Thousands of spectators gathered at Spring Bayou, Tarpon Springs, today to witness the 120th Epiphany celebration, a historic milestone for the largest Greek Orthodox community in the Western Hemisphere.
The event, which serves as a profound connection to the town’s Greek roots, concluded with the world-famous dive for the Holy Cross.
The great blessing of the fleet
The festivities began on Monday with the traditional Blessing of the Fleet along the iconic Sponge Docks. In a ceremony steeped in history, hundreds watched as clergy used holy water to bless the vessels that once fueled the town’s sponge industry.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the blessing, highlighting the symbolic importance of the boats to the Greek-American identity.
“We bless these boats, which are symbolic of the countless conveyances that brought the Greek People to this blessed land,” the Archbishop remarked. “Tarpon Springs is revealed as a vessel—a Naos—that contains all the treasures of two thousand years of continuous Greek Orthodox History.”
Archbishop Elpidophoros also praised the resilience of the community, noting that unlike the ships Alexander the Great burned to signify war, these boats represent a legacy of “peace, restoration, and industry.”
He added, “The Greeks of Tarpon Springs and of America have shown their determination to be a part of the Great American Experiment, without losing an iota of their identity.”
Athos Karistinos takes 2026 cross dive
Following the blessing of the fleet, the focus shifted to Tuesday’s main event. Under clear Florida skies, seventy four young men took part in the dive into Spring Bayou.
This year’s winner, Athos Karistinos, now carries the “blessing and good fortune” of the cross for the remainder of 2026.
Karistinos comes from a family with a remarkable legacy in the event: his uncle won the cross in 2000, and his father in 1991. Reflecting on his victory, he said there’s a lot of tradition and a lot of meaning in taking part in the dive.
His father added that he feels blessed that one of his sons was able to retrieve the cross and experience the same blessings he felt as a kid. He described the moment as unbelievable and said he was initially speechless, overwhelmed with happiness for his son and proud of the family tradition.
Luc Boillot, who retrieved the cross in 2025, reflected on the profound impact of the experience as he watched this year’s participants.
“After I caught the cross, I was feeling joyful. It was a rush. I felt like I was on top of the world,” said the UCF student, echoing the sentiment of this year’s winner, who will now carry the “blessing and good fortune” of the cross for the remainder of 2026.
A living tradition
Mayor John Koulianos emphasized that while the event draws global tourism, its heart remains with the families of the original Greek immigrants. “Water has always been sacred to the Greek immigrants who arrived in Tarpon Springs at the beginning of the 20th century,” he noted during the ceremonies.
As the 120th anniversary concludes, Tarpon Springs once again solidified its reputation as the “Epiphany City,” successfully blending American life with the ancient traditions of the Jordan River.
Related: Tarpon Springs: The ‘Greek Island’ of the United States
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