Tarpon Springs, FL - The Centennial Epiphany and Blessing of the Water Celebrations in Tarpon Springs, FL will be broadcast LIVE on January 6 on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website at www.goarch.org. His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of over 250 million Orthodox Christians, will preside over the event which is expected to attract thousands of Orthodox Christians and non-Orthodox Christians. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and other hierarchs and local clergy will also participate in the services and festivities of Epiphany.

The LIVE Internet broadcast will be available WORLDWIDE from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm ET beginning with the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy. Immediately following the Patriarchal Liturgy will be the Blessing of the Waters. Then, His All Holiness, hierarchs and clergy and the entire congregation will proceed out of the church and through the streets of Tarpons Springs to the Spring Bayou where thousands will have gathered for the diving for the Cross. His All Holiness will throw the Cross into the bayou, where some 50 young men, waiting in boats, will then dive into the waters as they vie to be the first to capture the coveted cross and the promise of happiness and success in the coming year. The Cross retriever will also receive a special blessing from His All Holiness and a prestigious trophy.

The LIVE Internet broadcast will be available so that all Orthodox Christians and others throughout the world can participate in this historic event. This production and Internet broadcast is being made available by the 2006 Patriarchal Visitation Committee. Technical services are being made available by Greek Orthodox Telecommunications and the Departments of Communications and Internet Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

Nikki Stephanopoulos - English Press Officer
Marissa P. Costidis
Stavros Papagermanos - Greek Press Officer