Members of the Greek diaspora in Australia gathered in large numbers to celebrate Epiphany, with one of the most prominent ceremonies taking place in Rye near Melbourne. The traditional Blessing of the Waters formed the centerpiece of the celebration, continuing a centuries-old Greek Orthodox custom that brings together families, clergy, and young participants each year.
As part of the ritual, a priest casts a cross into the sea and swimmers race to retrieve it, a symbolic act believed to carry blessings and good fortune for the new year.
@greek.plateia Message from Archishop Makarios in Rye, Victoria
This year, an eighteen-year-old participant whose family originates from the island of Rhodes successfully retrieved the cross after diving into the cold waters. It was his third time taking part in the event, and the moment drew warm applause from the gathered crowd. Footage of the scene later circulated widely across Greek community media channels.
The ceremony unfurled in a festive yet reverent atmosphere, with members of the local Greek Orthodox community, church leaders, and families lining the pier. For many in attendance, the celebration represented both a spiritual observance and an affirmation of cultural continuity far from their ancestral homeland.
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Epiphany traditions in Greece and the Greek diaspora in Australia
Known in the Greek Orthodox Church as Theophany or “Phota,” Epiphany marks the revelation of the Holy Trinity and is one of the most significant feasts of the liturgical year. The celebration is observed not only in Greece and Cyprus but also across the global Greek diaspora, with traditional customs having been preserved through the generations.
Central to the feast is the Great Blessing of the Waters, symbolizing spiritual renewal and divine presence. In the past, children also sang Epiphany carols on the eve of the celebration, a tradition similar to the singing of the Christmas and New Year’s Day carols.
Many towns and islands across Greece maintain additional local observances rooted in both Byzantine and Ancient Greek tradition. For the Greek diaspora in Australia, the celebration serves as both a religious ceremony and a powerful reminder of shared identity, reinforcing ties to heritage while remaining firmly rooted in their adopted homeland.