River Thames blessed in Christian ritual for first time

Worshippers from the Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Reading gathered at the footbridge over the river in Sonning for a ritual on Saturday, January 6, to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany.

During the ritual, a wooden cross was dangled into the River to signify the baptism of Jesus Christ by St John the Baptist.

The ritual on the day differs from how Epiphany is conducted by the Catholic and Anglican churches, where the day marks the arrival of the Three Kings who came to adore the infant Jesus.

The cross representing Jesus Christ for the Orthodox Christian blessing for Epiphany, the first time the Orthodox community in Reading have conducted the ritual. Credit: Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Reading

Explaining the ritual, Reverend Dr Andreas Andreopoulos, the priest at the Orthodox Church in Reading said: “In short, the feast of Epiphany for the Orthodox Church is a celebration and commemoration of the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan – the other event that is celebrated as part of Epiphany for the Catholic and Anglican churches, the visitation of the Magi, is celebrated along with Christmas, on the 25th of December.

“The celebration of Epiphany in the Orthodox Church includes the blessing of the waters.

“According to this, the ceremony takes place in a body of water such as the sea, a river or a lake, and priest blesses the water by throwing a cross on the water.

The cross representing Jesus Christ submerged in the River Thames for the Orthodox Christian blessing for Epiphany, the first time the Orthodox community in Reading have conducted the ritual. Credit: Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Reading

“It is also usual (though this is difficult to practice in the UK for various reasons!) for young people to dive into the water in order to recover the cross, which means a special blessing for them.

“This was the first time we were able to perform this ceremony in Reading, and thankfully, although we faced some flooding on that day, we were able to do it successfully.”

Prior to the event, members of the congregation were told to avoid using Henley Road between Caversham and Playhatch due to flooding.

Worshippers were instead advised to use the A4 to get to Sonning.

Worshippers stand on the bridge over the River Thames at Sonning for the Orthodox Christian blessing for Epiphany, the first time the Orthodox community in Reading have conducted the ritual. Credit: Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Reading

Nick Manousos, 72, a worshipper from Tilehurst said: “We decided to do it in spite of the weather.

“The road was blocked, it was completely impassible unless you had a 4×4.

“We probably would have had a lot more people but for the weather, but it was good for the congregation to witness as it was the first time we have done it.”

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He added that the congregation were unable to conduct the ritual previously as they did not have a permanent priest.

The Reading Orthodox community currently shares St Marks Church in Cranbury Road, West Reading with the Church of England.

Mr Manousos said the community is seeking to acquire a new permanent church and hall in the town.