Epiphany in Greece – Theophania – Ton Foton – 6 January

 

 

In The Greek Orthodox Church, Epiphany, known as “Ton Foton” (The shining forth), is a celebration of the announcement of Jesus Christ as The Messiah and as second person of The Holy Trinity at his baptism, by John the Baptist, in the River Jordan.

 

 

Christ’s baptism is only one of two occasions when all three of The Trinity showed themselves at the same time to mankind. (The other occasion was the “Transfiguration” on Mount Tabor)

 

 

Greek Epiphany Traditions

 

 

On the sixth of January, Epiphany, The Greek Orthodox Church performs;

“The Great Blessing of the Waters”

This ceremony, performed twice, once, on The Eve of Epiphany (A day of fasting), performed in the church and again on the actual day, outdoors, with priests blessing the sea, rivers and lakes etc.

A priest, surrounded by brave young men and boys throws a cross into the sea, either from the harbour, or from a boat at sea.

 

 

 The minute the cross leaves the priest’s hand is the signal for them to dive into the freezing water to catch it.

 

 

The lucky one who finds and returns the cross is blessed by the priest;

I should think that the only thing on the divers mind at this point, is a warm towel and something hot to drink!

 

 

 

 

As the cross is victoriously brought back the priest releases a white doves as a symbol of The Holy Spirit.

 

 

This tradition is carried out to remember and to celebrate the Baptism of Christ and to bless the waters.

 Fishermen have their boats lined up waiting for them to be blessed by the priest once the daring divers are out of the way.

On the Eve of Epiphany (5th January) priests make house calls and with a bunch of fresh Basil dipped into a bowl of holy water and shaken around every room he blesses the house.

 

 

This is also the day that the naughty little imps, Kallikantzaroi, who came out for the twelve days of Christmas, being afraid of holy water, scuttle back to their underground homes.

 Another quaint custom is that of collecting two pebbles from the beach.

 

 

They must be wet with sea water, taken home without drying, and placed in the center of the house.

As the pebbles dry the evaporating sea water, which is considered blessed on this day, will bless your house.

Last but not least and probably the most looked forward to, as the day before Epiphany was a strict day of fasting, is the custom of on arriving home after the celebrations, tucking into different types of delicious fried pastries.

 These are traditionally; dipples, ribbons of fried pastry, covered in  honey, or loukoumades, small round doughnuts, again covered in honey, that have been especially prepared for today.

 

 

Water blessed at Epiphany or Theophania, the “Theophany Water” is believed to be different to Holy Water in that its very nature has been changed and has become pure, honourable and praiseworthy.

Epiphany, as you may have guessed, is a traditional day in The Greek Orthodox Church for baptisms.

Epiphany is followed by an eight day “Afterfeast”, meaning all religious fasting is forgotten for these eight days, which is just as well as it won’t be long now until fasting for Lent begins; forty days before Easter.

The sixth of January, Theophania, in The Greek Orthodox Church, is the name day of:
Fotis, Fotini, Fanis, Fani, Iordanis (Jordan) Ourania, Peristera, Theofanis, Theofania and Theopoula.

A Happy Name Day to you all.

 

Related links:

Saints and Celebrations of the Greek Orthodox Church