After two years of restrictions, parishioners and lovers of tradition returned to the beach for the majestic open Blessing of the Waters ceremonies on Sunday in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide as well as other cities around Australia.
In Melbourne, a large crowd attended the liturgy under the sun and many dove for the cross in the waters of Princess Pier in Port Melbourne, a historic location where many Greek migrants first landed in Melbourne with the hope of a new life.
The cross was retrieved by young Stelios Kikiris with celebrations continuing with music and dance festivities as well as Hellenic flavours on offer at surrounding pop-up stalls.
In Melbourne the cross was retrieved by young Stelios Kikiris. Photo: Con Deves
Stelios Kikiris with the cross in Port Melbourne. Photo: Con Deves
Community officials release pigeons in Port Melbourne. Photo: Con Deves
A packed Princess Pier. Photo: Con Deves
In Adelaide, Greek Australians had the opportunity to attend the Blessing of the Waters in Glenelg, officiated by Bishop of Sinopi, Silouan while enjoying the weekend festivities at Glenelg Greek Festival.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas took pat in the ceremony, releasing a white pigeon during the ritual while Opposition leader David Speirs gifted the divers special Holy Epiphany memorabilia.
Meanwhile, SA Tourism and Multiculturalism minister Zoe Bettison attended a different Theofania ceremony conducted by the Greek Community of South Australia in Henley.
“The sea remains a source of sustenance and livelihood for countless individuals and families on the many islands and coastal communities in Greece, as well as for the millions of people of Greek heritage who established new homes in places such as South Australia,” Ms Bettison said.
“Water’s ability to renew and sustain our lives is also powerfully symbiotic of our need to refresh and maintain our faith. The Blessing of the Waters is a fitting occasion to cast out our fears and to reaffirm our power of faith.”
Finally, the Greek orthodox community in Sydney celebrated with a grand ceremony at Yarra Bay by Archbishop of Australia Makarios at 1pm, attended by hundreds of members of the congregation.
