The Greek Authodox preists are going to bless the ocean water on January 7. They did the same thing a year ago. Has last years blessing expired? Is water blessed by the Pope more holy than water blessed by a first year novice priest ?
2006-12-27 23:38:04 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I do not believe in "Holy Water".
2006-12-28 00:37:51 · answer #1 · answered by Minister 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No the holy water does not have a use by date... you a funny guy. As for the Orthodox priests blessing the Sea - it is most likely more significant then what you are saying. The blessing may also be ceremonial and a traditional religious custom of the people. Besides - In the water cycle in science - New and old water will continue to come into the Ocean and hence some of the new inflow into the Ocean of that paticular Ocean may need blessing. Maybe it was not blessed before...
As for blessing and holiness there is some truth in that my friend. If a validly ordained Catholic/Orthodox priest is exceptionally holy then that priest may indeed have a powerful blessing as would his prayers have influence over God. The prayers of a rightous man carry much weight before God. Likewise if a priest was scandalous or evil his blessing and prayers may not be as powerful as a priest of holiness. However that withstanding if the Catholic/Orthodox priest good/evil is validly ordained by a Bishop then his blessing will still have Gods power in it regardless if he is good or evil but not with as much impact. As for the Novice priest... There are cases of Saints being novice priests and working great miracles by the power of God. Holiness can be found in both young and old. God does not discriminate. Read about sacramentals check http://www.newadvent.org/ It is a Catholic Encyclopedia.
However, to confuse you some what my friend... When a Catholic/Orthodox priest celebrates Holy Mass and consecrates the bread and wine and they become the Body and blood of Christ the priest only needs to have the intent of doing this. The bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ regrdless if the priest is evil/good. This is the case with all the 'Sacraments'. This - word it is different from 'sacramentals' as mentioned before. check http://www.newadvent.org/ It is a Catholic Encyclopedia.
Read John 6 and Jesus last supper in the gospels to get some idea of what is going on if not a Catholic/Orthodox person. 1
"I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I say.
The chalice of benediction, which we bless,
is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?
And the bread, which we break,
is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord?
For we, being many, are one bread, one body,
all that partake of one bread." 1 Corinthians 10:15
(for My protestant friends a good bible quote for you)
Totus Tuus Maria
2006-12-28 09:31:46 · answer #2 · answered by knightofchristandmary 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, When the water is blessed by the priest; it is always blessed.
You should look at the work of Dr, Masaru Emoto.
He takes water then affects it by the power of intention, then freezes it and examines the crystaline structure with a dark field microscope.
He has written a few books; but his most famous one is Message from the water, or something like that.
You've got to understand that more poluted water enters the ocean every day; and evaporation causes much of the blessed water to leave the ocean.
The holiness of the water all depends on the power of intention put into the water.
Sometimes you or I would be able to transfer a stronger blessing than the pope. It all depends on how long each individual is able to hold their mental focus on one thing instead of allowing the mind to jump from thought to thought every few seconds.
2006-12-28 07:52:16 · answer #3 · answered by Rev. Two Bears 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no use-by date. The blessing of the ocean seems to be a yearly ritual, but the water is always blessed. My family has a bottle of holy water from a few years ago. My mom uses the holy water on our house in the event of a strong storm (like a hurricane).
2006-12-28 07:52:48 · answer #4 · answered by sister steph 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is no expiration date for Holy Water, Blessed is Blessed!
2006-12-28 08:01:19 · answer #5 · answered by Gerry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Something can be blessed an infinite number of times.
A good question is "can something be un-blessed?" I don't know the answer to that one!
2006-12-28 08:23:45 · answer #6 · answered by 4999_Basque 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah man, water does go off after a while! So yeah, there must be a use-by date!
2006-12-28 07:40:51 · answer #7 · answered by -♦One-♦-Love♦- 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No because it's "Holy"
It's protected by God
2006-12-28 07:40:33 · answer #8 · answered by •Bamydam• 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋