HENLEY BEACH

Go Greek Festival!

The Greek Orthodox Community of SA presents the ‘Go-Greek Festival’ on 6 January at Henley Beach incorporating the 2019 Annual Blessing of the Waters.

If you enjoy traditional Greek food, music, dance and festivals, then come along to wonderful Henley Beach for a Greek celebration for all to enjoy. Free entry all day – great family fun!

The Blessing of the Waters ceremony is an interesting event that everyone enjoys and one which is unique and sacred. The most exciting is where the holy cross is thrown into the waters. As the cross is thrown in by a priest, men plunge into the waters to catch it and try to outrace each other. Whoever manages to be the first and bring it out is believed to be blessed with good luck.

Every year on January 6, the Orthodox Church celebrates one of its most sacred days, the Feast of Epiphany. Epiphany celebrates the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. It is also known as the Feast of Theofania because it is when the Most Holy Trinity is revealed to the world through the Baptism of the Lord. On the Day of Epiphany, the Church blesses the sea, the seashores, the islands and those whose livelihoods are dependent upon the sea. Everyone is welcome.