Garden Center Visit For January
![Scene from
Garden Center Visit For January.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/gardencenter-1.jpg)
Fr. Andrew told the story of St. Dorothy. Because of her strong faith in Jesus Christ, she was able to
convert those persecuted to Christianity before she was martyred.
![Scene from
Garden Center Visit For January.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/gardencenter-2.jpg)
Fr. Andrew blessing the St. Basil Sweet Bread. Wishing to distribute money to the poor, St. Basil put
gold coins in the bread.
![Scene from
Garden Center Visit For January.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/gardencenter-3.jpg)
Fr. Andrew cutting the bread as Laurie helps distribute it to all residents.
![Scene from
Garden Center Visit For January.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/gardencenter-4.jpg)
Kathleen found the coin in her bread, and according to traditional, she is considered the blessed one
for the year.
The Great Blessing Of Water
![Scene from The
Great Blessing Of Water.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/water-1.jpg)
This Sunday during Divine Liturgy we celebrated Theophany – the Baptism of Jesus. Following the service
Fr. Paul performed the Great Blessing of Water.
![Scene from The
Great Blessing Of Water.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/water-2.jpg)
Fr. Paul plunges The Cross into the water three times while the choir
sings the Troparion “When You O Lord were Baptized in the Jordan …” The church bells
are rung at this moment.
![Scene from The
Great Blessing Of Water.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/water-3.jpg)
Fr. Paul blesses all the members of the congregation with Holy Water.
![Scene from The
Great Blessing Of Water.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/water-4.jpg)
The altar servers process with Fr. Paul to the church school.
![Scene from The
Great Blessing Of Water.](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/water-5.jpg)
Fr. Paul blesses the classrooms.
Liturgy Of St. Basil and St. Basil’s Bread (Vasilopita)
![Scene from Liturgy Of St. Basil and St. Basil's Bread (Vasilopita).](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/bread-1.jpg)
On New Year’s Day, St. Luke Parish celebrated the Liturgy Of St. Basil and blessing of St. Basil’s Bread (Vasilopita). Father Paul prays over and blesses the Vasilopita.
![Scene from Liturgy Of St. Basil and St. Basil's Bread (Vasilopita).](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/bread-2.jpg)
Our thanks go out to Aristea for baking this delicious bread each year.
![Scene from Liturgy Of St. Basil and St. Basil's Bread (Vasilopita).](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/bread-3.jpg)
Father Paul cuts the bread and it given to all present.
![Scene from Liturgy Of St. Basil and St. Basil's Bread (Vasilopita).](/images/jpg/events/2019/january/bread-4.jpg)
Hidden in the bread is a coin. Tradition holds that whoever receives the coin receives the blessing of St. Basil for the coming year. This year Doreen received the coin.