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Baptism of Jesus (Epiphany) in Greece, Halkidiki, Nea Moudania

Celebration on Epiphany in Greece

Greek Christian Church celebrates Epiphany on 6^th of January and it is called Fota in Greek (Τα Φώτα in english means “lights”) or Theophania (Θεοφάνεια in English version means “God”).

This holiday is one of the largest in Greece and is a state holiday.

The holiday is celebrated as a memory to the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist and all the waters of Greece are blessed this day.

There is a holiday service in the churches with the blessing of all waters. The sacred procession begins after the church service with the priest and all the people heading towards the sea, river, pond or any other waters.

There is a custom to throw the cross in the water and divers swim and catch and bring it back to the priest. When the  priest throws the cross in the water the swimmers who are usually boys and young man but also women can take part wait patiently to dive and catch the cross first.

To be the first to take the cross is considered to be an honor and a year of good luck. The lucky person who manages to catch the cross kisses it and then passes it the the other  participants and then returns the cross to the priest.

Epiphany is a real national holiday, when all the population celebrates.

Epiphany in Nea Moudania

The national character of the festival is most pronounced in a town named Nea Moudania. All the streets were decorated with colorful flags and garlands. Many people were waiting at the church precession, at the seaside or in the sea on their own yachts. One could hear everywhere the phrase “Hronia Polla!” (“Many years!”) greek people congratulate each other in this way.

There was a special fenced space for priests which was decorated with palm branches in the central square of the town in front of the sea. There were policemen, coast guard, mayor, and many other official persons on a ramp in ceremonial and official dressing code around the central square. When the cross was taken out of the water there were fireworks and horns on many yachts in the sea.

The morning was gloomy on 6^th of January, but  as soon as the cross was taken out of the water the sun came out of the clowds and the good weather lasted till the evening (you can see it in the pictures).

There where church bells ringing all over the town which was  joined in  with the official towns  band orchestra playing music, which accompanied the procession to the church first  and then through the streets around the town and ended up on the promenade by the sea.

All the town of Nea Moudania was in a full  festive atmosphere.

And after the religious procedure and the good weather, many Greek people visited the cafes, restarants and taverns of Nea Moudania which of course where all fully packed till the late evening.