2017 Epiphany: Tarpon Springs Resident Retrieves Cross From Bayou

TARPON SPRINGS, FL – An 18-year-old Tarpon Springs resident retrieved the ceremonial cross out of Spring Bayou during the 2017 Epiphany Celebration on Friday, Jan. 6.

Joseph Cooley brought the cross to the surface minutes after he and other area boys in the Greek Orthodox community made the leap into the waters off of Tarpon Springs. This was the third and final year Cooley, a Tarpon Springs High School senior, participated in the celebration.

Cooley will receive God’s blessing throughout the year, according to the event’s tradition.

Epiphany is recognized each year on Jan. 6. The Tarpon Springs observance begins with services at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, where Cooley and his family are members, followed by a processional to Spring Bayou. Once there, divers line up for a chance to retrieve the cross.

The Epiphany celebration draws thousands of visitors to Tarpon Springs each year. Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany to commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, as reflected in the Tarpon Springs celebrations. Western Christians mainly celebrate Epiphany to commemorate the arrival of the three Magi, who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus.

“In the old country, Jesus Christ’s baptismal day was celebrated with spiritual emotion and long procession,” the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks website states. “Following tradition, the Greek community established that January the 6th of each year will be celebrated with the sanctification of the waters and the immersion of the cross in the Spring Bayou on ‘Cross Day’ or ‘Epiphany’.”

Images via the City of Tarpon Springs Facebook page