Adelaide: Blessing of the Waters Ceremony and Glenelg Greek Festival

The Blessing of the Waters Ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 12:30pm, at Glenelg Jetty for the 44th successive year, creating the scene of a centuries-old tradition.

Taking part in the ancient religious celebrations, also known as the Feast of Lights, will be approximately over 50 registered swimmers. They will each attempt to be the first to retrieve the sacred cross tossed into the sea from the jetty. The successful swimmer will earn a gold cross and is said to receive a special blessing for the following year.

His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope, together with Adelaide’s Orthodox Christian Clergy – from the Greek Orthodox, Ukrainian, Serbian, Romanian and Antiochian Orthodox churches – will lead the Procession onto the Glenelg Jetty and will throw the cross to the swimmers in the water.

The ceremony celebrates the Feast of Epiphany, remembering Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist in the River Jordan and the appearance of the Holy Trinity and beginning of His ministry.

The Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, Premier of South Australia, will honour this significant event with his
presence, as will other Local, State and Federal dignitaries.

The Blessing of the Waters Ceremony will be followed, as always, by the traditional Glenelg Greek Festival, which again this year will be taking place over two days, Saturday January 6 and Sunday January 7, 2024, at the grassed foreshore area in front of the Stamford Grand Hotel.

The annual festival will feature music and dance performances, and more than 120 volunteers from the Parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in South Australia will serve traditional Greek food.