Toned down Epiphany celebrations get underway

A priest on Tuesday blessed the waters at Famagusta general hospital as part of Epiphany, or Theofania celebrations on Wednesday, which will be different this year because of the pandemic.

The service was held at a small chapel, Ayios Efrem, at the hospital, which is used solely for Covid patients.

Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, is a Christian holiday celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist.

The most important ritual is the blessing of the waters, which is performed by the Greek Orthodox priest.

In seaside or lakeside areas, priests throw a cross into the water and swimmers jump in to recover it.

It is believed that the person who captures the cross and returns it to the priest will be blessed for the whole year.

However, tradition will be curtailed this year in light of the pandemic.

In the Larnaca and Famagusta areas there will be no blessing of the waters at beaches while churches will hold services for up to 75 people inside, provided it is allowed by the size of the building, while people will be allowed to follow proceedings outside in line with protective measures.

Famagusta Bishopric chancellor Avgoustinos Karas said the official celebration planned to be held in Ayia Napa, in the presence of the president and the archbishop, will see only the bishop and local officials – 75 people – attending but because of the pandemic.

Blessing of the waters will not take place at the district’s beaches but will be done in the district’s churches, Karas said.

A service was held at Famagusta hospital on Tuesday, he said, with prayers for the patients and staff working there.

In the district of Larnaca, the official service will be held at Ayios Lazaros church by Kition Bishop Nektarios.

Larnaca too, will not see any beachside services.