Epiphany is annually celebrated on 6th January.  The Feast of Theophany celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, and the great revelation of the Holy Trinity.  Homes and churches are filled with joy of the Great Blessing of the Waters, as priests sanctify the waters and sprinkle the believers.  On islands and coastal towns like Ermioni, the priests bless the sea for safe passage to all seafarers and cast the Holy Cross into the sea for brave young swimmers to retrieve.  In Ermioni, these swimmers are usually cadets ready to start their military service.  They had been singing 'Yala-Yala' songs and drinking (to stay warm) the previous night, attended the church service, then boarded the decorated boats from which they would dive into the sea to retrieve the Holy Cross and Icon.

Epiphany is one of the most important Christian feasts of the year, it is also known as Theophany.  Both terms come from Greek, with Epiphany meaning 'revelation' and Theophany meaning 'revelation of God'.

In Ermioni, the morning of Epiphany started with the Orthros and Divine Liturgy service at the Metropolitan Church of Taxiarches (Archangels) as the Panaghia church is presently being renovated.  Around 10:30am, following the Divine Liturgy and the sound of ringing church bells, the Orthodox priests and congregation filed down in procession to the Limani harbour, accompanied by the Ermionida regional mayor, representatives of the Hellenic armed forces, civil dignitaries and the Ermionida philharmonic orchestra, where a large crowd was gathered and waiting to observe 'Blessing of the Waters' by the priests and the 'Yala-Yala' celebrations.

Following the 'Blessing of the Waters' ritual at the harbour, where a white dove was released into the sky, the Holy Cross and Holy Icon were cast into the sea by the priests.  At this point, all the brave swimmers (still singing and rocking) dived into the cold sea from their decorated boats anchored at the opposite side of the harbour.  The two young swimmers that reached the Holy Cross and the Holy Icon first were rewarded with blessed neck-chains by the priests and the promise of a whole year of good luck.  This special and sacred day, also known as 'Ta Phota' (The Lights) brings illumination, blessing and renewal to all.  This event brings an end to the Christmas and New Year celebration period, started one month ago with the Feast of Saint Nicholas on 6th December.

On 7th January, the Greek Orthodox church celebrates the Feast Day of the Synaxis of Aghios Ioannis (Saint John) the Baptist and Holy Forerunner of Christ, who is the also the Protector Saint of God Parents, as he baptised Jesus Christ.  7th January is the Name Day of Ioannis, Yiannis, Yiannoula, Ioanna, John, Joanne, Ivana, Vana, Zannetos, Zanetta, Zanet, Janet, Johnny and Makis.