What is the church's blessing of water?
The blessing of water is a special prayer service by which the Church of Christ sanctifies water, beseeching the descent upon it of the cleansing action of the Pre-Essential Trinity, praying that the water may be a gift of sanctification, a deliverance from sins, that it may serve for the healing of soul and body, lead to eternal life, and drive away every assault of visible and invisible enemies—in a word, that from it may flow every benefit.
How can water have such power?
Through the almighty grace of God, granted according to the faith of the Church. In the Old Testament, there was holy water (Num. 19), by which external defilement was cleansed. Then, the Lord granted to His people a healing spring: there was in Jerusalem "by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda... For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had" (John 5:2, 4). More perfect than this water, which healed bodily ailments, is the sanctified water of the New Testament, receiving grace to heal not only bodily diseases, but also spiritual ailments.
How can holy water heal the soul?
It, by the grace of God, so disposes our body and soul that we turn away from our ungodly lusts, our sins lose their sweetness, and we are inclined to purity and blamelessness.⁸
What external distinctive property does Holy Water have?
It is preserved for several years in vessels and does not spoil.
Do sectarians recognize Holy Water?
If Holy Water drives away demons, how will the friends of demons—the sectarians—love it?! It is clear that they hate it.
How many rites for the blessing of water are there in the Church of Christ?
Two: the "Order of the Lesser Blessing of Water," usually combined with a moleben (prayer service), and also performed on the days of temple or patronal feasts; and the "Order of the Great Blessing of Water," performed on the eve of the feast of Theophany (the Baptism of the Lord).
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