Blessing offered at Monongahela farmers market

By Eric Seiverling

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

For many people, Friday’s farmers market in Monongahela’s Chess Park was just a normal afternoon gathering of vendors, crafters and farmers.

But for many Christians, Friday’s market held additional significance.

Celebrated as the transfiguration of Jesus, Friday marked the Feast of Transfiguration.

To help celebrate the event, Rev. John Parker of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Donora blessed the fruits and vegetables as a sign of harvesting and sowing seeds.

“Spiritually, I like to think of it as fruit takes time to grow,” Parker said. “It’s the same as Christian life. My mentor told me to continue to sow seeds and be patient.”

In the Syriac Orthodox, Malankara Orthodox, Revised Julian calendars within Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholic, Old Catholic and Anglican churches, the Feast of the Transfiguration is observed Aug. 6.

Transfiguration is described as having a bright radiance, considered a characteristic of those closest to God.

Friday’s blessing was the first time an event took place at the farmers market, which is held on Friday afternoons by the Monongahela Area Revitalization Corporation.

Parker, originally from Colorado, said the idea came to him while he visited farmers markets in the area in search of fresh produce.

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