 Jordan River
Whether you are new to Orthodoxy or are in the process of rediscovering your Orthodox faith and traditions in a new and maybe more meaningful way, it is my hope that this article will introduce you to this beautiful tradition or enhance what you already know about it.
Jesus' Baptism in the Jordan River has been referred to in the Orthodox Church as the time when the Son of God sanctified the waters. The Church has used this instance as a prototype and valid proof for the tradition of blessing water to develop. Before we go further, I would like to stop and make a few comments about the difference between Jesus Christ's Baptism and His daily routine to wash in water. I mean, Jesus (just as any of the people would) used water at least to wash His face, feet and hands every day. However, the Church does not refer to His daily hygiene as something significant for the Church. If He washed His face every day and is the Son of God, He must have sanctified water every day? Right?
The difference between daily or frequent washing and His baptism is significant! Only in His Baptism did Jesus Christ use water in a unique, special way - to set an example of inner cleanness through repentance and Baptism for us. It was only at His Baptism that the water was sanctified because He as the Master made this water to be a ‘water of regeneration, a garment of incorruption' (from The Order of Holy Baptism). By His acceptance of Baptism in the water He sanctified (blessed, dedicated) the substance of water to be used at the very important time of our dedication to the Lord.
At our baptism, the officiating Priest (or Bishop) asks the Holy Spirit to come down and sanctify that water for our inner washing, to be for us that same water of Jordan and to serve as an instrument for our new birth into Christ.
Thus, this specific time of Jesus' Baptism is used by the Church as a base for all blessings of water throughout the liturgical year because that specific time was used by Jesus Himself to give it special power and consequently meaning.
Besides blessing of water at the feast Day of Christ's Baptism (known as Great Blessing of Water) and at ones baptism, the Church has developed the practice to bless water on various occasions. These occasions include the Feast Day of the Church (the day and annual anniversary of that day when your church building was consecrated), special family celebrations and gatherings, and various Feast Days and events of the Local Orthodox Church. Some Autocephalous Orthodox Churches even had a practice to bless water at the beginning of every month. The Order of Blessings of water (known as the Lesser Blessing) during these occasions is designed for more then one instance. Traditionally emphasis is made on sanctification of our houses, offerings, surroundings as well as on those who partake of it and sprinkle themselves with it for their own spiritual benefits and sanctification.
Historically, the Order of Great Blessing of Water with procession to the Jordan River started in the Church of Jerusalem. In the fourth and fifth centuries, it was still done in Jerusalem only. However, later local churches started to accept this pious tradition, form processions and go to the local river to bless water on the Feast Day of Jesus' Baptism (also known as Epiphany or Theophany). St. Basil the Great and Tertullian refer to the tradition of blessing of water in their writings. St. Basil even says that we received this custom from the Apostles.
Practically, Holy Water is used with faith for our sanctification, for the blessing of homes, food, surroundings, etc.
You do not need special refrigerator to store your Holy Water. Refrigeration is not necessary at all. It is a well-known fact that Holy Water may not spoil for months and sometimes years without any refrigeration. Some Orthodox Christians keep it in the corner with the icons (Holy Corner) or in a dedicated place for this purpose, and partake of it with faith and reverence before they have eaten something else (simply out of reverence for this gift of God). This can be developed as a daily custom within an Orthodox Christian family.
If you are storing your Holy Water in a jar or in a bottle, make sure that the container does not have inappropriate sticker. The only fitting sticker is the one that properly indicates the containing substance and reads "Holy Water".
One more thing to remember - Holy Water does NOT replace Holy Communion!
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