Blessing of motorcycles returns to Twin Lakes
Father John Kreta blessed 52 motorcycles at All Saints of America Orthodox Church in Salisbury on Sunday, June 5. 
Photo by Matthew Kreta

Blessing of motorcycles returns to Twin Lakes

SALISBURY — On Sunday, June 5, parishioners of All Saints of America Orthodox Christian Church in the Twin Lakes area of Salisbury welcomed motorcyclists for an annual blessing of the motorcycles.

The tradition had been put on hold since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was a record attendance of 52 motorcycles and over 70 attendees. After the blessing, riders and parishioners enjoyed a cookout on the church’s lawn.

The Rev. John Kreta, priest of All Saints, led prayer with the riders before slowly making his way along the street blessing each individual bike, including a handful of bikes passing by. The prayer asks that the motorcycles “which are as swift as the wind” carry their riders safely on the road, and remain functional as long as possible. While the prayer is brief, the act of actually blessing 52 bikes with holy water took some time.

Before the pandemic, there were approximately 20 to 30 bikes per year. The sudden spike in attendance was somewhat unexpected but welcomed by parishioners of All Saints. They ended up cooking every bit of food they had prepared for the day.

As riders and parishioners mingled, both groups expressed their excitement at the turnout, as well as the excitement of meeting again for the first time in a few years. “It is always a real joy to pray with and for the safety of our friends who ride motorcycles,” Kreta said. “It’s exciting for us to be able to pray with them and to share some hospitality and a meal.”

The tradition began in 2015 thanks to the efforts of Kreta and Ralph Baker, one of the motorcyclists.

 

Matthew Kreta is the son of the Rev. John Kreta.

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