Hundreds flocked to the Henley Beach Foreshore on Sunday, January 12, to participate in the 2025 Henley Beach Greek Festival and Blessing of the Waters organised annually by the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA), as part of the Epiphany Day celebrations.
The vibrant volunteer-driven event started late in the morning with clergy, parishioners and guests walking to the end of the jetty where the Blessing of the Waters was held and more than 30 brave swimmers dived into St Vincent’s Gulf waters to retrieve the cross.
This year’s winner was first time diver, 15-year-old Kristijan Radovanovic of Woodcroft whose family hails from Serbia.
“[I feel] really good. I was thinking about going in. My dad, said ‘just go in’,” Kristijan explained after he retrieved the cross.
Winners of the holy cross are said to have a year of blessings. Kristijan received a gold cross from GOCSA, a special award and a robe donated for the occasion by the Greek Women’s Society of South Australia ‘O Taxiarchis’.
After the ceremonial part, the event continued with speeches from the current President of GOCSA, Peter Gardiakos; the Hon. Zoe Bettison MP, SA Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs representing state Premier Peter Malinauskas MP; Matt Cowdrey OAM MP, State Member for Colton representing the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Vincent Tarzia MP; and the Mayor of the City of Charles Sturt, Angela Evans.
Mr Gardiakos expressed his gratitude to the community’s volunteers and sponsors who made the event possible.
“Epiphany brings a message of spiritual rebirth. It reminds us Greeks worldwide to continue defending the values and ideals that shaped our history and culture – Humanism, Solidarity, Democracy, and Justice,” he said.
Minister Bettison said, “Let us give thanks, as we come together to celebrate what’s best in music, and food and entertainment.”
“I’m delighted to see that Ukrainian SLAVA group will be here. We know there is conflict around the world. More so than has been for some time. And our heart is with Ukrainians as they continue to fight the invasion. By inviting them here today shows your support for our wider community. We are not at peace at this time,” Minister Bettison added.
Attending were also Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care the Hon Mark Butler MP; members of the South Australian Legislative Council, Mira El Dannawi and Frank Pangallo; The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of the City of Adelaide Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM; Trian Gonis representing Federal member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas; Chloe Kourakis representing the South Australian Multicultural Commission; local Councillors and Presidents of other Greek and multicultural associations.
Formalities were followed by dance performances from the Pontian Brotherhood of SA, Slava Ukrainian Cultural Centre and the GOCSA Dance Academy.
Participants had the chance to enjoy live entertainment by the local band ‘Kerasma Live’ and indulge in traditional Greek delicacies until late in the evening.
