The Orthodox Christians can go to church to take holy water on the Eve of Epiphany that is celebrated on January 19. After the Divine Liturgy, the priest goes to a well or another specially designed place to perform the Great Blessing of the Water. The water is blessed by special, very profound prayers that remind of the Appearance of Savior Jesus Christ.

Contacted by IPN for a comment, archpriest Vetcislav Cazacu, of the Metropolitan Church of Chisinau and all Moldova, said the Great Blessing of the Water is performed once a year, on Epiphany or Theophany. Then, Jesus Christ entered the Jordan River to bless the water with his blessed legs. The Savior came to take the sins of humankind onto himself and the baptizing is closely connected to the sacrifice Jesus Christ’s made later on the cross.



“Not accidentally, the people say that when a well is built, this should be done with love and peace for the water to be tasty. By christening, Jesus Christ blesses creation. Through the water of Jordan, he blessed everything and we are also blessed. We should bless our life through Christ,” stated the archpriest.



Great Holy Water is used to bless things in the home, the yard, the orchard and to drink before eating. It is kept in clean vessels, in special places, near icons. The holy water that is not used can be poured to a tree or can be taken to the church.