UOC hierarch blesses water on the Black Sea shore in Odesa

The rite of the Great Blessing of Waters on the Black Sea shore in Odesa. Photo: facebook.com/iliyamonastery

On 19 January 2024, on the Feast of the Theophany, Archbishop Victor of Artsyz performed the rite of the Great Blessing of Waters on the Black Sea shore in Odesa as reported on the Facebook page of the St. Elijah’s monastery of Odesa.

After the consecration of water, Odesa residents took part in the traditional baptismal bathing in the Black Sea. In total, several dozen believers of the UOC took a dip in the font.

In addition, after bathing believers could warm themselves in specially arranged tents set up by the Odesa Eparchy.

"After the bathing, all those who wished could warm up with hot drinks, aromatic tea and mulled wine, which were freely poured from a large wood-fired samovar. On the occasion of the Feast of Theophany, blessed water and gifts were also distributed," the monastery said.

As reported, a festive Liturgy was held at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on the Feast of Theophany.

Read also

National Memory Institute and SBU open exhibition on UGCC liquidation

An exhibition on the repression of the Uniates has opened in the capital, while state officials search for historical parallels with the present day.

OCU "priest" “allows” parishioners to use priest’s cassock for sex games

Ruslan Usmedinsky said that using a priest’s cassock as a prop for role-playing games can strengthen relationships between couples.

Priest charged with desertion freed after faithful raise bail

Archpriest Vitaliy Agafonov, a cleric of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has been released after bail was posted with funds raised by the faithful.

UOC clergy and laity from several eparchies donate blood for wounded soldiers

Clergy and Orthodox youth of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church donated blood for wounded military personnel.

UOC faithful in Kozelshchansk hold procession with icon of the Mother of God

Pilgrims and clergy of the Poltava Eparchy prayed at the Kozelshchansk Monastery and took part in a procession around the church with the wonderworking icon.

Hearing in Metropolitan Theodosiy’s сase postponed after “victim” no-show

A scheduled hearing at the Kyiv-Sviatoshyn Court in the case against the ruling bishop of the Cherkasy Eparchy was postponed after OCU chaplain Nazariy Zasansky failed to appear.