On January 6, 2026, the small city of Tarpon Springs, Florida, was once again the scene of one of the nation’s most vibrant and enduring religious traditions. Locals and visitors gathered in anticipation along the banks of Spring Bayou, their eyes trained on the water as a group of teenage boys prepared for a plunge that would test both their resolve and their faith. This was the 120th Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs, a spectacle that has become not only a religious milestone but also a defining cultural event for the city’s Greek Orthodox community.
The annual Epiphany celebration, hosted by St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, marks the end of the 12 Days of Christmas and commemorates a pivotal moment in Christian theology: the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by St. John the Baptist. As reported by the Tampa Bay Times and local sources, the day’s schedule is steeped in tradition and symbolism, beginning with the solemnity of Orthros and Divine Liturgy services at the cathedral. The congregation then processes to the water’s edge, where the release of a dove—symbolizing the Holy Spirit—sets the stage for the event’s dramatic climax.
The main event unfolds as the Archbishop of America tosses a metal cross into the chilly waters of Spring Bayou. This is the moment the crowd has been waiting for: dozens of young Orthodox Christian men, ages 16 to 18, dive in pursuit of the cross. The competition is fierce, but the spirit is one of camaraderie and shared purpose. This year, it was 18-year-old Athos Karistinos, a Tarpon Springs resident, who emerged victorious, clutching the cross triumphantly above the surface as the crowd erupted in cheers.
According to the church, the young man who returns with the cross is said to be blessed for the entire year. For Karistinos, this moment marks not only a personal achievement but also a spiritual milestone. As the official 2026 Epiphany Cross Retriever for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, he joins a long line of young men whose lives have been shaped by this tradition. The church points out that past divers have gone on to become war veterans, doctors, lawyers, and politicians—an impressive testament to the enduring influence of the Epiphany ritual on the community’s youth.
One particularly notable alumnus of the cross dive is Nikitas Lulias, who retrieved the cross in 1974 and is now Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain. His story is often cited as an example of how the experience can inspire young men to pursue lives of service and leadership, both within the church and beyond. As a result, the event is viewed not just as a rite of passage, but as a launching pad for future generations of community leaders.
The Epiphany celebration is as much a social event as it is a religious one. Once the cross has been retrieved and the formalities at the bayou conclude, the festivities move back to the cathedral for the Epiphany Glendi. This lively festival offers Greek food and drink, traditional dancing, music, and a variety of community activities designed to celebrate both Greek culture and the religious significance of the day. For many, it’s a chance to reconnect with friends and family, to share stories, and to honor the traditions that have defined Tarpon Springs for more than a century.
Epiphany in Tarpon Springs is unique, not just in its scale but in the way it brings together faith, heritage, and community spirit. As reported by local sources, the event has become one of the headline attractions in Pinellas County, drawing thousands of spectators each year. For the city’s sizeable Greek-American population, it’s an opportunity to share their customs with the wider public and to keep the flame of their faith alive in a rapidly changing world.
But what exactly is Epiphany, and why does it hold such sway in Tarpon Springs? The celebration, observed by Orthodox Christians around the world, marks the moment when Jesus was baptized, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove. In Orthodox theology, this is seen as the revelation of the Holy Trinity and the beginning of Christ’s public ministry. While many communities mark the day with church services and processions, Tarpon Springs has elevated the tradition to an entirely different level, transforming it into a public spectacle that captures the imagination of all who witness it.
The roots of the tradition in Tarpon Springs can be traced back to the city’s founding in the late 19th century, when Greek sponge divers settled in the area and brought their customs with them. Over the years, the Epiphany celebration has grown in size and significance, becoming a symbol of the city’s identity and resilience. Even today, as new generations of Greek-Americans come of age, the event serves as a powerful reminder of the values that bind the community together: faith, perseverance, and a deep sense of belonging.
For Athos Karistinos, the 2026 cross retriever, the experience is likely to be life-changing. Not only is he said to be blessed for the year ahead, but he now carries the weight of a tradition that has shaped the lives of so many before him. As the church notes, “past divers have gone on to become war veterans, doctors, lawyers, and politicians.” The implication is clear: the Epiphany dive is more than just a test of physical endurance—it’s a formative moment that can set the course for a lifetime.
Following the conclusion of the religious ceremonies, the Epiphany Glendi provides a joyful counterpoint to the solemnity of the day’s earlier proceedings. Here, the community gathers to eat, dance, and celebrate, with Greek music and traditional fare filling the air with a sense of festivity. For many, this is the highlight of the day—a chance to let loose and enjoy the company of friends and neighbors while honoring the customs that have been handed down through generations.
As the sun sets on another Epiphany in Tarpon Springs, the city’s residents can look back with pride on a tradition that has endured for more than a century. From the solemnity of the church services to the excitement of the cross dive and the revelry of the Glendi, the event is a testament to the enduring power of faith and community. And for one young man, Athos Karistinos, it marks the beginning of a year—and perhaps a lifetime—blessed by tradition, achievement, and the embrace of a proud heritage.