The Blessing of the Sea Ceremony

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.