Diocesan Priests Bless The Shenango River
SHARON, PA -- The Orthodox Churches in Mercer County gathered in downtown Sharon on Sunday January 22, 2012 for the Great Blessing of Water for the Shenango River. Over 100 people were in attendance. Eight priests served, four of whom were from our Diocese: Very Rev. Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka, Very Rev. Thomas Blaschak, Very Rev. Stephen Loposky and Rev. Fr. David Mastroberte
When asked by the media the significance of the blessing of water, Father Calinic Berger, a priest at the Romanian Orthodox Church, who participated in the water blessing service, explained "The idea is that through Christ's baptism all creation is blessed. That He came not just to save man, to save fallen man, to save sinners, but to re sanctify the whole creation. To give it a new genesis--a new descent of the Holy Spirit."
This is the first time that the Blessing of Water was celebrated for the Shenango River.