As always, we are very grateful to all those who sent in photos of their Epiphany liturgies and blessings. We have a few photos of the Blessing of the Waters in the Maronite Rite, and I am also including, at Fr Kocik’s suggestion, a video of the Byzantine version of the same blessing, filmed by a river in Slovakia. The next photopost will be for the feast of the Purification/Presentation on February 2nd. Evangelize through beauty!
(This post has been updated with some photographs sent in by Father Zuhlsdorf, from the church of St Mary’s Pine Bluff in Wisconsin - gratias, optime Pater!)
Our Lady of the Assumption & St Gregory - London, England
Genuflection at the words of the Gospel “...and falling down they adored Him.”
Proclamation of the Movable Feasts
Blessing of Chalk
Church of St Francis Xavier - Hyannis, Massachusetts
Our own Fr Kocik sings the Gospel from an Evangeliary given to the church by Bishop James Cassidy of Fall River in 1931.
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Tolentino, Italy
Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon - North Jackson, Ohio
The feast of the Holy (Theophany) was celebrated according to the Maronite Syriac Rite, including the Blessing of the Epiphany Water, which may be taken home by the faithful. Characteristic of the water blessing is the infusion of three lighted charcoal discs, which produce a dramatic and explosive effect signifying the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Lord and the thundering of the Father’s voice from heaven.
The Syriac tradition, like the Byzantine, principally commemorates on this feast the Baptism and manifestation of the Lord.
Blessing of the Waters by Archbishop Ján Babjak, Metropolitan of Prešov in Slovakia (Byzantine Rite)
St Mary’s Catholic Church - Salem, South Dakota
Church of the Holy Innocents - Manhattan, New York City
Blessing of the Waters on the eve of Epiphany
Genuflection at the Gospel
Blessing of Chalk
Parish of the Most Holy Redeemer - Diocese of Cubao, Philippine Islands
