Izmir Marks Epiphany 95 Years After Asia Minor Catastrophe

Photo credit: Maria Paravantes

For the first time in almost a century, the ceremonial Orthodox Blessing of the Waters will take place tomorrow in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey) for the Great Feast of Theophany (known as “Fota”) on January 6.

Orthodox faithful as well as Izmir residents will have the chance to participate in the religious ritual which stopped being practiced in Izmir in 1922 after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey. 

This year, with the permission of the Turkish foreign ministry, the Epiphany celebrations mark a fresh start for Turkey’s Orthodox Christians as it is the first time the religious ceremony will take place officially outdoors as the protocol requires.

Following the church service, the congregation moves to the sea, the cross is thrown into the waters (“Agiasmos ton Ydaton”) and those daring enough to withstand the cold dive and reclaim the cross for which they are both lucky and blessed.

Orthodox parishioners in Izmir say that until recently the ceremony was held in the courtyard of the church.

Tomorrow, Archimandrite Kyrillos will deliver the liturgy at the church of Agia Foteini. At noon, the Blessing of the Waters will take place at Izmir Port in front of the monumental Greek consulate building currently being renovated.

Orthodox pilgrims from Greece will travel to Izmir to participate in the historic event.