Epiphany in Greece (video)

Epiphany is celebrated in Greece on January 6th.  The word Epiphany comes from the Greek word Theofania meaning “Appearance of God” or “Manifestation of God”. Theofania is
derived of two words: “Theos” meaning God and “Fania” meaning appearance. Epiphany in Greece symbolizes the baptismal of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist.

Epiphany or Theofania, is a day of holiday, celebration and feast. Anyone with the name  Theofanis, Fótis, Fani, celebrate their name day on that day. The Feast begins the evening of January 5th with the blessing of the water at the baptismal front inside the church. The following day, January 6th, the blessings of the water begin and thus the beginning of sailing, signifying that the waters are calm. January 6th also celebrates the fact that the goblins that were present till then, are finally gone.

Epiphany is a great celebration in Greece, even as big as Christmas. On the day of Epiphany, church was and is of the utmost importance to attend. Since Greece is surrounded with water, many churches and church goers will follow the priest to the nearest water port, so that the priest will bless the waters with the cross. Then young, teenage boys will dive into the water to retrieve it. Who ever retrieves it has the blessings of the church and good fortune for the rest of the year. Some people might think that since Greece has a warm climate, the waters will also be warm; but it’s not so on January 6th. The waters are still quite cold.

GREEK EPIPHANY CAROLS
Today is the day of lights and the enlightment 

Down the Jordan River Sits our Lady the Blessed Virgin Mary
She carries an organ, a candle she holds 
And pleads with St. John.
St. John Lord and Baptist 
Baptize this divine child of mine.
I shall ascend to the heavens 
To gather roses and incense

Good day, good day Good day to you master and the missus