The 116th annual Epiphany celebration was held Thursday, January 6 in Tarpon Springs. In attendance were His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, The Reverend Fr. Athanasios Haros, Dean of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Angeliki Kavouklis, 12, center, greets His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, with flowers as he arrives to perform the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Choir member Joanne Volakakis, left, visits with Haralambos Kavouklis, 6, Angeliki Kavouklis, 12, and Emmanouela Kavouklis, 8, while awaiting the arrival of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, outside of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral while participating in the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, lights a candle moments after arriving to perform the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Haralambos Kavouklis, 6, awaits the arrival of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, while participating in the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Dinghies are in place Thursday morning for teenage boys to dive from in a competition to retrieve a white wooden cross from the waters of Spring Bayou. DOUGLAS CLIFFORD | Times
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His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, performs the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers Anthony Loya, 16, left, and Yanni Zaronias, 16, pause to venerate icons while arriving at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Women observe the Divine Liturgy near a painting depicting the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist at the River Jordan, background, at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, performs the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross diver Jacob Johnson, 17, lights a candle moments after arriving at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
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Girls in white fill a row of seats in St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral while they attend the Divine Liturgy at during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
The Holy Eucharist, left, is prepared for a blessing from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, during a performance of the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers congregate outside of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral moments after taking a group picture during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Altar boys congregate in an atrium at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral while participating in the Divine Liturgy service during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
A priest delivers an Orthodox Gospel book to an altar while participating in the Divine Liturgy service at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
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Bishop Sevastianos of Zelon, left, joins His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, center, while blessing The Holy Eucharist during a performance of the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Alexander Makris, 16 of New Port Richey, came up with white cross Thursday during the annual cross dive in Spring Bayou, part of the Tarpon Springs Epiphany celebration. IVY CEBALLO | Times
Alexander Makris, 16 of New Port Richey, comes up with the white cross Thursday during the annual cross dive in Spring Bayou, part of the Tarpon Springs Epiphany celebration. IVY CEBALLO | Times
Lorelei Gialousis, 4, left, and Anna Karavokiros, 5, participate in a Greek Orthodox procession to Spring Bayou while participating in the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers jump into Spring Bayou en route to dinghies for the cross toss during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
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His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros places a crucifix on cross retriever Alexander Makris, 16, moments after he retrieved the cross during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross diver Alexander Makris, 16, emerges from Spring Bayou with the Epiphany cross while participating in the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross retriever Alexander Makris, 16, center, gets a kiss from his father, Nick Makris, while visiting with his mother Andrea Makris, left, sister, Sophia Makris, and grandmother Angela Makris, right, moments after being carried to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral after retrieving the cross from Spring Bayou during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers line up outside of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral while joining a procession to Spring Bayou with during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers swarm a dinghy in Spring Bayou while participating in the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
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Cross retriever Alexander Makris, 16, right, gets a kiss from his sister Sophia Makris, right, moments after he retrieved the cross during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. At left (with staff) is His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross retriever Alexander Makris, 16, is carried from Spring Bayou by fellow divers moments after he retrieved the cross during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Dove bearer Katerina Lecourezos, 16, releases a dove over Spring Bayou while participating in the 116th annual Epiphany celebration on Thursday, Jan 6, 2022, in Tarpon Springs. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Taso Damianakis, 16, of Safety Harbor, grabs his cousin Nikitas Koulianos, 22, of Tarpon Springs, while preparing before his first dive for the cross during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. IVY CEBALLO | Times
Participants bow their heads at the steps of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. IVY CEBALLO | Times
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Participants steady their boat in Spring Bayou before diving for a cross during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. IVY CEBALLO | Times
Renee Dragoudsis, 47, lights a candle at an altar while her son Paris Dragoudsis, 4, of Trinity, touches his traditional clothing during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. IVY CEBALLO | Times
Alexander Makris, 16, hoists a cross in Spring Bayou during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. IVY CEBALLO | Times
Nicholas Manglis, 17, of Tarpon Springs, center, places a candle on an altar as other congregants light their candles at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. “I have butterflies of course,” Manglis said while preparing before his first dive for the cross. “I’m very excited, super happy and grateful I’m able to participate in this.” IVY CEBALLO | Times
A congregant holds a book of liturgy during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. IVY CEBALLO | Times
A statue of a cross retriever seen outside Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral during the 116th annual Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022. IVY CEBALLO | Times