A New Catechumen and the Blessing of the Waters!

2026Blessings
Written By Kevin Morton

January 12, 2026

On a cold and windy Sunday, we had the joy of receiving Daniel as a new catechumen at Holy Cross. After communion, we continued to celebrate the bright and radiant Feast of the Theophany (Baptism) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by processing down to the pond next to our church for the Great Blessing of the Waters!

“With piety and vigor let us run to the pure springs of salvation’s stream and gaze on the Word born of the all-Pure Virgin, He gives living water to satisfy our holy thirst, and gently heals the sickness of the world.”

Ode 5 - Matins Canon - Theophany

We are thankful to Triad Baptist Church for allowing us to bless their water, an occasion filled with the singing of praises to our Lord for the sanctification of the entire world at His baptism!

"The joy of Theophany is in recovering faith that everything and everyone can always be washed, purified, renewed, reborn, and that regardless how dirty and clouded with mud our life has become, no matter what swamp we might have rolled in, we always have access to a purifying stream of living water, because humanity's thirst for heaven, goodness, perfection, and beauty is not dead. Indeed, this thirst alone makes us human beings. 'Great art Thou, O Lord, and marvelous are Thy works, and there are no words which suffice to hymn Thy wonders!'"

Fr. Alexander Schmemann

Many thanks to Sergey and Angelo for these photos.

Kevin Morton
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Chrismations and a Baptism!