Epiphany at Rye RYE pier was once again crowded with thousands of people today as young men and boys - and one girl, lined up to retrieve a cross thrown by a priest. The Greek Orthodox churchs annual blessing of the water ceremony to celebrate the Epiphany, or baptism of Christ, drew an estimated 1500 people to the pier. 18 year old Matthew Papadimitriou from Rowville was first to the cross. He was rewarded with a blessing from Reverend Father Eleftherios Tatsis of the Greek Orthodox Church Panagia Kamriani at Red Hill. On piers at Rye, Frankston and South Melbourne, the cross is thrown into the water in a ritual representing physical and spiritual cleansing. In the past, tradition only permitted males to participate in the retrieval of the cross but this year was different. Daughter of three times Rye cross retrieval winner - Robert Paxevanos, 13 year old Emily Paxevanos - jumped in with the boys for a chance at the cross. Although she didnt grab hold of the elusive icon this time, Emily said It was awesome just to have a go. It is also customary after Epiphany celebrations for the priest to visit parishioners homes and bless them with holy water. Pictures: Yanni
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 06:38:54 +0000
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