Epiphany, also known as Theophany, is a significant holiday in Cyprus, a mainly Orthodox Christian country. Celebrated on the 6th of January each year, the festivities commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. Deemed as a public holiday, it is a momentous occasion marked by elaborate celebrations and religious ceremonies, bringing entire communities together.
The rites begin with divine liturgy in the local churches on the eve of Epiphany. People, including children, participate enthusiastically in the service, taking holy water back home, symbolic of the baptismal water. The most distinguishing feature of the Epiphany celebration in Cyprus is the 'Blessing of the Waters'. Priests throw a cross into the sea, river, or lake, and swimmers dive into the water to retrieve it. This act is to replicate Jesus’s baptism and represents the purification of people's spirits.
Festive feasts are a significant part of the Epiphany celebrations in Cyprus. Traditional dishes like loparnika (a type of bread), are prepared and shared amongst family and friends, fostering a sense of communal unity and joy. Often accompanied by music and dance, these festivities continue for the entire day, reflecting the vibrant culture of Cyprus and its deeply embedded religious convictions.