Christian Chrysakis, 18, retrieve the Epiphany cross. This is the 3rd dive for the Tarpon Springs resident. Chrysakis says that his Great Grandfather dove and retrieved the cross in the 1920's.
The 112th Annual Epiphany Celebration was held in Tarpon Springs.
The annual event celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
PHOTOS | Epiphany Celebrations
2017 | Tarpon Springs High School student retrieves the cross in 111th Annual Epiphany Celebration
The Blessing of the Fleet is scheduled for Friday, January 5 from noon to 1 p.m.
Epiphany observances began at 8 a.m. with Orthros (Matins) followed by the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 10 a.m.
Following the Divine Liturgy and Great Blessings of the Waters, Archbishop Demetrios, hierarchs, clergy, dignitaries and thousands of people will form a procession to Spring Bayou.
An invocation will be recited and a young lady will release a white dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit to fly over the Bayou.
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Around 12:30 p.m., the Archbishop tossed a white cross into the water and 57 young men dove for it. The retriever of the cross will kneel with the cross before the Archbishop for a blessing.
For more information, visit www.epiphanycity.org.
