THE BLESSING OF WATER

 During the Ektenia of Peace, special intentions are inserted.  In these petitions we implore God to sanctify these waters by the “descent of the Holy Spirit” in order that they may bring to us the “Blessing of the Jordan”, defend us against the snares of the devil, heal our spiritual and physical weaknesses, sanctify our homes, and fill us with the graces of the Holy Spirit.  The Ektenia ends with the long prayer of the consecration of the water, now ascribed to St. Sophronius.  This prayer is a long poem in praise of the mysteries of the Theophany and the regeneration of all creation through Jesus Christ.

 During this prayer, when the celebrant comes to the words: “Great are You, O Lord, and wonderful are Your works, and our words are insufficient to praise Your wonders,” he blesses the water with the burning triple candles by dipping it into the water while saying the words.  This he does three times.  This is done in commemoration of Our Lord’s baptism.

 Continuing the prayer, the celebrant repeats the words: “Therefore You, O loving King, come to us also now through the descent of the Holy Spirit and sanctify this water,” three times, each time breathing over the water from the contamination and influence of evil powers.

 Then the celebrant, continuing the prayer, makes the sign of the cross in the water three times with his hand, each time repeating the words: “therefore, also now, O Master, sanctify this water by Your Holy Spirit.”  This liturgical gesture symbolizes the blessing of the Jordan as though Jesus Christ Himself comes and touches the waters in order that to all who are sprinkled with it, drink of it or wash with it may be sanctified, healed, cleansed and blessed.

 Finally, the celebrant immerses the holy cross into the water three times and each time the Tropar of the Feast is sung.  This final part of the ceremony symbolizes the manifestation of the Holy Trinity as Jesus Christ stepped out of the water, described in a poetic way by the Tropar.

 Baptism is a sign of death and resurrection.  As death came into the world by sin, so in baptism we are cleansed from sin and freed from the bonds of death.  In baptism we die and are resurrected in Christ, beginning the life of grace, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, being released from the power of death through communion in the body and blood of Christ.  We are reborn.

 We are made in the image of God and baptism regenerates this image.  We wish to be like Christ, to whom we turn.  We share in the royal priesthood of Christ.  The foundation of our salvation is here in baptism.  The seed of the Kingdom of God is sown, to be watered by the tears of repentance.