What prayer to read when receiving baptismal water. Prayer for the acceptance of prosphora and holy water

03.11.202027.05.2017

In detail: a prayer before taking holy water - from all open sources and different parts of the world on the site for our dear readers.

For Christians, holy water is one of the symbols of their religion. The baptism of Christ symbolized a new birth, cleansing from sins and life from a new leaf. All people pass through this during the sacrament of Baptism. Drinking holy water supports the physical and psychological health of Christians.

Do not think that holy water is medicine. Without sincere faith in God, it will bring no more benefit than an ordinary spring. In addition, a special prayer is required for the acceptance of holy water, for it is a shrine that must be drunk according to certain rules.

Consecrated water is taken for diseases and as a preventive measure for spiritual health. But in itself, the use of water does not carry any benefit if you drink it mechanically, without participating in the ritual with your heart.

There are several rules for taking holy water. First, it is done on an empty stomach. Secondly, water is necessarily poured into a separate cup, and not drunk from a common can or bottle.

In addition, sick people can drink it at any time of the day, regardless of their diet. Also holy water is used externally - for rubbing the sore spot.

There is a common prayer for the acceptance of holy water and prosphora. Sometimes they drink water separately. Then the word "prosphora" is dropped.

So, before drinking the holy water, you need to cross yourself and say: “Lord, my God, let Your holy gift (prosphora) and Your holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my spiritual and physical strength , to the health of my soul and body, to the conquest of my passions and weaknesses, through Thy infinite mercy through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen."

You can also read a short prayer: "Lord, may it be for me a sinner (sinner) to use this sacred water not for judgment and condemnation, but for cleansing, healing and eternal life, amen." At the end of the ritual, you need to thank the Lord and pray for healing (if the person is sick).

Consecrated water is a shrine, and the attitude towards it should be appropriate. Water must be stored separately from food. Best of all - in the place where the iconostasis is located.

It is advisable to stick a label on a jar or bottle with holy water so that household members do not confuse and drink the shrine like ordinary water. You also need to keep holy water from animals.

Holy water does not disappear and does not lose its taste. Once consecrated, it retains this property forever. In addition, ordinary water can be consecrated with Epiphany holy water - one drop is enough for a bottle.

If you still have to pour out holy water (for example, after compresses), in no case should you do this down the drain. You need to pour it on the ground or into the river.

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Prayer for the acceptance of prosphora and holy water

What a prayer before drinking holy water

Throughout our life, next to us one of the main shrines is living holy water. Prayer before drinking holy water, should you read it? And how to do it right? Such water helps to cleanse oneself from within and strengthen oneself in the faith of God.

Holy water is special water. Not everyone knows that before drinking holy water, you can read a prayer

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All household items, dwellings, temples are consecrated with the help of holy water. Attending the service in the church, we are also sprinkled with holy water.

It is good to use holy water after this prayer.

The text of the prayer before taking holy water:

Lord my God, may Thy holy gift be

And your holy water for the remission of my sins,

To enlighten my mind, to strengthen the soul

And my bodily strength, for the health of my soul and body,

In the conquest of my passions and weaknesses

By your unlimited mercy with your prayers

Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints.

Features of holy water. Prayer to be recited before holy water

Water lighting

Holy water is blessed twice - on the so-called Epiphany day, as well as on the eve of this day. If you consecrate the water on these two different days, it will be absolutely equally charged, since it is and is sanctified in the same vat.

Holy water has no expiration date or shelf life. For many years it has been considered holy, pure and fresh, as if at that moment it was consecrated.

There is also Epiphany water (not to be confused with holy water). This is the holy of holies, which should be in the home of every believing Christian.
It is customary to store it near the icon, in the corner of the room.
Very often that water is used, which is consecrated at ordinary services that take place throughout the year.
Holy water is consumed on the skinny stomach of a person.

The power of holy water

Many have heard of cases of healing with holy water. But you need to know how to drink it.

Often, holy water is drunk on a thin stomach in the morning after waking up or in the evening before going to bed. It is important not to miss an important point here; you cannot drink from a common container in which water is stored.

If a person has a serious illness or a serious mental state, apathy and despondency, then in this case, water can be drunk in large quantities. After drinking, you should pray to the Almighty.
If there is a feeling of pain, then you can make a compress of holy water and apply it to the place that worries.

In fact, holy water has a lot of healing energy and power. People have heard about cases when a very small amount of water brought a person to life when he was unconscious.

Care must be taken to ensure that the water is stored properly. The best place for it would be the corner near the icon. It is also necessary to ensure that none of the relatives accidentally pour out the holy water. In this case, it would be advisable to sign the container with water.

Holy water is so strong that you can use it to sanctify your home, clothing, food, car, any thing that is relevant to you.

In the event that the water "has deteriorated" it should be poured into a river, pond, any source, but by no means into a sink or toilet. This should be the place where people do not walk or trample underfoot.

Holy water will then be beneficial when we are close to God, we will try to get closer to him.

The terms "prosphora" and "holy water" are significant for the Orthodox tradition. The first is called the liturgical bread used for the sacrament of Holy Communion. The second means holy water consecrated in the temple, the use of which began since the time of the Old Testament. In addition, this tradition is associated with the story of the Baptism of the Savior.

Why take holy water and prosphora

In the Orthodox tradition, there are a large number of shrines. The most important of them are Epiphany water (agiasma) and church bread (prosphora). Eating them on an empty stomach in the morning, the believer cleanses his own body and magnifies spirituality.

However, in order to achieve the desired result, it is necessary to read prayers and maintain faith in the Trinity.

Everything about religion and faith - "prayer for the acceptance of holy water and after acceptance" with detailed descriptions and photographs.

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Holy water how to use, prayer for the acceptance of prosphora and holy water

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For the entire duration of our life, a large number of shrines are not accompanied. One of these great shrines is holy water. It is generally accepted that she is God's grace. With its help, one can cleanse himself of spiritual defilements, strengthen and sanctify them on the path of the achievement of salvation.

We first encounter her at Epiphany, when we plunge into a font of holy water three times. It washes away the sinful impurity of people, revives and renews him into a new life with Christ. It is often used in the consecration of buildings, houses, in divine services.

Holy water properties

Such an element of nature as water can carry both the power of healing and destruction. No one can say for sure why this is so, but it acquires its miraculous properties at a certain time of the year. Many scientists cannot come to a definite answer.

But the fact remains that a person who is redeemed on Maundy Thursday can be healed of various diseases, and one who bathed in an ice-hole for Baptism will not get sick.

How to make holy water?

Water from any source that is collected on this day does not deteriorate for years. And if the saint is added to the usual one, then she will also acquire wonderful properties. Such properties are explained by the harmonious structure of holy water. She carries strong energy and unique abilities.

A large number of experiments have been carried out to confirm these properties. According to their results, it was noted that it enhances human energy, affects overall health, evens out and improves energy flows.

What to do with holy water?

You can drink it, but not from a common vessel
You can sprinkle it on your home
Washing your face will help with a simple evil eye
With a strong evil eye, a bath with sacred water can help

It must be remembered that sacred water must be handled very carefully. If it turns green, then you need to pour it into any natural source. It is forbidden to pour it into the sewer. If it is poured on the ground, but only in the place where people do not walk and animals do not run. It could be a flower pot, a clean spot under a tree.

Holy water how to use

They use holy water in their daily life for various purposes. It helps Orthodox Christians to solve many problems that are associated with everyday problems. But it must be remembered that for all its miraculous properties, it is not a panacea for all ills.

Where can I get holy water?

The most powerful is the water on Epiphany (Epiphany Christmas Eve) and Epiphany itself. It is believed that these days the water in all springs is sacred. And often every Christian returns home from the temple with a vessel of this divine liquid. But baptism of water also occurs throughout the year.

How to drink holy water correctly?

Due to its miraculous properties, it is often used by righteous Christians.

It is customary to drink it in the morning on an empty stomach or in the evening before bedtime. But you must pour it into a separate bowl.
In various degrees of spiritual strife of a person, it can be drunk in unlimited quantities and regardless of the number of meals.
After drinking water, you must read a prayer for healing.
You can also apply a compress to the sore spot, which is moistened with holy water.
Often, before taking hagiasma (water consecrated on the eve of Epiphany), you need to cross yourself and read a special prayer. This ritual is performed on an empty stomach and in small portions. Make sure not to spill a crumb.

The main thing in this process is sincere faith in the Lord.

Prayer for the acceptance of holy water

“Lord, my God, may Thy holy and holy water be your gift for the forgiveness of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my soul and body, for the health of my soul and body, for the conquest of my passions and weaknesses according to Thy infinite mercy prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen."

“O Lord my God, may there be Thy holy gift, Thy holy prosphora and Thy holy water, for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my soul and body, for the health of my soul and body, for the conquest of my passions and infirmities according to the limitless Thy mercy through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen."

How to wash with holy water?

Agiasma can also be used for washing. Every person at least once in his life has heard such a thing as the evil eye. At the same time, such an imbalance in the energy background of a thing or a person can be introduced not only by an envious person, but also by a person who has such a feature from birth.

Many people believe that holy water is a panacea for the evil eye and recommend having it always at hand. There are specific rituals for different degrees of the evil eye. But the first thing you should do is wash your face.

To do this, pour water into your palms and wash yourself. .
Then wipe your face with the inside of your shirt or dress.

If you are often susceptible to various kinds of evil eye, then do the following in the morning: pour water into your left hand and wash yourself three times. At this time, say the following words: "What kind of mother gave birth, she took her away." Do not wash the remaining water off your face. Let it dry. If your mom died, then instead of the word "took away" say "took away".

How to wash a child with holy water from the evil eye?

Little children are often prone to the evil eye. It happens that mothers do not know what to do with their crying child. In this case, holy water will also help you. If a small child has been smoothed, then it must also be washed and then wiped with the hem of the mother's dress or shirt.

The child can be wiped symbolically. Then you need to stand on the threshold of the house and read Our Father. A little water should be given to the child to drink. It can be boiled, from this it will not lose its properties. After this procedure, the child will become calmer and calm.
You can and carry out a certain ritual. To do this, the mother took water into her mouth, stand in the doorway so that the threshold was between her legs and say to herself the following words: "Like water from a tooth, so from a baby (name) let all reproaches and habits go away." Then wash the baby three times with water and wipe the inside of the mother's dress three times.
The third method is also based on hagiasm, but it must be poured onto the floor. A certain prayer for holy water should also be said: “Water from the crown of the head, from the baby of sorrow. Otkol took, and merged there. Whoever is angry at the child, then writhing back. Amen".

How to bless an apartment with holy water?

It often happens that people, consciously and not, show a certain interest in your life. Thus, some may be sincerely happy for you, while others may envy. That is why it is recommended to sprinkle with holy water:

Particular attention belongs to the apartment or house in this list. It is there that we spend most of our time, and it is on the atmosphere in the house that relationships with household members will depend. But it also happens that the negative was left behind by the previous owners of the dwelling.

How to clean an apartment with holy water?

It is advisable to cleanse your home monthly with holy water or a candle. To do this, walk in a circle from the east and put the cross on the corners and walls, saying the following words: "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." It is also advisable to sprinkle the walls with holy water, which you collected in the church for Epiphany.

And remember that holy water should be carefully stored next to the home iconostasis.

Prayer for the acceptance of prosphora and holy water

This rite should be performed by every Orthodox Christian. Prayer for the acceptance of prosphora and holy water should be performed before the ceremony. It is very short and simple, therefore it will not be difficult to memorize it. You will learn the full text of the prayer and a description of the ritual by reading the article.

The ceremony of taking holy water requires reverent attitude towards oneself ...

Rite of passage of prosphora

The essence of the ceremony

Holy water and prosphora are taken after reading the morning prayer exclusively on an empty stomach: a small sip is taken from a glass of water, a small piece of prosphora is bite off. You need to try to perform the ceremony in such a way that not a single crumb of holy bread falls by.

Tasting holy water and prosphora, according to the recluse Georgy Zadonsky, helps to save a person from the intrigues of an unclean spirit, while sanctifying his soul and body, illuminating his thoughts and making him closer to the Lord.

Holy water is used for various diseases and ailments, as well as as a preventive measure for spiritual health. Drinking water by itself will not bring any benefit if you just drink it mechanically, without participating in the ritual with all your heart, therefore prayer is necessary before accepting holy water.

There are rules for taking consecrated water:

The ceremony is always performed on an empty stomach;
Water should be poured into a separate container, cup, glass, and in no case drink from a bottle or container in which it is stored;
On the morning before Holy Communion, prosphora cannot be received. On such a day, the restriction applies to any food.

Prayer text

Before taking a sip of holy water, you must cross yourself and say the words of the prayer:

Lord, my God, may there be Thy holy gift (prosphora) and

Your holy water for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind,

To strengthen my mental and physical strength, to the health of my soul and body,

In the conquest of my passions and infirmities through infinite mercy

Thy prayers, Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.

Lord, may it be for me a sinner (sinner) to use this water

Sacred not for judgment and condemnation, but for cleansing, healing and eternal life. Amen".

Why doesn't the Lord answer prayers?

Hello. I am writing to you because I no longer know where. I have a crisis of faith in the existence of God. All my prayers remain.

How to pray correctly?

There are many questions, please answer them, accumulated. How to pray correctly, in what position? Out loud or to yourself? In the church.

Can you pray for the same thing over and over again?

Hello. I have one cherished dream. I pray to God for her every time I come to church, and sometimes.

When eating consecrated water and prosphora, you need to say the following prayer:

Lord my God, may there be Thy holy gift: prosphora and saint

Your water is for the remission of my sins, for the illumination of my mind,

To strengthen my mental and physical strength, to the health of my soul and body,

In the conquest of my passions and weaknesses, according to Thy infinite mercy,

To the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.

How to bake prosphora

What it is

The roots of prosphora origin are directly intertwined with the first centuries of Christianity. Earlier, prosphora was the name given to a donation that believers brought with them for worship - wax for making candles, bread, wine, olive oil. This donation was accepted by the deacons, and the list of those people who came with the offering was mentioned with prayer during the consecration of the food. At the same time, the list could also include the names of deceased people, when relatives brought prosphora on their behalf.

The portion of the prosphora - wine and bread - was left by the deacons for the purpose of applying to the Blood and the Body of Christ, candles were made of wax, and the rest was distributed to the faithful. Later, only bread, which was used during the liturgy, began to be called prosphora. Over time, in the church, instead of ordinary bread, they began to bake prosphora such as we are used to seeing it in the modern world.

The prosphora itself is bread, which consists of 2 separate parts. The upper part is baked with a special seal, which looks like an equilateral four-pointed cross. The symbols XC and IC (Jesus Christ) are placed on the horizontal bar of the cross, along it - KA and HI (which means "victory" in Greek). The second lower part of the prosphora is like a regular loaf of bread.

The word "prosphora" itself is translated from Greek as "offering"

Prosphora is baked from flour. It took a huge number of grains from a large number of ears to create it, therefore it symbolizes as a truly separate person who was created from a huge number of natural elements, just like the whole human race as a whole, which consists of many people. The personification of the physiological, earthly origin of man and the entire human race is the lower part of the prosphora, and in turn the upper part, with a seal, acts as the beginning of the spiritual. In accordance with the opinion of the church, the human essence is permeated with the presence of God, therefore yeast and holy water are added to the dough to make prosphora: consecrated water is a symbol of God's grace, and yeast speaks of the life-giving help of the Holy Spirit.

The division of prosphora into two parts is not an accidental phenomenon. Both parts bear in themselves the symbol of the division of a person into soul (yeast and holy water) and into flesh (water with flour), which are inseparably united with each other. Believers can get a prosphora in their hands after performing the rite of worship - first of all, it is necessary to order the magpie "On health" or "On repose" before the start of the liturgy. A piece of prosphora is taken out for each name that you indicate in the note.

Small parts of the prosphora from which the Holy Lamb was taken out on the proskomedia is called antidore, which in translation from Greek means "instead of giving". After the end of the liturgy, it is distributed to believers. It must be consumed right within the walls of the temple, with reverence in the soul and on an empty stomach, due to the fact that this bread from the Lord's altar is holy.

Artos Is a whole prosphora. Together with the prototype of the Resurrection of Christ, it captures the main place in the temple during the period of Bright Week. It is distributed to believers after the end of Easter celebrations. People carefully cherish the particles of artos as a divine medicine against infirmities and ailments. They eat it only in special cases, and always accompanying the words "Christ is Risen!"

Artos and prosphora must be kept in the red corner, near the icons. If they are ruined, then they must be burned with their own hands or, for the same purpose, taken to the church, otherwise they can be released into a clean river downstream.

How to bake prosphora?

A recipe used in ancient times includes similar indications:

With the addition of holy water, the dough is kneaded, during baking it is necessary to say prayers, sing psalms, work is done by pious women who were deliberately invited for this. They are called prosphores.
To bake one batch, you will need 1200 gr of flour. Sift it carefully to keep it lush and airy.
Add a little holy water to the container where you intend to knead the dough;
Then pour in about 400 gr. flour and pour boiling water over it. This is done so that the sweetness of wheat is transferred into the dough, since sugar is not added to such bread. Secondly, so that the prosphora does not mold for a long time.
The ingredients must be mixed and allowed to cool slightly;
Then salt is diluted in holy water (literally a couple of tablespoons), the resulting salt water must be poured into the flour mass, add 25 gr. yeast, dissolve them with water and knead well.
Then the container with the dough is covered and the dough is left for thirty to forty minutes to rise;
At the end of this time, add the remaining flour, knead the dough again and let it rise again. After the mass rises well, an excellent prosphora should emerge from it.
When the dough is well rested and has risen, it is necessary to put the dough on the work surface, sprinkling with a small amount of flour;
Roll out a piece of dough into a layer 3 cm thick, cut circles of a smaller and larger diameter with special molds.
To make each future prosphora come out neatly, touch them up with your hands;
Now you need to cover with a wet waffle towel, and again leave the blanks to rest for half an hour;
Further, putting seals on small circles, you need to connect them with large ones, while first slightly moisten the surfaces with water.
In order to prevent voids from forming in the dough during baking, each holy prosphora is necessarily pierced through;
Then transfer them to a baking sheet, sprinkle with flour and send to a pre-heated oven. The prosphora should be lightly browned and under no circumstances burnt. The baking time is 15-20 minutes.

As soon as the baking is ready, it is necessary to put it on the table, covering it first with dry, then wet and on top with another dry towel and something warm. The prosphora should cool in this form. After cooling, they are placed in special baskets and used for their intended purpose. Finished prosphora are stored in the refrigerator.

About the origin of holy water

All their life, next to believers is holy water. It belongs to one of the most important shrines of Christianity. Translated from Greek into Russian, the word "agiasma" is translated exactly as "shrine".

Holy water is a symbol that personifies God's grace: it has sacred properties and helps to cleanse believers from spiritual negativity, strengthens the soul and body. Holy water is practically the most important attribute in the sacrament of Baptism. Three-fold immersion of a person in it washes away sinful impurities, fills him with new strength, makes him closer to the Lord God. Also, consecrated water is used during prayer services, in Christian consecration rites, and processions of the cross.

Read this article: what is holy water. It will be interesting for you ...

All believing Orthodox Christians on the day of the Epiphany collect blessed water, take it home and cherish it as a precious shrine for the next year. They partake of hagiasma for various diseases and ailments, which is used together with prayer.

Long ago it was proven that blessed water is endowed with phenomenal properties. Throughout the year after the Epiphany, it remains fresh. At one time, Saint Demetrius of Kherson wrote about the healing powers of sacred water. This water was widely used by the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, he gave it to pilgrims. With the help of holy water, the Monk Ambrose of Optina healed and put on their feet even terminally ill people. Seraphim Vyritsky called the spoken water the strongest medicine, recommended sprinkling it on any food, and in case of illness every hour, give one tablespoon to a sick person.

All our life next to us is a great shrine - holy water (in Greek, "agiasma" - "shrine").

Consecrated water is an image of God's grace: it cleanses believers from spiritual defilements, sanctifies and strengthens them for the deed of salvation in God.

We plunge into it for the first time in Baptism, when, while receiving this sacrament, we are immersed three times in a font filled with holy water. Holy water in the sacrament of Baptism washes away the sinful impurities of a person, renews and revives him into a new life in Christ.

Holy water is necessarily present at the consecration of temples and all items used in worship, at the consecration of residential buildings, buildings, any household item. We are sprinkled with holy water at processions of the cross, during prayer services.

On the day of the Epiphany, every Orthodox Christian carries home a vessel with holy water, carefully preserves it as the greatest shrine, prayerfully partaking of holy water in sickness and all kinds of weakness.

"Consecrated water," as St. Demetrius of Kherson wrote, "has the power to sanctify the souls and bodies of all who use it." She, accepted with faith and prayer, heals our bodily diseases. The Monk Seraphim of Sarov, after the confessions of the pilgrims, always gave them a taste of the holy Epiphany water from the cup.

The Monk Ambrose of Optina sent a bottle of holy water to a terminally ill patient, and to the amazement of the doctors, the incurable disease disappeared.

Elder Hieroschemamonk Seraphim Vyritsky always advised to sprinkle food and food itself with Jordanian (Epiphany) water, which, in his words, "sanctifies everything by itself." When someone was very ill, Elder Seraphim blessed to take a tablespoon of consecrated water every hour. The elder said that medicines are stronger than holy water and blessed oil - no.

The rite of consecration of water, which is performed on the feast of the Epiphany, is called great for the special solemnity of the rite, imbued with the memory of the Baptism of the Lord, in which the Church sees not only the mysterious washing of sins, but also the actual sanctification of the very nature of water through the immersion of God in the flesh into it.

The Great Blessing of Water is performed twice - on the very day of the Epiphany, and also on the eve, on the eve of the Epiphany (Epiphany Christmas Eve). Some believers mistakenly believe that the water sanctified on these days is different. But in fact, on Christmas Eve and on the very day of the feast of Epiphany, one rite is used for the consecration of water.

Even St. John Chrysostom said that the holy Epiphany water for many years remains incorruptible, it can be fresh, pure and pleasant, as if this just a minute had been drawn from a living source. Here is the miracle of God's grace, which everyone sees even now!

According to the Church's belief, haghiasma is not a simple water of spiritual significance, but a new being, spiritual-bodily being, the interconnection of Heaven and earth, grace and matter, and, moreover, very close.

That is why the great agiasma, according to the church canons, is regarded as a kind of lower degree of Holy Communion: in those cases when penance is imposed on a member of the Church for the sins he has committed and the prohibition to approach the Holy Body and Blood of Christ is imposed, the usual canonical clause is made: "Let haghiasm be honored." ...

Epiphany water is a shrine that should be in every home of an Orthodox Christian. It is carefully kept in the holy corner near the icons.

In addition to baptismal water, Orthodox Christians often use water consecrated at prayer services (small water consecration), performed throughout the year. Necessarily a small consecration of water is performed by the Church on the day of the Origin (carrying) of the Honorable Trees of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord and on the day of Prepolovanie, when the words of the Savior, full of the deepest secrets, spoken by Him to the Samaritan woman are recalled: ; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water flowing into eternal life ”(Gospel of John, chapter 4, verse 14).

It is customary to use holy baptismal water on an empty stomach together with prosphora after the morning prayer rule with special reverence as a shrine. "When a person uses prosphora and holy water," said the recluse Georgy Zadonsky, "then the unclean spirit does not approach him, the soul and body are sanctified, thoughts are illuminated to please God, and a person is inclined to fasting, prayer and all virtue."

The origin of the prosphora dates back to ancient times. It was typified by the offering bread in the tabernacle of Moses. In the first centuries of Christianity, believers themselves brought with them bread, wine, oil (that is, olive oil), wax for candles - everything that was needed for the worship. This offering (prosphora in Greek), or donation, was received by the deacons; the names of those who brought them were included in a special list, which was proclaimed with prayer during the consecration of the gifts. The relatives and friends of the dead made offerings on their behalf, and the names of the dead were also remembered in prayer. From these voluntary offerings (prosphora), part of the bread and wine was separated for deposition into the Body and Blood of Christ, candles were made from wax, and other gifts, over which prayers were also said, were distributed to believers. Subsequently, only bread used to celebrate the Liturgy began to be called prosphora. Over time, instead of ordinary bread, they began to specially bake prosphora in the church, accepting as a donation in addition to the usual offerings and money.

The prosphora consists of two parts, which are made of dough separately from one another and then joined together. On the upper part there is a seal depicting a four-pointed equilateral cross with inscriptions above the crossbar of the cross IC and XC (Jesus Christ), under the crossbar НI КА (victory in Greek). A prosphora made from flour from the grains of an innumerable set of ears means both human nature, consisting of many elements of nature, and humanity as a whole, consisting of many people. Moreover, the lower part of the prosphora corresponds to the earthly (fleshly) composition of man and humanity; the upper part with the seal corresponds to the spiritual principle in man and humanity, in which the image of God is sealed and the Spirit of God is mysteriously present. God's presence and spirituality permeate the entire nature of man and humanity, which is reflected in the production of prosphora by adding holy water and yeast to the water. At the same time, holy water signifies the grace of God, and yeast - the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, giving life to every creature. This corresponds to the words of the Savior about spiritual life, striving for the Kingdom of Heaven, which He likens to leaven put in flour, due to which the whole dough gradually rises.

The division of the prosphora into two parts visibly signifies this invisible division of human nature into flesh (flour and water) and soul (yeast and holy water), which are in an indissoluble, but also non-fused unity, which is why the upper and lower parts of the prosphora are made separately from one another , but then they connect so that they become one whole. The seal on the upper part of the prosphora denotes the visibly invisible seal of the image of God, penetrating the entire human nature and being the highest principle in it. Such a prosphora arrangement corresponds to the arrangement of man before the Fall and the nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, who restored in Himself this arrangement violated by the Fall.

The prosphora can be obtained behind a candle box after the liturgy by submitting a note "On health" or "On repose" before the start of the service. The names indicated in the notes are read in the altar, and for each name a particle is removed from the prosphora, which is why this prosphora is also called "taken out."

At the end of the Liturgy, the antidor is distributed to the worshipers - small parts of the prosphora from which the Holy Lamb was taken out on the proskomedia. The Greek word antidor comes from the words anti - instead of and di oron - gift, that is, the exact translation of this word - instead of gift.

“Antidor,” says Saint Simeon of Thessaloniki, “is the sacred bread, which was brought in the offer and the middle of which was taken out and used for sacred rites; this bread, as sealed with a copy and accepting Divine words, is taught instead of the Terrible Gifts, that is, the Mysteries, to those who did not partake of them. "

Antidor should be received reverently, folding his palms crosswise, right to left, and kissing the priest's hand giving this gift. According to the rules of the Church, the antidor should be eaten in the church, on an empty stomach and with reverence, because it is the holy bread, bread from the altar of God, part of the offerings to the altar of Christ, from which he receives heavenly sanctification.

The word artos (in Greek, leavened bread) means the consecrated bread common to all members of the Church, otherwise - whole prosphora.

During the entire Bright Week, Artos occupies the most prominent place in the church along with the image of the Resurrection of the Lord and is distributed to believers at the conclusion of the Easter celebrations.

The use of artos begins from the very beginning of Christianity. On the fortieth day after the Resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. The disciples and followers of Christ found consolation in prayerful memories of the Lord - they remembered His every word, every step and every action. Gathering for a common prayer, they remembered the Last Supper and took communion of the Body and Blood of Christ. Preparing an ordinary meal, they left the first place at the table to the invisibly present Lord and laid bread on this place. Imitating the apostles, the first pastors of the Church established on the feast of the Resurrection of Christ to place bread in the church as a visible expression of the fact that the Savior who suffered for us has become for us the true bread of life.

The artos depicts the Resurrection of Christ or a cross on which only the crown of thorns is visible, but there is no crucified Christ - as a sign of Christ's victory over death.

Artos is consecrated with a special prayer, sprinkling with holy water and burning incense on the first day of Holy Easter at the liturgy after the prayer after the ambo. Artos is placed on the sole against the royal doors on a prepared table. After censing around the table with artos, the priest reads a special prayer, after which he sprinkles the artos with holy water three times with the words “Artos is blessed and consecrated by this sprinkling of sacred water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".

The consecrated artos is placed on the sole in front of the image of the Savior, where it lies during the entire Holy Week. On all days of Bright Week, at the end of the liturgy with artos, a procession of the cross is solemnly performed around the church. On Saturday of Bright Week, at the end of the liturgy, the priest says a special prayer, during the reading of which the artos is shattered, and when the cross is kissed, it is distributed to the people as a shrine.

The particles of artos, received in the temple, are reverently kept by believers as spiritual healing from diseases and infirmities. Artos is used in special cases, for example, in illness, and always with the words "Christ is Risen!"

Prosphora and artos are kept in the holy corner near the icons. The spoiled prosphora and artos should be burned by yourself (or taken to the church for this), or run down the river with clean water.

O Lord my God, may Thy holy gift and Thy holy water be for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my soul and body, for the health of my soul and body, for the conquest of my passions and weaknesses, according to Thy infinite mercy by the prayers of the Most Pure Thy Mother and all Thy saints. Amen.

Epiphany water is called the Great Agiasma, which is translated from Greek as the Great Shrine. It provides healing of ailments - mental and physical, extinguishes the flame of passions, drives away unkind forces. Therefore, holy water is sprinkled on the dwelling and every thing that is consecrated.

The great consecration of water is performed twice - on the very day of the holiday and on the eve, on Epiphany Eve. Some people mistakenly believe that the water consecrated these days differs in its properties. However, on Christmas Eve and on the very day of the feast of Epiphany, the same prayers are recited at the blessing of water.

St. John Chrysostom said as early as the 4th century that holy water remains incorruptible for many years, is fresh, pure and pleasant, as if it had been drawn from a living source just a minute ago. Here is the miracle of God's grace, which everyone can see even now!

Epiphany water is one of the blessings and gifts given by God to the Orthodox Church. It is known that the saints had a great reverence for holy water and often used it. So, for example, the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, after the confession of the pilgrims, always gave them holy Epiphany water. The Monk Ambrose of Optina once sent a bottle of holy water to a terminally ill person - and the incurable disease, to the amazement of the doctors, passed away.

Hieroschemamonk Seraphim Vyritsky always advised sprinkling food with Epiphany water. When someone was very ill, he blessed to take a tablespoon of holy water every hour.
The elder said that there are no medicines stronger than holy water and blessed oil.

Healing miracles are taking place today. However, only those who receive it with a living faith in God, who believe in the power of the Church's prayer, who have a sincere and pure desire to change their lives, are rewarded with the miraculous effects of holy water. God does not work miracles where they want to see them only out of curiosity or where they have no intention of using them to save the soul. “A wicked and adulterous generation,” said the Savior about his unbelieving contemporaries, “is looking for a sign; and no sign will be given to him. "

Saint Theophan the Recluse writes: “All grace that comes from God through the Holy Cross, holy icons, holy water, relics, consecrated bread (artos, antidor, prosphora), etc., including the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, is valid only for those who are worthy of this grace through repentance, humility, service to people, deeds of mercy and the manifestation of other Christian virtues. But if they are not there, then this grace will not save, it does not work automatically and is useless for wicked and imaginary Christians. "

There is a common misconception that swimming in the Epiphany ice-hole cleanses us from sins. This is not so: swimming in an ice-hole is just an old folk custom.
And the sacrament of repentance performed through confession cleanses from sins. This sacrament is mandatory for all Orthodox Christians, while Epiphany bathing is completely optional. However, those who have a great desire can bathe.

On the feast of Epiphany, many take holy water home. This is correct: Epiphany water should be in the home of every Orthodox Christian. It should be stored in a worthy place, preferably in a holy corner, next to the icons.

It is customary to use holy water, like prosphora, on an empty stomach, after the morning prayer rule, with reverence and prayer. However, in situations requiring special help from God, with ailments or attacks of evil forces, you can and should drink it at any time.

Most importantly, we must remember that if we do not try to change ourselves for God, drinking holy water will not help us. For the holy water to be beneficial, we will take care of the purity of the soul, the high dignity of our thoughts and deeds.

Prayer before accepting Holy water

The Orthodox have a custom of taking sacred water and bread in the church. This is a very important rite for Christians, through which every believer must go. However, in order to achieve the desired result, you should first read the prayer for the acceptance of holy water and prosphora. The petition will allow you to cleanse the soul, drive away negative thoughts and energy, and lean towards doing good deeds and deeds.

“O Lord, my God, let Thy holy gift be: prosphora and Thy holy water for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my soul and body, for the health of my soul and body, for the conquest of my passions and infirmities according to the boundless Thy mercy, through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen".

When to take holy water and prosphora

Prosphora - consecrated bread - and agiasma - holy water - are some of the most important shrines in the Orthodox Church. Thanks to their use, the body is quickly cleansed, and spirituality is exalted.

Grains of bread symbolize Church unity with a large number of divisions, and water - the purity and will of God.

Grains of bread symbolize Church unity

And when should you receive shrines? They perform a ceremony and read a prayer for the acceptance of the holy prosphora and water in the morning on an empty stomach. It is important that they do not mix with other food and drinks.

On using holy water

Holy water carries the most powerful energy. She is able to work miracles - to heal the sick, to cleanse the soul, to get rid of bad thoughts.

You can take holy water every day. A prerequisite is an empty stomach and morning time. This healing liquid helps to solve many problems. However, it should be remembered that it would be wrong to consider it a panacea for all diseases.

Holy water carries the most powerful energy

Holy water is not drunk from one vessel. It must be poured into a separate container and drunk completely. Before that, you should read a prayer for the acceptance of holy water. It is necessary to pronounce the words of petition with a pure soul and an open heart.

“Lord, my God, may there be Thy holy gift and Thy holy water for the remission of my sins, for the enlightenment of my mind, for the strengthening of my soul and body, for the health of my soul and body, for the conquest of my passions and weaknesses according to Thy infinite mercy prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints. Amen".

After taking sacred water, one should read a prayer for healing. Readable.

“O all-holy Nicholas, the Lord's most pleasing servant, our warm intercessor, and everywhere in sorrow a quick helper, help me, sinful and sad, in this life, pray to the Lord God, grant me the forgiveness of all my sins that have sinned greatly from my youth, in everything my life, deed, word, thought and all my senses; and in the exodus of my soul, help me to the accursed one, pray to the Lord God of all creatures, the Sodeteur, to save me from airy ordeals and eternal
torment, so I always glorify the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and yours
merciful intercession, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen".

Holy water can be used to treat wounds and use it in the form of compresses on a sore spot. With the evil eye, they wash their face with it, then wipe it with the seamy side of the clothing.

Water can be stored forever. It does not deteriorate, it remains clean, incorruptible, as if it had just been scooped up from a holy source.

Water can be stored forever

Why does the Church consecrate water

Water is one of the most important components of our life. It has healing power, as has been repeatedly indicated in the Bible.

To receive holy water, you need to hold a special church rite. It is performed on January 18 (evening) and 19. Only after this can water be considered a sacred drink.

To get holy water, you need to hold a special church rite

In the days of the New Testament, water was considered a sacred object that revived life and turned it into righteous, grace-filled, pure, free from sins.

Jesus Christ himself, in the process of communicating with Nicodemus, said:

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."

At the beginning of his ministry, He received the rite of Baptism from John the Baptist, which was held in the Jordan River.

Water is mentioned in songs dedicated to the feast of Epiphany. It says:

"The Lord" gives purification by water to the human race ";

"You have sanctified the jets of the Jordan, you have crushed the sinful state, Christ our God ...".

Through consecration, water returns to its original holiness and purity. And prayer gives her strength, the power of the Word of God, the blessing of the Holy Spirit.

Why is water blessed in special vessels

Everything that happens in the church has some meaning. So is the vessel in which water is sanctified. It has tremendous symbolic meaning. The container represents God's grace, and its rounded base represents the heavenly Church.

The bowl, in which the main action takes place, is similar to the chalice - a container used during the liturgy. On one side of the vessel there are small hollows for candles. In total, during the ceremony, you will need 3 of them.

The baptismal font is also of great ecclesiastical significance. This vessel is much larger than the holy one and is equipped with a high stand.

Baptismal font

Conditions for the reception of prosphora and holy water

Prosphora is served after the end of the Christian service, during which the rite of the Eucharist is performed. Before this, a prayer is read for the acceptance of prosphora. Next, antidores (small pieces of bread) are taken out into the hall.

During the reception, the person's hands should be positioned so that the palms are on the shoulders. In this case, the right hand should be on top of the left.

Antidors (small pieces of bread).

When biting off, you need to put a clean napkin, plate or handkerchief so that the pieces of bread do not end up on the floor. After giving alms, you need to kiss the hand of the monk who served the sacred food. After the eaten prosphora is washed down with blessed water.

After giving alms, you need to kiss the hand of the monk who served the sacred food

Prosphora and sacred water should not be accepted by people who do not believe in God. It is not allowed to offer bread to unbaptized people.

Church bread is prepared only from wheat flour with the addition of consecrated water. Yeast is also a part of church bread.

The prosphora consists of two parts

The prosphora consists of two parts. The first symbolizes the earth, and the second symbolizes the sky. Each of the parts is prepared separately, then they are connected. Above is depicted the face of the Mother of God or a four-pointed cross, and next to it is the inscription "XC" (Jesus Christ).