Celebrations around the world
Blessing of the Waters (Theophany)
Greece, Russia, and the Orthodox world · January 6 or 19 (Theophany)
On Theophany the Orthodox church celebrates the baptism of Jesus and the revealing of the Holy Trinity at the Jordan. Water, which Christ made holy by entering it, is blessed as a sign of new life.
How it is celebrated
A priest casts a cross into the sea, a river, or a lake, and swimmers dive into the cold water to retrieve it, considered a great blessing for the year.
In the Word
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:Matthew 3:16 (KJV)
One family, in every land
Across the world the church keeps this feast in a thousand ways, but it is one Lord all of it honors. Wherever you are, pray, read the Word, and gather with the family of God on The Living Bread. Free, with no ads, for all people.
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