Posted on 04/08/2005 8:21:07 AM PDT by Pyro7480
Can you elaborate?
In the Maronite Tradition, during the Epiphany Service, water is blessed. Burning charcoal, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, is placed into the water. With this water the pastor will go to the homes of the faithrul to bless them or the faithful may take a container home.
Here is a clip from the GOA website on the service:
"THE GREAT BLESSING OF WATER: MEGAS AGIASMOS
Epiphany, one of the oldest and most important Feast days of the Orthodox Church, commemorates the manifestation of the Holy Trinity which took place at the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan River. Recognizing rich meaning in this event, Orthodoxy believes that when Christ was baptized, it not only marked the beginning of its public ministry and revealed the Trinity, but also signified that the entire creation is destined to share in the glory of redemption in Christ. While Christ entered into the Jordan to be baptized, two things were happening: He was identifying Himself with the people He had come to save; and, He was identifying Himself with the whole of Creation which was represented by water. Through His baptism, the Lord revealed the value of the created world and He redirected it toward its Creator. Creation is good and it belongs to God.
The Great Blessing of Water is held on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany and on the day itself, following the Divine Liturgy. The Blessing not only remembers the event of Our Lord's baptism and the revelation of the Holy Trinity but also expresses Orthodoxy's belief that creation is sanctified through Christ. The Blessing affirms that humanity and the created world, of which we are a part, were created to be filled with the sanctifying presence of God. After the solemn blessing, the Holy Water is distributed to the faithful and is used to bless homes during the Epiphany season. When the faithful drink the "Epiphany Water," we are reminded of our own baptism. When the Church blesses an individual, or object, or event with the water, we are affirming that those baptized, their surroundings, and their responsibilities are sanctified through Christ and brought into the Kingdom of the Father through the Spirit.
In addition to the Great Blessing of Water, there is a Lesser Blessing of Water service which can take place at anytime. Usually, it is celebrated when a home is blessed, on the first day of the month, the beginning of the school year, and beginning of new responsibilities."
We have our offices or places of work also blessed with the Holy Water each year in addition to our homes.
Here's a link to an audio of the service and other Epiphany chants: http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen_learn_share/epiphany/listen/
Would you settle for several .wav files? I purchased this CD (proceeds go to support the future church of this OK Maronite Mission) last year and love it! When the bishop came to visit in April, we played it as background music during dinner. So many enjoyed it that they have now purchased multiple copies for home and away.
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