August 1/14 is commonly called the "First Feast of the Savior," as there are two other feasts of the Lord in August: Holy Transfiguration and Feast of the Image "Not-Made-By-Hands." According to tradition, since this was at about the date of the baptism of ancient Kievan Rus’, this feast has particular importance for the Russian Orthodox Church, and thus the blessing of water is performed.
At the end of Matins, His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse and abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, together with the monastery clergy, brought out a cross containing a piece of the Life-Giving Cross – one of the monastery’s most sacred relics – from the altar for veneration.
At the end of Liturgy the following day, which was celebrated by Bishop Luke with the monastery clergy, there was a procession from the cathedral to the well of the "Life-Giving Spring" for the blessing of Holy Water. After this blessing, His Grace also blessed honey from the monastery apiary, which was given out to the faithful as a blessing.
