Taught on February 8th.
In this chapter, Metropolitan Hilarion discusses the rites of the blessing of the water. Since this volume, the fifth in the series, is focused on the sacraments and rites of the Orthodox Church and not theology, this chapter only describes the two rites for the blessing of the water.
There are two traditional rites for the blessing of the water:
The Great Blessing of the Water
This blessing takes place on the eve of or on the actual day of Theophany. This feast day, celebrated on January 6, commemorates the baptism of Jesus. By the fourth century, water drawn on this day was widely believed to be particularly sanctified. By the sixth century, the rite of the blessing of the water on the feast of Theophany was the universal custom of the Church. This water is given to the people for drinking, anointing, and for sprinkling others, among other uses. When drunk for healing of soul and body, it should always be drunk on an empty stomach.
The Lesser Blessing of the Water
Unlike the Great Blessing, in the history of the Church the Lessor Blessing has occurred at various times of the year. It is a rite that seems to have appeared later in Church history. In early Constantinople, the blessing occurred on August 1st on the feast of the Procession of the Tree and the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord. By the 12th century, the rite was performed monthly. In modern day Russia, the Lessor Blessing of the water occurs three times during the year: On the feast of the Procession of the Cross (Aug 1); the feast to honor the icon of the Mother of God the Life-bearing Font (Friday of Bright Week); and at the mid feast of Pentecost. In all aspects, this water is used just as the water of the Greater Blessing, with one exception, it does not have to be drunk on an empty stomach.