Heavy rain in Melbourne, Victoria did not deter a dedicated crowd from attending the Blessing of the Waters ceremony at Frankston Pier on Monday, January 6.
Despite the smaller-than-usual turnout due to the weather, a significant number of faithful gathered, with the rain easing just in time for the event around 1pm.
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.
All photos by Zara Dimitria Photography.
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.
The Feast of Holy Epiphany, a significant day in the Greek Orthodox calendar commemorating the baptism of Christ and the revelation of the Holy Trinity, was celebrated with devotion across Australia this year.
Churches from Sydney to Perth hosted liturgical services and blessings, drawing faithful from near and far.
In Redfern, the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady hosted His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, who presided over the Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the Waters.
The Archbishop was joined by the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Archimandrite Christophoros Krikelis; his Assistant Priest, Archimandrite Stephanos Tinikashvili; and other clergy from Sydney.
Epiphany celebrations in Sydney.
Among the congregation were the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; the Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Criminologist from Greece, Athanasios Kehagioglou; and the Vice President of Saint Basil’s Aged Care Homes, Dr Theo Penklis.
In Kogarah, the Church of the Resurrection of Christ also held a well-attended service, where parishioners came together to honour the holy day. The services were presided over by His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, with help from parish priests Father Athanasios Giatsios and Father Socrates Dokos.
In Brisbane, the Church of the Dormition of Our Lady in Mt Gravatt celebrated with vibrant participation. The faithful gathered for the Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of the Waters, reflecting the unity and devotion of the community.
His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane presided over the services, assisted by parish priest Father Nicholas Brown.
Epiphany celebrations in Brisbane.
Perth also observed the feast with grandeur at the Church of Sts Constantine and Helen. The Blessing of the Waters ceremony was a highlight, attended by a large congregation. His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth presided over the services.
Epiphany celebrations in Perth. Photo: Robi Gerovasilis Photography.
The Holy Archdiocesan Church of Our Lady “Axion Esti” in the Diocese of Chora hosted a traditional liturgical service, marked by heartfelt prayers and hymns, and presided over by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora.
The service emphasised the deep spiritual significance of the day, fostering a sense of collective faith among attendees.
Epiphany celebrations at the Diocese of Chora.
Across all locations, the Blessing of the Waters stood out as a central ritual, symbolising the purification of the faithful and the sanctification of nature. The Feast of Epiphany continues to unite Greek Orthodox communities across Australia, serving as a profound expression of faith and cultural heritage.
Kyrgios will be joining Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, and Thanasi Kokkinakis for the qualifying tie against Sweden in Stockholm on January 31 and February 1.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist returns after years of reluctance to compete, previously citing a lack of public support.
Maria Sakkari delivered a strong performance at the Adelaide International today, earning her most significant victory in nine months to secure a spot in the tournament’s last 16.
Entering the main draw as a ‘lucky loser,’ the top Greek tennis player capitalised on her second chance by defeating World No. 30 Linda Noskova in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.
The win marked Sakkari’s first triumph over a Top 30 player since April 2024.
“I haven’t played a lot of matches. I felt it was the best thing to do before Australian Open. Every match I play I feel a lot better. I feel like a lucky lucky loser,” Sakkari said after the match.
Maria Sakkari after beating Noskova as a Lucky Loser in Adelaide
“We took the decision to play qualifying. We felt it was the right thing to do, coming back from the injury. I haven’t played a lot of matches. I felt it was the best thing to do before Australian Open. Every… pic.twitter.com/IUfwDtdbAK
Currently ranked World No. 32, Sakkari has been working to regain her form after missing much of the latter half of 2024 due to a back injury. Her clinical display against Noskova was highlighted by 18 winners, three break points saved, and a flawless serving game.
In the opening set, Sakkari established an early lead of 3-0, maintaining her advantage throughout while fending off break points in two games.
The second set followed a similar pattern, with Sakkari saving a break point early on before breaking Noskova’s serve twice to seal the match in just 74 minutes.
Sakkari’s next challenge will be top seed Jessica Pegula, who will make her tournament debut in the second round.
Teenage cricket prodigy Sam Konstas is set to receive a significant pay rise of $225,000 by playing for Australia in Sri Lanka later this month.
Another Test appearance will see his current state-level contract with Cricket NSW automatically upgrade to a Cricket Australia central contract worth $346,641, including back pay for the difference.
According to The Advertiser,Konstas is expected to secure a more lucrative deal in March when Cricket Australia announces its new contract list, making him eligible for additional six-figure bonuses from the marketing pool.
At just 19 years old, Konstas still lives at home with his parents in suburban Hurstville, but his rapid ascent to cricket stardom has already brought dramatic changes to his life.
The energetic Sam Konstas has been a hit with the fans. Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.
Konstas’ coach and teammates, including Usman Khawaja, have rallied around him, describing him as both “arrogant yet endearing,” while acknowledging the challenges of entering Test cricket at such a young age.
With upcoming tours in Sri Lanka, England, and the West Indies, Konstas is poised to continue learning and growing in less high-stakes environments before Australia’s Ashes campaign.
A Melbourne woman, Flora Socratous, faced a frightening ordeal when she encountered a masked intruder in her Windsor home early on January 6.
According to 9News, Socratous was awakened around 6am by a noise and she discovered the burglar in her kitchen. She recorded the incident, later posting the video online.
“I was in shock, I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming,” Socratous told 9News. “He could have pulled out a weapon, he could have pulled out a kitchen knife.”
The footage shows her questioning the intruder, asking, “How did you get into my home?” and “What’s in your bag?”
The man attempted to exit through the front door but, finding it locked, fled by jumping through a window and climbing a fence.
“I don’t know what possessed me to take a photo or video footage of him, but I’m glad I did,” she added.
Police are investigating the incident, reporting that no one was harmed and nothing was stolen. The burglar is believed to have entered the property by breaking a window latch.
Authorities urge anyone with information to assist their enquiries.
Former SBS newsreader Mary Kostakidis has apologised for sharing comments by former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, which she acknowledged “may be seen as anti-Semitic.”
Ms Kostakidis’ apology comes amid ongoing legal and public disputes with the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) over allegations she promoted anti-Israel and anti-Semitic views online.
The case was taken to the Australian Human Rights Commission, but mediation in December 2024 failed to resolve the dispute.
Statement re CEO, Zionist Federation of Aus V Kostakidis
Six months ago a complaint was filed against me under 18c of the Racial Discrimination Act over posts I made on X sharing a speech of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. A number of highly defamatory and gratuitous comments…
While Ms Kostakidis denied endorsing the comments, she has since admitted they could be perceived as anti-Semitic.
“I condemn anti-Semitism and racism of any kind,” she wrote on social media on Thursday, January 2.
“To the Jews and/or Israelis in Australia who took my posts as an endorsement, I am sorry for their hurt, distress and pain.”
ZFA chief executive Alon Cassuto criticised the apology, claiming it was insincere, as Ms Kostakidis continues to share content he described as “deeply offensive.” This includes conspiracy theories linking Israel to historical events like the Kennedy assassinations and Jeffrey Epstein’s activities.
Thanasi Kokkinakis began his Adelaide International campaign with an emotional and hard-fought victory, defeating Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the opening round on Monday, January 6.
The Australian, who claimed his sole ATP Tour title at the same venue in 2022, was buoyed by the energy of his home crowd at Memorial Drive.
“Match aside, just walking out here kind of gets me emotional, to be honest. It’s crazy,” Kokkinakis said.
“It’s pretty surreal to think a place where you grew up playing and training so many hours, you come out here and all these people are coming to watch you.”
Kokkinakis generated 12 break points during the match and converted three. However, Nishioka fought back in the second set, saving all three break points he faced and capitalising on his sole opportunity to force a decider.
In the final set, Kokkinakis drew strength from the crowd’s support to secure victory and book a second-round clash with either eighth seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry or fellow Australian Tristan Schoolkate.
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.
Η Ελλάδα γιορτάζει με λαμπρότητα, όπως της αρμόζει, τα Θεοφάνεια. Το μήνυμα των Φώτων είναι στον πυρήνα του ένα μήνυμα αισιοδοξίας, ελπίδας και αυτοπεποίθησης. Θέλω να ευχηθώ από καρδιάς στην καθεμία και στον καθένα χρόνια πολλά, υγεία, ευτυχία και καλή χρονιά. pic.twitter.com/HSc85TYxUm
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.”
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 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.
