Blessing the Waters

January 6   - 

    Epiphany today, ta Theofania or Ta Fota in Greek.  Up till a couple of years ago I had no idea this day was called Epiphany and I didn't have any idea what it meant.  It was always 'the blessings of the waters' around here and still is.   It commemorates St John's baptism of Jesus, amongst other things, and is a national holiday in Greece.  Every priest in every island, village, town, whether mountain or seaside will be blessing the waters today, be it the sea, a river, lake, water reservoir or even a swimming pool.

Don't forget that your Christmas decorations must be put away by midnight tonight or the big bad witch will come and tear them to pieces.

Kronia Polla (many happy returns) for anyone named Fotis  or Fotini.  It's their name day.

The day started off at the Monastery.  We didn't bother to go up to the church.  A small crowd gathered down at the beach underneath where all the action took place

Down come the Holy Fathers carrying necessary icons, buckets of holy water, bunches of basil and a portable loudspeaker so everyone knows when to cross themselves

Here the sea is anointed with holy water.  A big wooden cross is then dunked into the sea three times.  The cross, attached to a long string, is cast, for the third dunking,  as far as the priest can throw.  

Fourteen foolish males then dived into the icy waters of a January sea in a mad dash to be the first to retrieve the cross

And here it is.

The Monastery always has its services early so we high-tailed it down to the harbour to see the main event.

More priests, the Mayor and the Commander of the Naval Base ready for action

This year they all climbed aboard a fishing boat (kaïki) and moved about 20 metres off shore.

Our grandchildren took part in the proceedings in their rowing boats, escorting the kaïki

After the cross was retrieved all the rowers scudded over the straits to Galatas (in the rear of the photo) where the sea was blessed on the other side of the passage.  'Poros' means passage, the passage being the narrow channel between the island and the mainland

There they go.  The next lot of brave males and females too (away from view of those strict monastery  monks) dive in for the Poros cross

After a coffee and social intercourse with everyone on the island we moved on to a taverna in the hills.  The coffee was actually a prolonged event.  Everyone and their mother-in-law was down at the harbour and these holy days we all wish each other 'kronia polla' with a handshake or an air-kiss on the cheeks.  We greeted half the population of Poros including the Mayor, our family priest and most of the town council.  No elections in sight but this is the time to be sociable and they all had big  smiles on their faces and their was much kissing, clapping on backs and admiring of babies

Great aunt or second cousin three times removed, Theodora,  matriarch of the Paradise taverna beside the roaring and very warming fire

This is the taverna where we sit out under the vines in the summer.  It is equally inviting in the winter with its open fire.  The tables are rather close together but everyone is a friend at the table next to you, or soon will be!

Tomorrow is another name day and so another story