Epiphany

This is the most important festival for the Greek Orthodox community of Cyprus. Known as ‘Kalanda’, or The Feast of Light, the celebration of the Epiphany commemorates the revelation of God in Human form, like the incarnation of Jesus Christ through his baptism in the river Jordan. Water sources all over the city are blessed to mark the occasion, and devotees gather in large numbers with their families to take part in the ceremony at the Cathedral and also in the religious procession towards the sea. The highlight of the ceremony is when the Bishop throws the Holy Cross into the ocean and young men dive after it to retrieve it. Even though the Epiphany is largely celebrated among the Greek Orthodox all over the Mediterranean, Larnaca is the best place to visit during this time of the year due to its extensive and dramatic celebrations.