Greeks on Tuesday celebrated Epiphany, or Theophania, as it is called in Greek, with blessing of the waters ceremonies across the country.

The holiday, known as Three Kings Day for some Catholics, marks the end of the extended period of the Christmas holidays in the country.

Thousands of Orthodox Christian worshippers plunged into the icy waters of rivers and lakes to retrieve crucifixes tossed by priests in ceremonies commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ. According to tradition, the person who retrieves the wooden cross will be freed from evil spirits and will be healthy throughout the year. After the cross is fished out, the priest sprinkles believers with water using a bunch of basil.

“Thanks to this light and thanks to this precious truth, the values ​​of self-sacrifice, altruism, cohesion, humanity, and mutual understanding acquire a particularly bright meaning, values ​​that, if they become our guide, will only be hopeful for the path that awaits us in the future,” said President Konstantinos Tasoulas who attended the Epiphany ceremony in Piraeus.

Source: Ekathimerini.com