Epiphany is one of the oldest celebrations of the Orthodox Church.
On January 6, priests conduct the blessing of the waters by throwing a cross into the sea. Devout individuals brave the typically cold and harsh weather of this season in Greece to dive in and retrieve the cross. The first to reach it is considered lucky and blessed.

In Crete, water blessing ceremonies are held everywhere—from the sea and lakes to the Aquarium!

On Monday, January 6, 2025, the Epiphany celebration will begin with the Orthros service, the Festive Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, and the Great Blessing of the Waters at the Holy Cathedral of Saint Titus.
The traditional procession to the Heraklion harbor will follow, where the water blessing will take place at 11:00 a.m.

The Cretaquarium’s festive events will peak on Monday, January 6, 2025, at around 1:00 p.m., with the water blessing ceremony led by His Eminence Archbishop Eugenios of Crete.
The Cretaquarium will be open that day with regular admission from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. After 12:30 p.m., a limited number of FREE tickets will be issued for visitors to attend the water blessing ceremony from designated areas indicated by the aquarium staff.
For safety reasons, strict capacity limits will be enforced to ensure a safe and pleasant visit. After the ceremony, visitors who could not enter the aquarium during the event may visit FREE of charge until 4:00 p.m.

In the Municipality of Minoa Pediada

Monday, January 6, 2025:

• 7:00–10:30 a.m.: Festive Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Great Blessing of the Waters at the Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Andrew in Arkalochori.
• 11:15 a.m.: Lake Livades, Thrapsano.
• 1:30 p.m.: Tsoutsouras Port.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025:

• 7:00–10:30 a.m.: Festive Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Holy Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, Kallergi, Kastelli, followed by the traditional "cistern" water blessing.

In the Municipality of Faistos

• Pombia: 10:00 a.m.
• Zaros: 11:30 a.m.
• Antiskari – Platia Peramata: 12:00 p.m.
• Kaloi Limenes: 12:30 p.m.
• Matala: 1:00 p.m.
• Kalamaki: 2:00 p.m.
• Kokkino Pyrgos: 3:00 p.m.

In the Municipality of Viannos

The schedule at beaches and harbors across the municipality is as follows:

• 10:30 a.m.: Reservoir of Ano Viannos.
• 10:30 a.m.: Arvi Harbor.
• 10:45 a.m.: Tertsa Beach.
• 11:00 a.m.: Psari Forada Beach.
• 12:15 p.m.: Kastri Harbor.

Cultural associations in the area will hold their traditional New Year’s cake-cutting ceremonies after the water blessing services.

In the Municipality of Gortyna

On Monday, January 6, 2025, the water blessing ceremonies will take place as follows:

• 10:00 a.m.: Old aqueduct in Plora.
• 10:30 a.m.: Beach of the Holy Monastery of Koudoumas (Divine Liturgy from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.).
• 11:15 a.m.: Gergeri Reservoir.
• 1:00 p.m.: Beach of Lentas.
• 2:00 p.m.: Loutres Harbor.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025:

On Saint John the Baptist’s Feast Day, a water blessing ceremony will be held in Saint John at 10:30 a.m. (Divine Liturgy: 7:30–10:00 a.m.).

In the Municipality of Malevizi

• 11:00 a.m.: Krousonas (central reservoir).
• 11:00 a.m.: Ammoudara (Lotos area).
• 11:15 a.m.: Ammoudara Beach (Heaven area).
• 11:30 a.m.: Pantanassa (fishing shelter).
• 11:30 a.m.: Lygaria (west beach side).
• 12:00 p.m.: Agia Pelagia (central beach).
• 12:00 p.m.: Palaiokastro.
• 12:30 p.m.: Made.
• 1:30 p.m.: Fodele Beach.

Organized by the Development Organization of Crete

The annual water blessing ceremonies will be held at water facilities managed by the organization across the island on Monday, January 6, 2025:

• 10:30 a.m.: Agios Georgios Reservoir, Lassithi Plateau.
• 12:00 p.m.: Aposelemi Dam, Heraklion.
• 12:00 p.m.: Amari Dam, Rethymno.

Events will take place at designated areas near the reservoirs’ shores.

In Chania

The water blessing ceremony will be held on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the city’s central water reservoir in the Saint John parish (at the end of Iggoumenou Gavriil Street).