GREAT BLESSING of the WATERS

Nanticoke's Orthodox Community Gathers to Sanctify the Susquehanna River 

Blessing of the Water an Orthodox Tradition

By Sherry Long
Staff Writer

NANTICOKE – God changed water forever when Jesus was baptized, as it became a cleanser, Father Adam Sexton of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church said Thursday. To honor Jesus’ baptism and the Holy Trinity, Sexton led members of his church, St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church of the Hanover section of Nanticoke, in a blessing of water for the Feast of the Holy Epiphany during a midday ceremony on the Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge.

Sexton said the ceremony celebrates the day that Jesus Christ (the Son), the Holy Spirit and God (The Father) were together on Earth at the same time.

“The spirit in the form of a dove, Christ in the river and the voice of the Father saying ‘This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased,’ ” Sexton said.

After Jesus was baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist, Jesus began his public ministry.

“The Lord didn’t need baptism for any reason. To fulfill righteousness, the Gospel tells us he was baptized in the Jordan by John,” Sexton added.

He pulled a large ice cross containing eucalyptus leaves and poinsettia flowers from a cooler before dropping it in the partially thawed river as he recited chants and read from a large ceremonial Bible held by a parishioner.

He believes this service blesses not only the river, but also everyone in the county because the Susquehanna River flows through the county and beyond.

Parishioner Barbara Pascoe of Hanover Township attended the ceremony for the second year in a row.

“Orthodox ritually celebrate the same holy days every year. If you do that from infant through adulthood, it’s just part of you, and it is a wonderful feeling,” she said.

Also, for those of the Orthodox Christian faith, today is Christmas according to the Julian calendar.