The religious feast of the Epiphany — the Twelfth Day after Christmas — was celebrated throughout Greece on Thursday with the traditional “Blessing of the Waters”  in ports, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and fountains in front of cathedrals.

The ritual commemorates Christ’s baptism in the River Jordan, termed the Epiphany by St. John Chryssostom (from the Greek word for ‘manifestation’, ‘epifaniea’).

In Piraeus, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece officiated at a ceremony in the country’s largest port. The government was represented by Maritime Affairs, Islands & Fishing Minister Yiannis Diamantidis, and was also attended by main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras, Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) party leader George Karatzaferis, numerous officials, and political party MPs.

In Athens, the ceremony was held at the Kolonaki rservoir, attended by new Athens Mayor George Kaminis and MPs from various parties, and government vice-president representing the government.

The ceremony in Thessaloniki, officiated by Metropolitan Anthimos, was attended by the new mayor Yiannis Boutaris and political party representatives, with the government represented by Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

Source: ANA