Hellenic Orthodox Traditionalist Church of America
HOLY METROPOLIS OF THE GENUINE
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA
ΙΕΡΑ ΜHΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΣ Γ.Ο.Χ. ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ
ΠΑΤΡΙΟΝ ΕΟΡΤΟΛΟΓΙΟΝ
22-68 26th Street, Astoria, N.Y. 11105
Tel: (718) 932-1592 * Fax: (718) 777-0596 * E-mail: Smyrna1922@aol.com
January 13, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
FROM: His Grace, +Christodoulos
Titular Bishop of Theoupolis
Re: Greek Orthodox Epiphany (Theophany)
Each year the Cathedral of St. Markella in New York is host to the annual celebration of Theophany (Epiphany) at the South Street Seaport in New York. This is when a dozen men dive into the icy waters of the East River to retrieve the Holy Cross that is cast in by His Eminence +Pavlos, the Archbishop of America. This year Theophany falls on Monday, January 19th, 2009 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day).
On this day the faithful come from cities far and wide and gather at the seaport buzzing with joy, and carrying icons, flags and banners. They form into a procession at the front of which is the famous Monaghan Pipe Band. Marching steadily they play and proceed down Fulton Street. Following behind them to Pier 16 is His Eminence Archbishop Pavlos, all the clergy and the people.
Beneath the large sailing ships with their towering masts rocking in the harbor, the river patiently awaits the divers as they walk onto the boats of the FDNY Marine Division, while protected by the boats and scuba crew of the NYPD Harbor Unit. The crowd gathers around and listens as the Archbishop reads the Gospel. The divers are now barefoot and anxious. His Eminence then blesses the harbor of the great city by casting the Cross of our Lord into the midst of the waters. The young men plunge in and race for the Cross. He who reaches it first returns it to Archbishop Pavlos while hoisted upon the shoulders of his comrades and with the swell of bagpipes.
The event begins at 1:00 PM at the intersection of John Street and South Street.
