The Epiphany is celebrated with reverence throughout the country. The President of the Republic attends the Blessing of the Waters and the throwing of the Holy Cross in Piraeus. Navy and Coast Guard ships pay their respects during the ceremony. Members of the Association of Greek Frogmen – Underwater Demolition Experts were also on board, while retired and active military personnel dived into the water and the former received congratulations from the President of the Republic and Archbishop Ieronymos.
«We celebrate the baptism of Christ, the bright Lights, and thus participate in a great celebration from the country's largest port to receive light and truth from their source, which we so desperately need to transform into personal and collective rebirth and move forward. Thanks to this light and thanks to this precious truth, the values of self-sacrifice, altruism, cohesion, humanism, mutual understanding, values that, if they become our guide, will make the path that awaits us in the future a hopeful one,» said Konstantinos Tasoulas.
This was preceded by a solemn Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Church in Piraeus, presided over by Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus.
The blessing of the waters at the Reservoir of the Municipality of Athens
In Athens, the official celebration for the feast of Theophany is held, as every year, at the Holy Temple of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite. This will be followed by the blessing of the waters at the Athens Municipal Reservoir, in the presence of representatives of the state and city authorities. Among them will be the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, the president of the New Left, Alexis Charitsis, as well as members of parliament, regional and municipal councillors.
Following the ceremony of the Blessing of the Waters at the Hadrianic Aqueduct (Athens Reservoir) and the diving for the Holy Cross by His Eminence Bishop Chrysostomos of Evripos, the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, stated:
«I have the honor of representing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Great Blessing of the Waters ceremony organized by the Municipality of Athens to celebrate Epiphany. Today we are experiencing one of the most important days in Christianity. A day of rebirth for each and every one of us. The baptism of Christ and the revelation of the Holy Trinity. It is a day of reflection for all of us. Because Epiphany symbolises the salvation and hope offered by spiritual light. In a period of increased challenges, this light highlights the importance of unity, solidarity, and responsibility towards our fellow human beings and our homeland. May you be enlightened! Happy New Year to all Greek women and men. Have a good and blessed year!.
Haris Doukas said: «From the Athens Reservoir, we bring light and hope to every neighborhood in the city. Theophany is the celebration of light and enlightenment. For Athens, this enlightenment means unity, cooperation, solidarity, and people-centered policies. I wish everyone health, strength, and light in every personal and collective step of the new year. Happy New Year.».
The blessing of the waters at the port of Thessaloniki
At 11:00 a.m., the ceremony began at the city's port, attended by a large crowd.
The events are attended by the president of SYRIZA, Socrates Famellos, who participated in the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Gregory Palamas and then attended the ceremony at Pier A of the Port of Thessaloniki.
The president of «Niki,» Dimitris Natsios, will also be present in Thessaloniki.
