Epiphany

The festive Holidays Season, in Greece, ends on Epiphany Day (January 6) when the Church celebrates the baptism of Jesus and the priests throw a cross in the sea, rivers, lakes or even water reservoirs. In the islands and the seaside towns, young men dive to retrieve the cross and the person, that catches, it is considered blessed. In the other areas the cross is tied on a ribbon and retrieved back by the priest.

In the past on Epiphany Eve carolers went around the houses to sing about the baptism of Jesus. Nowadays the custom tends to be forgotten and is kept only in villages.

Epiphany carols

Σήμερα τα φώτα κι ο φωτισμός
η χαρά μεγάλη κι ο αγιασμός.
Κάτω στον Ιορδάνη τον ποταμό
κάθετ' η κυρά μας η Παναγιά.
Όργανo βαστάει, κερί κρατεί
και τον Αϊ-Γιάννη παρακαλεί.
'Αϊ-Γιάννη αφέντη και βαπτιστή
βάπτισε κι εμένα Θεού παιδί.
Ν' ανεβώ στον ουρανό
να μαζέψω ρόδα και λίβανο.

Today is the day of Light and Illumination

The joy is enormous and the blessing

Our Lady sits down at the river Jordan

Holding a musical instrument and a candle

And asks St. John

“St. John Baptist please baptize my and God’s child

To go to heaven to gather roses and incense”