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Greek Orthodox Epiphany Celebrated in Australia

Blessing of the Waters ceremony in Sydney, January 8, 2023.
Greek Orthodox Epiphany Celebrated In Australia. Credit: Twitter / Consulate General of Greece

Greek Australians celebrated Epiphany with the traditional Greek Orthodox Blessing of the Waters ceremonies in Australia’s major cities on Sunday.

Hundreds of swimmers dived into the sea, racing to retrieve the Holy Cross.

This was the first year that the crowds could return to the beach for open Blessing of the Waters ceremonies after two years of COVID-related restrictions.

Although in some places the Blessing of the Waters took place on Epiphany Day, January 6, in major cities the celebration was moved to the first Sunday after the actual feast day.

Epiphany celebrations across Australia

Archbishop Makarios blessed the waters in Sydney, with hundreds of people from Greek Orthodox parishes attending the celebrations at Yarra Bay.

Blessing of the Waters ceremony in Sydney, January 8, 2023.
Credit: Twitter / Consulate General of Greece

In Melbourne, hundreds of Greek-Australians gathered for the ‘Blessing of the Waters’ at the historic Princess Pier – the very dock in Port Melbourne where thousands of Greek migrants arrived last century, in search of a better life. 

Meanwhile, in Adelaide, Epiphany celebrations participants were joined by South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas, who also had a chance to sample “some of the best Greek food, music and culture” at the annual Glenelg Greek Festival which is taking place this weekend.

“A spectacular summer day to be with the South Australia Greek community to celebrate the Blessing of the Waters. Here at Glenelg and locations throughout the state there are ceremonies to mark this special occasion,” Malinauskas posted on Twitter.

Opposition leaders, such as David Speirs in Adelaide and John Pesutto in Melbourne, also attended the celebrations.

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