Epiphany Celebrations: Blessing of the Waters Held with Splendor Across Greece – Videos, Photos

Epiphany was celebrated throughout the country with due splendor and a spirit of reverence. Following the Divine Liturgy, the Sanctification of the Waters and the Diving of the Holy Cross were held in ports, rivers and coastal areas, with the participation of large numbers of faithful.

The focal points of the celebrations were Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, while young people—and not only—plunged into the icy waters, observing the custom that symbolizes purification and blessing for the new year.

Athens: Large turnout at the Blessing of the Waters

In Athens, large crowds gathered for the Epiphany celebrations, with the Blessing of the Waters held in an atmosphere of religious devotion. Among those present in Kolonaki were Athens Mayor Haris Doukas, Speaker of Parliament Nikitas Kaklamanis, Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris, Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, and the leader of New Left, Alexis Haritsis.

Piraeus: Blessing of the Waters with the Archbishop and the President of the Republic

Attendance was particularly high at the port of Piraeus, where the doxology and the Diving of the Holy Cross were held. Among those attending were Piraeus Mayor Giannis Moralis, Minister of Social Cohesion and Family Domna Michailidou, and PASOK MP Milena Apostolaki. The President of the Republic, Kostas Tasoulas, also arrived at the port.

Young men dived into the icy waters of the Saronic Gulf to retrieve the cross, amid applause and well-wishes from the gathered crowd.

Thessaloniki: Large crowds at the Port ceremony

Epiphany was also celebrated with great splendor in Thessaloniki. The Blessing of the Waters and the Diving of the Holy Cross took place at the city’s port, with worshippers filling the waterfront area.

The events were attended by SYRIZA leader Sokratis Famellos, who took part in the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church of Saint Gregory Palamas and then observed the ceremony at Pier A of the Port of Thessaloniki.

Heraklion: Dozens dive into the port to retrieve the cross

The Feast of Epiphany was also celebrated with splendor and full ceremonial honors in Heraklion. Immediately after the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church of Saint Minas, the procession proceeded on foot to the Port of Heraklion for the Blessing of the Waters, conducted by the Archbishop of Crete, Evgenios.

At the same time, in many cities and villages across the country, local churches and communities organized traditional ceremonies and processions.

In Nafplio, the Feast of Epiphany was celebrated with great splendor at the city’s port.