Epiphany marked with vibrant celebrations across Greece and the world

·

The Epiphany was marked with vibrant celebrations across Greece and the world on January 6.

In Greece, Blessing of the Waters ceremonies drew faithful participants into icy waters in pursuit of the Holy Cross.

Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis attended a ceremony at Hadrian’s Aqueduct in Athens, where he highlighted the optimism and hope symbolised by the Epiphany.

“Greece today is a beacon of stability in an unstable world and a country that, despite difficulties, is paving the way for progress in a more general environment of stagnation,” Mitsotakis said.

Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou celebrated the occasion at Lake Doiran in Kilkis, participating in the Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the Waters ceremony.

She delivered a message of peace and renewal, saying, “From Kilkis, I am wishing that the light of love and peace dispels the darkness threatening humanity.”

Ephiphany celebration with President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou (EUROKINISSI)
Epiphany celebration with President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou. Photo: Eurokinissi.

In Thessaloniki, a planned dive for an 11-year-old boy to retrieve the Cross turned dramatic when a 25-year-old man unexpectedly dived and claimed it. The situation was amicably resolved when the diver handed the Cross back to the boy, expressing ignorance of prior arrangements.

Meanwhile, in Ioannina, a 12-year-old girl retrieved the Cross, and in Evia, a 10-year-old boy braved the cold to do the same. Zakynthos maintained its distinct custom of symbolically dipping the Cross rather than casting it into the sea.

In addition to the Prime Minister and President, other political figures also marked the day. PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis attended celebrations at the Phanar in Istanbul, while SYRIZA leader Socrates Famellos was present at the grand ceremony in Piraeus, where Archbishop Ieronymos led the Blessing of the Waters.

epiphany fanar
Epiphany celebrations at the Phanar in Istanbul were presided over by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Globally, the Epiphany was celebrated through unique traditions. In Istanbul, worshippers swam in the Golden Horn, while in Bulgaria, men sang and danced in rivers. Prague hosted its annual Three Kings swim, and in Kyiv, believers braved icy waters amidst the ongoing conflict.

In Australia, the Epiphany was celebrated with Divine Liturgies around the nation and Blessing of the Waters ceremonies in places such as Rye, Rosebud, Darwin and Batemans Bay.

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

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Sydney’s newest Greek gem Olympus inaugurated by Lord Mayor and Minister Cotsis

Sydney restaurant 'Olympus' was inaugurated by Lord Mayor Clover Moore and NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis MP. 

Australian Prime Minister speaks at 12th Clergy-Laity Congress in Sydney

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the 12th Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia in Sydney.

United Nations report exposes Greece as Europe’s biggest food wasters

Greece's throws out 174 kilograms of food per year per capita, which is over twice the global average of food wastage.