Blessing is no cross to bear ONE of the youngest participants at this year’s Greek Orthodox Blessing of the Waters came up with the wooden cross tossed into the sea by Bishop Jacob Iakovos to mark Epiphany Day. Nick Georgiou, 16, from Mentone was first to grab the wooden cross after diving off Frankston pier last Wednesday morning (6 January). The throwing of the cross blesses the waters. Epiphany Day celebrates the baby Jesus being visited by three kings in Bethlehem and later being baptised in the River Jordan by John the Baptist. A crowd gathered to watch a group of young men dive in and compete to be first to snatch the wooden cross. Nick, a Year 11 student at Haileybury College, will benefit from 12 months of good luck and prosperity according to Greek Orthodox beliefs. He said he did not realise how “big and special” the Blessing of the Waters ceremony is until he turned up last Wednesday morning and saw the large crowd gathered to watch proceedings. “My friend invited me to come with him because we’re both Greek,” Nick said. “I was really nervous before I jumped in.” Nick reckoned his good luck for the year has already begun after “being in the right place on the pier” to dive in and snatch the cross the first time he took part in the event. The 16-year-old aims to become a sports physiotherapist after he finishes his schooling. The tradition of the Blessing of the Waters ceremony started in Frankston and Epiphany Day rituals are now also carried out at Rye and South Melbourne piers. Nick was blessed by Bishop Iakovos after retrieving the wooden cross and was given a wooden cross pedant to wear as a memento. Neil Walker
Help find Cayleb POLICE are appealing for public help to find missing Chelsea Heights teenager Cayleb Hough. He was last seen on 18 December at a house in Puffin Close, Chelsea Heights. Cayleb is known to frequent the Bonbeach, Cheltenham and Heatherton areas. Police hold serious concerns for his safety as it is unusual for him to go missing for this length of time. They are unsure what the 17-year-old was wearing when he disappeared. Caleb is described as about 180cm tall with a medium build, dark brown hair and fair skin.
Seniors’ fitness classes FITNESS classes for those aged 50-plus are held 10-11am, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, at St Paul’s Anglican Church, corner Bay and High streets, Frankston. The first class is free, and then $8 per class, pay as you go. There are no joining or membership fees. The exercise programs are accredited through Fitness Australia. Details: 0419 713 635.
First to the cross: Nick Georgiou swam out to grab a wooden cross tossed off Frankston pier by Greek Orthodox Church Bishop Jacob Iakovos on Epiphany Day last Wednesday. Pictures: Gary Sissons
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*Present the coupons above for your discount. Offer expires 8/2/16 & excludes specials. Frankston Times 11 January 2016
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