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St. Nicholas Cathedral Readies For Epiphany 2009

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: January 3, 2009

TARPON SPRINGS - On Jan. 6 many followers of the Orthodox faith make a pilgrimage to Tarpon Springs to celebrate the spirit of Epiphany.

Theophany, the Greek name for Epiphany, means "the Lord shining forth" or "manifestation of God." In the Greek Orthodox and other Eastern Rite Christian churches, Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan.

Members of the Greek Orthodox community, news media and interested spectators from around the region flock to Epiphany City for a festival that brings the spirit of the holiday season from inside St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral to the nearby waters of Spring Bayou.

The Rev. Michael Eaccarino, dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral, said few places in America commemorate Theophania like Tarpon Springs, with its heritage deeply rooted in Greek culture.

Eaccarino was named dean of the St. Nicholas Cathedral following the October 2005 death of the congregation's longtime spiritual leader, the Rev. Tryfon Theophilopoulos. As a young boy Eaccarino marched in the Tarpon Springs Epiphany processional as part of a Miami-based Greek folk dance troupe.

Eaccarino, 58, attended seminary as a young man but wasn't ordained until later in life, after marrying, raising a family and running his own business for more than 15 years. He says he never dreamed that he would one day lead the beautiful St. Nicholas parish.

Many people believe the Epiphany celebration and St. Nicholas Cathedral, at the corner of Orange Street and Pinellas Avenue, in the heart of downtown, protects the entire Suncoast from devastating hurricanes, Eaccarino says.

The church was built with donations from Greek sponge fishermen who donated a percentage of their bounty to build the Byzantine-style sanctuary paying homage to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of fishermen. No storm has made a direct hit on the area since, Eaccarino notes.

Each year, during Epiphany, a wooden cross is tossed into the waters of Spring Bayou. The faithful believe this symbol of protection and life has an effect on nature, keeping the waters tranquil and the storms away, the priest says.

During Epiphany, a blessing of the waters is conducted during three literguries.

Before the festival day, during a Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral on Monday, Jan. 5, the Eve of Theophania, there is a Lesser Blessing of the Waters.

On Epiphany Day, a Great Blessing of the Waters takes place inside the cathedral as part of the Archieratical Divine Liturgy. Another blessing by the archbishop takes place before the cross is tossed into the waters of Spring Bayou.

This year many more young men of the Greek Orthodox community want to dive for the cross. The yearly religious event captures the attention of news media and interested spectators from around the world.

Thousands of spectators and members of the Greek Orthodox faith line the banks of Spring Bayou to witness the event. News of which boy retrieved the cross quickly spreads through the community.

The religious processional, lead by officials from the Greek Orthodox Church, begins around 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, marching from the cathedral a short distance to the bayou.

At around 1 p.m. about 65 youths ages 16 - 18 will dash down the steps of Spring Bayou in Craig Park and swim to tiny boats, ready to dive into the cold bayou to retrieve the cross.

Anyone who believes the boy who retrieves the cross is merely destined for a year of good luck does not understand the religious significance of Epiphany, Eaccarino says. In fact, the youth becomes the standard-bearer of the faith, expected to live the Epiphany experience every day.

"To us God is everything," he says.

A Glendi, a festive party with plenty of Greek food and dance, will take place after the cross diving ceremony, at St. Nicholas Cathedral's large community center at the corner of Pinellas Avenue and Read Street.

Those who plan to watch the dive for the cross or attend Epiphany ceremonies are advised to arrive early since parking will be at a premium downtown.

Motorists hoping not to get caught in the traffic congestion should avoid downtown Tarpon Springs between 11 a.m. and approximately 2 p.m.

Epiphany Celebration 2009 schedule

8 a.m. - Orthros (Matins) at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 36 N. Pinellas Ave.

9:30 a.m. - Divine Liturgy, inside the cathedral.

12:00 p.m. - Blessing of the Waters celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta.

12:30 p.m. - Traditional procession through downtown to Spring Bayou, with clergy, visiting dignitaries, members of the Greek Orthodox faith, youngsters dressed in traditional Greek costumes, choir members, teen cross divers and dove bearer.

1 p.m. - Blessing of the bayou waters and tossing of the cross.

1:30 - 9 p.m. - Glendi at the Spanos-Pappas Community Center, Theofilos Hall,348 N. Pinellas Ave., a few blocks north of downtown. Food, drink, live music and dancing to traditional Greek music add a festive air to the day. Admission is $2.

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