Vintage Friday: Epiphany Cross Dive

The visit of the wise-men
Heinrich Hofmann [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
One of my favorite memories from teaching in Tarpon Springs years ago was the excitement of the boys’ annual dive for the cross as part of the celebration of the Epiphany. The school and community helped support the festivities.

Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, is a Christian holiday representing the time when Jesus manifested himself to the Three Wise Men or Magi. It is a vitally important celebration in the Greek Orthodox Church and marks the end of the Christmas holy days. Following the service of the Divine Liturgy, the clergy, congregation, and people at large form the Procession of the Cross down to a body of water, such as river, lake, or springs. As the focal point of the ceremony, the holy official blesses the water by casting the gold cross into it. The boys then dive for the cross and the one lucky enough to retrieve it brings it back to the holy official to receive his blessing.

Here is a wonderful clip from the Florida Memory project of an even older time period, the 1960s, when Governor Bryant was a featured guest. You can see how the solemn Epiphany ceremony is followed by an evening of dancing and folk music.

Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance

By Flossie Benton Rogers

Paranormal romance author who loves to shake the edges of reality.

8 comments

  1. We have the same festivity here on 6th January – annual dive for the cross as part of the celebration of the Epiphany. I’m not sure it is held today as we are now under strong blizzard. It’s been snowing for 10 hours and the wind is howling horribly outside..

      1. Thanks, Mae! It’s still snowing and the wind is as strong and indeed the Epiphany ceremonies have been cancelled!

  2. I was unaware of this tradition with diving for the cross, Flossie. What a beautiful ceremony. Thanks so much for sharing it and happy New Year!

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