Frankston City’s similarities with Greece are uncanny if you consider yachting on clear blue waters, playful dolphins, hiking across unspoilt nature reserves and liaising with spirited locals. Then there’s Theofania (meaning Appearance of God or Feast of the Epiphany), a Blessing of the Waters ceremony which takes place at Frankston Pier on 6 January each year.
The sunny weather, the first visit of Archbishop Makarios to Frankston’s Theofania and a two-year absence of crowds at the event due to COVID-19 made this year’s Theofania bigger and better than ever. Hundreds gathered to watch on Friday as around 22 swimmers dived in to catch the cross.
According to Greek tradition, the person who manages to swim the fastest and retrieve the cross will be blessed for the rest of the year.
Emmanouil Spyroglou, father of three from Templestowe, was the winner. “I’m here on holidays,” he said.
“I’ve done this before many many years ago in Port Melbourne and I’ve caught it three times in the past. This is my fourth time.”
His advice to people: “Try and go for it!”
Originally from the island of Kefalonia, Mr Spyroglou comes from a family of islanders but the previous Archbishop Stylianos had banned him from swimming. “He had said three times was enough. This is my fourth.”
Greek Australians flock to Frankston
Archbishop Makarios of Australia flew from Sydney to take part in the church ceremony followed by the Blessing of the Water at Frankston Pier. He was given a rock star’s welcome as he walked through the crowds amid cheers.
Archbishop Makarios had visited Frankston previously in August 2022, and didn’t skip a beat when it came to returning.
“With the opportunity of visiting Melbourne again at the start of this year and being there for the cutting of the Vasilopitta it was only proper to visit the Parish on its Feast Day rather serve at another Parish of Melbourne on 6 January,” Archbishop Makarios said.
“It is very much a gateway for the many Greek homes along the coast and has for many years conducted the Blessing of the Waters Service on Frankston Pier.”
Coaches carried parishioners to Frankston from around Melbourne. A number of churches have organised free transportation to the Pier from Thomastown, Northcote, Coburg, St Albans, North Balwyn and other areas around Melbourne.
A day of spiritual importance
Father Doukas Georgalas, parish priest of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Epiphany at Frankston, could not be happier with the turnout. “It’s a huge spiritual feast,” he said, “and a great honour for us to welcome all these people to an event of huge theological significance. It’s the Baptism of Jesus, and during the Baptism of the Lord people saw the Holy Trinity and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove.”
The day is observed as a public holiday in Greece where people plunge into frosty waters. In Frankston, there’s no public holiday but the warm summer weather makes it even better.
It’s a day when Frankston becomes the Lourdes of Greek Orthodoxy Down Under.
Vasilios Erpsimidis, president of the Greek Community of Frankston, who has been living in Frankston for the last 30 years, said that the event has been taking place in Melbourne since the 1960s when the Greek church was established in Frankston. He says Frankston’s vibe reminds him a little of Crete, his wife’s island.
Archbishop Makarios said the Community has “seen further growth under the guidance of Fr Doukas who has seen the new church built these past years.”
Father Doukas, originally from the island of Mytilene, feels just as much at home in Frankston as he did on his island famous for its ouzo and sandy beaches.
He has been the parish priest of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Epiphany at Frankston for the last 20 years. “I got my calling at the age of 65, and I specifically asked to be a priest here at Frankston City. It was my home, and I had a fruit and veggie business here.” Before that, in another life, he was a musician.
He says that Epiphany Day or not, the church is open to all who wish to pray.
As for the Pier, it’s also a welcoming place each year for hundreds of Greek Orthodox faithful.