THE GREAT BLESSING OF THE WATERS (JAN. 6TH)

Christ Being Baptized by St. John the Baptist, from the Baptistry in Ravenna, Italy

 ✠ The Great Blessing of the Waters ✠

For the Feast of the Holy Theophany / Epiphany of Our Lord

According to the Western Orthodox Use of the Ancient Church of the West

✠ Theological Proem ✠

We, the Ancient Church of the West, confess that on this holy day the Lord Jesus Christ did not receive sanctification from the waters, but rather sanctified the waters themselves, restoring creation to its baptismal vocation. As the Fathers teach, the Jordan turned back, beholding its Maker clothed in humility, and the whole creation was renewed.

“Today the nature of waters is sanctified; the Jordan is divided and turns back its streams, beholding the Master being baptized.” — Ancient hymn of Theophany

This rite is not symbolic only, but ontological: water is restored to its original blessing and becomes a vessel of divine grace, healing, purification, and the overthrow of the powers of corruption.

✠ The Order of the Great Blessing of the Waters ✠

The Priest, vested in stole (and cope if solemn), stands before the vessel of water.

Opening Acclamation

Priest:

✠ Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. 

People:

Amen.

Priest: 

Today the Jordan receives the Sun of Righteousness; today the waters are clothed with light; today creation is restored. 

People:

Amen.

The Great Litany

Deacon / Priest:

In peace let us pray unto the Lord.

People:

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world, the stability of the holy Churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For this water, that it may be sanctified by the power, operation, and descent of the Holy Ghost, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That upon these waters may come the purifying blessing of the superessential Trinity, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That they may be endued with the grace of redemption, the blessing of Jordan, and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That they may become a fountain of incorruption, a gift of sanctification, a release from sins, and a healing of soul and body, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That they may put to flight every assault of visible and invisible enemies, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That they may be filled with angelic strength and the grace of divine adoption, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

That all who draw from them, partake of them, or are sprinkled with them may receive sanctification, blessing, cleansing, and health, let us pray unto the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

The Great Prayer of Sanctification

Priest (aloud):

O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son, who art in the bosom of the Father, true God of true God, Light of Light, by whom all things were made:

who in the fullness of time didst take flesh of the Holy Virgin Mary,

and didst come to the Jordan to be baptized by John,

not because Thou hadst need of purification,

but that Thou mightest sanctify the waters,

crush the heads of the dragons therein,

and open unto us the way of rebirth by water and the Spirit:

Thou Thyself now also, O Master, sanctify this water by the descent of Thy Holy Ghost.

✠ Give it the grace of redemption.

✠ Give it the blessing of the river Jordan, through which Thy Chosen People enter into the Promised Land.

✠ Make it a source of incorruption,

a gift of sanctification,

a remission of sins,

a healing of infirmities,

an exorcism and destruction of demonic powers,

inaccessible to hostile hosts,

and filled with angelic might.

Let all who draw from it or are sprinkled with it receive cleansing of soul and body, healing of passions, sanctification of homes, and every benefit unto salvation.

For Thou art the sanctification of our souls and bodies, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, together with Thine eternal Father, and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages.

People:

Amen.

The Triple Immersion of the Cross

The Priest takes the Holy Cross and immerses it three times into the water, saying:

Priest:

✠ Great art Thou, O Lord, and wonderful are Thy works, and there is no word sufficient to hymn Thy wonders. (×3)

People (or Choir):

Amen.

Sprinkling and Distribution

The Priest sprinkles the faithful, the church, and (where appropriate) the surrounding land, saying:

✠ Let this water be unto sanctification, blessing, and healing, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Dismissal

Priest:

May Christ our true God, who deigned to be baptized in the Jordan for our salvation, through the prayers of His most pure Mother, the Most Holy Theotokos, of Saint John the Forerunner and Baptist, and of all the Saints, have mercy upon us and save us, for He is good and loveth mankind.

People:

Amen.

Note: The faithful are encouraged to drink this holy water with prayer, to sprinkle their homes, fields, and places of labor, and to keep it reverently throughout the year as a sign of baptismal renewal and healing. It is not a charm, but a sacramental participation in Christ’s victory over corruption and death, and is a source of exorcism, protection, and spiritual healing.