An Epiphany Day celebration

Today is Epiphany – a celebration of the visit of the magi to the Christ child!

In the city of Tarpon Springs, Florida, a city with strong ties to the Greek culture, an Epiphany celebration is held. The celebration probably has its roots in the sponge industry that at one time the primary source of income for the residents of Tarpon Springs. The boat captains, divers and their families all sought the blessings of the church for a good harvest of sponges in the coming months.

On Epiphany morning the community gathers at the large Greek Orthodox Church followed by a huge procession from the church to the bayou. Thousands who have come for the Epiphany celebration have already gathered on the grass, sidewalk and pavement surrounding the bayou in great anticipation.

The archbishop of the church carries a large cross and is rowed out into the middle of the bayou. His boat is surrounded by smaller boats filled with young men of a certain age with great hopes and anticipation. The cross is tossed into the dark waters of the bayou and the young men all dive in wanting to be the one who retrieves the cross.

Several of the male teenagers will surface for more air as they frantically look for the cross. Then the water’s surface erupts with an outstretched hand holding the cross and the crowd cheers with enthusiasm. The priests, the boys and family members return to the church for a special blessing. It is believed that God will bless the young man, who retrieves the cross, and his family all year.

The one year that we attended it was our privilege to be sitting next to the members of the family of the young man who retrieved the cross. In the midst of all the cheering, clapping and tons of tears we learned that the young men could only participate for three years. This was the young man’s last year. Not only that, but he was the youngest child with several older brothers who also all took their turns diving for the cross. None of them were successful and this was the family’s last year. Oh, what joy filled that little patch of grass along the bayou in Tarpon Springs that Epiphany day.

Happy Epiphany and may you too discover the joy of the Christ child!