The traditions of Epiphany were carried out at St. Simeon Skete today as usual. All of the doors were blessed.
After Mass, carrying the Cross for 2013,
we hiked down to bless St. Arsenius Hermitage
for the "Blessing of the Doors". Anna House, The Sanctuary of the Holy Name, the Kellia and other buildings on the main property was blessed before Mass.
From the hermitage we hiked our way down
to the Cave of the Seven Sleepers.
There we said the Redemptive Rosary.
From there we hiked a bit further down to the river to toss the Blessed Cross that Seraphim made on the 12th day of Christmas into it.
For details of the NHA Traditions at Epiphany refer to this previous blog post: Click Here: Why do we bless doors at Epiphany?
It was a cold, muddy, hike. The wind was whipping around
and with no leaves on the trees to shield us - it seemed even colder. Bundled up we made our way to the waters edge.
Once we reached the River Seraphim led the rosary - the Mystery of the Baptism of the Luminous Mysteries.
Next we renewed our Baptism vows
and I was asked to toss the Blessed 2013 Cross into the river, thus making all waters Baptismal.
Once the Cross landed in the water
we stood there,
praying
as we watched the Cross
flow with the current
and float
down stream
within a few minutes it will be passing through Taylorsville Lake and on to other tributaries.
After Mass, carrying the Cross for 2013,
we hiked down to bless St. Arsenius Hermitage
for the "Blessing of the Doors". Anna House, The Sanctuary of the Holy Name, the Kellia and other buildings on the main property was blessed before Mass.
From the hermitage we hiked our way down
to the Cave of the Seven Sleepers.
There we said the Redemptive Rosary.
From there we hiked a bit further down to the river to toss the Blessed Cross that Seraphim made on the 12th day of Christmas into it.
For details of the NHA Traditions at Epiphany refer to this previous blog post: Click Here: Why do we bless doors at Epiphany?
It was a cold, muddy, hike. The wind was whipping around
and with no leaves on the trees to shield us - it seemed even colder. Bundled up we made our way to the waters edge.
Once we reached the River Seraphim led the rosary - the Mystery of the Baptism of the Luminous Mysteries.
Next we renewed our Baptism vows
and I was asked to toss the Blessed 2013 Cross into the river, thus making all waters Baptismal.
Once the Cross landed in the water
we stood there,
praying
as we watched the Cross
flow with the current
and float
down stream
within a few minutes it will be passing through Taylorsville Lake and on to other tributaries.
