Epiphany, also known as 'Theofania' or 'Fota', is a major religious holiday celebrated in Greece on January 6th each year. Greek Epiphany commemorates the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, marking the end of the 12 days of Christmas. The day's name, 'Theofania', which means 'vision of God', indicates the day Jesus christened as the Son of God.
The highlight of the Greek Epiphany celebration is the 'Blessing of the Waters' ceremony, a tradition in which a cross is thrown into the water by a priest, and swimmers dash to retrieve it. This ritual represents the baptism of Christ and is believed to banish the 'kallikantzaroi', mischievous goblins that surface during the 12-day Christmas period and wreak havoc. The person who retrieves the cross first is believed to receive good luck and blessings for the whole year.
Epiphany in Greece is a public holiday and is observed with various local customs and regional traditions. Besides the cross dive, other traditions include the procession of local liturgical items and relics and a festive banquet with certain foods. One dessert enjoyed is 'Vasilopita', or St. Basil's cake, which contains a hidden coin; finding it in your slice is considered good luck. Epiphany in Greece is a day of spiritual reflection and communal joy, a unique blend of faith, folklore, and festivity.