Epiphany Description
Also known as Theophania, this major Orthodox feast celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. In coastal towns and cities, priests perform the Blessing of the Waters ceremony, throwing a cross into the sea, river, or lake while young men dive to retrieve it — a great honor believed to bring a year of blessings. Church bells ring across villages and cities, and special liturgies are held in all Orthodox churches. Government offices, banks, and most businesses close as families attend the ceremony and share in the festive atmosphere.
