Under a mild 17°C summer sky at Princes Pier, Melbourne’s Greek Orthodox community celebrated Theofania (Epiphany) on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The annual blessing of the waters bridges the modern Melbourne diaspora with traditions carried across generations from Greece.
For Steve (Stelios) Kikyris, 28, the leap of faith was divine. The real estate agent from St Nicholas parish in Yarraville emerged from the bay clutching the wooden cross, an honour he believes carries tangible blessings. Having recently launched his own firm, Steleo Commercial, and purchased a home in Altona North, Kikyris said he sought the cross to protect and sanctify these new beginnings.
“In 2023, we started from the sand and it was a much harder race,” Kikyris reflected, having last won three years ago. “I wanted to have this blessing again… it’s about the belief that it brings good fortune.”
He embraced his fiancé, Nicky Tzouvanellis, as he emerged from the water. She was joined by her family from Mytilene and Melbourne, cheering from the pier. Steve’s family hails from Thessaloniki, and his brother has also caught the cross in past years.
Tradition vs regulation
Competition for the cross has grown exponentially, prompting organisers to tighten the field to ensure swimmer safety. While 45 swimmers raced in 2023 and 35 in 2024, organisers imposed a strict cap of 30 divers this year.
“We do apologise for those who missed out,” said emcee Theologia Preece Pouris.
The Greek Herald was told the cap was introduced for safety reasons, but the limit proved devastating for Scarlett Athanasia Bauwens, who had returned from Greece specifically to dive. Arriving at 12.20pm, 40 minutes before the start, she was turned away.
“It’s a pity,” she said. “Last year I was number 32, and I hadn’t read anywhere about a change in limits to just 30 divers. This week I had prayed and really felt the need to dive for the grace of God.”
A recent convert to Greek Orthodoxy, Scarlett has embraced its traditions deeply. While women were barred from the dive two years ago, a rule since relaxed, the numerical cap made her exclusion especially bitter.
Alexander Lefteriotis, a veteran of the old Station Pier dives, noted that female participation is a relatively recent development.
“I never saw a woman dive at Port Melbourne until Scarlett last year,” he said.
“For me, the dive has always been a blessing. It took place at Station Pier in the olden days. I’ve participated four times but never caught the cross. I still have all four medals they give to those who dive.”
His wife, Mary Lefteriotis, a teacher, recalls broader participation in earlier years. “There were fewer people, but a greater mix of ages, young and old.”
Steve Psaradellis, one of the regulars, describes the dive as “a mix of skill and luck.”
“It’s harder when you jump from the boat or run in from the beach. This year’s jump from the pier was easier,” he said, admitting he slipped through despite not being registered.
Had he caught the cross, the result may have reignited controversy. In 2020, Mikes Legkos, one of three men excluded by that year’s 25-swimmer cap, was branded an “interloper” after diving regardless. Bishop Ezekiel intervened, and a registered swimmer was ultimately declared the winner.
Skill, luck and jellyfish
While some dive for divine favour, others bring elite athleticism. National swimmer Antonis Giotopoulos made his debut this year alongside friend Evan Christou, while 19-year-old Ignatius Scarlett is a swimming instructor.
“It wasn’t nerve-wracking,” Ignatius said, “because we know it’s not a super-serious competition. It wasn’t a tough decision.”
Veterans warn of the bay’s hazards. Peter (Panagiotis) Eleftherakis, who caught the cross eight years ago, watched from the pier with his friend Sheena from India.
“What I don’t like is the jellyfish, every metre there are jellyfish,” he said. “There was even a shark sighting a few years ago, four or five kilometres away, but we dived anyway. I do it for God. Faith is important in life.”
Converts and seekers
The crowd reflected Orthodoxy’s global reach. Silouane, a mother of two from Malaysia who converted in 2014, attended with her daughters, students at Aetolian and St John’s Colleges.
“I converted because something made me want to learn more about Christ,” she said. “For me, it was the true religion.”
That sense of faith was echoed from the altar.
Presided over by Their Graces Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta and Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne, the service included a message from His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia urging the faithful to “carry light into the world” rather than blend into its darkness.
Dignitaries in attendance included Nina Taylor MP, Lee Tarlamis MP, Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin, Manningham Mayor Jim Grivas, Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis, Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria President Theo Theofanous, Hellenic Medical Society of Australia President Dr Marinis Pirpiris, and Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Tony Tsourdalakis and Marios Kalagiannis. Dignitaries released doves into the sky, symbols of the Holy Spirit.
Greek Consul General in Melbourne Dimitra Georgantzoglou reminded the crowd that the feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and highlighted Princes Pier’s history as a gateway for thousands of Greek migrants seeking a better life.
Today, that search continues, not through migration, but through the preservation of a faith that remains as constant as the Melbourne tide.
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