Tarpon Springs 2022 Epiphany celebration cross dive, explained

The annual religious tradition Epiphany in Tarpon Springs closes out the Christmas season. Restricted last year because of COVID-19, it was open to the public again today.

Alexander Makris, 16, of New Port Richey emerged from Spring Bayou holding the iconic white cross, besting some 67 competitors this year. But why does the cross dive tradition exist? A reverend at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral explains.
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[raymondmenendez]

Hmm-- all the boys start swimming, but the one who found the cross is the only one who went down. Was he the one that was chosen beforehand to find it?

[evesperspective]

If all the boys are blessed, then why decorate the one who found the cross in public? Why the competition?

[brianbannon]

1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14

[anastasiyad]

How can a Christian throw a cross without pangs of conscience?
"Before Thy Cross, we bow down and worship, o Master, ..."
Where is reverence?

[csm]

I cant beleive they said on televisione that this is the biggest event of the year....ummmm no its definetly not there are events with more than 100, 000 people EVERY YEAR and this event had 20, 000 people show up. How is 20, 000 the biggest event in the world when there are multiple events every year with more than triple that amount it makes no sense