The Box is a major cultural and heritage attraction and archive, which opened in Plymouth’s city centre in September 2020. Its collection, formally the South West Film and Television Archive (SWFTA), is the regional film archive for the South West of England, comprising the combined programme libraries of Westward Television and Television South West (TSW). It also includes a significant number of donated film collections dating back to the early 1890s.
This film is part of Free

The Blessing of the Sea Ceremony
Members of the Greek Orthodox Community bless the sea to celebrate Epiphany.
In partnership with:

Overview
Greeks have many religious ceremonies but the Blessing of the Waters or in this case the Blessing of the Sea Ceremony is practiced at Epiphany on January 6 and marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas. Theophany is on 19 January in the Gregorian calendar and celebrates the appearance of God when, according to the Bible, Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. This is celebrated by throwing a cross, which is retrieved, into any nearby body of water.
In modern times, Greek Christians have chosen to celebrate the ceremony on the feast of the Epiphany. For Christians Epiphany is celebrated following the Julian calendar as the visit of the three wise men or kings who bring gifts to Jesus in the manger and represents the realisation that Christ is the son of God. In the ceremony, the priest blesses the sea and prays for the safety of all who use and prosper from the sea. Young men compete to retrieve the church cross and receive a special blessing. The Theophany Waters are used to bless homes, fields and animals and also cleanse the world of the mischievous Kalikantzaroi, the evil goblins that try to torment God-fearing Christians during Christmastide.
Related

Dingles of Plymouth Dingles of Plymouth
Advert 1960 1 mins Location: Plymouth
A charming regional commercial for Plymouth’s best loved department store.

Millbay Laundry Millbay Laundry
Advert 1960 0 mins Location: Plymouth
Help keep your relationship on track by outsourcing your laundry!

Model Clipper Sailor Model Clipper Sailor
Current affairs 1965 2 mins Location: Plymouth
Former shipwright turns his talents to model-making.

Comely Caviar Comely Caviar
Current affairs 1984 1 mins Location: Plymouth
Reporter tests the theory of caviar heightening libido.

Last Cooper Last Cooper
Current affairs 1967 5 mins Location: Plymouth
The last apprenticed cooper in the Royal Navy’s Royal William Victualling Yard undergoes a trusso, an ancient rite of passage.

Liberté Liner Liberté Liner
Current affairs 1961 5 mins Location: Plymouth
Cruising into the history books SS Liberté makes its final voyage stopping at Plymouth en route to Le Havre.

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.

Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.

All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.

Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.

Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.

Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.