Tarpon Springs, Florida
Two days of events commemorating the Epiphany will reached their high point when teenage boys of the Greek Orthodox faith take part in the annual cross dive in Spring Bayou near downtown Tarpon Springs.
Photo Gallery: Tarpon Springs Epiphany Celebration and cross dive 2011
Tarpon Springs has a higher proportion of Greek Americans than any other city in the United States.
This is the 105th year the city has celebrated the Epiphany; the tradition began with Greek immigrants who came to the area to make a living diving for sponges in the Gulf of Mexico.
After a morning of church services at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, a procession including the cross divers walked from the church to Spring Bayou at around 12:15. Seventy-seven young men then plunged into the water.
At around 1 o'clock, a member of the Greek clergy blessed a wooden cross and tossed it into the dark bayou. The waiting boys then swam and dove until one was able to come up with the cross in hand.
The boy who came up with the cross this year was Louis Pappas. Pappas, 17, attends Tarpon Springs High School and is a grandson of the man who founded the Louis Pappas Greek market and cafe.
It's said the family of the young man who retrieves the cross will be especially blessed for the following year.
This year marks a new chapter in the tradition: Bill Paskalakis, who carefully carved the crosses for 40 years, passed away in 2010. His 24-year old grandson Nicholas Souder has taken up the responsibility.
More: Epiphany Cross tradition now in hands of 24-year-old Nicholas Souder
A young woman from the church's youth choir will carry and release a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. This year's dove bearer is Stavroula Karavokiros, a two-time heart transplant recipient.
After the ceremony at Spring Bayou, a Glendi festival of Greek food and dancing began at the Spanos Pappas Community Center at 348 N. Pinellas Ave. The festival is open to all and admission is $3.
Epiphany, also called Theophany, is celebrated every January 6th in the Greek Orthodox church. It commemorates the revealing to the world of Jesus as the son of God and celebrates Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan.
