The Finnish monastery of the Transfiguration of Christ has been located at Papinniemi, between Kopio and Joensuu, since 1940. The monastery has its centuries old roots in the island of Valamo in Lake Ladoga, in the territories ceded to the Soviet Union after the Second World War.
The solemn Blessing of Waters on the feast of Epiphany, commemorating Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan, is one of the most imposing ceremonies of the Byzantine Rite is.
In Finland, where the winters are severe, a hole is cut into the ice so that the water may be blessed.
© 2008 Peter Williams
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