Orthodox Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist today and celebrate those named Fotios, Fotini, Jordan, Theofanis, Theofania, Ourania, Peristera, and Theopi.

January 6, also marks the third and final feast of the Christmas season. The event symbolises the revelation of the Holy Trinity, as recounted in the Gospels, and is also referred to as the Feast of Lights.

Celebrations across Victoria today

On Holy Epiphany, water blessing ceremonies are held across Victoria, followed by traditional Greek festivities featuring food, music, and dance. However, this year’s weather, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), is expected to be unpredictable, with rain already falling and cooler temperatures providing relief from recent heatwaves.

Locations of key celebrations

  • Rye

At 1pm, the Parish of Panagia Kamariani will host the water blessing at Rye Pier, led by Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne. A Greek festival will follow at Rye foreshore, featuring food stalls, live music by DJ Kosta Nico, and performances by traditional dance groups.

  • Frankston

The Greek Orthodox Community of Frankston and Peninsula will hold a water blessing after the morning liturgy at Frankston Beach. The celebration will include food and sweets.

  • Rosebud

Father Lefteris will conduct the water blessing at Rosebud Beach.

  • Geelong

For those in Geelong, the water blessing will occur at St Helens Jetty in Rippleside immediately after the Divine Liturgy.

In Melbourne, the central water blessing celebration will take place next Sunday, 12 January, at the city’s port.

Weather forecast

The BOM forecasts cool but rainy weather in Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, and Geelong. Temperatures will range between 18°C and 22°C, with north-northwest winds shifting to south-southwest later in the day. Despite the cloudy conditions, UV levels may reach 10, so sunscreen is advised between 9.20am and 5.20pm.

Historical significance

The Gospels recount that John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, where the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, and a heavenly voice declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Epiphany has been celebrated since the early days of the Christian Church, with references by Clement of Alexandria in the 2nd century. By the 4th century, it was widely observed in the Eastern Church as a festival of enlightenment through baptism, earning it the name “Feast of Lights.”

Traditions and customs

The Great Blessing of the Waters, central to the celebration, involves the casting of the cross into seas, rivers, or lakes. In Greece and Greek communities abroad, children sing traditional carols, swimmers compete to retrieve the cross, and those who catch it receive blessings and gifts.

Epiphany also incorporates elements of ancient Greek customs. In regions of Western Macedonia, it is considered the most important celebration of the year, with people wearing new clothes for the occasion to symbolise renewal and illumination