Epiphany & Blessing of the Waters 2025 in Greece

January 6th is one of the most beloved holidays in Greece. The holiday of Theophany usually marks the end of the joyful period of Christmas celebrations, commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan. It consists of two parts: a church procession and a water blessing outdoors.

Water is blessed when a priest throws a cross into freezing water from the shore, and young men have to dive in and find it. The winner gets a special blessing from the priest and appreciation from the audience. The ritual can be observed every year in Piraeus, Athens, and other coastal towns.