Photos: Dimitrios Psatheris, Eleftherios Kokkalis

The great feast of the Theophany was celebrated with splendor in Nea Artaki, centered at the Holy Church of the Twelve Apostles, where Orthros was served followed by the archieratical Divine Liturgy presided over by the Most Reverend Bishop of Skopelos Mr. Nikodimos, and after its conclusion, the service of the Great Blessing of the Waters was performed.

Subsequently, a multitude of faithful accompanied the litany from the Holy Church to the port of Nea Artaki, where, in the presence of Clergy and representatives of local authorities and organizations, the sanctification of the waters and the immersion of the Holy Cross from a fishing boat took place.

For the retrieval of the Holy Cross from the sea, more than twenty people participated, and the Holy Cross was lifted by Mr. Dimitrios Papaioannou, originally from Athens, who, as a commemorative blessing, received a golden cross, while those who participated in the retrieval received a silver cross each.