The Blessing of Waters For the Chicago River

The Blessing of Waters For the Chicago River Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου Metropolis OF Chicago

Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου In areas near the sea or other large bodies of water, it is traditional for this service to be celebrated on Theophany, following the Great Sanctification of Water in the church. Εὐλογητὸς ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, πάντοτε, νῦν, καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν. Ήχος πλ. δ Φωνὴ Κυρίου ἐπὶ τῶν ὑδάτων βοᾷ λέγουσα Δεῦτε λάβετε πάντες, Πνεῦμα σοφίας, Πνεῦμα συνέσεως, Πνεῦμα φόβου Θεοῦ, τοῦ ἐπιφανέντος Χριστοῦ. Σήμερον τῶν ὑδάτων, ἁγιάζεται ἡ φύσις, καὶ ῥήγνυται ὁ Ἰορδάνης, καὶ τῶν ἰδίων ναμάτων ἐπέχει τὸ ῥεῦμα, Δεσπότην ὁρῶν ῥυπτόμενον. Ὡς ἄνθρωπος ἐν ποταμῷ, ἦλθες Χριστὲ Βασιλεῦ, καὶ δουλικὸν Βάπτισμα λαβεῖν, σπεύδεις ἀγαθέ, ὑπὸ τῶν τοῦ Προδρόμου χειρῶν, διὰ τάς ἁμαρτίας ἡμῶν φιλάνθρωπε. Δόξα Πατρὶ καὶ Υἱῷ καὶ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι. Kαὶ νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Πρὸς τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ βοῶντος ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ Ἐτοιμάσατε τὴν ὁδὸν τοῦ Κυρίου, ἦλθες Κύριε, μορφὴν δούλου λαβών, Βάπτισμα αἰτῶν, ὁ μὴ γνοὺς ἁμαρτίαν. Εἴδοσάν σε ὕδατα, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν, σύντρομος γέγονεν ὁ Πρόδρομος, καὶ ἐβόησε λέγων πῶς φωτίσει ὁ λύχνος τὸ Φῶς; πῶς χειροθετήσει δοῦλος τὸν Δεσπότην; ἁγίασον ἐμὲ καὶ τὰ ὕδατα Σωτήρ, ὁ αἲρων τοῦ κόσμου τὴν ἁμαρτίαν. Το Θειον Ευαγγελιον Διάκονος: Σοφία. Ὀρθοί, ἀκούσωμεν τοῦ Ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου. Εἰρήνη πᾶσι. Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου. Ἐκ τοῦ κατὰ κατὰ Μᾶρκον Ἁγίου Εὐαγγελίου τὸ ἀνάγνωσμα. Διάκονος: Πρόσχωμεν. 2

The Blessing of Waters for the Chicago River In areas near the sea or other large bodies of water, it is traditional for this service to be celebrated on Theophany, following the Great Sanctification of Water in the church. Blessed is our God always, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Plagal of the 4 th Tone The voice of the Lord upon the waters crieth aloud, saying: Come ye all, and receive the Spirit of wisdom, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of the fear of God, from Christ Who is made manifest. Today the nature of the waters is sanctified, and the Jordan is parted in two; it holds back the stream of its own waters, seeing the Master wash Himself. O Christ the King, thou hast come unto the river as a man, and in thy goodness thou dost make haste to receive the baptism of a servant at the hands of the Forerunner, for the sake of our sins, O Thou Who lovest mankind. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. At the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, thou hast come, O Lord, taking the form of a servant, and thou who knowest not sin dost ask for baptism. The waters saw thee and were afraid; the Forerunner was seized with trembling and cried aloud, saying, How shall the lamp illuminate the Light? How shall the servant set his hand upon the Master? O Savior Who takest away the sin of the world, sanctify both me and the waters. The Holy Gospel Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy Gospel. Peace be with all. And with your spirit. The Reading is from the holy Gospel according to Mark.[1,9-11] Let us be attentive. 3

Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου Δόξα Σοι, Κύριε, δόξα Σοι. Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἦλθεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἀπὸ Ναζαρέτ τῆς Γαλιλαίας, καὶ ἐβαπτίσθη ὑπὸ Ἰωάννου εἰς τὸν Ἰορδάνην. Καὶ εὐθέως ἀναβαίνων ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος, εἶδε σχιζομένους τοὺς οὐρανοὺς, καὶ τὸ Πνεῦμα ὡσεὶ περιστερὰν καταβαῖνον ἐπ αὐτόν. Καὶ φωνὴ ἐγένετο ἐκ τῶν οὐρανῶν Σὺ εἶ ὁ Υἰός μου ὁ ἀγαπητὸς, ἐν ᾧ ηὐδόκησα. Δόξα Σοι, Κύριε, δόξα Σοι. Ειρηνικα Διάκονος: Ἐν εἰρήνῃ τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τῆς ἄνωθεν εἰρήνης καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τῆς εἰρήνης τοῦ σύμπαντος κόσμου, εὐσταθείας τῶν ἁγίων τοῦ Θεοῦ Ἐκκλησιῶν καὶ τῆς τῶν πάντων ἑνώσεως, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγίου οἴκου τούτου καὶ τῶν μετὰ πίστεως, εὐλαβείας καὶ φόβου Θεοῦ εἰσιόντων ἐν αὐτῷ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τῶν εὐσεβῶν καὶ ὀρθοδόξων χριστιανῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου καὶ πατρός ἡμῶν (Ὄνομα), τοῦ τιμίου πρεσβυτερίου, τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ διακονίας, παντὸς τοῦ κλήρου καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. 4

The Blessing of Waters for the Chicago River Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You. In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when He came up out of the water, immediately He saw the heavens opened and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove; and a voice came from Heaven: Thou art My beloved Son; with Thee I am well pleased. Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You The Great Litany In peace, let us pray to the Lord. For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. For the peace of the whole world, for the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. For this holy house and for those who enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord. For pious and Orthodox Christians, let us pray to the Lord. For our Archbishop and father (Name), the honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in Christ, and for all the clergy and the people, let us pray to the Lord. 5

Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ εὐσεβοῦς ἡμῶν ἔθνους, πάσης ἀρχῆς καὶ ἐξουσίας ἐν αὐτῷ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τῆς Ἀγιάς Μητροόλεως καὶ ενορίας ταύτης, καὶ πάσης πόλεως, μονής, χώρας καὶ τῶν πίστει οἰκούντων ἐν αὐταῖς, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ εὐκρασίας ἀέρων, εὐφορίας τῶν καρπῶν τῆς γῆς καὶ καιρῶν εἰρηνικῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ πλεόντων, ὁδοιπορούντων, νοσούντων, καμνόντων, αἰχμαλώτων καὶ τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἁγιασθῆναι τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦτο, τῇ δυνάμει καὶ ἐνεργείᾳ καὶ ἐπιφοιτήσει τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ καταφοιτῆσαι τοῖς ὕδασι τούτοις τὴν καθαρτικὴν τῆς ὑπερουσίου Τριάδος ἐνέργειαν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ δωρηθῆναι αὐτοῖς τὴν χάριν τῆς ἀπολυτρώσεως, τὴν εὐλογίαν τοῦ Ἰορδάνου, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ φωτισθῆναι ἡμᾶς φωτισμὸν γνώσεως καὶ εὐσεβείας, διὰ τῆς ἐπιφοιτήσεως τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ γενέσθαι τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦτο ἁγιασμοῦ δῶρον, ἁμαρτημάτων λυτήριον, εἰς ἴασιν ψυχῆς καὶ σώματος, καὶ πᾶσαν ὠφέλειαν ἐπιτήδειον, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. 6

The Blessing of Waters for the Chicago River For our country, for the president, and for all in public service, let us pray to the Lord. For our Holy Metropolis and parish and for every city, monastic community and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord. For favorable weather, for an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful times, let us pray to the Lord. For those who travel by land, sea, and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives, and for their salvation, let us pray to the Lord. That this water may be sanctified by the power and operation and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord. That upon this water there may descend the cleansing operation of the super-substantial Trinity, let us pray to the Lord That it may be given the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan, let us pray to the Lord. That we may be enlightened by the light of knowledge and piety, through the descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord. That this water may become a gift of sanctification, a deliverance from sins, unto healing of soul and body and unto every expedient purpose, let us pray to the Lord. 7

Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ γενέσθαι αὐτὸ ὕδωρ ἁλλόμενον εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἀναδειχθῆναι αὐτὸ ἀποτρόπαιον πάσης ἐπιβουλῆς ὁρατῶν καὶ ἀοράτων ἐχθρῶν, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τῶν ἀντλούντων καὶ ἀρυομένων εἰς ἁγιασμὸν οἴκων, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ γενέσθαι αὐτὸ πρὸς καθαρισμὸν ψυχῶν καὶ σωμάτων, πᾶσι τοῖς ἀρυομένοις πίστει, καὶ μεταλαμβάνουσιν ἐξ αὐτοῦ, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ καταξιωθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἐμπλησθῆναι ἁγιασμοῦ, διὰ τῆς τῶν ὑδάτων τούτων μεταλήψεως, τῇ ἀοράτῳ ἐπιφανείᾳ τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ εἰσακοῦσαι Κύριον τὸν Θεὸν φωνῆς τῆς δεήσεως ἡμῶν τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν, καὶ ἐλεῆσαι ἡμᾶς, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ὑπὲρ τοῦ ρυσθῆναι ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ πάσης θλίψεως, ὀργῆς, κινδύνου καὶ ἀνάγκης, τοῦ Κυρίου δεηθῶμεν. Διάκονος: Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς τῇ σῇ χάριτι. Ἀμήν (ἤ Κύριε ἐλέησον). 8

The Blessing of Waters for the Chicago River That this water may spring up unto life everlasting, let us pray to the Lord. That it may serve to the averting of every plot of the enemies, both visible and invisible, let us pray to the Lord. For those who draw of it and take of it unto the sanctification of their homes, let us pray to the Lord. That it may become a cleansing of the souls and bodies of all those who in faith draw and partake of it, let us pray to the Lord. That we may be made worthy to be filled with sanctification through the partaking of this water, by the invisible manifestation of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord. That the Lord God may hearken unto the voice of supplication of us sinners and have mercy on us, let us pray to the Lord. For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord. Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace. Amen (or Lord, have mercy). 9

Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου Διάκονος: Τῆς Παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας, μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα. Σοὶ Κύριε. Ἐπάκουσον ἡμῶν, ὁ Θεός, ὁ σωτὴρ ἡμῶν, ἡ ἐλπὶς πάντων τῶν περάτων τῆς γῆς καὶ τῶν ἐν θαλάσσῃ μακράν καὶ ἵλεως, ἵλεως γενοῦ ἡμῖν, Δέσποτα, ἐπὶ ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ἡμῶν καὶ ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Ἐλεήμων γὰρ καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς ὑπάρχεις, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν. Η Εiρhνη Εἰρήνη πᾶσι. Καὶ τῷ πνεύματί σου. Διάκονος: Ταὰς κεφαλὰς ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ κλίνωμεν. Σοὶ Κύριε. Κλῖνον, Κύριε, τὸ οὖς σου, καὶ ἐπάκουσον ἡμῶν, ὁ ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ βαπτισθῆναι καταδεξάμενος, καὶ ἁγιάσας τὰ ὕδατα καὶ εὐλόγησον πάντας ἡμᾶς, τοὺς διὰ τῆς κλίσεως τῶν ἑαυτῶν αὐχένων σημαίνοντας τὸ τῆς δουλείας πρόσχημα. Καὶ καταξίωσον ἡμᾶς ἐμπλησθῆναι τοῦ ἁγιασμοῦ σου διὰ τῆς τοῦ ὕδατος τούτου μεταλήψεώς τε καὶ ῥαντισμοῦ, καὶ γενέσθω ἡμῖν, Κύριε, εἰς ὑγείαν ψυχῆς καὶ σώματος. Σὺ γὰρ εἶ ὁ ἁγιασμὸς τῶν ψυχῶν καὶ τῶν σωμάτων ἡμῶν, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν, καὶ εὐχαριστίαν, καὶ προσκύνησιν ἀναπέμπομεν, σὺν τῷ ἀνάρχῳ σου Πατρί, καὶ τῷ Παναγίῳ καὶ ἀγαθῷ καὶ ζωοποιῷ σου Πνεύματι, νῦν, καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν. Ἀμήν. 10

The Blessing of Waters for the Chicago River Commemorating our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God. To You, O Lord Hear us, O God our Saviour, the Hope of all the ends of the earth, and of those who are far off upon the sea; and be gracious, be gracious, O Master, upon our sins, and have mercy on us. For Your are a merciful God and love mankind and to You we ascribe glory to the Father and the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. The Peace Peace be to all And to thy spirit. Let us bow our heads unto the Lord. To You, O Lord Incline your ear and hear us, Lord, who accepted to be baptized in Jordan and to sanctify the waters, and bless us all, who signify our calling as servants by the bending of our necks. And count us worthy to be filled with your sanctification through the partaking and sprinkling of this water. And let it be for us, Lord, for healing of soul and body. For you are the sanctification of our souls and bodies, and to you we give glory, thanksgiving and worship, with your Father who is without beginning, and your All-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 11

Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου The Priest makes the sign of the cross over the boby of water and tosses the cross into the body of water. Τροπάριον Ἦχος α Ἐν Ιορδάνη βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε, * η τής Τριάδος εφανερώθη προσκύνησις, * τού γάρ Γεννήτορος η φωνή προσεμαρτύρει σοι, * αγαπητόν σε Υιόν ονομάζουσα, * καί τό Πνεύμα εν είδει περιστεράς, * εβεβαίου τού λόγου τό ασφαλές. * Ο επιφανείς Χριστέ ο Θεός, * καί τόν κόσμον φωτίσας δόξα σοι. (x3) Κοντάκιον Ἦχος δ' Ἐπεφάνης σήμερον * τῇ οἰκουμένῃ, * καὶ τὸ φῶς σου Κύριε, * ἐσημειώθη ἐφ ἡμᾶς, * ἐν ἐπιγνώσει ὑμνοῦντας σε. * Ἦλθες ἐφάνης τὸ Φῶς τὸ ἀπρόσιτον. The Priest blesses all the people with the cross, saying: Ἱερεὺς: Εὐλογία Κυρίου καὶ ἔλεος αὐτοῦ ἔλθοι ἐφ' ὑμᾶς, τῇ αὐτοῦ θείᾳ χάριτι καὶ φιλανθρωπίᾳ, πάντοτε, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν. Η Απολυσισ Διάκονος: / Δόξα σοι ὁ Θεός ἡμῶν, δόξα σοι. Δόξα Πατρί καί Υιῴ καί Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, καί νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων Ἀμήν. Κύριε ἐλέησον (γ ). Πάτερ (Δέσποτα) ἅγιε, εὐλόγησον 12

The Blessing of Waters for the Chicago River The Priest makes the sign of the cross over the boby of water and tosses the cross into the body of water. Troparion 1 st Tone When You were baptized in the Jordan, * O Lord, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest, * for the voice of the Father bore witness unto You, * by calling You His beloved Son; * and the Spirit in the form of a Dove, * confirmed the verity of the Word. * O Christ our God, Who has appeared and enlightened the world, * glory be to you. (x3) Kontakion 4 th Tone Model Melody You appeared today to us * on earth, O Master, * and Your light was signed on us * who cry aloud to You and say * with understanding, O Christ our God: You came and shone forth, O Light unapproachable. The Priest blesses all the people with the cross, saying: The blessing of the Lord and His mercy come upon you, through His divine grace and love for mankind, always; now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. The Dismissal / Glory to You, O God, glory to You. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Lord have mercy (3). Holy Father (Master) bless! 13

Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου Ὁ ἐν Ἰορδάνῃ ὑπὸ Ἰωάννου βαπτισθῆναι καταδεξάμενος, διὰ τὴν ἡμῶν σωτηρίαν Χριστὸς ὁ ἀληθινὸς Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ταῖς πρεσβείαις τῆς παναχράντου καὶ παναμώμου ἁγίας αὐτοῦ Μητρός, δυνάμει τοῦ τιμίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ, προστασίαις τῶν τιμίων ἐπουρανίων Δυνάμεων Ἀσωμάτων, ἱκεσίαις τοῦ τιμίου, ἐνδόξου, προφήτου, Προδρόμου καὶ βαπτιστοῦ Ἰωάννου, τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ πανευφήμων Ἀποστόλων,τῶν ἁγίων ἐνδόξων καὶ καλλινίκων μαρτύρων τῶν ὁσίων καὶ θεοφόρων Πατέρων ἡμῶν τοῦ ἐν Ἁγίοις Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Βασιλείου, Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Καισαρίας τῆς Καππαδοκίας τοῦ Μεγάλου, τῶν ἁγίων καὶ δικαίων Θεοπατόρων Ἰωακεὶμ καὶ Ἄννης, καὶ πάντων τῶν Ἁγίων, ἐλεήσαι καὶ σώσαι ἡμᾶς, ὡς ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος. Δι' εὐχῶν τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων ἡμῶν, Κύριε Ἰησοῦ Χριστέ, ὁ Θεός ἡμῶν, ἐλέησον καὶ σῶσον ἡμᾶς. Ἀμήν. Explanation The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. Christ s baptism in the Jordan was theophany, a manifestation of God to the world, because it was the beginning of our Lord s public ministry. It was also a theophany in that the world was granted a revelation of the Holy Trinity. All three Persons were made manifest together: the Father testified from on high to the divine Sonship of Jesus; the Son received His Father s testimony; and the Spirit was seen in the form of a dove, descending from the Father and resting upon the Son. 14

The Blessing of Waters for the Chicago River May He Who deigned to be baptized in the Jordan by John for our salvation, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of His all-pure and all-blameless holy Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honorable heavenly bodiless powers; through the supplications of the honorable, glorious, prophet, forerunner, and baptist John; of the holy, glorious, and all-praiseworthy Apostles; of the holy, glorious and victorious martyrs; of our venerable and Godbearing fathers; of our father among the saints, Basil the Great, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints: have mercy and save us, for He is good and loves mankind. Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God have mercy on us and save us. Amen Explanation The theme of manifestation or revelation is also expressed in Scripture with the symbolism of light. In the hymn of the Feast we sing, Christ has appeared and enlightened the world. Thus, January 6 is also known as the Feast of Lights. The Church celebrates on this day the illumination of the world by the light of Christ. Explanations from Goarch.org 15

Ὁ Ἁγιασμός στον Ποταμό Σικάγου The Great Blessing of Water is held on the Feast of the Epiphany, following the Divine Liturgy. The Blessing not only remembers the event of Our Lord's baptism and the revelation of the Holy Trinity but also expresses Orthodoxy's belief that creation is sanctified through Christ. The Blessing affirms that humanity and the created world, of which we are a part, were created to be filled with the sanctifying presence of God. After the solemn blessing, the Holy Water is distributed to the faithful and is used to bless homes during the Epiphany season. When the faithful drink the "Epiphany Water," we are reminded of our own baptism. When the Church blesses an individual, or object, or event with the water, we are affirming that those baptized, their surroundings, and their responsibilities are sanctified through Christ and brought into the Kingdom of the Father through the Spirit. -Rev. Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald The Outdoor Blessing of the Water is an extension of the Great Blessing of the Water. It is a public celebration of Theophany, of Christ s Baptism, and of the salvific role that water plays in our lives. In this service the Church asks that this water may be sanctified by the power and operation of the Holy Spirit, that [they] may be given the grace of redemption and the blessing of the Jordan, wherein Christ was Baptized. 16