TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The St. George Orthodox Church conducted their “blessing of the Wabash River” in hopes of spreading good blessings to start the year.
During the season of epiphany, the church commemorates the baptism of their Lord. About 15 people stood at the banks to take part in the service and give thanks.
After celebrating the feast of the past week, it’s customary for orthodox Christians to visit outdoor bodies of water and offer blessings of the church.
Christians offered a brief prayer and as the Rev. Fuller threw the holy cross into the river three times singing a hymn.
“It’s a pious custom that we know dates back to the early church, going to outdoor bodies of water,” said the Rev. Paul Fuller of the St. George Orthodox Church. “Our Lord himself was baptized not in the confines of a synagogue or church but the river of Jordan.”
The church does this every year around this time to spread joy going into the new year.
