Read Here: Water Blessing Tradition of Pshavi

Pshavi, Georgia: Pshavi, a small historical region of northern Georgia, has a distinctive way of celebrating the Epiphany, or the baptism of Jesus Christ. The locals call it “water blessing, ” which involves a complex ritual dating back to the pre-Christian era.

According to the tradition, on the day of the water blessing, one of the older members of the family (mother or father) would get up early, take a coke or a tung (a water vessel made of copper) and some bread, cheese, and go to the spring to fetch water for the household. They should only speak to people on their way once they bring the water home. Before filling the vessel, they would throw the bread cheese into the water and say three times: “Watery, I brought you rubbish; tell me my luck”. 

Then, they would fill the vessel and return home. They would pour the water into a large copper pot, burn the branches of the red tkemali tree and throw them in. This water was considered holy and had the power to ward off evil. Then, they would sprinkle this water over the house, family members, cattle, and goods.

The ritual was performed with the belief that it would protect both people and goods from the evil eye and heart. It was also a way of expressing gratitude and reverence for the water, seen as a sacred element and a source of life. The ritual was influenced by the ancient pagan religion of the Pshav-Khevsur highlanders, who worshipped various local deities and spirits, such as Iakhsar, the ogre-slaying god of the Kistauri clan.

The water blessing is still practised today by some families in Pshavi, especially in the village of Shuapkho, where the shrine of Iakhsar is located. The shrine hosts an annual festival called Iakhsroba, where people gather to offer sacrifices and prayers to Iakhsar and to participate in a communal drinking of holy beer. The festival is held in July and attracts visitors from other regions of Georgia and abroad interested in the unique culture and traditions of Pshavi.

The water blessing is a remarkable example of how Christian and pagan beliefs have coexisted and blended in the Georgian highlands, creating a rich and diverse religious heritage that deserves preservation and respect.