The annual Blessing of the Waters ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 12:30pm, at the Glenelg Jetty for the 46ᵗʰ successive year, creating the scene of a centuries-old tradition.
The swimmers who are taking part in these ancient religious celebrations, also known as the Feast of Epiphany, will each attempt to be the first to retrieve the crucifix tossed into the sea from the jetty. The successful swimmer will earn a gold crucifix and is said to receive a special blessing for the following year.
His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide, together with Adelaide’s Orthodox Christian Clergy, will lead the procession onto the Glenelg Jetty and will throw the cross to the swimmers in the water.
The ceremony celebrates the Feast of Epiphany, remembering Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan and the appearance of the Holy Trinity and beginning of His ministry.
The Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia, will honour this significant event with his presence, as will other Local, State and Federal dignitaries.
The Blessing of the Waters Ceremony will be followed, as always, by the traditional Glenelg Greek Festival, which will be taking place over three days, namely today, Saturday, and Sunday, 9-11 January 2026, at the grassed foreshore area in front of the Stamford Grand Hotel.
The annual festival will feature music and dance performances, and more than 200 volunteers from the Parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in South Australia will serve traditional Greek food.
