Orthodox Faithful Bless Lake Michigan on Feast of Theophany
Photo: domoca.org
CHICAGO — Four Orthodox Christian communities in Chicago gathered along the shores of Lake Michigan on Saturday, January 10, to celebrate the Great Blessing of Water in honor of the Feast of Theophany. Holy Trinity Cathedral, St. George Cathedral, Christ the Savior Church, and St. Makarios Mission joined together for the annual observance, which sanctifies the city’s principal body of water.
The service was led by Priest Alexander Koranda, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral; Priest Nikolai Lochmatow, Dean of St. George Cathedral; and Priest John Kennerk, Rector of Christ the Savior Church. Clergy and faithful assembled at North Avenue Beach, processing reverently to the water’s edge while chanting the Theophany troparion.
At the lakeshore, prescribed hymns and Scripture readings were offered before the blessing was completed with the lowering of the Cross into Lake Michigan. The annual gathering serves as a public witness to the Orthodox celebration of Christ’s baptism and the sanctification of creation.
Previously, the UOJ reported that a Chicago parish celebrated 100 years of faith and heritage.
Read also
Archpriest Christopher Stade, Founder of Chrysostom Press, Falls Asleep in the Lord
Fr. Christopher Stade, longtime Missouri pastor and founder of Chrysostom Press, reposed in the Lord, remembered for his humility and lasting contributions to Orthodox scholarship.
Metr. Saba Meets Youth Ministry Leaders in Englewood
Youth and young adult ministry leaders met with Metr. Saba in New Jersey to strengthen pastoral initiatives and announce a major Archdiocese-wide summit.
Greek Media Warns of Systematic State Pressure on Ukrainian Orthodox Church
A Vima Orthodoxias report describes raids, clerical intimidation, and restrictions on sacred sites, while criticizing the silence of many Orthodox primates and warning that Kyiv’s policies set a dangerous precedent for religious freedom across world Orthodoxy.
EXCLUSIVE: St. Phoebe Center Denies Involvement in ‘Deaconess Training’
A viral image of a woman in vestments, paired with theologically questionable statements and AI-altered backgrounds, prompts confusion and concern about unauthorized “deaconess training.”
Ukraine Declares Dostoevsky and Tolstoy Symbols of Imperial Propaganda
Ukraine’s National Memory Institute has labeled Dostoevsky and Tolstoy symbols of Russian imperial propaganda and called for the removal of sites honoring them.
Patr. Kirill Celebrates Theophany at Moscow’s Epiphany Cathedral
At Moscow’s Epiphany Cathedral, Patr. Kirill marked Theophany by affirming God’s nearness and the Church’s endurance through persecution.