Bucharest, Dec 30 /Agerpres/ – Orthodox believers will celebrate the Baptism of the Lord next Tuesday, with 10,000 litres of the Great Holy Water, bottled in 0.5-litre bottles, to be distributed at the Patriarchal Cathedral.

According to the Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate, the liturgical schedule of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord at the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen on the Patriarchal Hill (6 January 2026) will take place as follows:

Epiphany, which marks the last day of the winter holiday cycle, is dedicated to the purification of the surrounding environment, particularly the blessing of waters.

In Orthodox belief, the feast brings to mind of the Baptism of the Lord in the River Jordan at the age of 30, before entering public life. According to tradition, on Epiphany the Great Blessing of the Waters (Great Holy Water) is officiated, symbolising an act of cosmic regeneration.

The Holy Water blessed at Epiphany is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, up until the Leavetaking of the Theophany of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on 14 January. Afterwards, the Great Holy Water is kept in homes and may only be used outside these blessed days with the permission of the parish priest.

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord precedes the day on which the Orthodox Church celebrates the Synaxis of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John.