UOC hierarch blesses water on the Black Sea shore in Odesa
The rite of the Great Blessing of Waters on the Black Sea shore in Odesa. Photo: facebook.com/iliyamonastery
On 19 January 2024, on the Feast of the Theophany, Archbishop Victor of Artsyz performed the rite of the Great Blessing of Waters on the Black Sea shore in Odesa as reported on the Facebook page of the St. Elijah’s monastery of Odesa.
After the consecration of water, Odesa residents took part in the traditional baptismal bathing in the Black Sea. In total, several dozen believers of the UOC took a dip in the font.
In addition, after bathing believers could warm themselves in specially arranged tents set up by the Odesa Eparchy.
"After the bathing, all those who wished could warm up with hot drinks, aromatic tea and mulled wine, which were freely poured from a large wood-fired samovar. On the occasion of the Feast of Theophany, blessed water and gifts were also distributed," the monastery said.
As reported, a festive Liturgy was held at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on the Feast of Theophany.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.