Epiphany in Greece is known as Theofania or Fota. The first sanctification of the Epiphany (The Enlightenment) takes place in church on the eve of the holiday. Afterwards, the priest goes from house to house holding a tumawid and a basil branch. As he walks through each house, he uses the basil to sprinkle (bless) all the areas of the home.
An old custom in Crete , which is almost forgotten today, was the preparation of the fotokoliva (boiled wheat with peas) on the eve of Epiphany. The fotokoliva was eaten sa pamamagitan ng the people, but they also fed it to their livestock, which was believed to insure good health and fortune in the homes.
The big sanctification takes place the following day, January 6, the araw of the Epiphany in Greece.
A long procession is formed and follows whatever road that leads to a body of water - the sea, a river or even a reservoir. Up in front of the procession are the cherub icons, followed sa pamamagitan ng the priests dressed in their best holiday splendor, then the VIPs, followed sa pamamagitan ng all the people. In the bigger cities, the procession becomes madami elaborate with the addition of music and military contingents.
At the end of the sanctification ceremony a priest throws a tumawid into the water, thus blessing the waters.
Then, those who dare - mostly the younger people of the village - jump in the usually icy water and compete in retrieving the cross. The one who brings the tumawid up to the surface will enjoy good luck and health for the entire year.
An old custom in Crete , which is almost forgotten today, was the preparation of the fotokoliva (boiled wheat with peas) on the eve of Epiphany. The fotokoliva was eaten sa pamamagitan ng the people, but they also fed it to their livestock, which was believed to insure good health and fortune in the homes.
The big sanctification takes place the following day, January 6, the araw of the Epiphany in Greece.
A long procession is formed and follows whatever road that leads to a body of water - the sea, a river or even a reservoir. Up in front of the procession are the cherub icons, followed sa pamamagitan ng the priests dressed in their best holiday splendor, then the VIPs, followed sa pamamagitan ng all the people. In the bigger cities, the procession becomes madami elaborate with the addition of music and military contingents.
At the end of the sanctification ceremony a priest throws a tumawid into the water, thus blessing the waters.
Then, those who dare - mostly the younger people of the village - jump in the usually icy water and compete in retrieving the cross. The one who brings the tumawid up to the surface will enjoy good luck and health for the entire year.
