Tarpon Springs' Epiphany Celebration Set For This Weekend

TARPON SPRINGS, FL - The 112th Annual Epiphany Celebration will be held this weekend in Tarpon Springs. The annual event, which celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 6 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs.

Epiphany observances begin at 8 a.m. with Orthros (Matins) followed by the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 10 a.m.

Following the Divine Liturgy and Great Blessings of the Waters, there will be a procession to Spring Bayou where a white cross will be thrown into the water and 57 young men will dive for it. The boy who retrieves the cross receives a year of blessings from God. The events conclude with a feast called Epiphany Glendi.

Organizers say they are prepared for the cold weather, with thermal blankets and paramedics at the dive site. The National Weather Service forecast calls for temperatures in low 30s for Saturday morning. The boys will keep with tradition wearing shorts and T-shirts for the dive, organizers said.

For more information, visit www.epiphanycity.org.

Caption: People line the seawall at Spring Bayou as divers jump from their boats into the water for the cross during the Feast of the Epiphany celebration Jan. 6, 2006 in Tarpon Springs. Jack Vasilaros, 16, holds the cross after he was blessed by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Greek Orthodox Church during the Feast of the Epiphany celebration (AP Photos/Steve Nesius)