CULTURE

Throwing the Cross in the Water

The first time we have attended this celebration

January 6, the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, is the Great Blessing of Water in Greece, called Megas Agiasmos (Μέγας Αγιασμός).

We had the opportunity to attend it at Chania, Crete. I couldn’t wait to see this orthodox celebration, like all that is part of the Greek culture and helps us understand it better.

After the celebration, a huge crowd followed the procession to the port of Chania. From there, the priest threw the cross into the clear water, probably mild given the recent days' radiant sunshine and spring-like temperatures. Young men jumped into the water to catch the cross, commemorating the baptism of Christ.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Prime Minister of Greece, came for this celebration.