Epiphany in Greece: Blessing the waters of the country
The celebration of the Epiphany, or “Theofania” as it is called in Greek, is celebrated every year across Greece on the 6th of January and it is recognised as the anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ. This is the main reason why the Greek Orthodox church has selected this special day for “the blessing of the waters” too.
The 6th of January is the twelfth day of Christmas and not only marks the end of the Christmas season and the holidays but the beginning of the Carnival season too. In Greece, it is an official public holiday with major celebrations at the port of Piraeus in the capital Athens but, of course, in all of the ports regardless of their size and in every village and town across the country too. Wherever there is a body of water, i.e. lake, sea, river or even a water depot, people with gather together with the local priest in order to bless the waters and the vessels that carry it. In case there is no body of water nearby, the religious ceremony of the blessing of the waters will be held outside a church where the priest will fill up a baptism font with water. After the end of the liturgy, people will take the Holy Water at home in small jars or bottles and sprinkle it around their home, as well as, drink it.
If you find yourself in Piraeus or any other port on this special day, you will see a group of brave Greek men diving in the cold waters of the sea in order to reach for the blessed cross thrown in the water by the priest. The first man who will find the cross at the bottom of the sea and hand it back to the priest will have good luck throughout the year.
“Theofania” means manifestation of God and the day is also called “Phota” in both Greece and Cyprus, which stands for “lights” in reference to the day being a Feast of Light. At the eve of the Epiphany children of all ages sing the corresponding “Kalanda” carols which wish on the cleansing of every household from the bad spirits and the banishment of the “Kallikantzari” naughty elves to below the ground where they belong for at least another year. The wording of these Kalanda, begin with the creation of the world, the creation of waters by God and finally end with the day of Jesus Christ’s Baptism in Jordan river by John the Baptist.
The only bad news here, is that on the next day it is a custom to undecorate the Christmas tree!
Photo by ellinwnparadosi.blogspot.com
