Description
Despite the cold of the winter, on the 6th of January of every year, the inhabitants of Pylos-Nestor Municipality keep the age old custom of Epiphany. The word 'Epiphany' comes from the Greek and means to show, referring to baby Jesus being revealed to the world. The people gather in the harbors of Pylos, Methoni, Finikounta and Koroni, as well as at other parts of the coast line, to attend the ceremony and celebrate the Epiphany.
At the seat of the municipality, Pylos, the celebration starts early in the morning with a divine liturgy at the Church of Myrtidiaotissa. A procession takes place from the church through the streets to Nestor’s Square with the accompaniment of festive melodies played by the Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra of Pylos-Nestor. On a large floating platform projecting into the harbour the Mayor and the representatives of the Civil and Military Authorities watch as the Holy Cross is flung by the priest into the harbour waters. Brave & devout citizens dive into the water to retrieve the Holy Cross and take its blessing for the following year
The same ceremony takes place around the municipality. Where village churches are near the coast the priest and inhabitants carry out the ceremony at the nearest beach. In an area at a distance from the coast the priest will throw the cross into inland waterways. For example, in Hora the priests throws the cross into the Kefalovryso Spring.
English 
Greek