Blessing of the Waters at Corfu Old Port

Crowds of people watched the spectacle from Mourayia, where they had a panoramic view of the bay.



Following the service at the Metropolitan Church there was a short procession to Cafe Yiali and Nektarios, Archbishop of Corfu, Paxos and Diapontia Islands conducted the Blessing of the Waters by casting the Holy Cross in the water symbolising the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.



The swimmer who reached the cross first was Christos Souzos, who also reached the cross first in Chania last year. The Archbishop awarded him with a gold cross and silver crosses were given to all the swimmers who took part.

There were similar ceremonies at all the coastal parishes today.