Every year on January 6, Greeks in Australia and across the globe celebrate the day Jesus Christ was baptised.
A church service is usually held in the morning, followed by the Blessing of the Waters ceremony, during which a priest throws the Holy Cross into the water, and Orthodox faithful dive to retrieve it. The person who retrieves the Cross first is believed to be blessed with good fortune for the year.
If you are hoping to attend any Epiphany Day events (also known as Theophania) around Australia this year, The Greek Herald has you covered.
New South Wales:
At Carss Bush Park in Sydney, the Epiphany Greek Festival is returning on Sunday, January 12 from 11am to 8pm.
The festival will kick off with the Blessing of the Waters ceremony led by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia. With more than 80 stalls, festival-goers can later indulge in delicious Greek food, enjoy unique handmade crafts, and explore services that celebrate Greek heritage.
Elsewhere, at Wollongong, Orthodox faithful from the local Holy Cross Greek Orthodox church will be gathering at Wollongong Harbour from 12pm for the annual Blessing of the Waters ceremony. The service will be conducted by Archimandrite Sophronios Konidaris.
Victoria
In Victoria, the Blessing of the Waters will take place at the Rye Pier from 1pm on Monday, January 6. The service will be presided over by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne.
There will also be a Blessing of the Waters service at the Promenade in Frankston from around 12pm on Monday, January 6. The service will be presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Ezekiel of Dervis.
The Epiphany will also be celebrated on Sunday, January 12 at Princes Pier in Port Melbourne. The throwing of the Holy Cross will be held as part of the Blessing of the Waters Festival.
Held from 12 to 5pm, there will be plenty of entertainment for families and kids of all ages, as well as Greek food and market stalls.
Australian Capital Territory
In the ACT, a Divine Liturgy will take place on Sunday, January 12 at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church from 7.45 am to 10.30 am. To follow, the Blessing of the Waters will take place at 11.30 am at Casuarina Sands, where the youth will dive for the Holy Cross. Souvlakia, water and soft drinks will be provided to everyone in attendance.
South Australia
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) is hosting a 2025 Henley Beach Greek Festival which incorporates the Blessing of the Waters (at 12 pm) on Sunday, January 12. Taking place from 11 am, the Henley Beach Foreshore will have events running all day for the festival. From traditional Greek food, music, dancing and dance performances, this day will be jam-packed with plenty of entertainment for kids and their families.
At Glenelg, there will also be a Greek Festival from Friday, January 10 to Sunday, January 12. The Blessing of the Waters will commence on Sunday at Glenelg Jetty from 12.30pm. The event is organised by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA).
Western Australia
In Western Australia, on Sunday, January 12, the Archdiocesan District of Perth is hosting a combined Epiphany celebration. Held at Matilda Bay Reserve from 11.30am, there will be plenty of souvlakia and a sausage sizzle, Greek sweets and refreshments available throughout the day, as well as entertainment provided by a live Greek band.
At 12.30pm, His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth will conduct the Blessing of the Waters. Children over the ages of 15 and adults will then be welcome to participate in the diving of the cross. They must be capable of swimming 300 metres.
Queensland
In Queensland, on Sunday, January 12, the Church of Saint Anna on the Gold Coast will be holding the official Blessing of the Waters event. Presided over by His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane, the dive for the Holy Cross will take place at 11.30am at Evandale Lake. Following this, an Epiphany Festival will take place at the St Anna Community Centre in Bundall.
Northern Territory
On Monday, January 6, there will be a Divine Liturgy from 7am at the Church of Saint Savvas of Kalymnos, followed by the Blessing of the Waters. The service will be presided over by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide.
Tasmania
In Tasmania, The Greek Orthodox Church of St George The Martyr in Hobart will enjoy a Blessing of the Waters ceremony on Sunday, January 12 from 12.30pm at Sandown Beach, Sandy Bay.
 around Australia this year, The Greek Herald has you covered.){kind=link}