2017 Tarpon Springs Epiphany: Dignitaries Plan To Attend The Celebration

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – Aside from its sponge docks, Tarpon Springs is known world-wide for its annual Epiphany celebration.

This year, the City of Tarpon Springs will host dignitaries from its Sister Cities of Kalymnos and Halki, Greece, during the 111th Anniversary of the Feast Day of Epiphany. Archbishop Demetrios, the primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta will also join in the celebration.

Prior to the Epiphany celebration on Friday, Jan. 6, Mayor Chris Alahouzous of Tarpon springs will present keys to the city to Mayor Ioannis Galouzis of Kalymnos and Mayor Mihali Patros of Halki. The presentation will take place Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 3 p.m. in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 324 E. Pine St.

Other guests of the keys to the city ceremony will be Adamantia Klosta, the consulate general of Greece; council members from Kalymnos; and members of the Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners.

Galouzis and Patros are also scheduled to attend the Epiphany celebration on Jan. 6. They will also attend the Sister Cities meeting on Monday, Jan. 9 to discuss how their partnership can be enhanced through exchanges involving education, culture and economic development.

Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany to commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, as reflected in the Tarpon Springs celebrations. Western Christians mainly celebrate Epiphany to commemorate the arrival of the three Magi, who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus.

Image via Walter, Flickr, used under Creative Commons