Blessing of the Waters

MASSILLON, OH —

“Snowflakes fell from the cold, gray skies blanketing the frozen banks of the Tuscarawas River, chilling the small group of parishioners from St. George Greek Orthodox who gathered Thursday along the river’s edge.

Together, they prayed. They asked the Lord to bless their homes, their families and their country. They asked his blessing upon their leaders, both political and spiritual.

Rev. Yanni Verginis prepared to bless the Tuscarawas waters that flowed through the Lake Avenue Trailhead. He unwound the long, blue nylon rope and wrapped his cold, bare hands around the silver cross at the end of the rope. He dipped the cross into a small bowl of holy water, stepped carefully to the river’s edge and tossed the cross into the middle of the icy waters.

Tugging gently on the rope, he pulled the cross back to shore and lifted it from the cold river…”

Read the full article here written by By ERIN PUSTAY of The Independent