Epiphany (φοτα)

It is announced that, with all splendour  on the day of the Epiphany Sunday, January 6, 2019, at 12.30, the Water Baptism Ceremony at the Pessada Harbour will be held.

 

 

11:00  At the Harbour area

Epiphany is celebrated on the 6th January every year as Orthodox Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus.

Epiphany is also called the Fota, in reference to the day being a Feast of Light, and it is also the saint’s day for Agia Theofana. The word “Epiphany” means the lowest point of light, or the dipping of the light – here “epi” means under or beneath, and the ancient syllable for light or shining, pha-, indicates the illumination. After Epiphany, what actually occurred at Winter Solstice, the beginning of the return voyage of the sun, becomes apparent and the days start to feel visibly longer.

The actual feast day begins with services of rejoicing at churches before continuing with the service of the Great Sanctification of Water. Then, processions comprised of clergy, local authorities and worshippers head to the nearest body of water – sea, lake, river, even water depots – where a ceremony is held to bless the water. This blessing is confirmed when the priest casts a cross into the water and a dove that symbolises the Holy Spirit is released. Young men dive into the water to retrieve the cross, and the individual who recovers it and returns it to the priest is given a special blessing, believed to provide greater luck for the year ahead.

Weather forecast suggest this years Epiphany ceremonies are going to be cold affairs for all but exceptionally cold for the brave swimmers!

We will update with shots from the many celebrations that will happen around Kefalonia this weekend. 

Also any pictures you capture this weekend we would be pleased to credit yourselves as the photographer and share on this site.