Epiphany observed throughout Greece with 'Blessing of the Waters'

The religious feast of the Epiphany -- the Twelfth Day after Christmas -- was observed throughout Greece on Sunday with the traditional "Blessing of the Waters" Orthodox Church rite in ports, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and fountains in front of cathedrals. The ritual commemorates Christ's baptism in the River Jordan, termed the Epiphany by St. John Chryssostom (from the Greek word for 'manifestation', 'epiphaneia').
The main blessing of the waters ceremony was officiated in the port of Piraeus, Greece's largest port, by Metropolitan Serapheim of Piraeus and attended by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, several ministers and MPs from various parties, and other officials

A cross was cast into the waters by the Archbishop, symbolizing the christening of Jesus Christ, and retrieved by Navy frogmen.

Similar rituals were observed throughout Greece, with young and older men braving the cold weather and icy waters to retrieve the cross, bringing them good luck in the coming year.

In Athens, the ceremony was held at the Reservoir in central Kolonaki district, attended by several ministers, MPs and Athens Mayor George Kaminis.

In Thessaloniki, the ritual was officiated by Metropolitan Anthimos, attended by ministers, MPs, Thessaloniki mayor Yannis Boutaris, new regional chief for Central Macedonia Apostolos Tzitzikostas and representatives of the local authorities.

SOURCE: ATHENS NEWS AGENCY