Throughout our townships, numerous divers, both male and female, braved the chilly waters to participate in this year's Epiphany Ceremonies.

In Kokkini Hani, priests Yeorgios Metohianakis and Antonios Hourdakis blessed the waters while four swimmers competed in retrieving the cross. Marios Vasilakis came up with it the first time around, while Manos Kalathakis grabbed it second, Babis Amonahakis, third, and Gaby Hatzaki, fourth. About 300 people were on hand for the ceremonies.

In Gournes, roughly the same number of residents lined the shores surrounding the base marina as priests Leonidas Hatzakis and Manolis Liakakis blessed the waters then threw the cross.

Ten-year-old Antonis Thafnomilis, grabbed the cross the first time, then Emmanuil Liakakis, also 10, took it the second, and Alexandros Spanakis, 16, was third.   

Following the ceremonies, complimentary drinks and sweets were offered by the Gournes Amateur Fishermen Association, together with the Gournes Cultural Association.