Great Blessing of Waters

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

Archbishop Teodosie performs Great Blessing of Waters on Black Sea shores: “Fear not future waves”

On the feast of Theophany, His Eminence Archbishop Teodosie officiated the Great Blessing of Waters on the seafront at the Tomis Harbour, expressing his hope that we will get through this difficult period: “May we have joy all year long, and let us not be afraid of the future waves. With God, we are above…

Jan 11, 2022Aurelian Iftimiu

PHOTO: Feast of Epiphany 2021 at the Patriarchal Cathedral

On the feast of the Lord’s Epiphany, January 6, 2021, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the Great Blessing of Waters at the porch of the Patriarchal Residence. Previously, His Grace Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești celebrated the festive Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral. Photography courtesy of Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene Follow us on Twitter: @BasilicaPhotos…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Photo Gallery: Epiphany Eve at the Patriarchal Cathedral 2021

On the eve of the Epiphany, January 5, 2021, His Grace Assistant Bishop Timotei of Prahova celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest. At the outdoor altar next to the cathedral, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the service of the great blessig of waters. Concelebrants included the patriarchal auxiliary bishop Varlaam of…

Jan 8, 2021Aurelian 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

Patriarch Daniel performs great blessing of waters. 10,000 bottles prepared for believers on Epiphany

10,000 bottles of Holy Water were prepared on Tuesday afternoon to be distributed to the faithful on Epiphany Day at the Patriarchal Cathedral. His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel officiated the Great Blessing of Water at the outdoor altar of the patriarchal cathedral and explained how the Epiphany service and the distribution of holy water will take…

Jan 6, 2021Aurelian Iftimiu

Patriarch Daniel performs Great Blessing of Waters. ‘Today we re-experience the Great Mystery of Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan River’

At the end of the Great Blessing of Waters on Saturday, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel told the faithful that the feast of the Theophany ‘reveals the renewal or the update of Christ’s Baptism, but also the renewal of the Baptism of each and every one of us.’ Speaking about the rite of the Great Blessing…

Jan 8, 2018Aurelian Iftimiu

Eve of the Theophany | Great Blessing of Waters at the Patriarchal Cathedral

The Very Rev. Archimandrite Clement Haralam, Great Ecclesiarch, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral in Bucharest on the Eve of the Baptism of the Lord, 5 January 2017. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on the eve of the feast, the Great Blessing of Waters was performed. After the office, the faithful…

Jan 5, 2017Aurelian Iftimiu