Blessing of the Waters 2019 in Melbourne

The Blessing of the Waters, Greek Orthodox ceremonies take place at Port Melbourne, Frankston and Rye each year in January.

O Νικόλαος Χατζηδημητρίου έπιασε το σταυρό στο Princes Pier, στο προάστειο Port Melbourne της Victoria (Source: SBS Greek/Argyro Vourdoumpa) Source: SBS Greek/Argyro Vourdoumpa

The promise of a year's good fortune enticed scores of young Greek Orthodox men to try their luck in the annual Blessing of the Waters Ceremony. The ritual commemorates Christ's baptism in the River Jordan, termed the Epiphany by St. John Chryssostom (from the Greek word for 'manifestation', 'epifaniea').

Nikolaos Hatzidimitriou, 19 years old was the one who reached the cross first.

This article is only available in Greek.