Nicholas Petropoulos of Safety Beach has won the race to pluck the Holy Cross from the waters at Rye in this year’s celebration of the Theofania, or blessing of the Holy Waters.
“I think that it’s a blessing from God and I’m really proud to have successfully done this. It is going to bring health, guidance and good luck to my family,” the 16 year-old said.
Coincidentally, Nicholas is the grandson of Reverend Father Eleftherios Tatsis from the Holy Monastery of Panagia Kamariani at Red Hill, who launched the Holy Cross off the pier and was beaming with pride at his grandson’s victory.
“It’s my great joy not only that my grandson got the cross, but that so many second and third generation young people come here, fill up the pier without offer of reward and try their luck to retrieve the cross,” the Rev Fr said.
The blessing marks Epiphany Day, one of the holiest on the Greek Orthodox calendar and has been celebrated with a race to retrieve the cross for over 40 years.
Tradition says that the person who retrieves the cross will be blessed with health and good fortune for the year ahead. It is also considered good luck for others to kiss the Holy Cross.
(source: neos kosmos)
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