The Blessing of the Waters and throwing of the Cross took place in Chalcedon after 68 years

The Feast of the Epiphany was celebrated with due splendour and magnificence after 68 years in the Holy Metropolis of Chalcedon. In the morning the Local Shepherd, His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, officiated at the Matins Service and presided over the Poly-Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and the Great Blessing of the Waters, and was joined in concelebration by Their Graces, Bishop Kassianos of Aravissos, Abbot of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Halki, and Bishop Paisios of Xanthoupolis, and joined by Protosyncellys Archimandrite Evgenios Karatzas, Father Vasilios Komninos, Patriarchal Deacon Anatolios Doxastakis and Deacon Asterios Bardakci.

From early in the morning, many people made their way to the Church, the first being the representative of the Consul General in Constantinople, Mr. Georgios Spyridon Mamalos. It is worth noting that this is a historic event, as this year after 68 years and after the coordinated efforts of the Chalcedon Community and in excellent cooperation with the local authorities, the Ceremony of the Blessing of the Waters and Diving for the Holy Cross took place at the adjacent pier in the Modi district, where several swimmers dived into the waters of the Sea of Marmara, in the presence of the Mayor of Chalcedon, Mr. Şerdil Dara Odabaşı.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Emmanuel, after thanking all those who participated and in particular the Mayor and the members of the Chalcedon Community, wished everyone to enjoy many years, blessed and enlightened, always bathed in the grace of the Lord. After this, the Chalcedon Community hosted a festive meal for everyone at the historic restaurant Koço, located in the area of Modi, which the Sacred Spring of Saint Catherine is located.