Monongahela River Blessings
Carmichaels, PA - With the Archpastoral Blessing of His Grace Bishop Dr. MITROPHAN, every year during the celebration of the Feast of Theophany, parishioners and friends of the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania gather on the banks of the banks of the nearby Monongahela River under the Masontown Bridge for the annual river blessing. This year the blessing took place following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 23, 2011. The St. George Choir sang the responses for the service at the river side. An ice cross prepared by Sonia Janson was placed in the river at the end of the service and all in attendance were sprinkled with holy water.
Following the river blessing, the group gathered at Dolfi’s Restaurant where St. George Executive Board President Stan Brozik and his wife Karen hosted their family Slava celebration. The river blessing has grown each year in attendance and commitment. This year as in years past was a very cold day but the parishioners are faithful and resolute in going ahead with the celebration. The annual blessing of the Monongahela River is
recognition of renewal by Christ identified with His Baptism by John in the River Jordan many centuries ago. The blessings of homes and individuals with holy water at this time of the year are further celebrations of the Feast of Theophany and recognition of the renewal in Christ that spreads throughout the world.
Father Rodney Torbic