Vltava waters blessed in Prague on Theophany
Archbishop Michael led the procession on the Feast of the Lord's Baptism. Photo: UOJ
On January 19, 2026, Archbishop Michael of Prague and the Czech Lands led the celebrations of the Baptism of the Lord on January 19 in Prague, reports the UOJ in the Czech Republic.
The celebration began with the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. After the service, a procession of believers with icons and banners was held to the Vltava embankment. Archbishop Michael performed the rite of the Great Blessing of Water, immersing the cross three times into the river.
After this, several parishioners plunged into the icy waters of the Vltava to retrieve the cross thrown by the archbishop. According to organizers' estimates, between 800 and 1000 people participated in the event at the railway bridge.
As the UOJ reported, Metropolitan Sawa led the Baptism services in Warsaw.
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