Hi everyone,
As Andrea and I journey through the lands of Paul and Moses, we will share our experiences daily through Andrea's Facebook (find and friend her to follow along) and periodically through a reflection like this one, with a more theological or ecclesial perspective.
As Christians, today marked the celebration we call "Epiphany" in the West, which is known more broadly as a "Theophany". The word theophany is a combination of two Greek words, meaning God and appearance. A theophany is an appearance of God. More precisely, it is a visible display to human beings that expresses the presence and character of God.
In the West, the feast of Epiphany celebrates the announcement of Jesus Christ to the world by the visit of the Magi. Several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry are celebrated as “epiphanies": Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his first miracle at Cana. These four events are commemorated over the 4 Gospel readings each Sunday from Christmas Day to January 19.
In Greece, January 6 is a national holiday and with 90% of the 10 million Greek citizens as Orthodox Catholics, it is also a Holy Day of Obligation. There is a "Blessing of the Waters", both a private event on the eve of Epiphany within the church building so a fresh canister of blessed water is available for people to retrieve their Holy Water for 2025, and a public "Blessing of the Waters" on Epiphany Day. Check out the attached to learn more.
Epiphany in Orthodoxy:
Festival of Light, Blessing of Waters, Pious Acts of Faith
The icy grip of winter still held sway over Greece, but a different kind of warmth filled the air on January 6th. This was Epiphany, a day when the divine light pierced through the darkness, a "Theophany" – a manifestation of God himself. While most Christians in the West associate Epiphany with the Magi's starlit journey to Bethlehem, here in Greece, the celebration takes on a unique and vibrant form for our Orthodox siblings. Called the “Festival of Light”, or “ton foton” in Greek, it is both a spiritual and visceral expression of faith.
Imagine a land where almost everyone belongs to the Orthodox faith, where ancient churches echo with centuries of prayer, and where the sea itself becomes a stage for a sacred ritual. This is Greece on Epiphany, a national holiday and a profound spiritual experience.
In the charming town of Nafplio, we scampered to the Church of Panagia, with its weathered stones whispering tales of ages past, to share witness to our Faith in The Risen One. Entering with awe and reverence, we felt the incensed air filled with devotion. Worshippers approached the icons in pious acts of faith. With each cross and gentle kiss bestowed upon the holy images, we felt a tangible sense of connection to something ancient and powerful: the Holy Spirit. | |
An hour earlier, we had just missed the "Great Blessing of the Waters". Leading a procession from the Church of Panagia, a priest, surrounded by a cohort of young men eager to demonstrate their faith, stands at the water's edge. With a prayer on his lips and the cross held high, he casts it into the churning depths. In a heartbeat, the young men plunge into the icy embrace of the sea to faithfully retrieve the cross, with one lucky one receiving a divine blessing for 2025. |
Dripping with seawater, the cross is carried back in a solemn procession, as a white dove is released as a poignant reminder of the Holy Spirit descending upon Christ at his baptism, the manifestation of the Holy Trinity that we celebrate on Epiphany. The dove, a symbol of peace and purity, seemed to carry with it the hopes and prayers of the community, a collective yearning for light and renewal in the new year.
Epiphany in Greece is more than just a religious holiday; it's a cultural tapestry woven with faith, tradition, and the enduring spirit of a people. It's a reminder that even in the depths of winter, the light of faith can illuminate the darkest corners of our world. Learn more here.
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