Above: Benjamin Peterson, the Russian Orthodox bishop of San Francisco, officiates at a water blessing ceremony in Nondalton, north of Lake Iliamna, on Tuesday. "The Great Blessing of Water" is an important part of the liturgy for the Russian Orthodox feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the baptism of Jesus. Holy water is customarily blessed in the church. But in some places the faithful also make a trip to a nearby source of drinking water and bless it as well. In cold climates, that can require cutting an opening in the ice in the shape of a cross. Bishop Benjamin assumed responsibility for the church in Alaska in 2008, after the head of the Alaska diocese took a leave of absence during an internal investigation into his leadership.
In addition to Nondalton, the bishop's trip to Alaska has included visits to the villages of Newhalen, Iguigig and Aleknagik. At right, villagers from Nondalton head to the ceremony. View a gallery of photos of the event at adn.com/photos.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.