The Brief
- The annual Greek Orthodox Epiphany Day commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist.
- 2026 marks 120 years of faith, heritage and tradition in Tarpon Springs.
- There will be 74 diving participants ready to retrieve the cross to receive many blessings for this year.
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – It’s an event that’s rich in history and tradition. The 120th annual Greek Orthodox Epiphany Day in Tarpon Springs — commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist. The ceremony celebrates faith, family and tradition.
The backstory:
“This is a ceremony that’s been going on for more than hundreds of years in Greece. And the Greek settlers that came here to Tarpon Springs at the very turn of the 20th century maintained that tradition of blessing, doing the blessing and having the boys dive for the cross,” John Koulianos, mayor of Tarpon Springs, said.…