Greek Orthodox Christians across Cyprus celebrate the Epiphany on Saturday, one of the most important days on the Greek Orthodox calendar.
The day marks the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by St John the Baptist and is commemorated by a blessing of the waters, whether they be rivers, lakes, or seas, by a priest.
As per tradition, the priest throws a cross into the water, before young men and boys dive in after it to retrieve the cross.
The person who retrieves the cross is then blessed by the priest for the year ahead.
On Saturday morning, services were held across the Republic, but also in the north. Bishop of Karpasia Christoforos held a service in the village of Ayia Triada in the Karpass peninsula, before the waters at the creek of Ayios Thryrsos were blessed.
Elsewhere, President Nikos Christodoulides is due to attend celebrations in Larnaca, where Archbishop Georgios as well as Bishop of Kiti Nektarios held a service at the town’s Saint Lazarus church.
House Speaker Annita Demetriou is due to attend a service at the Ayia Napa church in Limassol. Churchgoers in Limassol then made their way to the city’s old port to bless the waters there.
Other government ministers, deputy ministers, and representatives were set to attend services across the island.
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