Eleventh Sunday of Winter

“Walking on Water” by Ivan Aivazovsky, 1888.

One evening, Ieshu, tired of the crowds that didn't even give him time to eat, said to his disciples: let's go away to a deserted place and rest for a while. So they got into a boat and set off. Many saw them going, and others knew they were going, so they ran and got there before them. Ieshu got out of the boat and saw the multitude before him. He immediately made his disciples get back into the boat to go before him across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people away. After sending them away, he went up the mountain to pray. When night fell, the boat was in the middle of the water, and he was alone on land. The disciples struggled to row, as the wind was against them. On the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking on the water, and they wanted to go ahead of him. But when they saw him walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost, and cried out in fear. For they all saw him and were troubled. But immediately he spoke to them and said: "Don't worry, it's me, don't be afraid. And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased and their amazement increased. Soon they landed and went ashore. The next day, the people who had seen the disciples leave recognized Ieshu among them, on the other side of the lake, and said to him Master, when did you get here?