Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar on January 18 observe the Epiphany Eve. The Divine Liturgy is held in churches and will be followed by the ceremony to bless water. Parishioners are expected to go to church to take blessed water, which is considered to have healing powers, IPN reports.

According to church canons, Jesus Christ began preaching when he turned 30, after he was baptized in the Jordan by Zechariah’s son John.

On Epiphany Eve and on Epiphany, churches celebrate the Great Blessing of Water. During the rest of the year, there is held the Lesser Blessing of Water.

The Christians come with clean containers and receive blessed water that is used to splash the grains, orchards and homes and even to drink.

Epiphany is celebrated on January 19 and parishioners also go to church to take blessed water on this day. The row of winter feasts is closed by the Feast of Saint John the Baptist, which is observed on January 20.