A long-standing tradition continued at Aquamoves last week with the annual Blessing of the Waters ceremony, marking an important event for Greater Shepparton’s Orthodox community.
Held each year on January 6, the ceremony commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ and brings together members of the local Orthodox faith to witness the sacred ritual.
The service involves the sanctification of the water through prayer, followed by the casting of a Holy Cross into the pool.
This year, nine males dived into the water in the hope of being the first to retrieve the cross — an honour believed to bring blessings for the year ahead.
The distinction went to 21-year-old Christian Georgiou, who successfully retrieved the cross and was celebrated by onlookers for his achievement.
The service was presided over by St George’s Orthodox Church priest Father Platon Derlis, who led the prayers and cast the Holy Cross into the pool.
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