Blessing of the Waters ceremonies held across Greece

·

Greece celebrated the Epiphany over the weekend with Blessing of the Waters ceremonies across the country.

According to Ekathimerini, the good weather drew large crowds to the outdoor ceremonies. People witnessed as swimmers dived into seas, rivers or lakes to retrieve the Holy Cross thrown by Greek Orthodox priests.

In the Greek port of Piraeus, a cross is traditionally thrown three times, to accommodate the throngs of swimmers. Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece was unable to attend this year’s event due to testing positive for COVID-19.

Elsewhere, in Chania on the Greek island of Crete, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended the Blessing of the Waters ceremony.

In a speech, Mitsotakis said that “at the dawn of 2024 we have the right to look to the future with more optimism, with more confidence.”

Acknowledging the geopolitical difficulties and inflation, the Prime Minister added that “we will continue to fight for a better everyday life for all Greek women and for all Greek men.”

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Magna Graecia – Part 6: The eternal return

Across this series, we have journeyed through the Greek settlements of southern Italy, tracing how Hellenic civilisation spread.

Kiato: Greece’s seaside town loved by locals and the diaspora

Kiato is a seaside town, about 25 kilometres from Korinthos on the northern coast of the Peloponnese. On the national highway.

Changing your name and surname abroad and in Greece

It is generally known that in Greece to live and work many foreigners have acquired Greek citizenship by naturalisation or by determination.

Action over inertia: Building the future of the Greek diaspora in Australia

It is necessary that we now be led to the need of finding mechanisms that will halt the demographic withering, the social inertia and the cultural thinning.

Costeen Hatzi opens up on life after Nick Kyrgios split

Costeen Hatzi has spent her summer in Europe, enjoying her first overseas girls’ trip, a milestone that carried extra meaning for her.

You May Also Like

Mediterranean garden design: Protecting Western Australia’s water resources

In an exclusive interview, Margot Tobin from the Mediterranean Garden Society in Western Australia speaks about waterwise gardening.

Greek PM and Ecumenical Patriarch applaud progress on reopening Halki Theological School

The Halki Theological School was a focal point during the Greek Prime Minister's meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Sunday.

‘You are part of a family’: St Nectarios Burwood celebrates 50 years with luncheon

The St Nectarios Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Burwood and District celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Luncheon.