Annual blessing altered because of bacteria in Lake Glacier

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

The Blessing of the Waters service conducted Wednesday on the shore of Lake Glacier at Mill Creek MetroParks by Eastern Orthodox Clergy

Association of Mahoning Valley had even more significance this year, because of the water issue in 2015.

Park administration closed lakes Newport, Cohasset and Glacier for recreational activities after water samples from Lake Newport, taken by Mahoning County Board of Health, revealed high E. coli bacteria measurements.

The lakes are expected to reopen this year.

Traditionally, a cross on a fishing line is tossed into the lake near the service’s conclusion to bless the water that flows into the Mahoning River then into the Valley and residents’ lives.

The Rev. Thomas Constantine, pastor of St. John the Forerunner Greek Orthodox Church in Boardman and organizer of the event, said he was told whatever was tossed into the lake had to remain because of the bacteria issue.

So in place of a wooden cross, the Rev. Joe DiStefano, pastor of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, baked bread in the shape of a cross.

“It’s biodegradeable,” he said of the cross that he tossed into the lake, where it slid on a sheen of ice.

About 25 lay people attended the ninth annual blessing; the sky was sunny, the temperature in the high 30s and the setting one of nature’s beauty.

Other clergy participants were the Rev. Andrew Nelko, pastor, and Deacon David Gemmel, both of St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Campbell; the Rev. Daniel Rohan, pastor of St. Mark Orthodox Church in Liberty; and the Rev. Remus Bleahu, pastor of St. Mary Romanian Church in Erie, Pa.

The service marks the Feast of Holy Theophany, the baptism of Jesus. Jan. 6 in the Western church recalls the Magi (Three Wise Men) visiting baby Jesus and is the 12th day of Christmas.

Father Constantine said he and other pastors have Blessing of the Waters services at their individual churches but wanted to share it as a community service. The blessed water is used in the blessing of homes, another custom. “We pray for health and healing,” he said.

Father Constantine said the Orthodox clergy felt the Blessing of the Waters had significance for the city and its residents.

“It’s about blessing the Youngstown area and its people and praying for the city,” he said.

An icon of the baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist was held by Despina Thabit, a friend of the Constantine family, and a small table provided a place for a bowl of water — not from the lake — for blessing those in attendance and a cross entwined with greenery.

The service featured various references to water; How it is associated with rebirth, cleansing and its role in the “baptism of salvation.”

References included a request for “temperate weather, abundance of goods of the earth and peaceful times ...” and that “this water be sanctified by the manisfestation, power and effective indwelling of the Holy Spirit ...”

The service asked that anyone who would “touch, anoint, partake” of the waters of Lake Glacier would be “blessed, cleansed and have health.”

Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally, who has attended other blessings, said, “With the year the city, parks and lakes had, I felt it was important to participate. An extra blessing is needed.”

Tom and Bess Galantis of Campbell, members of Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Campbell, said they attend every year. “It’s an important blessing to us,” he said, and his wife added that the fellowship of people gathered for the blessing is a good thing.

Lori Demiduk of Austintown said she finds the service to be “inspiring” and attends because she knows some of the clergy. “It’s especially significant this year because of what happened at the park,” she said. “I hope God is listening.”

Father Bleahu shared that a friend had sent him a photo of last year’s blessing at the River Jordan.

He said a white dove landed on the patriarch’s cane and recalled the Gospel of Matthew 3:16 when Jesus “saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.”