The Holy Theophany, also known as the Epiphany, the Celebration of the Lights, or ta Fota (the Lights), is held on January 6 and is one of the most sacred and holiest Feast Days in the Greek Orthodox Calendar.
According to three of the four gospels, Theophany celebrates God’s revelation when, during Jesus Christ’s baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River, the voice of God is heard from Heaven saying, “You are my Son, the Beloved—with you I am pleased.” It is also the time when the divine presence known as the Holy Trinity came into being; in addition to God and his Son, the Holy Spirit was present, too, arriving in the form of a dove.
Also known as Fota, today is a bright and joyful day for Christians who are blessed with the Holy Water, which symbolises Jesus’ cleansing in the waters of the Jordan River.
Epiphany, along with Easter, is the oldest Christian celebration. This feast day has rich traditions and deep symbolism. The actual day and its eve are marked in various ways by many different ceremonies held throughout Greece.
The most important tradition amongst Greek Orthodox Churches worldwide is the blessing of the waters with the Holy Cross by a local priest. The faithful are blessed by the Priest, who holds the Holy Cross in his hand and dips Vasiliko (basil branches) into the Holy Water. The priest then sprinkles the water on the forehead of each parishioner, and this is also done during the blessing of Greek Orthodox homes.
Today, Priests also throw a Holy Cross into the sea or lake and release a dove into the sky. The faithful then jump into the water to try to find the Holy Cross. The person who retrieves the Holy Cross and returns it to the priest is said to be blessed for the year ahead.
This is a lovely celebration for children in Greece. They will sing Fota kalanda (carols) in their neighbourhoods, and in return, they will receive sweet treats and money.
Greece’s official national ceremony for the Blessing of the Waters is held in Piraeus, the country’s main port, with officials and political leaders in attendance. However, similar ceremonies will take place on all islands, cities, towns, and villages throughout Greece, followed by festive events that will highlight local traditions, food, and dancing.
Huge celebrations take place as it concludes the festive Christmas holiday period.
Kala Theofania and Xronia Polla!
