In Greece today the great Epiphany Day (Θεοφάνεια) is celebrated with great enthusiasm. In Thessaloniki, the consecration of the waters and the ascension of the Holy Cross was carried out with brilliance, and thousands of citizens watched this process.
Processions from the three holy churches (Metropolitan Gregory Palamas, Our Lady Sophia and Ag. Minas) met at the 1st pier of the port of Thessaloniki, the place where the ceremonies of the consecration of the waters and the throwing of the Holy Cross took place.
Dozens of swimmers dived into Thermaikos for the sake of the Holy Cross, and the Metropolitan of Thessaloniki blessed them. The first to catch the cross was 20-year-old student Stergios Pagonidis. The change in location of the religious ceremony provided easier access and unobstructed views for thousands of worshipers wishing to watch the proceedings.
In previous years, the ceremony took place at a specific location on the beach, at the height of Hagia Sophia. On the day of the holiday Θεοφάνεια The rite of great water blessing is performed. On the day of Epiphany, special services are held in churches, after which parishioners, led by priests, go to reservoirs, where the ritual of immersing the cross in water takes place.
The rite of blessing of water in Greece attracts many people. There are always brave souls ready jump into icy water after the cross, as this is considered a godly act and brings blessings, health and good luck for the whole year. In the courtyards of temples there are long queues for holy water. If for some serious reason a person cannot go to the service, he can resort to the healing power of simple water taken from an ordinary reservoir on Epiphany night.
In a port city Piraeus there is a main church and state Blessing of Water ceremony in Greece. Accompanied by sailors and a military band, the clergy carry the main cross made of wood, covered with a layer of silver, as well as holy icons along the port embankment to the site of the thanksgiving prayer and blessing of water.
Warships stand in a semicircle towards the pier and sound their horns as the cross is immersed in the water. The bravest swimmers jump from warships into the cold winter water and, taking turns kissing the cross, bring it to the pier to the clergy.
It has become a tradition to attract ships of the Greek naval forces on the feast of the Epiphany, as they believe that the blessing of the waters of the sea gives strength to sailors and blesses sea routes.
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