/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tbt.s3.amazonaws.com/public/PH5ONFWIRQI6TIRQPAY4DVT77I.jpg "48 divers jump into Spring Bayou to retrieve the cross during the 111th Epiphany Celebration in Tarpon Springs Friday, Jan. 6, 2016. Joseph Cooley, 18, a senior at Tarpon Springs High School, was this years retriever. Thousands attended Tarpon's Epiphany celebration which is the largest epiphany celebration in the Western Hemisphere")
Joseph Cooley, 18, a senior at Tarpon Springs High School, retrieved the cross during the 111th Epiphany celebration On Friday. Cooley was one of 48 boys who dove into Spring Bayou at the largest celebration in the Western Hemisphere of Jesus Christ's baptism. Thousands attended the event, which Tarpon Springs has hosted since 1903.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Archbishop Demetrios prays over the divers at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Archbishop Demetrios prays over the divers at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Dove bearer Maria Chagaris, 16, cradles the dove before releasing it during Tarpon Spring's annual celebration of Epiphany.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Dove bearer Maria Chagaris, 16, cradles the dove before releasing it during Tarpon Spring's annual celebration of Epiphany.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Spectators on the water during Tarpon Springs' annual celebration of Epiphany.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Spectators on the water during Tarpon Springs' annual celebration of Epiphany.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Divers leap into the water during Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Divers leap into the water during Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Divers leap into Spring Bayou to swim out to the boats to wait for the cross to be thrown during Tarpon Spring's annual celebration of Epiphany.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Divers leap into Spring Bayou to swim out to the boats to wait for the cross to be thrown during Tarpon Spring's annual celebration of Epiphany.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Too many divers wanted to be in this boat, which sank under the weight during Tarpon Spring's annual celebration of Epiphany.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Too many divers wanted to be in this boat, which sank under the weight during Tarpon Spring's annual celebration of Epiphany.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Divers leap into the water after the cross was thrown at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Divers leap into the water after the cross was thrown at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/UD4IDQTGHFFUZM43GMJ7RO2ZFE.JPG "Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines")
Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines
Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter
You’re all signed up!
Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Explore all your options
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs, swims to shore with the cross at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs, swims to shore with the cross at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Divers race for the cross during Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Divers race for the cross during Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs holds up the cross after retrieving it from Spring Bayou during Tarpon Spring's annual celebration of Epiphany.
JIM DAMASKE | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs holds up the cross after retrieving it from Spring Bayou during Tarpon Spring's annual celebration of Epiphany.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs, surfaces with the cross at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs, surfaces with the cross at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs, hoists the cross at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs, hoists the cross at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs, is carried by his fellow divers after retrieving the cross in Spring Bayou at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
LOREN ELLIOTT | Times
Joseph Cooley, 18, of Tarpon Springs, is carried by his fellow divers after retrieving the cross in Spring Bayou at Epiphany, the annual celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan, in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Matrona Anapliotis, 2, joins a group of myrrh bearers for the procession to Spring Bayou during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Matrona Anapliotis, 2, joins a group of myrrh bearers for the procession to Spring Bayou during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers kneel in prayer at Spring Bayou during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers kneel in prayer at Spring Bayou during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers make the mad dash to Spring Bayou during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Cross divers make the mad dash to Spring Bayou during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Dove bearer Maria Chagaris, 16, of Tarpon Springs, released a dove at Spring Bayou during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Dove bearer Maria Chagaris, 16, of Tarpon Springs, released a dove at Spring Bayou during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Altar boys participate in the Divine Liturgy during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Altar boys participate in the Divine Liturgy during the 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Children with the Saint Haralambos Hellenic Dancers, of Canton, Ohio, gather outside of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Tarpon Springs before Friday's (1/6/17) procession to Spring Bayou, part of the 111th Epiphany Celebration in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Children with the Saint Haralambos Hellenic Dancers, of Canton, Ohio, gather outside of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Tarpon Springs before Friday's (1/6/17) procession to Spring Bayou, part of the 111th Epiphany Celebration in downtown Tarpon Springs.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Altar boy Joaquin Kavoukils attends the The 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs. The event celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Altar boy Joaquin Kavoukils attends the The 111th Epiphany Celebration on Friday (1/6/17) in downtown Tarpon Springs. The event celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the River Jordan.
LUIS SANTANA | Times
An aerial view of the Spring Bayou just before the Epiphany cross dive.
LUIS SANTANA | Times
An aerial view of the Spring Bayou just before the Epiphany cross dive.
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/79wjq65ksjj26nAjLug_OjA7dvA=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MIF2R3XLCVAQNJBTT3G57ZQ3Z4.jpg "Editorial Cartoons for Tuesday from Times Wire Services")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/1NpeTSAZIZNEZLtUZnWuS9Zx4r0=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/4V7T3ZQZ3VAJ3CRWBVMXTGIK2U.jpg "Here’s why I’m staying in Florida, despite the embarrassing politics | Letters")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/ELcVKnA4OEq3-WZk8ttE_PDF_TM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/YJWJBQP64HASYRCZWW6TXJ4L6Y.jpg "Central Florida drag show restaurant files lawsuit against state, DeSantis")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/7E5ne6KQiLAsZLqAi5jHIFCHOm8=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VQAE53YSBJGSBFP7ZD2VOMKLYE.jpg "32 Memorial Day events in the Tampa Bay area")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/00T0sUd2x0DyzPyWAYpjZ0a6fEM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DISQP4GG5YI6TBKNIBWI6S7HAY.jpg "St. Pete Pride: Idina Menzel headlining Friday concert ahead of 2023 parade")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/WRoGFV1SGCCF-PoE3jao0vNqiSY=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/D42GVCKBTRA4BC37BPEG2RL7SM.JPG "New College faculty censure trustees. They have 13 reasons why.")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/1XAK0LwwuvAJEFtdGSTXu5ESbFM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/X5S7AJLM7RF5HGCETQRF44Z5TA.JPG "Clearwater sets terms for land swap: Tell us your plans, Scientology.")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/pL5HSLw6d4JknWs7qYGpFwhbXlc=/fit-in/1200x675/smart/filters:fill(000)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7CFG7GVZANED3CM57GS4OKLFAY.jpeg "2nd arrest made in USF St. Petersburg student’s shooting death")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/HNT4QGiLKJUh46XbHaPdrhk5YfY=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/6H2GJWQUDJGTJEHXIKXSZFIHPU.JPG "Kevin Kiermaier told Rays they’d miss him. He backs it up with hot start")
/www.tampabay.com/resizer/6tvlKt-wdNe9lAHAVLPWiTWEg4c=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DIHLD2PN5KXZ4WKXC63KLDAINI.jpg "DeSantis to announce 2024 presidential bid on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk, per sources")