Dave and Gerry's Alonissos Island Information Site
Dave and Gerry's Alonissos Island Information Site |
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Epiphany on Alonissos - 6th January 2010 |
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Click on the links in the text to view pictures of the Epiphany ceremony. The Epiphany service took place in Patitiri on 6th January which this year was on a Wednesday. We went down to the harbour around 10.15am expecting that the blessing of the water service would start between 10.30-10.45am. We went to Cave bar and had a warming coffee while the wind blew and the waves came up onto the port but fortunately no rain in sight. Father Avraam started the service around 10.45am by which time the water was less choppy although it was still a cold morning. There were a considerable number of islanders at the service considering the weather and the flying dolphin, the only vessel in port, had its flags flying. The coastguard dinghy came into the harbour in case of any problems but oddly enough was not used this year for the swimmers. Towards the end of the service four brave youths came to the edge of the port. Father Avraam had a wooden cross in his hand with which he made the sign of the cross and then threw it into the water. As the cross hit the water the boys jumped in and one boy got the cross almost immediately. Instead of swimming to the coastguard dinghy the boys swam back towards the harbour and climbed up a ladder and onto terra firma. After the ceremony father Avraam blessed the congregation and distributed holy water from a large silver urn while we all headed back to the Cave bar for a drink. |
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