Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad

Русская Версия

January 22, 2010
Richmond, ME: The Epiphany in St. Alexander Nevsky Church, and the Blessing of the Kennebec River

On January 19 of this year, on the feast of the Lord’s Epiphany, after the Divine Liturgy in St. Alexander Nevsky Church in Richmond, ME, parishioners participated in a procession through the town to the shore of the Kennebec River, led by rector Archpriest Chad Williams. In the center of the river, a large cross was cut out of the ice, at the foot of which Fr. Chad performed the blessing of the water, plunging a cross into the icy water, while the faithful sang the festal troparion. After the blessing of the river, parishioners returned to the church in procession, singing the troparion and thanking Christ our God for His great mercy and baptism for the sake of our salvation. Photos of the procession and blessing of the river are available below.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese