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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-01-06
CONTENTS
[01] Epiphany celebrated throughout Greece with traditional 'Blessing
of Waters'
[01] Epiphany celebrated throughout Greece with traditional 'Blessing
of Waters'
(ANA-MPA) -- The religious feast of the Epiphany -- the Twelfth Day
after Christmas -- is celebrated throughout Greece on Thursday 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', 'epifaniea').
On Epiphany daring youth and adults brave the cold waters to dive for
the Cross after it has been blessed by a priest and thrown into the
waters, and the one who recovers the cross is blessed with good luck
throughout the year.
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece officiated at the main
ceremony in Piraeus, Greece's largest port.
Caption: ANA-MPA file photo.
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