The Feast of the Holy Cross and Theophany Solemnly and Liturgically Celebrated at Hilandar Monastery

On the Feast of the Holy Cross, at the Holy Monastery of Hilandar, in accordance with the Typikon, the Great Blessing of Water was performed following the evening service. This blessing of water is conducted in commemoration of the baptism by Saint John the Baptist, while the Great Blessing of Water on the Feast of Theophany is performed in remembrance of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.

According to the established tradition of Hilandar Monastery, on the Feast of Theophany, following the All-Night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy, a procession took place with a faithful copy of the wonderworking Hilandar icon of the Most Holy Three-Handed Theotokos to a nearby stream close to the monastery walls, where the blessing of Theophany water was performed.