London’s River Thames has received a blessing by the Bishop of Southwark on January 11, 2026.
The Blessing of the River Thames takes place in the centre of London Bridge, on the first Sunday after January 6, each year. The short service sees the clergy and congregations from two churches, sitting on either sides of the river bank, coming together – Southwark Cathedral and St Magnus the Martyr.
Clergy members from St Magnus the Martyr Church were joined by Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, in walking across London Bridge to bless the river.
The congregations of St Magnus and Southwark Cathedral each crossed the river from their respective sides, meeting in the middle for prayer, whilst their church bells pealed out.
During the service, prayers were offered for those who use the bridge, for those who travel on the river daily – including the RNLI and River Police – and those who have died in the Thames.
A wooden cross was then tossed into the waters, a nod to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.
Prayers were offered for , as well as for the lives of those lost in the river.
A summer blessing will also take place further upstream in Teddington this summer.
(Picture Courtesy: Diocese of London)
