ἐπιφάνεια

Beeing raised in a more western context January 6 is known to me as the day when the Magi came to the baby Jesus. But introduced to the Greek traditions I have found out that we actually is celebrating the epiphany of Christ.

In our tradition we celebrate how he was manifested to the gentiles through the wise men from the east. But here in Greece it is the day of the baptism of Jesus. The day when he was manifested as the Messiah and God in his trinity (the Father speaking, the Son beeing baptist, the Spirit as the dove).


So since it's the day of the baptism the Ortodox has a tradition this day to "bless the water" (and nature?). There is a cermony when they bless a wooden cross, they bring it through the city with march band playing, flags and ornaments, then they are throwing the cross into the water (in Thassos they throw it into the sea, but if you live inland it might be a river or a lake). Then the tradition is that boys compeat to get the cross back to land. Who ever get the cross will have blessing in the coming year, with good health, and can also go around from house to house singing and reciving money.


In Limenas harbour however the priest kept the blessing for himself :-P he had tied a rope to the cross and then he pulled it in. But I guess he didn't want to take the risk no one would jump into the cold water :-) (We did see it on tv though, how some men did go into the water at other locations). When we asked some peopel about it they laught and said "maybe next year". So I guess we have to wait for next year to find some bold men.