν ονομάζουσα.

Και το Πνεύμα εν είδει περιστεράς,

Εβεβαίου του λόγου το ασφαλές.

Ο επιφανής, Χριστέ, ο Θεός,

Και τον κόσμον φωτίσας, δοξα Σοι


The priest then blesses the entire church and congregation with the newly consecrated water. All come forward to be sprinkled over the head with the Theophany Water as the kiss the hand cross, and to drink some of it.

The priest will then set out to bless the homes of all of the faithful with Theophany Water. In large parishes, this process will take some time. However, the priest must bless all of the houses of the faithful before the beginning of Great Lent. In monasteries the Hegumen (Superior) will bless the cells of all of the monks.

Orthodox Christianity teaches that the Great Blessing of Waters actually changes the nature of the water, and that water so blessed is no longer corruptible, but remains fresh for many years.  (K. Kounalaki)
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