Archbishop Georgios to Bless the Water in Ayia Napa

On Monday, January 6, the Greek Orthodox Christian communities on the island will celebrate Theophany. In honor of the occasion, Archbishop Georgios of Cyprus will bless the waters in Ayia Napa.

Bishop Porphyrios of Neapolis, the representative of the Cypriot Orthodox Church to the European Union, will visit the church in Engomi before blessing the water at the Acropolis Park in Strovolos. Meanwhile, Bishop Grigorious of Mesaria will visit the church in Aglandjia and then bless the water at Atalassa Park.

Earlier, it was reported that Theophany will also be celebrated at the Orthodox Church in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. On Monday, January 6, 2025, a Divine Liturgy will take place at the Holy Trinity Church in Agios Tirsos. The ceremony will be attended by Bishop Christophoros of Karpassia, who will then bless the water in Yalousa.

Theophany is one of the most significant days in the Greek Orthodox calendar. It marks the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by Saint John the Baptist and is celebrated with the blessing of waters, whether from rivers, lakes, or seas, by a priest.

Traditionally, the priest throws a cross into the water, and young boys dive in to retrieve it. The one who finds the cross receives a blessing from the priest for the year ahead.