Blessing of the Water Ceremony held in Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The orthodox church has many services, and at Basil Griffin Park, many people gathered Tuesday, Jan. 6 for the Blessing of the Water.

This ceremony includes chanting hymns of blessings, prayer and releasing a cross into the water, thereby sanctifying the water for spiritual cleansing.

Jeanette Burt, the Holy Apostles Orthodox Church choir director, says, “Orthodoxy is interesting because the world and creation is not something negative and bad to be shared at the end of our lives, you know, and to become free from. Instead, everything has been sanctified.”

This is not just something that is practiced here in the United States, the ceremony is held around the globe.

Jeanette also tells us, “In Russia, they’ll dig down into like eight feet of ice and throw the cross in, and people dive right in and get it out. It’s just a tradition. So it’s easier in Kentucky.”

While this is an opportunity to see the world in a more positive way, it also gives people the chance to celebrate healing and connection.

She shares, “It’s the most beautiful and healing experience that goes back to the very beginning. And, we have such history and such richness of theology and with it comes across as beauty.”

The ceremony is not over, however. There will also be an indoor service at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6 at the the Holy Apostles Orthodox Church.