Epiphany Holy Water

Bessarabia’s Metropolitan Petru says Baptism is the seal of the Holy Spirit at Theophany service in Chisinau

Metropolitan Petru of Bessarabia celebrated on Monday the Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of Waters at the Metropolitan Chapel of St John the Theologian in Chisinau, as believers in the Republic of Moldova mostly follow the unrevised Julian calendar. The service was held together with an assembly of clergy from the diocesan centre, on…

Jan 21, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel explains the link between Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan and Christian baptism

On the Feast of the Theophany of the Lord, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel delivered a comprehensive and deeply theological sermon on the mystery of Christ’s Baptism in the River Jordan and its direct and living connection to the baptism of every Christian. Rooted in Holy Scripture and the patristic tradition of the Orthodox Church, the…

Jan 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel officiates Great Blessing of Waters, reflects on Baptism and renewal of creation

On Monday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the Great Blessing of Waters service alongside Bishop Qais of Erzurum from the Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East and Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești. From the entrance to the Patriarchal Residence, His Beatitude addressed the faithful, speaking about the Lord’s Baptism and the sanctifying power…

Jan 6, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel performs Great Blessing of Water: Theophany is the feast by which God’s love is revealed to humans

The Baptism of the Lord or Theophany “is the feast by which God’s love is revealed to humans: the Father’s love, who sees His eternal Son as a Man in the waters of the Jordan river,” His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel said last Saturday before performing the Great Blessing of Waters. At the Baptism of the…

Jan 9, 2024Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: The Orthodox does not lock God in the church, but observes His sanctifying work in all creation

His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel explained on Wednesday what is the “blessing of the Jordan” asked for during the great blessing of waters on Theophany Eve: it is the sanctifying work of God in His creation. Through His Baptism in the Jordan River, the Saviour sanctifies the whole world. “In conclusion, the Orthodox does not lock…

Jan 7, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel: Epiphany Holy Water frees us from passions, evil spirits, and difficult situations

“Epiphany Holy Water is a cleanser of spiritual and bodily sins, a sanctifier of the soul and body, but also of the space in which the Christian lives. It is a deliverer from evil passions, evil spirits and difficult situations,” Patriarch Daniel said on Epiphany Day. Therefore, Christians take this holy water on an empty…

Jan 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu