MENTOR, OH [DOM] – On the Sunday after the Lord’s Theophany, January 11, more than forty of the clergy and faithful of St Nicholas Church in Mentor, OH gathered at Fairport Harbor Lakefront Park to serve the Great Blessing of Waters on Lake Erie.
The Great Blessing was served by Priest Mark Therrien, with Priest Peter Simko also serving together with him. Although the day had begun sunny and with a slight breeze, by the time of the service the winds had picked up to moderate gale force of about 35 miles per hour and the waves of the Lake had become very rough. In this way, the faithful were reminded of the fear that that the waters of the Jordan once experienced in receiving their Lord.
In his short homily at the end of the service, Fr. Mark exhorted the faithful: “Be conscious of the gravity of what we just did. Think of all the places this water will go. Millions of people will experience the blessing and the mercy of God. It’s an awesome and tremendous thing.” After the service, the faithful warmed themselves by a campfire.
