CORALVILLE (AP) — Leaders from three Orthodox churches braved the cold to bless the Iowa River as part of an annual event.
About 35 people from St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City, St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Cedar Rapids and St. George Orthodox Church in Cedar Rapids gathered Saturday near the Iowa River Pedestrian Bridge in Coralville.
The leaders say the blessing recognizes the holiday of Theophany, which they believe celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported.
“It’s cold, but just because it’s not convenient doesn’t mean we stop this unbroken tradition,” said the Rev. Peter Andronache of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. “I think the Orthodox church tends to have a lot to say about traditions that are hundreds and thousands of years old.”
The annual blessing included a Bible, a bowl of water and a wooden cross attached to a string. The tips of the wooden cross were dipped in the bowl of water before the cross was thrown from the edge of the railing at the bridge. The cross was then reeled back in.
The crowd watched as the religious leaders wore golden robes and carried out the ceremony.