On Saturday, January 14, St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church held their outdoor Blessing of the Water Service for the Cedar River in Downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The service took place on the 1st Avenue Bridge in Downtown Cedar Rapids, on a overlook platform above the middle of the river. St John Greek Orthodox Church of Cedar Rapids, St George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Cedar Rapids, St. Raphael Antiochian Orthodox Church of Iowa City, and St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church of Cedar Rapids participated in what is now the 12th year of this annual event.
Father Peter Andronache of St John was joined at this service by Father Fred Shaheen of St George, Father Ignatius Valentine of St Raphael, and Father Elias Khoury of St Nicholas.