Orthodox Christians in Cyprus celebrated Epiphany

Greek Orthodox Christians across Cyprus marked one of the most important days in the Greek Orthodox calendar over the past weekend - Epiphany. This day commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by Saint John the Baptist and is observed with the consecration of water.

On the morning of January 6, services took place throughout the Republic of Cyprus. The country's President, Nikos Christodoulides, attended the celebrations in Larnaca, where Archbishop Georgios and Bishop Nektarios conducted the service at the city's Church of Saint Lazarus.

The Head of State was joined by the Mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, and the Chief of the National Guard, Georgios Tsicikostas. After the church service, the parishioners headed to Larnaca's harbor, where the holy cross was thrown into the sea - following the tradition where a priest tosses the cross into the water, and young men dive in to retrieve it. Subsequently, the priest blesses the person who retrieves the cross for the upcoming year.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, attended the service at the Ayia Napa Church in Limassol. Later, Limassol residents, accompanied by the municipal philharmonic orchestra, proceeded to the old port of the city, where the ritual of water consecration also took place.

The Government Spokesperson, Constantinos Petrides, attended the festivities in Paphos. Celebrations commenced at the Church of the Holy Unmercenaries, after which a procession headed from the church to the harbor of Paphos.

Ministers, deputy ministers, and government representatives also attended services throughout the island.

It's worth noting that Epiphany was also celebrated in the northern part of the island. In particular, Bishop Christophoros of Karpasia conducted the ceremony in the village of Aya Triada on the Karpasia Peninsula before the consecration of the waters of the Aios Triados stream.