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Great Blessing of Water at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

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On Wednesday, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia conducted the rite of the Great Blessing of Water at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow ahead... 18.01.2012, Sputnik International

2012-01-18T19:15+0000

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Great Blessing of Water at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior

19:15 GMT 18.01.2012

On Wednesday, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia conducted the rite of the Great Blessing of Water at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow ahead of the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, or Epiphany.

© RIA Novosti . Sergei Piatakov / Go to the mediabankOn Wednesday, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia conducted the rite of the Great Blessing of Water at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow ahead of the feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, or Epiphany.

Great Blessing of Water at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior - Sputnik International

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Four metric tons of water is held in the consecration font.

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After the water was consecrated, the Patriarch and other priests sprinkled it on the faithful.

© RIA Novosti . Sergei Piatakov / Go to the mediabankAfter the divine service, Patriarch Kirill delivered a sermon in which he reminded parishioners of the meaning of the service. He said God's grace has the power to impregnate not only the human soul, but also physical matter.

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After the divine service, Patriarch Kirill delivered a sermon in which he reminded parishioners of the meaning of the service. He said God's grace has the power to impregnate not only the human soul, but also physical matter.

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He also advised believers to have reverence for the holy water and save it for “days of illness” for it has the power to heal.

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Orthodox Christians believe that on Epiphany even tap water is holy as special prayers are delivered on that day for the “blessing of waters.”

© RIA Novosti . Sergei Piatakov / Go to the mediabankBoth on Epiphany Eve and Epiphany, which is only twice a year, all Orthodox Churches conduct the traditional Blessing of the Waters. After the service many priests bless nearby bodies of water: lakes, rivers, and ponds.

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Both on Epiphany Eve and Epiphany, which is only twice a year, all Orthodox Churches conduct the traditional Blessing of the Waters. After the service many priests bless nearby bodies of water: lakes, rivers, and ponds.

© RIA Novosti . Сергей Пятаков / Go to the mediabankOnce a year on Epiphany eve there are long lines of believers waiting outside churches to get holy water that stays fresh for a whole year. A small quantity of the holy water is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Also, the water is used to consecrate houses and offices.

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Once a year on Epiphany eve there are long lines of believers waiting outside churches to get holy water that stays fresh for a whole year. A small quantity of the holy water is drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Also, the water is used to consecrate houses and offices.