Archbishop Georgios will bless the waters at Ayia Napa on Monday as Cyprus’ Greek orthodox Christian communities celebrate the Epiphany.

Meanwhile, Karpasia Bishop Christophoros will attend a ceremony in the Karpas peninsula village of Ayia Triada before blessing the waters in Yialousa.

Neapolis Bishop Porphyrios will attend church in Engomi and then bless the waters in the Acropolis Park in Strovolos, while Mesaoria Bishop Grigorios will attend church in Aglandjia before blessing the waters in the Athalassa Park.

The Epiphany is one of the most important days on the Greek orthodox calendar. It marks the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by St John the Baptist and is commemorated by a blessing of the waters, whether they be rivers, lakes, or seas, by a priest.

As per tradition, the priest throws a cross into the water, before young men and boys dive in after it to retrieve the cross.

The person who retrieves the cross is then blessed by the priest for the year ahead.