GOCSA to celebrate Epiphany with annual Henley Beach Greek Festival

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) is organising its annual Blessing of the Waters event on Sunday, 12 January 2025, to celebrate Epiphany Day.

The event, which has become a cherished tradition, will take place at the Henley Beach foreshore in Adelaide and is expected to attract hundreds of visitors. 

In the Orthodox Church, the Feast of Epiphany marks the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. It is the third and last holiday of the twelve days of Christmas and officially brings the holiday season to a close, sending a message of spiritual rejuvenation and inner cleansing. 

On the day, the clergy accompanied by parishioners and other guests, will begin the procession from the start of the jetty at 12pm. Together, they will walk to the end of the jetty, where the symbolic Blessing of the Waters will take place, and the faithful will dive into the waters to retrieve the cross. 

Following the ceremony, visitors will be treated to a traditional Greek Festival featuring traditional dance performances from GOCSA Dance Academy, the Pontian Brotherhood of SA, as well as a special showcase of Ukrainian culture by the dancers of Adelaide’s SLAVA Ukrainian Cultural Centre.

The event will continue with live music by local band ‘Kerasma Live’ and delicious food and desserts, such as loukoumades (Greek honey puffs). 

In his message to GOCSA, the Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, stated: “Today, we celebrate the strength and unity of the spiritual ties that bind the Greek diaspora here and around the world. Your festival, staged on the foreshore, exemplifies the renowned hospitality of the Greek community, a testament to your warm tradition of ‘filoxenia’.”

“I commend the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia for your dedication to preserving this time-honoured tradition, which not only enriches the Greek community but also contributes significantly to the vibrant multicultural tapestry of our great state,” Premier Malinauskas added.

GOCSA Cultural Committee Chair, Hellas Lucas, said: “Henley Beach Greek Festival incorporating the Blessing of the Waters, or as we know it ‘Theofania’, is an annual event that all South Australians can look forward to.”

“It’s not only a wonderful opportunity for our Greek community to showcase its culture and traditions, but it’s also a chance for all South Australians to celebrate the state’s cultural diversity and promote cultural understanding,” Ms Lucas added.

*All photos by Zara Dimitria Photography.