Melbourne’s Orthodox Greeks to take a leap for the first blessing of the year

Melbourne’s orthodox Greek community will celebrate the Holy Epiphany tomorrow Friday, 6 January on what is expected to be a warm, sunny day.

The Blessing of the Waters will take place at the Frankston waterfront for the first time following two years of Covid-related restrictions.

The official divine liturgy will be held at the Greek Orthodox Church of The Holy Epiphany at 8.30am with the ‘minor blessing’ (mikros agiasmos) conducted on the day by Archbishop Makarios and Bishops Kyriakos and Evmenios at 1pm at the Frankston Pier.

In January 2020 thousands of people witnessed the dive for the holy cross and dozens took the leap into the sea to retrieve it.

Hundreds are expected to attend this year as the parish’s faithful brave the waves for the first blessing of the year.

The annual event festivities will carry on till the evening. A celebratory lunch will be held at the Frankston Parish Community Hall.

The main event, according to the Archdiocese will take place on Sunday, 8 January at Princess Pier in Port Melbourne.

Hundreds of Greek Australians are expected to line up on the pier to dive for the blessing of the holy cross right beside the historical dock that brought thousands of Greek migrants to Australia.

In Sydney the joint celebration of the Holy Epiphany and the Blessing of the Waters will be conducted on 8 January at Yarra Bay, in Bicentennial Park. The dive for the holy cross will commence at 1pm, officiated by Archbishop Makarios. At 1.30pm the yearly Theofania festivities will kick off with live Greek music and traditional dancers, while attendees will have the opportunity to taste Greek delicacies and drinks at the pop-up stall area.

The annual event is celebrated worldwide by Orthodox Christians and is one of the most anticipated events on the theological calendar. The ritualistic meaning of the blessing of the waters is an affirmation through re-enactment that through Christ’s own baptism, the curse of Adam’s sin is being lifted and the creative goodness of God’s initial plan is returned to mankind once again.