Sandals were ruined, dresses drenched, and wayward umbrellas twisted in the wind as the heavens opened for Epiphany Day celebrations at Port Melbourne, Victoria on Sunday, January 12.
People ducked for cover under marquees as a deluge poured down, soaking those brave enough to hop over puddles for loukoumades or the sizzling gyros from the charcoal-fuelled rotisseries.
The sea swelled and the Nea Artaky fishing boat used by Their Graces Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopoulis and Bishop Evmenios of Chora to toss the cross each year was nowhere to be found.
Following a long delay, the religious entourage finally took advantage of a brief respite from the rain to head out for the cross throwing. Doves were released by VIP guests, and Bishop Evmenios tossed the cross into the sea from a stage set up by the sea. He threw it once for good measure, and then a second time to ensure it landed further out as 35 divers rushed towards it.
Panayiotis (Peter) Tasias from Clayton, aged 38, a regular at the event, caught the cross for the second time in his life. He first claimed victory when aged 16.
“Just to jump in is a blessing, and I dive every year,” he told The Greek Herald last year. This year, he was the lucky one, clutching the cross while trying to catch his breath.
Scarlett Athanasia Bauwens demonstrated that the Blessing of the Waters ceremony is evolving with the times. Women were not allowed to dive at Port Melbourne two years ago. Last year, organisers had their own epiphany and aligned Port Melbourne with the rest of the world by permitting female participation. Although permitted, none participated.
“I did this first for God, and then for women,” Scarlett told The Greek Herald, thrilled to be participating as diver number 32 out of 35 (up from last year’s 27 despite the thunderstorm).
Surrounded by men, Scarlett only realised the dive had begun when five jumped in.
Mauritius-born and Bali-educated Scarlett embraced Orthodoxy as a convert in Sparta two years ago, when she was baptised Athanasia. She currently lives in Greece, where she works for a global consulting company and says she will dive again next year, in the chilly Greek waters next time. She attended celebrations with a friend.
“I told my husband and mother-in-law to stay at home due to the heavy rainfall,” she said.
A strong swimmer, she said the rain was no deterrent.
“Bring it on! The bigger the storm, the happier I am. God is with us today,” she added.
Her presence was welcomed by all present, and Scarlett said she faced no difficulty signing up, permitted to dive but instructed to “dress modestly.”
It is uncertain whether the young men with their bulging biceps, and some with interesting tattoos, were also told to cover up in modesty.
Steven Stamatakos, 20, who had dived a couple of years ago, said he had not swum in a while and wanted to participate for the blessing rather than any hopes of winning.
For Panagiotis Vasilopoulos, who was there with his sausage dog, Pluto, victory was very much the goal. Earlier in the week, he caught the Holy Cross at Rosebud’s Epiphany.
“I’m a very strong swimmer,” he said.
Under the marquee, 16-year-old Aristidis was watching carefully, determined to take part in the dive in his VCE year next year.
The Epiphany is a significant Christian feast celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. This event marks the revelation of the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Blessing of the Waters ceremony, where a cross is thrown into the water and retrieved by divers, symbolises the purification of the waters and the renewal of life.
Those not swimming also seek God’s blessing. Ms. Kalliopi from Northcote sat under a balcony after it began to pour.
“Will it stop?” she asked. “I had injured my leg and I came, despite the pain, in the hope that God’s grace would help me improve.”
She did not care that there were no dancing groups, petting farms, and fanfare as in other years. It’s the service she cares for.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.
