Father Theophan Mackey blesses vehicles last Sunday on Saint Elijah’s Day at Saint Job Orthodox Parish in Los Alamos. Courtesy photo

Father Theophan Mackey blesses vehicles last Sunday. Courtesy photo

Staff Report

The Rev. Theophan Mackey and his congregation braved the rain Sunday, Aug. 2 to bless the vehicles of the gathered faithful at Saint Job Orthodox Parish at 2270 39th St. in Los Alamos.

Father Theophan explains that Orthodox Christians bless almost everything.

“We bless vehicles on this day, because it is Saint Elijah’s Day, the great prophet of the Old Testament, and he was taken into heaven by a fiery chariot drawn by four winged horses,” he said. “The tradition of blessing vehicles is an ancient one, the modern iteration often has priests blessing police cruisers and fire trucks as well as those of the members of the church.”