Theophany 2024: The Thunders of Many Waters

“I swear it has never been this cold before,” Fr. Paul said many times, as a surprisingly large group gathered in the lee of the Woodbine Beach Bathing Station to bless the waters of Lake of Ontario.

A little bit earlier we had celebrated the liturgy in the church and although cold and blustery when we stepped out of our basement in Regent Park, we hadn't anticipated the gales that greeted us at Woodbine Beach. 

In hindsight, we should have picked a more sheltered spot, but the café’s proximity for a warm-up after the blessing was the deciding factor. 

In his homily that morning in the church, Father Paul told us that early Christians in Egypt would celebrate Theophany on the Nile.  Tens of thousands of believers would line the hundreds of kilometers of the of the river on either side, to celebrate at the same time.  After their conquest of Egypt, the Muslim Caliphate put an end to the practice, as it inspired many to convert to Christianity.

​With nary a palm or crocodile in sight, Lake Ontario reminding no one of the Nile, nonetheless, the icy wind whipped up a sandstorm worthy of Egypt.

When we finally left our shelter for the water’s edge, the skies did not part, the winds did not abate, but with reckless belief, foolish faith, we trekked the long trek (really a few hundred meters but it certainly felt a lot longer) to the waters.

In March of the Penguin fashion, we huddled around Father Paul and Deacon Michael, to create a shifting, barely sheltering wind break. Nonetheless, the clergy almost lost the service book, while the troparion valiantly, barely, rose-up over the roar of surf. 

Rogue waves soaked all feet; Father Paul -- tangled in his vestments and the string attached to the cross -- almost tipped, to take a dip, in the angry drink; children delighted in the adventure of it all as a few bemused dog walkers and ecstatic labs looked on from a sensible distance.

With the waters of Lake Ontario blessed, we hurriedly headed back to the café and promises of hot chocolate. 
“I swear it has never been anywhere near, this cold before..."
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Reader Maurice and Deacon Michael bantered versions of Psalm 93:4:
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“…Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the LORD on high is mighty!”
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Mighty, indeed.  ​