Tarpon Springs transformed into Epiphany City USA

Religious pilgrims, former residents and interested spectators will flock downtown, Wednesday, Jan. 6 to celebrate Epiphany.

Each year the news media descends on Tarpon Springs, known around the world as Epiphany City USA. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral becomes the focal point for the annual commemoration of Jesus Christ's baptism and a ritual that culminates in the diving for the Holy Cross in the waters of Spring Bayou. Religious services at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral begin at 8 a.m. and culminate at around 11:30 a.m.

Around noon, after church services, "thousands of people will form an impressive procession to Spring Bayou," explained Johanna Kossifidis, chairman of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral Epiphany Committee. The solemn line of march will include approximately 65 boys who will dive for the Holy Cross and dove bearer, who releases a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The procession also includes clerics from the Greek Orthodox Church around the world, members of the St. Nicholas Cathedral choir, children from Greek Schools dressed in traditional costumes, Hellenic dance troupes and church members. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America, will bless the waters and toss a cross into the bayou to be retrieved by one of boys. The boy who retrieves the cross is said to be blessed.

The Tarpon Springs Police remind visitors, business owners and residents that detours, road closures and traffic congestion should be expected from beginning of the Epiphany at 8 a.m. through approximately 2 p.m., downtown in the area of St. Nicholas Cathedral, said Lt. Barbara Templeton, police spokeswoman. Heavy foot traffic should be expected in the areas of the Cathedral and Spring Bayou, she advised. The boat ramp at Craig Park will be closed on Jan. 6 between 4 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The following roads will be affected:

By 10:30am Alt. 19 will be closed in front of the St. Nicholas Cathedral between Tarpon Ave and Orange Street. Alt 19 traffic will be detoured at Pine Street and Lemon Street, south bound traffic will detour to Pine Street, with north bound traffic detouring on Lemon Street. By noon Tarpon Avenue will be closed to vehicles between Ring Avenue and Spring Bayou. The Procession will leave the Church at approximately 12:15pm and travel from the Cathedral east on Orange Street, south on Safford Avenue, west on Tarpon Avenue to the Bayou. It's scheduled that the Cross will thrown into the bayou and retrieved at approximately 1 p.m.

City Commissioner Chris Alahouzos noted Epiphany is very good for the local economy bringing upwards of 25,000 visitors into the community and focusing the world's attention on Tarpon Springs.

As is tradition, the event not only blesses the young boy who retrieves the cross. Reverend Father Michael Eaccarino, dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral, said "this holy event, which is not merely a yearly symbolic re-enactment, but a real time transformation of nature. We here in the Tarpon Springs Area become recipients of the true metamorphosis of our environment. We are protected from above."

In the early part of the 19th century sponge fisherman donated a portion of the proceeds from their catch to build the St. Nicholas Cathedral. It's believed their gift, along with the church's more than century-old local Epiphany services, protects the city and possibly Tampa Bay from devastating tropical storms.

Following the diving for the cross on Jan. 6, an Epiphany Glendi Festival with plenty of traditional Greek food, dance and music will take place at St. Nicholas' Spanos-Pappas Community Center Theofilos Hall at 348 N. Pinellas Ave. Admission to the Glendi is $3.

The Sponge Docks, along Dodecanese Boulevard, also promises to be bristling with visitors yearning for traditional Greek dishes and specialty gifts.

Several other events will take place during the days leading to Epiphany. The blessing of the fleet is scheduled from 11 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, Jan. 5 at the Sponge Docks. Clergy bless the fisherman, their vessels, and waters on which they travel for safe and prosperous journeys, Kossifidis said. Sponge and commercial fisherman as well as recreational boaters are welcomed to attend.

The second annual Divers Dance will be held Saturday, Jan. 2 at Theofilos Hall starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the dance, sponsored and catered by Sweetbay, are $25 a person.