A strange custom for a cold time of the year
By 41Combedale
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
Greece
January 7, 2016 7:05am CST
Yesterday the Greek Orthodox priests went down to the sea and blessed the water. Then they threw their crosses into the water and the men swam to retrieve them. The reward for the one who got there first was an extra blessing, perhaps to ward off the effect of such a cold plunge.
When I saw this for the first time I was quite staggered. I know now that it is something to do with Jesus' baptism. Anyhow for whatever reason I think the blessing went awry this year as today the sea is so rough that the ferries cannot run!
11 people like this
10 responses
@celticeagle (189891)
• Boise, Idaho
7 Jan 16
Everything is so bizarre weather wise the last few months. I hope things get back to normal at some point. But, when you think about it....what is 'normal' any way?
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189891)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jan 16
@41CombedaleRoad ... I do too. I get tired of the heat and droughts here too.
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
8 Jan 16
I hope that 'normal' will not be any hotter this year, last year was too hot for too long.
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29819)
• Momence, Illinois
7 Jan 16
strange custom but they believe so they have to do it. I would not be happy about going into frigid water.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
8 Jan 16
@41CombedaleRoad I did not know about this custom.It is always interesting to know about customs of different places and people.
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
8 Jan 16
The odd thing is that although some of these customs seem unpleasant yet they continue for decades and longer.
@silvermist (19701)
• India
10 Jan 16
@41CombedaleRoad Yes,that is the thing with customs.It keeps on from generation to generation.
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
8 Jan 16
In London they plunge into the Serpentine and I'm not even sure that it is clean. Not quite so cold as in Switzerland and I've no idea why they do that either!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502573)
• Italy
8 Jan 16
@41CombedaleRoad I would never do that, the Epiphany day was freezing cold here in Switzerland.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
7 Jan 16
a most interestin' tradtion indeed. perhaps the blessin' was to churn up the sea 'n free it from its burdens? i dunno, the weather jest seems to get crazier 'n crazier world-wide by the minute.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
9 Jan 16
@41CombedaleRoad i agree :( most sad that so many're losin' their lives tryin' to escape the horrors'f their homelands. but, the other countries can only tend to so many unfortunately. there jest aint 'nough resources to go 'round.
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (18115)
• Torrington, Connecticut
7 Jan 16
That sure is strange especially if its cold out
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
7 Jan 16
In the south they baptize in the river, we got to witness one a year or so ago - it was inter and the old man must have been freezing....
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
8 Jan 16
A couple of years ago when I was in England I saw a church baptizing people in a large plastic pool in the street and it was snowing. They were not even young people. It was too cold for me to stand around and watch.
1 person likes this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
8 Jan 16
@41CombedaleRoad I wonder how many of these winter baptisms lead to colds or worse.
@garymarsh6 (24025)
• United Kingdom
7 Jan 16
It must be interesting to see this traditional event. Hopefully it will continue for many years to come!
@41CombedaleRoad (5966)
• Greece
8 Jan 16
Following the retrieval of the crosses the old priests (very senior clergy I imagine) walk around among the faithful who kiss their gnarled old hands. The kissing is done by the ladies...
@righttotheheart (226)
• Delhi, India
7 Jan 16
customs are customs and you cannot do much about them.
