Orthodox Churches that follow the Julian calendar today celebrate the great feast day of the Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, also known as the Epiphany.
The sanctification of the Waters ceremony at Tirilye township, known for centuries as Triglia, in northwest Asia Minor, was held in the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew I, as well as many faithful and pilgrims.
His All Holiness earlier officiated at the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. Basil, followed by the Sanctification service.
A video has been posted today on the pages of the Orthodoxia news agency showing the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the waters in Triglia in 2019, on the southeast shores of the Sea of Marmara – the first time in 97 years that such an Orthodox service was held there.
The great Despotic feast day was also celebrated at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, where the resident Patriarch, His Beatitude Theophilos III, officiated at a con-celebratory Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.
On Wednesday, the annual Sanctification of the Waters service was solemnly held at the River Jordan, the site where the Savior came from Galilee and sought and received baptism by St. John the Forerunner.
In another part of the world, the Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, His Holiness Kirill, on Wednesday officiated at a con-celebratory Divine Liturgy and All-Night Vigil at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on the Eve of Epiphany.
The Russian Orthodox Church also celebrates the Theophany based on the Julian calendar.