Epiphany 2026 in Greece

Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, marks the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River and the revelation of the Holy Trinity. It is one of the most important Orthodox feasts, observed with church services and the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony.

Epiphany: A Public Holiday?

Epiphany is a public holiday in Greece, with most businesses, offices, and schools closed as people take part in religious ceremonies and traditional celebrations.

Epiphany

Epiphany, known as Theophánia in Greece, is one of the oldest and most important feasts in the Orthodox Christian calendar. Celebrated on January 6, it commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. This event is seen as the first public appearance of Jesus and the moment when the Holy Trinity was revealed—God the Father through the voice from heaven, the Son in Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. The name "Theophánia" means "appearance of God," underlining the divine nature of the celebration.

Epiphany has been celebrated in Greece since the early centuries of Christianity. It was once part of a combined feast that included Christ's birth, but by the 4th century, the Church separated Christmas and Epiphany into distinct holidays. Over time, local customs developed around the event, especially the Blessing of the Waters, which became central to Greek Epiphany traditions and remains widely practiced across the country today.

Observance of Epiphany in Greece

Epiphany in Greece is deeply spiritual and also filled with symbolic traditions. The day begins with church services that focus on Christ's baptism and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity. After the liturgy, the Blessing of the Waters ceremony takes place. Priests throw a cross into a body of water—such as a river, lake, or sea—and young men dive in to retrieve it. This act symbolizes the sanctification of nature and the purification of the soul.

The ceremony draws large crowds and is often followed by community events and festive gatherings. In coastal towns and islands, the sea becomes the focal point, while in mountain villages, rivers and springs serve as sacred sites. People believe that the blessed water brings protection and health for the year ahead. Some also sprinkle the holy water around their homes and fields to invite divine grace and renewal.

Epiphany is more than a public holiday; it is a day of deep meaning for Greek Orthodox Christians. It marks the end of the 12-day Christmas period and serves as a reminder of spiritual rebirth, divine presence, and the power of faith. The continued observance of these traditions connects generations and reinforces the unity between people, faith, and nature.

Epiphany Observances