Tip of the day 6/1/2022 – Epiphany or Feast of Lights

• January 7, 2022

Epiphany is an important annual Christian celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by Saint John the Baptist. It is celebrated on January 6 and is the third and last feast of Christmas celebrations. The name comes from the manifestation of the three persons of the Holy Trinity that occurred according to three relevant Gospel passages. The feast of Epiphany is also called Epiphany or  Lights (or Feast of Lights).

The basic ritual of Epiphany is the “sanctification of the waters” with the immersion of the Cross in imitation of the Baptism of the God-Man. However, in the Greek custom, this holy water ceremony also has the meaning of purification, the purification of the people as well as the release from the influence of demons (goblins). This latter meaning is certainly not strictly Christian, but has its roots in ancient worship.

Traditionally, on the day of Epiphany, the ‘Great Holy Water’ is performed in the churches on a special platform decorated with a special large vessel full of water. Then the Cross is immersed by the priest in the sea or in a nearby river or lake or, if necessary, in a tank (as in Athens). The more daring inhabitants of the place dive into the cold waters of January to catch the cross. The one who succeeds will be the lucky one of the year.

It is a tradition worth to see it at least once in your life and some special places that you can go on this day is Elefsina port in west Attica, Beletsi lake on Parnitha mountain, Piraeus port of course, as the biggest port of Greece.