Over 300 poisoned by ‘holy water’ in Siberia | Top Russian news and analysis online | ‘RIA Novosti’ newswire: “More than 300 people are suffering from poisoning in the east Siberian city of Irkutsk caused by ‘holy water’ taken from wells during religious ceremonies of Epiphany, Russia’s consumer regulator said on Thursday.
Believers take water from churches on January 19, when the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the baptism of Christ. Water is believed to become holy on Epiphany and have healing properties, and some people store the water sanctified in churches for long periods.”