Epiphany celebrations in Greece and in Izmir

Epiphany celebrations took place in Athens on Wednesday, in the presence of the President of the Hellenic, Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and leaders of Greece’s major political parties.

President Pavlopoulos  called for “the light to smash the darkness of poverty”. Epiphany was also celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Church in Izmir, Turkey for the first time in 94 years.

Known as Theofania or Fota the day of the Epiphany is celebrated across Greece on January 6, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist. Priests bless the waters by throwing a cross into the sea, in a lake or river, while brave swimmers jump into the cold waters to catch the Cross and get the priest’s blessing for the year.

(With information from the English Kathimerini)
PHOTO: Public Broadcaster-ERT
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