Hundreds gathered along the Mornington Peninsula shoreline on Tuesday, January 6 for the annual Blessing of the Waters in Rosebud, marking the Greek Orthodox celebration of Epiphany with faith, culture and community spirit.
The ceremony was officiated by Papa Lefteris, who has continued to perform the traditional Blessing of the Waters each year. This has been the case despite his defrocking by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which cited “a series of ecclesiastical and canonical offenses he committed.”
Held on a bright summer’s day, the event blended religious tradition with Australia’s coastal landscape, as clear waters, Greek music and the aromas of food trucks filled the foreshore, evoking memories of childhood and home for many in attendance.
Epiphany, also known as Theofania, is celebrated annually on January 6 by Greek Orthodox Christians worldwide. The feast commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by St John the Baptist and symbolises the revelation of the Holy Trinity. Central to the observance is the sanctification of the waters, representing renewal, blessing and light.
In Victoria, the occasion has taken on a distinct local character through the Rosebud Throwing of the Cross, drawing members of the Greek community from across Melbourne to what many affectionately describe as their “little slice of Greece” on the Mornington Peninsula.
Along the waterfront, spectators watched as the Holy Cross was cast into the sea and young swimmers plunged into the water in a display of devotion. Iordanis Anastasakis retrieved the cross and received a special blessing for the year ahead.
Following the religious ceremony, festivities continued onshore with music by DJ Chris and a spirited performance by the Manasis School of Greek Dance and Culture, which showcased traditional Greek dances and further enlivened the celebratory atmosphere.
