Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church of Newcastle: January 2013

15 January, 2013

THEOPHANY - BLESSING OF THE WATERS Bogey Hole, Newcastle - MORE PHOTOS

"Theophany is the Feast of the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist at the Jordan River. The word “Theophany - Θεοφάνεια” is Greek and means, “the revealing of God”. At Christ's baptism, the Holy Trinity, appeared clearly to mankind for the first time: God the Farther's voice is heard from Heaven, the Son of God is incarnate in the person of Jesus and is standing physically in the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descends on Jesus in the form of a dove. This is the Event, the Orthodox Christians are celebrating today.
It is also a happy coincidence that the Church celebrates this special Feast at the beginning of the year. An opportunity to extend prayers and best wishes to all.

May we live as God intended, in the world, at peace and with the awareness of His love in every sunset, every flower's unfolding petals, every baby's smile, and every wonderful, astonishing, miraculous beat of our heart. A very Happy New Year to All!"

Fr Nicholas

07 January, 2013

BLESSING OF THE WATERS, Bogey Hole Newcastle

The lucky winner: Ilias Gore

Pictures BROCK PERKS

Courtesy of The Newcastle Herald

BLESSING OF THE WATERS: Unmarried men from Newcastle's Greek Community raced to retrieve the cross thrown into the Bogey Hole in the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony on Sunday. Ilias Gore (16) of New Lambton Heights reached the cross fiBLESSING OF THE WATERS: Unmarried men from Newcastle's Greek Community raced to retrieve the cross thrown into the Bogey Hole in the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony on Sunday. (16) of New Lambton Heights reached the cross first.

BLOOD was spilled, water was splashed and glory was won on Sunday at the Bogey Hole.
Newcastle’s Greek community marked the religious feast of Epiphany with the centuries-old tradition of the Blessing of the Waters.

More than 200 people from the Newcastle’s Greek Orthodox Church looked on as young unmarried men from their community jumped into the watering hole and raced to be the first the grab a holy cross thrown down to the sea floor. The traditional race, which is also open to women, has been performed at the Bogey Hole since 1957.

During the service the community prays for the safety of people working at sea and the prosperity of Australia.

Sixteen-year-old Ilias Gore, was the first to find the blessed prize this year.
The New Lambton Heights resident even spilled some blood to achieve the feat, cutting his foot during the friendly race.

‘‘I went down and grabbed something and it was seaweed,’’ he said.
‘‘But then I got it.’’

Father Nicholas Scordilis said the feast marked the Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan and the only in time history when the trinity - God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit - were present at once.

‘‘It’s a happy opportunity to wish everyone health and prosperity,’’ he said.
‘‘It gives me great joy to wish that to all the wonderful people of Newcastle.’’

Onlookers await the retrieval of the cross

The frantic seconds of the race to the cross

fellow participants kiss the cross to receive its blessing

The lucky winner Ilias Gore

Holy Apostles Rector Father Nicholas Scordilis and
Greek Community President Paul Milonas,
present the participants with their crosses

Courtesy of The Newcastle Herald