Tarpon Springs' Epiphany celebration will happen despite the weather

Good morning from the 118th Epiphany celebration in rainy Tarpon Springs. It is the Western Hemisphere's largest celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River, and last year attracted 20,000 spectators.

The Orthodox service begins at eight o'clock in the morning in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, followed by the Divine Liturgy. At approximately noon, clergy, parishioners in traditional dress and spectators will begin the procession to Spring Bayou for the Tarpon Springs Blessing, the highlight of the tradition for many.

That's when 69 boys climb from the cathedral into the boats waiting in the bay. The Archbishop will bless the waters before throwing a white cross into the water. The children will dive in and try to retrieve the cross, and whoever finds it is said to receive a year of blessings.

This year the cathedral is hosting the return of Archbishop Niketas of Thyatira and Great Britain, who was born in Tampa and attended Epiphany in Tarpon Springs as a child. In 1974, he dived into the river and retrieved the cross, making this year's celebration the 50th anniversary of its recovery.

The celebration is expected to take place despite the stormy weather. Earlier in the week, St. Nicholas spokeswoman Joanna Gatzoulis said: “The weather is not stopping our religious event.”