Holy Diocese of Adelaide Hosts the 45th Annual Theophany Celebration
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, the Holy Diocese of Adelaide held the 45th annual Glenelg Greek Festival in 2025. Building on the success of the previous years, expanded this year’s Glenelg Greek Festival to an exciting three-day celebration, running from Friday January 10 – Sunday January 12. This extension allowed for an even richer program of events, providing more opportunities for the Orthodox and wider South Australian community to come together and immerse themselves in the traditions, culture, and faith that define the festival.
Early Celebrations
The event began on Friday afternoon into the evening (complete with a “Seafood by the Sea” fasting menu) and again on Saturday from 10:00am. Several quality artists were showcased throughout this period, including Kosta Mimis, the sisters Antonia and Zoe, Paraskevi, Michael Papacharalambous and renowned bouzouki player Nick Paras. The music performances were interspersed by a performance from the Cretan Dance Group, and a “Zorba Marathon” competition for some fun and entertainment.
Throughout the weekend the ever-popular Central Philoptochos bookstore also had a presence, as well as (for the first time) a wonderful exhibition showcasing the work of the students of our local community Greek schools and day schools.
The Blessing of the Waters
The central focus of the weekend’s celebration was the Blessing of the Waters, presided over by the local bishop His Grace Bishop Silouan of Adelaide on Sunday. A feast with origins which trace back to Apostolic times and referenced in The Apostolic Constitutions (Book V:13), the Theophany is the Feast which reveals the Most Holy Trinity to the world through the Baptism of the Lord (Mt.3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22).
In a historic first, the procession commenced this year at the nearby parish of St Panteleimon, with parish priest Fr Jeremy Krieg leading his parishioners on the 10-minute walk to the neighbouring parish of Holy Cross where Bishop Silouan had presided over the Divine Liturgy with local rector Fr Panagiotis Photakis and some visiting priests. From Holy Cross, led by His Grace the combined parishes walked in procession together to the foreshore Pioneer Memorial (the historical starting point of the procession), where they were joined by other priests of the Diocese and some of our sister jurisdictions. From there they processed together to the middle of the Glenelg jetty where His Grace conducted the Blessing of the Waters ceremony, culminating in the casting of the Holy Cross into the sea.
This year, up to 120 swimmers braved the waters to retrieve the blessed Cross. Among them, 21-year-old Vasilie Kypreos from New South Wales claimed victory. With family connections to South Australia, Vasilie is closely associated with St George Church in Thebarton.
Sunday Celebrations
After His Grace presented a gift to each of the participating swimmers, the procession made its way back to the foreshore, where the official lunch and formalities took place.
The celebrations turned Glenelg into a centre for Greek culture, music, dance, and food. The main act of the day was Band Kosmos, interspersed with featured performances by the Pontian Brotherhood of SA, the Messinian Greek Dance School of SA, and the St George College Dance Group (junior and senior divisions), the St Spyridon College Adelaide Choir, the sisters Antonia and Zoe, and Efthimi Avgetidis with Thano Gialamas playing some traditional Pontian songs.
The festival was attended by numerous dignitaries. Among those present were the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis MP, representing the Premier of South Australia, local and federal representatives, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and community leaders. Their participation highlights the strong ties between the Greek Orthodox Church and the broader South Australian community and underscores its importance within South Australia’s cultural and religious calendar.
Dr. Alexandra Theodoropoulou, the Consul General of Greece in South Australia, attended her first Theophany celebration in the State and expressed her admiration for the event. She remarked on the uniqueness of the Australian celebration, enhanced by the summer season and hot weather.
The festival’s success is attributed not only to the dedication of its organisers but also to the countless volunteers and sponsors who tirelessly worked and supported the event to bring it to life. Organisations such as the Department of Premier and Cabinet, alongside other key sponsors, played a vital role in ensuring this year’s celebration was a success.
His Grace Bishop Silouan highlighted the unique importance of the event emphasising that “[w]e are so blessed to hold this Greek Festival in probably the most beautiful place in the state, if not the nation, and we thank God for that.” He extended heartfelt gratitude to all those contributors whose tireless efforts make the festival possible.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the celebration, Bishop Silouan explained that ritual is more than tradition; it is an essential practice. “Ritual gives life to inanimate objects, it gives life to creation, it gives life to society, and it also gives life to relationships,” he said.
In addition to its religious significance, the festival continues to serve as a bridge between cultures, inviting the broader South Australian community to share in the joy and spirit of Theophany.
