In the days of festal commemoration of Our Lord's Theophany (6 January), parishes throughout the diocese celebrated the traditional "blessing of water" in various ways.  On Sunday, 11 January, members of Holy Apostles Church in Saddle Brook NJ took a chilly five-minute walk to the Saddle River and performed the rite of Great Blessing of Waters. "It's a way to bless and sanctify all of creation," said Father Matthew Brown (parish rector). "The blessing was held this day because it is the first Sunday after Theophany, which is celebrated on January 6th."

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