Blessing of the Waters and Greek Festival (South Australia)

Event Date: 7 January 2007
Location: Glenelg Jetty and Foreshore, Glenelg, South Australia 5045
Time: 10am to 8pm
Entry Cost: Free

Contact Details - Coordinators: Angelo on 0407-790-305 or Chris on 0413-400-511

Traditional Greek ceremony retrieving the holy cross from deep water off Glenelg Jetty > followed by the blessing of small boats and ships in the vicinity > featuring Greek music, a dancing festival and traditional/gourmet foods along the foreshore at Glenelg.

This is an occasion when many daring young Greek men brave the chilly waters to dive for a cross after it has been blessed by a priest and thrown into the water. For his gallantry, the first man who recovers the cross is said to have good luck throughout the coming year.

The Greek Festival of Epiphany, also referred to as 'The Blessing of the Waters', is an annual event held throughout Greece in the early part of January. Most of the major festivities of Epiphany in Greece are held in the Athens Port of Piraeus, however, activities are also held in many towns and villages throughout Greece. This event is equally celeberated widely amongst all Greek communities throughout the world. The 'Epiphany' is also commemorated by the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches (throughout the world) in January.

The Epiphany festival is said to have originated in the Eastern Orthodox Church, where it is also still recognised as the anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Western churches. Epiphany principally commemorates the revelation to the Gentiles of Jesus Christ as the Savior, as portrayed by the coming of the Three Wise Men.

Sources:
http://tourism.holdfast.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=115 (City of Holdfast Bay)
&
http://www.greekcity.com.au

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Semaphore Greek Festival 2007 (SA)

Greek Festival for all the family.
One of the biggest Greek cultural festivals in Adelaide! Traditional Greek Food, live entertainment, music and activities - held annually by the foreshore of Semaphore Beach.

Date: Sat 13 - Sun 14 January 2007
Time: 10 am to Midnight
Venue/Location: Semaphore Foreshore Reserve, Esplanade, Semaphore SA 5019
Cost: Free Entry

Presented by the Greek Orthodox Committee of Port Adelaide

Source: http://www.portenf.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=143&c=19027
(City of Port Adelaide Enfield)

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Greek Festival of Coburg (Victoria)

Cultural festival in Coburg (one of Melbourne's older, historical suburbs) > celebrating the Greek/Hellenic culture & offering an assortment of fine Greek foods, entertainment and stalls.

Date & Time: Sunday, 4 February 2007 from 12 noon - 6 pm
Venue/Location: Coburg Lake Reserve, Murray Road, Coburg

Presented by the Greek Orthodox Church Coburg

Contact Details :
Chris Koniditsiotis
Mobile: 9350 5559
Fax: 9355 8773

(Source: Moreland City Council, Victoria)

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Riverland Greek Festival 2007
(Renmark Festivals, Central Riverland, South Australia)

Event Date: Sun 25 Feb to Mon 26 Feb 2007
Venue/Location: Renmark Riverfront, Renmark, SA 5341
Cost: Free Entry

The Riverland Greek Festival is a celebration of Greek culture held in the Riverland region of South Australia through the arts, music, dancing and traditional Greek food. The annual festival attracts large numbers of visitors from Adelaide and interstate.

The first day's events commence with a Greek dinner dance with performances by local and interstate performers. The second day of the festival is a family fun day of activities which include a soccer match (Adelaide and Riverland teams), art and craft exhibitions (traditional and contemporary work), workshops in dance and music, displays, Greek food and wine stalls of local produce. The whole event is presented to engage the audience in a festive Greek celebration.

Contact Details :
Peter Ppiros
Phone & Fax: 08 8586 5002
Mobile phone: 0408 865 004
Telephone: 08 8586 5002

Source >> http://www.riverland.info/product.asp?product_id=9004628&search_result=true