Epiphany celebrations held in all districts (Updated)

Epiphany celebrations took place on Friday in the main districts with religious ceremonies being held in coastal towns, followed by a swim to retrieve the cross.

Epiphany is a Christian holiday celebrating the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

The most important ritual is the blessing of the waters, which is performed by a 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.

The main event took place at the Church of Agioi Anargyros in Paphos in the presence of House President Annita Demetriou. The liturgy was conducted by the new archbishop, until recently Bishop Giorgios of Paphos who will be officially enthroned on Sunday.

In his sermon, Giorgios wished “enlightenment for all, for our rulers, for our people, for all of us so that with divine illumination we can get rid of our passions but also the Turkish occupation”.

He likened the dive into the water to that of Christ, saying it symbolised the release from the bonds of slavery “slavery to sin and slavery to our passions”.

Demetriou, during the official celebration wished the best for people and the country.

For the first time, two Ukrainian women, Larisa and Marina, took part in the dive, unfazed by the chilly weather saying it would be colder back home, according to CNA.

Elsewhere on Friday, Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou represented the government at the Epiphany service at Saint Lazarus church in Larnaca.

Events also took place in Limassol, Paralimni and various areas of Nicosia such as Aglandjia and Strovolos.

Bishop Athanasios presided over the Limassol event.